Worked Up by Tessa Bailey

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From Publisher:

Factory mechanic Duke Crawford just wants to watch SportsCenter in peace. Unfortunately, living with four divorcee sisters doesn’t provide much silence, nor does it change his stance on relationships. But when a fellow commitment-phobe stumbles into his life, getting him good and worked up, he can’t deny his protective instincts.

Samantha Waverly’s brother just put her in an impossible situation. The only way out? Marry huge, gruff, gladiator look-alike Duke—for show, of course. She doesn’t make promises—she knows too well how easily they can be broken—and this is no exception.

As the blistering attraction between them grows, the lines around the no-strings relationship blur. But Duke and Samantha’s marriage is only for show…or is it?

Source:  Advance Copy from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review.  

Hmm, what to say about this one?  As always, Tessa writes sex so steamy your hair frizzes.  Holy smokes.  Author and model BT Urruela recently did a live reading of a chapter of this book on Facebook and he was blushing his way through - it was fantastic!  

My problem is Bailey's trend to write the whole I can't breathe without you thing.  The insta-love so strong that you feel like you'll wither and die without the other person.  It's disturbing to me.  I know some of you love it and it doesn't keep me from reading the books, so I will shut up about it now.  :-)

All that said, I think it's hilarious that Tessa wrote a book about one of her PMBs (Pouty Man Bear for those unfamiliar with Tessa).  And it's great that there's some variation o the standard muscley gorgeous hero we usually find in romance and erotica.  Duke is not your standard hero.  He's a big, brush, evil gladiator.  

If you love the big, bad, bearded guys, Worked Up is definitely for you.  If you like sex so hot you need a walk-in freezer, check out any Tessa Bailey book.  She generally writes 'em as bossy, demanding, dirty talkers, so if those are your fantasies, check her out.  If those are your triggers, stay away.  

Bottom Line?  Tessa Bailey.  Read her.  

~ Shel