THE ONE WHO UNDID ME

Austin Heat, Book #1

By Amari Nylix

Contemporary Romance/ Comedy / Football

Publisher: Temair Media

Pages: 390

Publication Date: September 14, 2023

Synopsis

Rumor has it that Texas just got a little hotter! Fans of Tessa Bailey and K. Bromberg will fall for this sexy story of mistaken identity, electric attraction, and irresistible romance in the first installment of the addictive new series, Austin Heat.

Jake is desperate to rewrite his past with women and leave behind the media storm surrounding his off-the-field antics that cloud his potential. He’s done with the stream of models, actresses, and NFL cheerleaders that have warmed his bed since he made a name for himself as starting quarterback for the University of Texas. He desperately wants to meet a normal girl in his hometown of Austin.

After moving to Austin to be the hired girlfriend of one of her long-term escort clients, Rakell finds herself wishing she could live a normal life with an average guy. Turned off by the billionaire clients she’s been serving for the last five years, she longs to get out of the business and build a life where she doesn’t live in the shadows of her escort persona.

Their worlds collide and the spice is off the charts. “Pretty boy” Jake Skyler has met his match with saucy-mouthed, Rakell McCarthy. Both think they’ve fallen for an average person. Both are wrong! What happens when their physical connection explodes, their hearts take charge and the secrets they are concealing are revealed?

Amazon | B&N

Review

Does passion trump the truth?

In the first of a series, sparks ignite for Jake and Rakell. However, they are both hiding the truth from the other. Jake holds out on telling Rakell that he is an NFL football player. She hasn’t revealed that she is an escort to the wealthy. While neither secret could be considered a deal breaker for most people, I found it interesting to watch their reactions to the truth. Well, part of the truth. The book ends with a cliffhanger, and Jake doesn’t know the truth about Rakell (yet).

These characters are in their mid to late 20s, and it is obvious from the outside looking in. I can say that since I have long passed my 20s! They are both insecure and immature in their interactions with each other. This goes back to the secrets they are keeping from one another. However, it also ties back to their experiences and how it has impacted their current lives. Rakell is holding onto a lot of baggage regarding her father. We don’t really know everything that happened with that relationship other than he has died, and her mother has not handled it well and drinks a lot. I would have loved to see more details revealed about her past to understand her better. Jake doesn’t have quite a turbulent past. However, his foray into the world of professional football has not gone well, as it doesn’t for many professionals. Just watch the HBO show Ballers, and you will see how they act. It isn’t far from the truth.

I enjoyed the interactions between Jake and Rakell, at least the ones outside the bedroom. However, once they entered the bedroom, it became a sizzling show that did not leave you guessing. It is very detailed. I will be honest and admit that I skimmed those pages. Had those scenes been left out or toned down, it would not have derailed the storyline for me. I would have liked to see more depth added to the characters to have a better understanding of who they are and what makes them act in specific ways. It is only touched on, so I didn’t grasp the full reasoning behind actions.

I don’t know where the rest of this series is headed, but I am curious if Jake and Rakell resolve their issues. I feel like there is a fair amount of growth in store for both characters. There are other characters that I can foresee changes for them, too, such as Dwayne, who is not looking for love and marriage. I have a feeling he will meet someone in the future who will change that opinion. And what about Matt? Does he come out to his family?

The details of the Texas setting and Austin are authentic, leaving me desiring a trip down south.

We give this book 4 paws up.

About the Author

Amari Nylix (alter ego to author Tara Delaney) tells sordid stories revolving around tempestuous love affairs that are inspired by the secret liaisons of Old West villains, heroes, and the temptress women who lure those powerful men into their webs. Amari delights in sharing her torrid stories of heart-wrenching, epic love that begins with the desires of the flesh and evolves into affairs of the heart.

In the Austin Heat series, Amari works closely with bestselling author of both non-fiction and fiction Tara Delaney 😉. Tara has been a pediatric occupational therapist for more than thirty years and has extensive professional experience in sensory processing and nervous system development while also having studied how early trauma impacts our responses as adults. Tara is responsible for trimming back Amari’s numerous spicy scenes, allowing room for all the FEELS. 

 Website ◆ Instagram◆ BookBub

Amazon ◆ Facebook ◆ Goodreads

Visit the Lone Star Literary Life Tour Page

For direct links to each blog participating in this tour.

blog tour services provided by