Review: Real Men Will- Victoria Dahl

Title: Real Men Will

Author: Victoria Dahl

Series: Donavon Brothers Brewery Book 3

Release Date: November, 2011

Publisher: HQN Books

Genre: Contemporary

Rating: 5 Hoots

Reviewer: Karia

It was meant to be a one-night stand. One night of passion. Scorching hot. Then Beth Cantrell and Eric Donovan were supposed to go their separate ways. That’s the only reason he lied about his name, telling her he was really his wild younger brother. Hiding his own identity as the conservative Donovan. The “good” one.

But passion has its own logic, and Eric finds he cannot forget the sable-haired beauty with whom he shared one night of passion. When Beth discovers that Eric has lied, however, she knows he cannot be trusted. Her mind tells her to forget the blue-eyed charmer. If only every fiber of her being did not burn to call him back.  (Goodreads)

Did I mention somewhere that I fell in love with Eric in the anthology The Guy Next Door, well we broke up for a bit while I was with his brother Jamie--remember him: the hawt, kilt-wearing, fun-loving, keg tapping younger brother, and everything that Eric is not. Exactly the kind of guy that would attract a gorgeous erotic store manager, like Beth. So when Beth mistakes Eric for the wild, exuberant, sexy and irresponsible Donovan brother, what else could he do but play along. The irony stabs Eric as he realizes that the only time in the past 13 years he has ever been himself was his night in Beth's arms when he was pretending to be someone else. 

Beth too is living a lie. Her whole world shifted on its axis one day back in high school. Since then, she has been trying to prove to everyone, especially herself, that she is the sexually liberated independent woman expected of the White Orchid's manager. Sadly, the only enjoyable adult sexual experience she has ever had was her one night with "Jamie" Donovan. While mostly vanilla, their night was intense, decadent, explosive… and the chemistry she and the dark haired Donovan shared was combustive.

It nearly killed me to wait so long for this book…and I know that you all will have another month to wait. But (and I mean hold up), Eric is so worth the wait. The lovin' is super steamy and plentiful, but the romance and story are also fantastic. At one point, I was weeping with tears rolling down my cheeks over Eric and Beth. These two scarred and flawed characters meshed together so well, my heart clenched for them and I loved their HEA. ENJOY!