ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE is book two in Marie Harte's Body Shop Bad Boys series. I fell for this series after the first book, and each installment just gets better. ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE picks up right after the end of the previous book, but I believe it works as a stand-alone story. The alternating perspectives highlight the best things about the main characters, as well as their realistic flaws. The tempestuous first meeting between mechanic hottie Foley Sanders and Cynthia "Cyn" Nichols typifies their entire eventual relationship, and makes for a wild ride for readers.

With each book in this Body Shop Bad Boys series, I love the characters a little more -- especially the guys. Foley is a big burly beefcake, with a naughty streak, but he's also a good guy at heart who places a high importance on friendship and family. Cyn is a strong woman in most areas of her life, but she also has can be vulnerable because of jerk ex-boyfriends and her mother's constant haranguing. I love how Foley and Cyn balance each other beautifully and provide the strong partner they both need. The sexy scenes in ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE are electrifying and made ten times more enjoyable because of the fun relationship the main characters have.

So much in ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE is centered around family -- biological as well as the close relationships formed by a group of friends and co- workers. Cyn and Foley both go through some highs and lows with their families in ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. Foley and his co-worker and roommate, Sam Hamilton, are as close as brothers. To Foley's mother, Sam is like another son. ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE is very much a character-driven story, and all of the main characters are complex and fascinating. I like that Marie Harte tells a portion of the story from Sam's perspective, so that readers can see the reasons he sometimes acts like a bit of a jerk in this story. Sam's very real fear of possibly losing not only his best friend, but the woman who is closer to him than his actual mother, makes him sympathetic. For Cyn, her family drama comes from her mother's incessant, well- meaning yet cruel, criticisms and meddling in her love life. I love the way Marie Harte has the characters react to the mother's behavior and move on, without making the resolution seem artificial and saccharine or forced.

ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE is a book that's good to the last page, and full of guys who are strong, sexy, and a little goofy. This is a "top ten" series for me, and I eagerly await the next book in Marie Harte's Body Shop Bad Boys series.

Book Summary

Underneath the axle grease and tats He's a gentleman Foley Sanders figured he'll always be content with a life of cars and casual hookups. Until a run-in with Cyn, a statuesque firecracker with a hate-on for men, leaves him bewitched and intrigued-much to her annoyance.

Maybe Cynthia Nichols was a little hard on Foley, that muscular, tattooed, super-hot mechanic next door. But she's tired of feeling defensive about her size and has sworn off men. She's got a new job, new life, perfect plan. Foley has trouble written all over him-no way is she going to fall for his charms.

Foley might look like a bad idea, but underneath, he's all gentleman. Too bad Cyn's not buying it. What's a bad boy to do when the goddess of his dreams won't give him the time of day?

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