Unwrapping a Review of DIRTY TALK, a Mechanics of Love novel by Megan Erickson

After reading Cal and Jenna’s story in DIRTY THOUGHTS, I didn’t think Megan Erickson could touch my heart any harder than she had but I was so wrong. DIRTY TALK, book two in the Mechanics of Love series by Megan Erickson is even better and trust me, I never thought I’d say that about Brent.

***purchased a copy for my own personal reading but sharing my honest and unscripted review.

Blurb for DIRTY TALK:

When the one you shouldn't want is the one you can't resist...

Brent Payton works hard, plays hard, and has earned his ladies’ man reputation. But he’s more than just a good time, even though no one seems to see it. Until a gorgeous brunette with knockout curves and big, thoughtful eyes walks into his family’s garage and makes Brent want more.

Ivy Dawn and her sister are done with men, all of them. They’ve uprooted their lives too many times on account of the opposite sex, but that’s over now. The plan seems easy until a sexy, dirty-taking mechanic bursts in Ivy’s life and shakes everything up.

Brent can’t resist the one person who sees past his devil-may-care façade, and Ivy finds it harder and harder to deny how happy he makes her. But she has secrets of her own and when the truth comes out, she must decide if she’ll run again or if she’ll take a chance on forever.

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Ivy and her sister, Alex have had a rough time when it comes to men. The father of Ivy’s daughter, Violet wanted her to have his child but then denied she was his, and Alex’s boyfriend left them all a little shell shocked including sweet Violet. When they arrived in Tory, they made a pact that there would be no men in their lives. Ivy thought this was an easy promise to keep since she has no interest in men and her daughter is terrified of them…until they meet Brent Payton. He charms them all, including Violet. Before long, it isn’t just little Violet who sees Brent as a hero and Ivy knows she wants more but how, when her sister is so adamant against men. She is so sure they have no need for men in their lives only Ivy decides she does. She needs Brent.

Brent has always played the jokester, the laid back Payton brother…don’t let anything get to you, don’t be too serious, and then you won’t disappoint anyone or yourself. He was content with this life until a dark-haired beauty walks into the garage. Ivy Dawn is different from any girl he’d known and he no longer wants to be the jokester, the non-serious Payton brother. He wants to be serious for her, about her, and his life. She makes him rethink everything and fall in love with her, and her daughter. Ivy brings out the best in Brent giving him the strength to tell his father and brother what he truly wants for his life.

When I read DIRTY THOUGHTS, I liked Brent but thought him lacking in depth. He was kind of obnoxious, somewhat loutish, and a pain in the butt. I was looking forward to his story simply because I love the characters of Tory, Maryland so much and thought his story would be fun-filled and sexy. It was all that, but oh my…it was also so much more!

Brent does have depth, his obnoxiousness is a cover for a heart that feels far more than he puts on, and he’s not so loutish after all, again it’s a shield…he might still be a pain in the butt, but he is an adorable and definitely sexy one.

Megan introduces us to a real man, a real hero who doesn’t hesitate to make a little girl feel relaxed and special, who reacts first and thinks later when the time calls for it, and knows how to show a girl a really good time on a date without expectations. Shoot, he even tucked her in when she got drunk and refused her advancements. I laughed, I cried like a baby (twice), and swooned over this guy who had always played a role because it was easier than revealing his true self to those who he thought smarter, tougher, and braver than himself.

The Tory cast is still wonderful, the guys are guys and the gals are best girlfriends. We meet someone new who I adore, and would love to see again, and we see a side of Jack Payton that made me cry (the second time). Can you imagine…Jack Payton made me cry and not because he was being mean either. I loved every minute of this book…except one that made me pause…some may see it and others may not. I won’t spoil things by saying what it is because it does have an impact on the story and once I realized it, I understood the reason for it. So in the end, DIRTY TALK by Megan Erickson knocked it out of the park with a grand slam, but now I have to wonder…I’m not sure she can top this, but we’ll see. Alex gets her HEA in DIRTY DEEDS. If you don’t read any other of this series…you should though…read DIRTY TALK…have a box of tissues handy though unless you don’t cry at heart-wrenching and heartwarming moments in which case, you’ll be fine.

Happy Reading Everyone!

DIRTY TALK, a Mechanics of Love novel by Megan Erickson, Avon Impulse, available now in print and ebook formats at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Kobobooks.

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