Title: The Opposite Effect
Author: Shandi Boyes
Series: Enigma #8
Series: Enigma #8
Genres: Chick Lit
Publisher: Indie
Published: July, 2017
Pages: 248
Format: ebook
Source: Author via Quirky Blind Date
I am a big fan of the enemies to loverโs tropeโso when I discovered it would be the feature of The Opposite Effect by Shandi Boye I could not wait to dive into the story. This is the eighth book in The Enigma series, however there is no need to read the previous books prior to reading this installment.
The Story
In this installment, readers are introduced to Brax Anderson and Carla McGregor. Brax is a tattoo artist and manager of Inked, the number one tattoo parlour in Ravenshoe. He is a self-claimed bachelor and does not intend to settle down. The only woman who owns a piece of his heart is his grandmother. No other woman has breached the walls surrounding his heart until the day Clara McGregor walked through the doors of Inked.
Clara is unlike any woman Brax has ever encountered. She sets his blood on fire; however, she had other things on her agenda, which did not include hooking up with a tattoo artist from a different side of the tracks.
It is said opposites attract, but Brax and Clara not only attract they also sizzled. These two together made for some laugh out loud moments. Their interaction was funny, entertaining and snarky. The story was easy to follow, and I enjoyed how the events unfolded.
There was a part of the story which I had an issue. It had to do with the male protagonist’s desire to keep mentioning a particular part of his anatomy throughout the story. If I did not know, better I would believe it was a character. Every time Clara appeared, he saw it fit to mention its reaction to her. At first, I did not mind, but too much of one thing after a while can become intolerable.
The Characters
I enjoyed getting to know Brax. As the story was told solely from his POV, I had no trouble connecting with him. There were moments throughout the story when I felt he was speaking directly to me. I understood what made him tick. If you were to ask me, what kind of man is he my answer would be confident, sexy, protective and caring?
The words that first came to mind when I met Clara was snobbish and entitled. Fortunately, she managed to redeem herself by the time the story concluded. By this time, the words I would use to describe her were determined, sassy and proud. She challenged Brax and made him feel things no other woman was able to do.
Unfortunately. I never connected with her. I believe my disconnection stemmed from the fact I never felt her emotions throughout the course of the story. The author made it known she was down on her luck but I was not feeling her desperation. Clara was a mystery for most of the story. I did not understand why she was desperate for a job but owned expensive things. Everything I learnt about her I learned through Braxโs POV. Her voice was silent throughout the story.
The secondary characters helped to make things interesting. They added to the fun moments in the story.
The Romance
I did not connect with the romance, which I contribute to me not connecting with one-half of the couple. The issues I had with character growth, manifested itself in the development of the romance. Once again, I only got Braxโs perspective. I knew how Brax felt about Clara, but I had no idea how she felt. While Braxโs feelings were demonstrated throughout the story, hers was told from his POV.
Conclusion/Recommendation
Despite my issues, I enjoyed The Opposite Effect, and I would read more from this author.
Brax Anderson is the #1 bachelor on his side of Ravenshoe. With ruggedly handsome looks and an even more gorgeous heart, one flash of his killer smile has the women swarming like bees to a honeypot. His grandma, friends, and a few solid hours between the sheets with a vast variety of bunnies is what keeps his blood pumping. He is a self-proclaimed bachelor who has no intentions of settling down.
That is all about to change when a girl from the other side of the tracks walks into his life. With a fire-breathing attitude and a body even hotter than that, its not just Brax’s blood pressure she is surging to record-breaking highs.
She tosses out callous words like they are grenades, and can spar with the best of them, but what happens when a beauty meets a beast she can’t conquer?
Can opposites really attract? Will Brax defy the laws of attraction? Or will the dragon finally slay the princess?
It’s time to find out. Get ready and hold on tight! You’re about to embark on an epic adventure between the pages in this sizzling enemies to lovers romance.
Please note: this story is NOT a fairytale. The scenes are hot, the main man is even hotter, and the storyline is gritty and real. Recommended for audiences over the age of 18 due to sexual content, adult scenes, and swear words. If hot alpha men with big hearts and rough exteriors scare you, this may not be the book for you.
From the author who brought you the Enigma series comes the next installment. Join Brax as he conquers the laws of attraction.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Shandi Boyes lives in Queensland, Australia, in a coastal community with her husband and children. She has always been an avid reader and recently found the love of writing. Her first penned book was in February 2016 – the ‘Perception’ series. A modern new adult rockstar romance series that will have you sitting on the edge of your seat. You should consider starting these books first thing in the morning, or you may not sleep. In September, her focus shifted to hot alpha men in steamy contemporary reads that sizzle off the pages.
Nadene's addiction to reading began at an early age, when a family friend gifted her a copy of Wuthering Heights. From that moment she was never without a book.She will read anything as long the material is compelling enough to hold her attention. She gained many experiences through the pages of the books she had the opportunity to read.She created this blog to share her love of books with like minded individuals hopes that in sharing reviews of the books read visitors to the blog will discover their next addictive read. When not reading, Nadene enjoys cooking, listening to music and watching television.
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