Ever since he can remember, he’s wanted to be a professional surfer. And he made it, rising to the top of the ranks, traveling the world and riding every break he’s ever dreamed of. His good looks and reputation for living on the edge—both in and out of the water—have made him an international superstar. But when his best friend dies in a tragic accident, Kellen wipes out big time, spiraling so badly that everything he’s worked for starts to disintegrate.
Tour officials scramble to do damage control and demand he work with a public relations company to clean up his bad boy image. It doesn't help that the person assigned to him, Gina Bellori, has her own demons associated with the surfing world.
Against her better judgement Gina accepts the job and concentrates on repairing Kellen's tattered reputation, despite his protests and despite the pain it causes her. With her past colliding with her present—and Kellen in the thick of it—she begins to realize that some secrets can't stay hidden.
And suddenly, Kellen Handler is no longer worried about losing his career.
He's more worried about losing his heart.
Published May 21st 2013 by Mission Bay Publishing
Where to Find Maverick:
Where to Find Anna Cruise:
Our Review:
Maverick is my kryptonite for a book. We have a tortured bad boy surfer who is messing up his reputation and spot on the pro tour with women and booze. Then we have PR person Gina who is sent in to help fix his reputation, and of course the sparks fly. Gina though has an interesting past herself, so things don't go quite like I thought they were going to.
Oh, me too Courtney. Me too. Hot surfer boy? Strong, smart, sassy female? I'm all in.
The setting of SoCal was also a major plus for me. It is my all time favorite place that I have visited, and if I could talk my husband into moving out there I so would in a heartbeat. Alas, that hasn't happened yet. Huntington Beach *sigh* all the way down toward San Diego *sigh again* are absolutely beautiful, so I loved all of the references to those and the beaches and waves. I also watched Chasing Mavericks not long before I read this, so I definitely was loving all of the Maverick references and surfing! I've never been to California but it's on my list of places to go and I cannot wait to see the West Coast. Cannot wait!
Poor Kellen. He lost his best friend surfing and the rest of the world is expecting him to be over it by now. It has only been six months and he does have obligations to fill, but give the guy a break! That being said...he is making some bad alcohol influenced choices going home with some nasty women...ick! He and Gina definitely do not want the same things so that was an interesting aspect of the story, because usually it is the guy who is being standoffish with the girls advances. We have a little bit of gender role reversal here, which is nice because guys can't always get what they want, too, ya know!
Yes, it was nice to see a guy actually express his neediness and desire for once. But I hated to see him in pain and to feel so guilty for something that he had no control over. And then when he finally opens up to Gina and she bails on him...well I was no longer thrilled with her character. She does redeem herself and they are able to move forward but only after a seriously bad altercation between Gina and a scum-of-the earth jerk.
My star rating was boosted because while this was a romantic story, it was much more about each of them dealing with their grief together than it was about steaming up the pages. For Gina's side of the story, we got teeny tidbits throughout and her losses were completely different yet so horrifying. Sorry, can't tell you why...but if I was in that situation I don't think I would have been able to deal quite as well as her!
Yeah, Gina and Kellen both have some serious losses to overcome. I think that's why the work so well--they truly understand trying to live through (or just exist) through the emotional pain caused by loss and grief and guilt and blame.
Yeah, Gina and Kellen both have some serious losses to overcome. I think that's why the work so well--they truly understand trying to live through (or just exist) through the emotional pain caused by loss and grief and guilt and blame.
Again, I definitely wanted more, more, more before the end...but for those of you who are looking for a stand alone novel, wrapped up by the end...here you go! I really enjoyed it! We always want more. Hahaha. This was a very enjoyable and quick read--another great summer beach read for sure!
Courtney: 5 Stars
Shelley: 4 Stars
Shelley: 4 Stars
I bought this a few weeks ago and can't wait to read it. I have a thing for tortured surfers.
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