Asking for Trouble (A Line of Duty Book 4)

Mild Spoiler alert: I have read other Tessa Bailey books that I liked and this review is not a reflection on the author but the book. I felt like I was watching an old Doris Day movie. Rich sophisticated girl meets blue collar cop. Girl has to save family from financial devastation by marrying rich creep. Even the humor was silly-again like the oh so cute innocent woman (DD). Blue collar guy makes his epic move at the end to save the day. There are some great sex scenes and other good bits but I do not think this was worth the price. Try "Protecting What's His" by Tessa Bailey instead.

I've practically read all of the Entangled Brazen books and this one by far is the best I've read in quite some time. I don't usually post reviews but this was worth it. If you're not in lust with Brent after reading this, then yes the rumors are true...you are a prude

The book was what I call frothy - predictable - too sexually graphic, but I liked the ending. Not surprising, my husband liked it lol.The verbal interaction was entertaining and it was an easy read. Good for a summer read.

Brent and Hayden both have preconceived notions about each other that turn out to be false. Hayden is more than what she seems and Brent has to work to find out more about her and what drives her. An overall good read and read in one sitting.

***Review posted on The Eater of Books! blog***

Asking For Trouble by Tess Bailey
Book Four of the Line of Duty series
Publisher: Brazen
Publication Date: November 25, 2013
Rating: 4 stars
Source: eARC sent by the publisher

***Warning: this is an adult book, and for the eyes of mature readers***

Official Summary:

Pretending to be in love has never felt so sexy.

Brent Mason and Hayden Winstead can't stand each other. She plans exclusive parties for her rich family’s charities. He’s a rough and tumble cop who rigs explosives for a living. Could two people be any less suited for conversation? They think not and prefer to keep it that way.

Unfortunately, their two best friends are deeply, disgustingly in love. Forced together, the mutual attraction simmering beneath the surface of Brent and Hayden’s non-relationship grows with every argument until it explodes into a scintillating night of mind-blowing sex. And it won’t be the last, as far as Brent’s concerned.

Hayden has a secret, though. Her father’s company is relying on a merger to save them from financial ruin, and only Hayden’s marriage to the CEO’s wealthy son can secure the deal. If she’s to protect her family, she’ll have to forget Brent. And he has no intention of being forgotten.

What I Liked:

First, thank you so much, Brazen, for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book. The publicists for Brazen Books sought me out to offer this opportunity, and I could not resist. I love Tessa Bailey's Officer Off Limits, and I love Brazen Books. Why wouldn't I take this opportunity!?

Well, once again, Tessa Bailey has me hooked on her adult contemporary romance novels! I haven't read an adult contemporary romance novel in a few weeks, so this was refreshing. It doesn't hurt that Bailey knows how to keep things fresh and interesting! One of the things I really liked about this book was how fast it went by. I was so engaged in Hayden and Brent's story, I found myself whizzing through this book!

Hayden is Story's best friend, and Brent is Daniel's best friend. We know all about Story and Daniel from Officer Off Limits. It's not necessary to read any of the previous books in this series, but you should read Officer Off Limits if you want to know more about Story and Daniel. Which you do, believe me.

But anyway. It would seem that Hayden and Brent are so, so, SO wrong for each other. They argue ALL THE TIME. They get on each other's nerves. But you know what they say about anger... it's a true form of passion. And after one heated exchange, suddenly, that's all these two can think about. But Hayden's family - rich, snobby, upper class - has financial problems, problems that could drive Hayden to do something she would never want to do.

Almost every scene of this book involves Brent and Hayden, and I love that. They don't just bicker, they legitimately argue and fight. It was so funny to read their dialogue - I bet Bailey had the best time writing this book. And while I loved the constant dialogue between Brent and Hayden, I loved the scenes with just one of them, to get to know their thoughts.

Bailey does a great job of letting readers get inside each protagonist's head. She also does a good job of pacing the plot of the book - something with which I find a lot of romance books have issues. This book is relatively short, but Bailey keeps the plot flowing, and nothing feels rushed. One of the things I really dislike is rushed romance - but the romance in this book was well-placed and well-timed.

What happens in the end? Do Brent and Hayden get their happy ending? You'll just have read this one to find out...

What I Did Not Like:

This is a general thing, but I hate how adult do NOT effectively communicate. Like, you just shut down when someone is trying to explain a situation? NO. You stop and LISTEN, instead of feeling sorry for yourself and getting angry. There is this one scene towards the end of the book that made me a little ragey. Brent totally shuts down when he finds out about something, and doesn't want to hear an explanation from Hayden.

No no no. Whether she is right or wrong, you don't just jump to conclusions. Especially if YOU'RE wrong. Then you just look like a jacka**. Just saying.

Would I Recommend It:

I recommend this book to all contemporary romance lovers! Of adult books, that is. It's a short and fun read, and it will definitely keep you interested! I can't see why romance readers WOULDN'T love this one, overall.

Rating:

4 stars. Go Tessa Bailey! Go Brazen! I was super pleased with this book, and so happy that I had the chance to read it.

Oh, Tessa Bailey! How you manage to ensnare me with your sexy dirty-talkers is beyond me. Your brilliant mind knows no bounds! As reigning Brazen Queen, Bailey delivers one hell of a scorching couple that literally set my pages on fire! Brent is the jerk you love to hate, a closet good guy, and boy, he sure knows his way around a set of handcuffs! Hayden is a feisty female lead with a caring heart and a sensible dream. Add to that, hilarious banter and lovable secondary characters, and you've got yourself a winner.

Bailey may have created her dirtiest talker yet! And I love it! Brent is the perfect mix of rough-around-the-edges, yet sweet and caring. You definitely wouldn't figure it right off the bat with someone like Brent and Tessa does a good job of misleading you. Sure, he's got a quick wit and crass comebacks, but once you go a bit deeper, you'll see how hard-working, dedicated, and genuine Brent is. I loved learning more about him and realizing all that he has to deal with in regards to his family and what he values most in the world. He's really just a big, old cuddly bear with a crude mouth that you can't help but love.

And, by the way, that last scene at a certain city building?! Priceless! Just take my heart, why don't you, Brent?!

I also really liked Hayden. Even though she comes from money, she's anything but shallow and snobby. Working hard to create a name for herself, outside her family, and discovering what she wants out of life, Hayden does hide behind a chilly exterior, but once we get a little deeper and see what's going on in her mind and life, you kind of feel for the girl. I loved how Brent challenged her and made her do things she normally wouldn't, both in and outside of the bedroom.

Another thing I loved? Seeing Daniel and Story, and even a bit of Troy and Ruby! Oh, how I love all of Tessa's characters and seeing them all interact, catching glimpses of their lives outside of their individual stories is great, and one of my favorite aspects of companion novels in general. Daniel and Story are hilarious and they definitely added even more humor and fun to an already hilariously entertaining read.

I am never disappointed when I break up a book with Tessa's name on it and I only wish these books were in print so I could add them to my collection! One thing that was evident in this book, in particular, was the idea of control. I loved that even though, at times, it appeared that Brent was in control, which might turn some women (feminists) off, if you actually pay attention, you'll see that Hayden, is in fact, in control. The idea that Tessa is able to exemplify women being the strong and dominant (not in a kinky way) one in a relationship, while also making the guy feel like "the man" is just one of the reasons why I love her and her writing so much (and Tessa and I have discussed this issue on q few occasions). Asking for Trouble has the perfect blend of naughty, yet tasteful scenes mixed with romantic and touching ones. I seriously never want this series to end!

Tessa Bailey, you did it again. You delivered a fast paced, sexy talking, steamy sex fest worthy of a standing ovation. I loved it. Of course, I love all of your books, but this one was HOT!

Hayden is a prim and proper socialite. She is friends with Story and her boyfriend and she finds herself at Quincy's frequently hanging out with the rag tag gang of cops that come along with her best friend. One of those men is her Kryptonite.

Brent is an explosives expert, he likes to blow things up. Brent is prepared for the big explosion, until it shows up in the form of a petite woman with a smart mouth and a chip on her shoulder. Brent has met his match in Hayden. She gets under his skin and they argue back and forth until Hayden throws down the gauntlet.

Hayden decides to call Brent's bluff. She sees him as a meat-headed cop who thinks he is too good for her. He sees her as an upper crust debutante who thinks she is too good for him. When they come together, they can't deny how they make each other feel.

Hayden explores a side of herself that she never thought possible. She just needs to get him out of her system and then she can go back to being herself again. When she sees what he can do to her, she realizes she may be in over her head. She sees another side of Brent that he has kept hidden. The smart, loyal and devoted man that makes her stand up and take notice.

But Brent wasn't the only one hiding his true self. Hayden is more than she seems too. He begins to see who she really is and he wants to know more. She is an amazing woman and he finds her incredibly sexy.

He just can't get over Hayden and her tights. He always suspected she was a wild one under all her prim and proper layers. Now that he has had a glimpse of what she is hiding, he wants more. He finds himself wanting....endlessly.

Hayden's mother steps in and tells her that her family needs her. There is trouble brewing and that last thing Hayden needs to be doing is slumming around with some cop and Hayden's mother is the first to let her know how disappointed she is. Agh, that women is infuriating. Now Hayden has to decide what she is going to do. Family loyalty v.s. exploring this "relationship" with Brent. She doesn't know what to do. But Brent senses the change in Hayden. He knows something is wrong. He knows the only way to get to Hayden, is to get her back where she belongs; with him, in his bed, in his life.

This book builds to a fever pitch and it ends....well, you'll have to read it to see. But it will make you swoon!

Tessa, you are my hero! The chemistry between Brent and Hayden is smoking hot. The dirty talk is dirtier than ever. And the handcuffs...oh the handcuffs. *sigh*. I need some handcuffs. Sorry, I got distracted, this happens when reading something this freaking hot!

My only complaint, I wish it was longer! This one was flawless. I want Tessa Bailey to teach a class on dirty talking alpha manliness. She could really help improve the lives of so many women. I would totally sign my husband up.

5 stars! Can't wait for the next one!!

ASKING FOR TROUBLE is the fourth storyline in Tessa Bailey’s contemporary adult romance series-Line of Duty. Although Asking for Trouble is part of a series, it can be read as a stand alone without too much difficulty, I would recommend reading in order as a few of the previous storyline characters play a significant role in each subsequent novel.

Asking for Trouble follows an enemy to lovers storyline that finds officer and part time mechanic Brent Mason and Hayden Winstead at each other’s throat. Hayden comes from money and Brent has always worked hard to earn every penny he has saved and spent but for some reason the duo are quick to judge each other based on where they live; what they do; and the bottom line. Close friends with Story and Daniel (the previous storyline characters) Brent and Hayden are forced into a companionable treaty when in the presence of their mutual friends.

Brent sees Hayden as a spoiled, rich girl who lives off of her family’s money and Hayden views Brent as a blue collar obnoxious ruffian without manners, morals or respect. But as the storyline develops we begin to learn that both have made an error in judgment and it is this mistake that will push each other’s proverbial buttons when it comes to sex and their building relationship-good or bad. And when Hayden must make a heartbreaking decision, it will be Brent who steps outside of his comfort zone to ensure that Hayden will be his-forever.

The relationship is acrimonious. The sarcastic taunts, name calling and aggression reads like foreplay when the couple begin to realize that there may be more to their relationship than ego, mistaken beliefs and hatred for one another. Attraction and love are vaguely disguised but the sexual tension is thick whenever they are together.

Asking For Trouble is a storyline about two people who have a difficult time seeing past the zip codes and fancy label packaging. But when all is said and done, once everything and everyone is stripped down, they are two people who will fall in love when the truth about the bottom line is finally revealed.

Reading Order

Protecting What’s His
His Risk To Take
Officer Off Limits
Asking for Trouble

Copy supplied by the publisher

Tessa Bailey’s Line of Duty series had me hooked and yearning to meet her next sexy uniformed officer. After being introduced to Daniel Chase who is my favourite cop, I have also unashamedly fallen for Brent Mason due to his large arrogant and sweet hidden personality, and naughty lines that left me blushing and craving his presence throughout. I started reading this series in random order going by the blurbs that took my interest, little knowing that I would step into a goldmine discovering Tessa Bailey’s unique knack in writing one of the most steamiest romance series I have read. I have a thing for cop romances and this author just hits the mark every time, delivering the sexiest stories involving arrogant, irresistible and possessive men known to carry handcuffs to heat the pages. Brent Mayson and Hayden Winstead have nothing in common, but the link that ties them to their best friends Daniel and Story. Forced together in their friends company Brent and Hayden were unable to hold a polite conversation without sarcasm, both having misconstrued perceptions of the other, whilst Brent came off as an arrogant and rude cop, Hayden was perceived as a spoilt little rich girl sparking their disdain for each other. A drunken night changed everything as they pushed their power play into overdrive, racing to bring the other one down and not expecting the explosive passion they felt unleashed between them, stirring their emotions causing them to reach for what they deemed unattainable. I absolutely loved reading this and enjoyed seeing how Brent and Hayden’s harsh judgement of each other, drew them to experience each other’s world and showed their hidden persona’s which glowed in compassion, loyalty and responsibility as the walls of control came down and love found its way in.

5 /5 Awesome SWEET Sizzling Stars

5/5 Sizzling HOT Hearts for Heat!!

Tessa Bailey ...you keep getting better and better honey! I loved this feisty hot tempered couple so much. Usually enemies to lovers tales ...they stress me out. But this one you could see beneath the surface what these two wanted but were hiding the whole time. I laughed out loud so many times and of course felt the heat on more than one occasion. Some of the hottest moments had to be the funniest. That was a unique thing for me to encounter. Brent had the perfect filthy mouth and the imagination to go with it.

The thing that really got me was how tender this 250 6’5” mountain of a man Brent could be. One minute they’d be at each others throats then suddenly the thoughts that would cross Brent’s mind just floored me. The back and forth power play kept me on wondering who was going to be “on top” next. Loved that about this story. Neither had a problem giving each other exactly what they needed.

Hands down I think this one was my favorite and before this the first book was in 1st place. I am wanting a Matt story and in my mind I was picturing him with Brent’s sister from college. But then the “I have different tastes” comment from Matt had me really curious about..hoping he’s a Dom maybe? The idea of Tessa writing full fledged BDSM has me panting with excitement. That is just where my brain went with broody Matt. All in all..this was a super hot read and pretty sweet love story that I could not put down.

Asking for Trouble (Line of Duty, #4)
by Tessa Bailey
4.5 hot Stars!!

This is another hit for me by this author. I love her alpha men with the cocky, dirty, smart mouths and her sassy, strong willed women.
Brent Mason is an explosives expert in New York City. Hayden Winstead is a socialite that takes her charities, volunteering and family loyalties serious. These two have a hard time being in the same room with each other but due to the fact that their best friends hopelessly in love with each other ........they spend a lot of time together! The tension and trash talk is an everyday thing for them. The sexual tension is so strong that Brent usually tries to push Hayden with his sexual innuendos. One night he pushes her to far and she decides to call his bluff and see how far he will take this charade. It seems that neither one wants to call uncle and they end up in a heated night of passion. Brent realizes that one night with Hayden is not enough but Hayden's family is hiding a secret. Hayden is being coerced into marrying the CEO of an up and coming company that may save her father's company from financial ruin.
Hayden knows she would be entering a loveless marriage and giving up the extreme chemistry that she has with Brent. She does her best to hide it from her friends but Brent will not let what they have be forgotten!
I have enjoyed each book in this series!!!!
Michele (

Once again Tessa Bailey has written a fabulous romance and given me new favourite in the Line of Duty series. We had already met both Brent and Hayden in the previous book and having seen how much they love to hate each other I just knew that their chemistry would be off the charts! I'm glad I can say that I wasn't disappointed. In a lot of ways these characters are complete opposites but that is what makes them work so well together.

Hayden is a rich society daughter who seems to have it all, she spends her time planning parties to raise money for charity and it looks like she doesn't have a care in the world - that is what Brent thinks of her anyway. It doesn't take long for us to realise how much pressure she is under though, her mother has to be one of the most selfish characters I've come across in a while and I hated the way she treated Hayden and put pressure on her to marry a wealthy man who would invest in her father's failing business. From first glance you might think that Hayden is stuck up and has had everything handed to her but she actually works really hard at fundraising and she spends a lot of time volunteering with a charity that is very close to her heart. She has always dreamed of marrying for love but she feels that she owes it to her father to help him in his time of need.

Brent comes from a very different background to Hayden, his family has never had much money but he is a proud man who works two jobs to help support his siblings. He has a bit of a chip on his shoulder about the fact that Hayden seems to have it so easy, he resents what he thinks she is and it takes him a while to realise that his opinion about her was completely wrong. As much as the two of them always manage to rub each other up the wrong way neither of them can deny the attraction that burns between them and when they've given in to that attraction once they just can't seem to stop themselves from going back for more. I loved the push and pull between them as they fought over who was more dominant. Hayden likes to take control in the bedroom but really you can tell that Brent is the one who is in charge. He encourages her to let her wild side out though and just like all of Tessa Bailey's heroes he excels at scorching hot dirty talk! I think these two have some of the hottest scenes from the series and trust me that's saying something.

Asking for Trouble really was a fantastic instalment in the series and it's left me eager to get started on the final book Staking His Claim which is about Brent's younger sister Lucy and his best friend Matt. I have a feeling that big brother isn't going to be happy about this match and I can't wait to see the sparks fly!

Wow! Where do I begin? I've always enjoyed Tessa Bailey's dirty talking cops, but she has DEFINITELY hit the ball out of the park with Asking For Trouble (Brent loves the Mets-hence the baseball reference). The depth and complexity of Brent and Hayden far surpasses all the others. Don't get me wrong. I absolutely love all of Ms. Bailey's characters, but there is so much more to Brent and Hayden than meets the eye. I think the phrase "you can't judge a book by its cover" unquestionably applies to them both.

Hayden lives in Manhattan and was born and raised in a privileged life always having anything and everything her heart could desire. That is, everything of a material nature. Brent lives in Queens and has always had to work very hard for what he has, though never complaining that he had to do so. Hayden and Brent are definitely two opposites whose lives would undoubtedly never cross paths unless their best friends were dating. They have always displayed an intense dislike for one another never even attempting to hide their lack of affection. But when one evening of sexual bantering turns into the most mind blowing and indescribable experience they have ever had, they both come to the realization that there may be something deeper than what they display on the surface. But the prominent question ultimately arises: will Brent and Hayden ever be able to put aside their differences and overcome the outside circumstances intervening in their lives?

There is most certainly an unequivocal connection between these two characters, and ultimately one that strives to surpass the difficulties and issues existing between them. I have heard it said that sometimes love is masked by what is perceived to be an extreme hatred, and you have to look past the surface of what you see delving deep into the soul to find what may undeniably be what you have been looking to find. Well, I believe that truly describes these two characters. Not to mention the oh-so-steamy moments in page after page of sexual attraction between them which Tessa Bailey has captured here in Asking For Trouble.

If you liked the rest of this series and haven't yet picked this one up, what are you waiting for? Do it now! You will definitely be glad you did, and the love and ultimate devotion will capture your heart just as it has mine.

5+ Stars

Review:

In a short time, Tessa Bailey has become a favorite author. I always get a happy tingle when she has a new release. While not all of the elements work for me, the romances are hot, hot, hot, the character interaction keeps me engaged in the story, and the dialog is snappy and amusing. Like today’s anticipated Thanksgiving feast, I devoured Asking for Trouble, enjoying this guilty pleasure.

Hayden is a socialite who takes joy in managing her charities. Brent is a tell it like it is explosives cop. He and Hayden couldn’t be more different, and they both hate each other. Now that their best buds are an item, they are constantly forced to suffer each other’s company, baiting and insulting each other the entire time. Until Hayden pushes things a little too far, and then she and Brent can’t keep their hands off each other.

At first glance, Brent is a douche. He takes the alpha attitude and crams it in your face. As the story unfolds, I started to see how gentle the hulking cop actually was. I love when a heroine uncovers a hidden layer of the hero’s personality, and Hayden breached Brent’s tough guy walls from their first encounter. By allowing her to take charge of their relationship, both in the bedroom and out, it made him more likeable and added an unexpected dynamic to their relationship.

The differences in their financial backgrounds is a constant conflict between them. Brent works hard to provide for his family, taking care of his brother’s family while he’s deployed overseas, as well as putting his sister through college. He takes great pride in his ability to care for them, and Hayden’s hefty bank account grates on his sensibilities. He thinks that everything is easy for her, and that she’s spoiled and has never had to work hard for anything. He’s not good at keeping his contempt of her privileged lifestyle under wraps, and it drives a wedge between them just as they are starting to realize that there is something special brewing between them.

The other conflict chipping away at their happiness didn’t work as well for me. Hayden’s father is on the verge of losing everything due to poor business decisions, so Hayden’s mother has come up with a solution to the family’s financial woes. Hayden will marry a wealthy business acquaintance of her father’s, and they’ll get to continue to enjoy their standard of living. Hayden feels obligated to her father to actually make this sacrifice, and it’s eating away at her as she tries to figure out what’s going on between her and Brent. I hated Hayden’s mother. She is a one-dimensional, selfish bitch willing to sell her daughter’s future happiness to maintain her luxurious lifestyle. She never repented, and I still hate her.

All in all, Asking for Troubling is a quick, steamy read. While everyone else is sleeping off their turkey overdose, find a quiet corner and read this instead!

Grade: B

This installment is my favourite, so far. Tessa took the ol' enemies-to-friends trope and gave it a fresh, new life. To me, it's THE hottest book in the series by far!

Again, we're given a sexy, dirty-talking hero who knows just the right things to say (most of the time) to get his girl in the right mood. The heroine is an insecure heiress who manages to come across as stuck-up and bitchy, when all she really needs/wants is someone to love her. I loved Hayden & Brent together, and could imagine them as a couple. Like "Officer Off Limits", this has a great combination of heat & heartfelt emotion.

It was good, too, to catch up with the other couples from the previous books in the series. Can't wait to read #5 in this series!!!

Tessa Bailey is an "auto buy" for me...ever since the first book in this series, Protecting What's His, I've been hooked! As much as I've loved each book, this one is my favorite so far and the main reason is Brent...

He's an explosives expert with the NYPD...he's got the swagger and attitude that go with such a job. He's best buds with Daniel from the previous book in this series. Daniel recently came off the market after falling in love with Story.. who just happens to be Hayden's bestie
Hayden... Sweet snarky Hayden.. on the outside she appears to be the spoiled rich girl but those closest to her know the truth. She's got a big heart and sometimes a bigger mouth. Her and Daniel rub each other the wrong way BIG TIME.

Brent and Hayden are thrown together a lot now that Daniel and Story are hooked up and they are constantly needling each other..But underneath all these little heated exchanges there's a whole other level of sizzle going on. They both try to deny it but eventually the barbs turn into flirting and the flirting gets hot fast...

Well..before long, of course, the mouths close and the legs open! Wow! TB sure knows how to write some serious sexy times and her alpha's NEVER fail to heat things up!
...
They are falling for each other but neither wants to completely admit it. They are both realizing that there is more to the other than either of them ever knew. As they dance around each other and get closer we get some misunderstandings surface and a little family obligation thrown in that give this sexy story just the right amount of drama to add a little more depth to a light, fun, and steamy read.

I highly recommend this book and this whole series! Each book is a stand alone and you don't have to read the books in order. There are characters in each book though that cross over and show up, so I think reading the whole series is really worth it in my opinion...

If you've not yet read a Tessa Bailey book, you are totally missing out!! Get on it, you won't be disappointed. But turn the fan on and be ready for some serious steam and a whole lot of fun!

Just checked the series, and it has the highest rating. Oh well.

Fun characters, but something did not connect for me as much as some of the others. However, if you like the rest of the series then READ it.

It's still Matt for me.

Re-read>
Hoo boy. I had forgotten just how... scintillating (can't think of a better word right now) this was. Get your ice water handy, take a drink, then throw it on yourself.

Brent is a good guy, but still Matt...

We met Hayden and Brent in Officer Off Limits. They were the friends of each of the main characters. Brent thinks that Hayden was a pampered princess and Hayden thinks that Brent is a crude player. So suffice to say that the two do not get along well at all. They constantly bicker and pass jabs when forced to hang out. However, under all that arguing is one steamy relationship just waiting to happen.

Hayden may not want for nothing but she doesn’t take her fortune for granted. She knows that life could have dealt her a totally different hand. She runs charity events for kids under the name of her father’s company and she works hard at not only making sure the kids get out and have fun, but that they have the funds to do events for the kids in the first place.

Brent is a man who may appear to be only out for a good time but he’s really all about family. He works hard to bring in enough money to not only pay his sister’s college tuition but he’s also taken in his deployed brother’s wife and kids. He takes great pride in being able to provide for his family and he isn’t above working day and night in order to accomplish that.

I’m a huge fan of Tessa’s Line of Duty men. Not only are they noble characters who help protect society but they have such filthy mouths. The things they say behind closed doors is panty dropping stuff. They are tough when it comes to the general public but around their woman, they are huge softies. I usually find myself bored with a series after a couple of books but Tessa just keeps writing amazing characters, that I can’t help but coming back for more. The pacing was smooth and I found myself engulfed in the story to the point that I didn’t want to do anything but continue reading. I definitely plan to keep up with Tessa’s Line of Duty series.

I still cringe at the title: STAKING HIS CLAIM, but I enjoyed the book--enough to leave a review and to look at what else Tessa Bailey has written. Much of my enjoyment has to do with her writing style and her ability to create interesting characters, if not for the sole purpose to have sex with each other. These reasons are what led me to read ASKING FOR TROUBLE, a novel I thoroughly enjoyed.

Hayden Winstead cannot stand Brent Mason. She thinks he's an uncouth idiot and only tolerates him because he's funny at times, but also because he is the best friend of her best friend's boyfriend, ergo they are around each other more than she'd like. Hayden is a wealthy socialite and a foil to blue-collar cop Brent, which makes them gel like oil and vinegar. They fight and give in to their attraction for most of the novel, but it didn't give me whiplash or make my eyes roll. The enemies to lovers trope was quite well executed and I found myself laughing at and rooting for them in between all the sex or thoughts of sex, etc.

Yes, there are some clichés and there was an understanding of where the novel was heading from the first page, but that did not make the story any less enjoyable. Of course, Hayden has Brent pegged all wrong; he's a hardworking family man and a caring friend. Ditto for Brent thinking Hayden is a spoiled socialite when she's actually giving and appreciative of her status. I could've written the plot with my eyes closed--but not as well as Ms. Bailey--and yet, I still give it 4.5 stars.

Brent and Hayden are two people who are arch enemies. Each make assumptions about the other. Brent is a blue-collar, hard-working, true alpha-hero. Hayden is from a wealthy, uptown family, yet she seems down-to-earth and grateful for the fortunes in her life.

“Before I let you restrain me, I'm going to make damn sure you're too revved up to stop.”

From the beginning the sexual chemistry between Brent and Hayden is downright intense! Both have domineering personalities, so there were several fun and steamy scenes where they each explore surrendering control to the other. Whoa, baby, were those scenes fan-your-self explosive! For the most part, though, these two bicker and annoy each other to the tenth degree. It takes a while for them to get on the right page; however, Ms. Bailey shows that enemies indeed can be friends and lovers.

Tessa Bailey is a new-to-me author. Asking for Trouble is the first time I got to experience reading about her popular heroes. There are many fans of her dirty talking heroes, and now me included. I was also thoroughly entertained by the witty banter, sarcastic humor, and the delicious balance between heat and heart in her writing. Another thing I enjoyed were the secondary characters who are Brent and Hayden's good friends. I will definitely go back and read the previous books in this series and get to know them better. *A complimentary copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*

Tessa Bailey has done it again! I freaking loved this book! I don't think I laughed as hard with any of the others in this series! I absolutely loved the banter between Hayden and Brent! Those two were a mess of extreme sexual tension that was so palpable I felt it through the pages! Omg! Poor Brent! Their first encounter... when they were interrupted... LMAO!!! I have a hard time saying this, but I think Daniel has been replaced. Don't get me wrong, I still love him (and he was hilarious in this book) But, Brent is 6' 5'' of one badass hot hunk of HOT ALPHA MALE Hayden was pretty awesome too! I loved how she gave as good as she got and when it came down to it, she knew the choices she had to make. This story was absolutely one of my all time favorites! I simply could not put it down! It was everything I've come to expect from Ms. Bailey. A great story with and interesting and unputdownable plot, characters you need to know more about, hot sex that scorches the pages, and of course the hea to make you smile.

Now I have to try to wait patiently for Matt;s book. I have to say he has me quite intrigued....

I should have listened to my inner bookworm when I had so much trouble getting into the story in the beginning, because I got about half way through before I lost interest. For some reason, perhaps the sexy alpha male at the center of the story, I kept going.

Until the mother decided her daughter should marry some social ladder climbing creep in order to save the family fortune. Seriously? I found that so absurd I couldn't finish. That along with our main characters coming off as selfish jerks to each other, only to find out that, of course, both of them have a heart of gold and spend all their free time supporting other people. I don’t know, it just seemed ridiculously contrived and completely unbelievable.

I am also not a big fan of page after page of inner dialogue about how there is no way this relationship could possible work. When you grow up, you are sort of expected to communicate with other adults instead of tuning out your partner and feeling sorry for yourself. It just comes off as more of a teenage angst than anything and I prefer more maturity in my characters.

That being said, I enjoyed the dialogue between the characters. I am a huge fan of sarcasm, so smart and clever conversation does a lot for me. And I would be lying if I said the sex wasn't totally hot and gave me more than a little bit to think about. Unfortunately, not enough to make me care about how it all works out.

My main problem was heroine stupidity. Twice she did something I couldn’t buy. In one of them someone does something bad to Brent and frames Hayden. When Brent confronts Hayden, she is surprised but does not deny it. She leaves him because he believed the evidence instead of trusting her. And then she does something unbelievable.

But I enjoyed the sex scenes.

I really liked the author’s first book “Protecting What’s His.”

The audiobook narrator Alice Chapman was fine.

DATA:
Narrative mode: 3rd person. Unabridged audiobook length: 6 hrs and 9 mins. Swearing language: strong including religious swear words. Sexual language: strong. Number of sex scenes: 8. Setting: current day New York City and Atlantic City. Book copyright: 2013. Genre: contemporary romance.

I was waiting for this book after reading the other works of Tessa Bailey and it was worth the wait. The layers in Brent and Hayden's character are amazing. The hotness quotient is undoubtedly there. The banter is sooo enjoyable. It was good to see Troy, Ruby, Daniel and Story too. I am eagerly awaiting Matt's story. Thank you, TB. You are awesome.

Tessa Bailey did it again! After reading this book Tessa Bailey is an automatic buy for me.

Brent Mason and Hayden Winstead can't stand each other. But their two best friends are in love so they need to tolerate each other. But the sexual tension between them is so strong and this leads to mind blowing sex.

I`m a sucker for "the enemy-to-lover" books. So this book is my favourite in this series! Tessa Bailey`s writing is flawless! All her characters are lovable. Ohhh, I love Brent, he is one dirty alpha male talker!

Can`t wait for other books by Tessa Bailey!

First reviewed at Red Hot Books [...]

I love Tessa Bailey’s dirty talking heroes. They’re all straight laced cops but put the woman they want in front of them. They morph in to cavemen with the filthiest mouths; and I mean that in the very best of ways. The last book in this series had an unexpected tenderness, so I was excited to see where Bailey would take the enemies to lovers trope in this book.

Though each book in the series can be read as a stand alone, readers were first introduced to Brent and Hayden in the previous book, Officer off Limits, as the best friends of the main characters, Daniel & Story. Hayden Winstead is delighted that her BFF has found the man of her dreams. She doesn’t even mind hanging out with Daniel’s cop buddies if only it didn’t include one idiotic immature man who has made it his life’s goal to aggravate her.

Brent Mason has worked damn hard to provide for everyone in his life, so when richie rich Hayden begins to show up at the bar with Story, he figures she deserves to be knocked down a peg or two. They bicker and snipe at each other to the point that no one else wants to be around when the two are in the same room. Yet, as all romance reader know, there is a very fine line between love and hate. Once that switch flips, their walls begin to come down and Hayden and Brent discover what’s really under the surface.

It’s no surprise that I liked Brent a great deal. Perhaps because I know my fair share of this very type of guy in my everyday life, I sympathized with Brent. Guys that come off as a total jokester or lazy bum in the confines of the bar, but at home are decent hard-working family men. I have never figured out if it’s a macho imperative driving them to put on an act or something else. The secret about these guys is that they are actually quite sensitive. Hayden makes, what she thinks is a flip remark, and doesn’t realize she’s scored a hit because Brent just plays it off. I just wanted to hug the big lug, and then maybe smack him upside the head.

Hayden, on the other hand, was a little harder to connect with. I liked that even though she did these good deeds through her charities, she didn’t flaunt it and she didn’t correct Brent when he razzed her about it. Aside from this, I was disappointed that Hayden was portrayed as a frigid poor little rich girl. When her family’s finances are in trouble, she doesn’t say boo about her mother’s ridiculous proposal. I get that it might happen in those circles, but the fact Hayden didn’t even tell her best friend took away any strength her character gained.

You would think with all the verbal sparring, the sex would be nuclear. I’m afraid that it missed the mark somewhere, for me. Hayden is the one with the control issues and Brent is a secure enough man to let her work them out on him. Normally, I love this role reversal, but Hayden just comes off as stiff and a little on the cold side. Brent carries on the tradition of the great dirty talking. However, all of his internal second guessing kept pulling me out of the story.

Unfortunately, this book wasn’t my favorite in the series. I have the feeling that I might be in the minority and that’s ok. As much as I wanted Brent and Hayden to be explosive, it was just a simmer for me. I still love this series and will happily read the next story (crossing fingers it’s Matt!).

Grade: C+

*ARC provided by Entangled Publishing

This is my first Tessa Bailey book. And it definitely won't be my last. One thing I noticed right away is that Tessa can write the male voice very well. She can also write witty banter that is both funny and entertaining. The characters, both the main and the supporting, were well written. Brent and Hayden were an unlikely couple that ended up being perfect for each other.

The book is a little on the short side. I also would have like a little more story in my book which is why I gave it 4 stars instead of 5.

I enjoyed reading this book. It was a nice escape and had a good story build up. There was good chemistry between Hayden and Brent which translated into hot sex scenes. Also there was a HFN ending that was fine with me given that it is a series.

Brent and Hayden, this is their story. We saw them in a previous book. Face palm to Brent. Honestly sometimes the man was.... yes. Just that.
This was another great book in the series and plenty of steam. Bring the spare panties.

Another great book by Tessa. I wish that it would have been a bit longer as I need more story for them. I felt a better connection with Daniel and Story or Troy and Ruby I think because they had a bit more story to get them together. Brent and Hayden felt a bit pushed since they were all friends. Glad we got to see more between Daniel and Story as they are definitely a favorite of mine in these books. It's going to be hard to top Derek though :)

Asking for Trouble was a great read. Brent is one hot cop. The way he deals with his feelings for Hayden is so warm and beautiful. But that does not affect the Alpha that he is. The sex scenes are so HOT!!! I mean OMG. All the character’s from the previous series showing up makes me love the series even more. I wished I could have read all three books at the same time. Seeing how the relationships develop throughout the series is great.