CAN’T TOUCH THIS by Tess Hunter, Pepper Winters-a review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 5, 2016

I don’t want to touch it. I really, really don’t.

He’s egotistical, crass, and my patient’s owner—which makes him totally off limits.
Yep, that’s right. He owns the wiener I’m currently working on. A wiener dog—get your dirty mind out of the gutter.

I’ve also worked on his spoodle, his cocker-shitzu, and a cheagle—don’t ask. (And no, it’s not a sexual position.) It doesn’t help that he also represents most of my joint-owned veterinary practice’s small clientele. We’d only just opened the doors a few months ago, and in he strode with a yelping Taco Terrier. One haughty look at our sparkling new facilities, he’d demanded royal treatment, even though I was currently finger deep up a squalling tomcat.

Ever since then, he expects me to serve him. Any time. All the time. Him and his revolving zoo of dogs.

One of these days, I’m going to swat him for being such a pompous ass but I can’t deny the way he handles his charges makes me want to see past the ‘do as I say and don’t ask questions’ barking exterior.

But then last week…he caught me staring at his um, cough, package. His bossy commands switched to a cocky smirk. He gave me permission to do something I promised myself I would never ever do.
I can touch it. If I want….

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REVIEW: CAN’T TOUCH THIS by Pepper Winters (writing as Tess Hunter) is a stand-alone, contemporary adult, romantic comedy (rom-com) story line focusing on veterinarian Vesper Fairfax, and animal rehabber Ryder Carson.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Vesper and Ryder) CAN’T TOUCH THIS follows the building relationship between animal rehabber Ryder Carson, and veterinarian Vesper Fairfax. For six months Ryder has been taking wounded and sick dogs to Vesper’s animal clinic hoping that our heroine will take notice of the man that stands before her. Ryder was instantly attracted to the new veterinarian but his frequent visits appeared to be riling up the feisty doc and each successive visit Vesper’s anger towards Ryder grew more intense and dark. Their back and forth banter usually involved Ryder’s sexual innuendos and snarky come backs in the hopes of breaking down the doctor’s barriers. What ensues are Ryder’s attempts to convince Vesper to take a chance on the man and a possible future.

There is plenty of sexual tension between our leading couple; the $ex scenes are intimate and intense. We learn a little bit about Vesper and Polly’s ongoing friendship, and how Ryder started on the path of saving man’s best friend.

We are introduced to Vesper’s business partner and fellow veterinarian Polly Dartford, a woman trying to come to terms with the loneliness when her best friend begins to fall in love; and Ryder’s globe trotting brother Rupert Carson- a man looking for someone to complete his life. Their story will be told next in Can’t Own This.

CAN’T TOUCH THIS is a lighthearted, romantic comedy with very little angst or conflict from outside sources. There are moments of fun and humor mixed with heartbreaking stories of animals in need and rescues. The premise is enjoyable and entertaining; the characters are colorful and fun; the romance is seductive and provocative.

Reviewed by Sandy