FEEL THE RUSH (Hard Feelings 2) by Kelsie Leverich-a review

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 20, 2013

Picking the wrong men is a talent Meagan Mitchell has perfected. She’s sweet, confident, beautiful—and single. With her thirtieth birthday sneaking up on her, she needs a new plan. No more Mr. Wrongs or Mr. Bads, it’s time to find Mr. Safe…

Army Captain, Reed Porter, lives for the thrill—he’s an Airborne Jumpmaster with a rush addiction. He’s sexy and playful, and he quickly tempts Meagan with his rich Southern drawl and sinful looks. But slowing down and settling down are not in his agenda, making him exactly the type of man Meagan wants to avoid…

As their undeniable attraction heats up, Meagan has to decide if she’s willing to risk everything on a chance at love with a reckless charmer. Is she brave enough to bet her future—and her heart—on Mr. Thrill? Or will Reed finally learn that the feeling of a safe landing is just as addicting as the rush of the fall?

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REVIEW:  FEEL THE RUSH is the second storyline in Kelsie Leverich’s contemporary military HARD FEELINGS romance series. Although this is part of a series, it can be read as a stand alone. The series has introduced a number of fellow soldiers, friends and comrades, and each will have their story told. This is Meagan and Reed’s story. One thing I have noticed, there is a similar theme running throughout the first two novels-the heroine has been scorned; betrayed by a previous lover; cheated on by someone she trusted and loved, and in this, has shaped the character’s skewed outtake on life and love. I am not sure if this is where all of Kelsie’s storylines are heading, but it is a major premise running throughout both novels.

The story focuses on the almost thirty year old Meagan Mitchell- an army brat and nurse who measures her days by the lack of a permanent relationship, marriage and motherhood. Enter her new neighbor Captain Reed Porter, a man who does not remember their first encounter eight years earlier. Meagan fears she will lose her head and her heart to the resident bad boy who wants to live life to the fullest and looks for the next big ‘rush’. Meagan is looking for something more and Reed isn’t willing to be that more.

The relationship between Reed and Meagan is hot, sexy and romantic. Both realize that going into the relationship with boundaries is setting them up to fail and they will fail in a big way that will break your heart and flow your tears. Not only for our leading couple but for several of Reed’s fellow soldiers whose lives and loves are as screwed up as their commanding officer.

The storyline is well paced; most of the characters are likeable and relatable although Meagan’s character had the ability to set off warning bells with her behavior of pulling Reed in and pushing him away all the time. Her history with men has shaped her inability to trust and her growing fear that all men will break her heart and leave when someone new comes along. In this, she was a difficult character to like. And Reed, knowing full well that Meagan wanted more, kept pushing his limits in their relationship.

Once again, the storyline is filled with friends and fellow soldiers all with a story waiting to be told. The characters are real; suffer pain and loss; heartbreaking sorrow and misguided love.

FEEL THE RUSH is a story about two people trying to overcome pasts mired in betrayal, loss and pain. Kelsie Leverich puts her own spin on the military hero storyline and pulls the reader in with heartbreaking histories that left me looking for a tissue on several occasions.

Copy supplied by the author through Netgalley.

Reviewed by Sandy