Review: Alice Clayton's "Rusty Nailed (Cocktail # 2)."

3.5 - 4 Hearts Review: Alice Clayton's "Rusty Nailed (Cocktail #2)."

Amazon.com:  http://amzn.to/1nAgVSk

Amazon UK:   http://amzn.to/1wqDorH

Synopsis:

In this sequel to Wallbanger, the second book in the Cocktail series, fan favorites Caroline and Simon negotiate the rollercoaster of their new relationship while house-sitting in San Francisco.

Playing house was never so much fun—or so confusing. With her boss on her honeymoon, Caroline’s working crazy long hours to keep the interior design company running—especially since she’s also the lead designer for the renovation of a gorgeous old hotel on Sausalito. So with her hotshot photographer boyfriend gallivanting all over the world for his job, she and Simon are heavy-duty into “absence makes the heart grow fonder” mode. Neither has any complaints about the great reunion sex, though! Then Simon decides he’s tired of so much travelling, and he’s suddenly home more. A lot more. And wanting Caroline home more, too. Though their friends’ romantic lives provide plenty of welcome distraction, eventually Caroline and Simon have to sort their relationship out. Neither wants “out of sight, out of mind,” but can they create their own happy mid-ground cliché?

USA TODAY bestselling author Alice Clayton delivers another delicious, frothy cocktail of a book, shaking up her characters, stirring in laugh-out-loud humor, and serving sizzling romance straight up!

Review: Kirsty Lander

I liked this book, but I really didn't love it. 

Wallbanger is a favourite of mine, and when my favourite get a sequel they tend to be very hit or miss.. unfortunately, this one was a bit of a miss for me. Don't get me wrong, Rusty Nailed still had me laughing out loud at times thanks to Alice Clayton's brilliant humour, but the story just didn't keep me interested enough. 

I was under the impression that, like Wallbanger, this would be a book that mainly centres around Simon and Caroline's relationship, with snippets in to their friends lives and relationships. What we really got was unnecessary drama with Simon and Caroline (I'll get to their issues in a second) and a big chunk of Neil and Sophia's relationship troubles. Now, I admit I read Wallbanger quite a while ago so my memory of it is pretty hazy, but I usually at least remember character names. Not here though, I had no clue who Sophia and Neil were, so reading about them two was just pretty boring for me. I wasn't interested. 

As for Simon and Caroline's issues, I just found it crazy. Simon takes on less work to be home with Caroline more, and Caroline has a big job to do at her work, which when the two are put together, seemed to create issues. Caroline really struggles to come to terms with her new way of life with Simon and I just couldn't get my head around why. 

To be honest, if you loved Wallbanger I would probably suggest just leaving it there and not necessarily bothering with this one. I don't think you'd be missing out on anything important. I have nothing against Alice Clayton's writing abilities, I think she is a very talented author, this story just didn't work for me.

I rated "Rusty Nailed" 3.5-4 Hearts