The Hooker and the Hermit by L.H. Cosway & Penny Reid
Publication Date: February 5, 2015
Genres: Contemporary, Romance
New York’s Finest
Blogging as *The Socialmedialite*
February 14, 2015
LADIES AND GENTS! I have an announcement!
You know that guy I featured on my blog a few months ago? The really, really hot Irish rugby player who plays the position of ‘hooker’ in the RLI (Rugby League International)? The one with the anger management issues, the body of a gladiator and the face of a movie star? The one with the questionable fashion choices leading me to ask whether he was the lovechild of a leprechaun and a hobbit? Ronan Fitzpatrick? Yeah, that guy.
Well, I have a confession to make…
THE HERMIT
Annie Catrel, social media expert extraordinaire at Davidson & Croft Media and clandestine celebrity blogger, can make anyone shine in the court of public opinion. She is the Socialmedialite, anonymous creator of New York’s Finest and the internet’s darling. Virtual reality is Annie’s forte, but actual reality? Not so much.
THE HOOKER
Ronan Fitzpatrick, aka the best hooker the world of rugby has seen in decades, despises the media—social or otherwise. The press has spun a web of lies depicting him as rugby’s wild and reckless bad boy. Suspended from his team, Ronan has come to Manhattan to escape the drama, lay low, fly under the radar. Only, Ronan isn’t easy to overlook, and he can’t escape the notice of the Socialmedialite…
THE PLAN
When Ronan is sent to Davidson & Croft Media to reshape his public image, he never expects to cross paths with shy but beautiful Annie, nor does he expect his fierce attraction to her. He couldn’t be happier when her boss suggests pairing them together.
What lengths will Annie take to keep her virtual identity concealed? And what happens when the hooker discovers who the hermit really is?
The Hooker and the Hermit is a collaboration between authors L.H. Cosway and Penny Reid, is a full length 100k word novel, and is a standalone.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
TWO amazing authors, ONE spectacular book!
There comes a point in everyone’s reading experience where the book doesn’t measure up to the excitement of a release. When the hype surrounding it is more than the content within its pages. Gladly, this was not the case with The Hooker and The Hermit! Cosway and Reid crafted a story which was different from their norm as writers, yet there was a sense of familiarity within the pages of this novel. While reading, I would say, “Oh, that was Cosway”, or “Yep, Reid wrote that part.” Why does that matter? Well, to me, it matters because while I was excited about something totally different from what they usually write, I craved the familiar. And, because each author stayed true to themselves, it made reading this book easy.
Just like Ronan Fitzpatrick’s eyes, this book was the kind of book that “pull[s] you in, ensnare[s] you, bind[s] you, hold[s] you and your focus and your priorities hostage.”
The story was put together seamlessly. Even though I mentioned on occasion I could (guess) tell when a phrase was written or influenced by which author, you couldn’t tell when one author began or when one ended, the story was not fragmented or disjointed in any way.
I adored THE HERMIT, Annie Catrel, social media expert extraordinaire! Her bashful, introverted demeanor and brilliant mind were an arresting combination. She has yet to reconcile her online persona with her real-life persona. And this works fine for her, (for the most part) as she is able to have the best of both worlds – keeping to herself while reaching out to others online at the same time maintaining her anonymity. She was hilarious (I learned a new way to curse) and endearing and every girl’s best friend (if she had any – she could be mine, I would jump at that chance).
I swooned and found I had been reduced to a giddy, hand clapping woman whenever THE HOOKER, Ronan Fitzpatrick, aka the best hooker in the world of rugby, was mentioned, let alone while reading his POV! Dayum, that man had hawt down to a science!
“…you’re not allowed to order vanilla.”
“Vanilla’s not my flavor, Annie.”
He was the bad boy of rugby. He was cynical and disillusioned by his past. And, he was in need of an image makeover, so he agreed to the help of Davidson & Croft media and Annie.
I treasured Ronan’s moments of vulnerability. They were a stark contrast to his powerful, male side. He was a multi-faced character and that made him more real.
“Ms. Catrel, let me spell it out for you; I think you’re being wooed.“
Annie’s moments of indecision quite contrasted her desire for more. Sometimes I wanted to shake her and show her what was right in front of her and tell her to let go of the past, take a chance on a future.
“I never let my happiness or survival depend on others. It means I eliminate the disappointment.”
I loved the build of their relationship (all sides) and their funny, witty, sarcastic banter. They definitely knew how to pull each other’s strings. However, the times they were together, were marvelous. I loved this story, these characters, this book!
These authors work magic together. I hope they work on another project in the future!
**ARC graciously provided in exchange for honest review**
What's on your mind? (Please note, comment may be held for moderation before appearing.)