Hunter Markham left home to travel the world for fame and glory, finding it as a top ranked professional surfer. Now he’s returned home to the sand and salty breeze of the North Carolina Outer Banks so he can open The Last Call, a beach bar nestled among the dunes of the Atlantic.Five years ago, Gabby Ward drunkenly threw herself at her best friend’s brother, only to have her young heart crushed. … heart crushed. Hunter is back but Gabby is content to stay far away from him and his dangerously charming ways.
Gabby’s well-schemed plans to ignore Hunter go up in flames when he presents her an offer she simply can’t refuse. Working together day in and day out proves problematic for two reasons—Gabby realizes her feelings for Hunter are still very much alive, while Hunter struggles to break through to Gabby’s cold heart. What starts out as a mutual business arrangement soon turns into a passion that neither can deny.
But when the pro surfing tour comes knocking and Hunter has a chance to reclaim his former glory, hard choices lie ahead for both of them.
Choices that could destroy what they have built or take them further than they could ever dare to hope in their second chance at romance.
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Sawyer never disappoints!
3.5 One the Rocks is the first of a new series. Sawyer Bennett is one of those authors who I know can tell a good story. This one is no exception. Hunter is a pro surfer who’s given up his career to come home and help settle his twin brother, Brody, who has just gotten out of prison. Gabby is the BFF of Hunter’s little sister, Casey. She’s always been a part of his life, always been a part of his family, has always been around. This is Hunter and Gabby’s crush to hate to love story. The characters are wonderful, family is important, and friends are just as important. The setting, the Outer Banks, is one of my personal faves. On the Rocks is a quick and entertaining read with snark and steam mixed in.
Wow!!!! Great story line and great characters to fall in love with. Can’t wait for the others in this series.
Is it wrong to admit all through this book I just wanted to get to Brody’s instead? 😉
Don’t get me wrong, On the Rocks isn’t a bad read. I liked Gabby and Hunter (even when Gabby was making me shake my head), and wanted them to get to their HEA, but Hunter. Hunter’s where all the angst is. I need to see that poor guy find himself again.
But I digress…
Hunter and Gabby’s story is an unrequited love, second chance (of sorts–there was just one kiss way back when that ended badly), best friend’s brother romance. All kinds of trope-y goodness! Add in that the hero is a former professional surfer and the heroine is a general contractor, and I’m guessing this one would check a lot of boxes for many readers, myself included.
But Gabby…she’s so prickly…
Honestly I didn’t even mind her getting-in-her-own-way tendencies for the most part, because Hunter didn’t let them bother him and their relationship (as it was) was working. But when she unilaterally decides to do “what’s best for him”? Grrrrrrrrr. Fortunately Hunter comes to the rescue–again–and pulls together an HEA in spite of her best efforts, and all’s well that ends well. Mostly. But OMG, do I want to read Brody’s book…
Rating: 3 1/2 stars / B
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
I am a huge Sawyer Bennett fan.
Adorably cute, sweet, and endearing romance between Hunter and Gabby. This was definitely a page turner. I enjoyed this story.
I listened to the audio version of this book. I really liked the female narrator, Bunny Warren. I didn’t like Douglas Berger quite as much.
I like Sawyer Bennet. She delivers steamy romances with stories that hold their own. The development is good and I usually can’t wait to see where the romance will take the characters next. On the Rocks did not disappoint.
What I did find disappointing in this book was it started out with a scene of underage drinking that is supposedly supported and promoted by the parents. Not only is that morally wrong, but at least in my state that is illegal. Yes, there was lots of steamy scenes in the book and maybe I should just get over myself. Having worked in a Level 2 trauma hospital and seeing what can happen to young teens with alcohol, it’s just not something I take lightly.
Overall the story was very entertaining.
On the night of her high school graduation, Gabby kisses her best friend’s older brother, Hunter. She has had a crush on him for years and finally makes her move. They are both way into it but then Hunter pushes her a way and makes her feel like trash. She then vows to hate him for this. Hunter is a professional surfer who travels the world participating in surfing competitions. After being away surfing for five years he decides to come back home and revive the local bar/restaurant. Since taking over her dad’s construction company, Gabby puts in a bid to remodel the bar for Hunter and the drama ensues.
I really wanted to love this one. I thought that the story line had great potential. I love a brother’s best friend trope so I was ready for this one. Hunter was amazing. I loved how he was there for his brother, Brody, when he came back. How he was always trying to help him adjust even though he was fighting it the whole time. I loved how obviously in love with Gabby he was and that he didn’t try and deny it. But what made this one a miss for me was Gabby. She was just annoying and there was nothing really redeeming about her for me. The way she treated Hunter at first was over the top and slightly ridiculous. Every time she blew up it was for no reason other than she wanted to be mad and it was honestly quiet ridiculous to read. And then how everything had to be a secret. I can’t stand that. Just own it. I just couldn’t relate to her.
I am very curious about Brody’s story so I will be reading that one I just hope that it is a better story.
Thank you for the change to read your Books.
Too much explicit sex.it seemedto be the point of the story. It would have been a better book without all the sex.
I quite enjoyed this book. I’ve never read a Sawyer Bennett book that I haven’t enjoyed. Steamy, great setting and characters. What’s not to love?
S. Bennett writes a good HEA story. Great characters/funny situations.
I’ve been a Sawyer Bennett fan for three years. Her Wicked Horse series is a favorite of mine. Somehow I missed her Last Call series but I can tell you that I already am invested based on reading On The Rocks. What a great cast of characters. I can hardly wait to read the entire series.
Hunter and Gabby’s history…crush to hate to lust to love. These two just clicked for me despite all the missteps and miscommunication. Gabby trying to be a success in a male dominated world just resonated with me. Hunter’s willingness to be there for his brother struck another chord. This was just a heartfelt romance that I really enjoyed reading.
Fun read. Characters were believable and fun. No big surprises, but entertaining.
not my style.
Good summer reading.
Enjoyed reading. Characters were entertaining.
Love this author and her characters. I am entertained from start to finish . A master storyteller she weaves a great story you can enjoy before life interrupt. Enjoy I did
Easy beach read.
This was a well written book. I enjoyed reading it very much and look forward to reading about some of the other characters. Location and descriptions were lovely!