I’m unemployed, leaving town in six days, single as fck, and looking for an excuse to make some bad decisions.Maddison: Stone’s bad news. Everything I know about him tells me he’s a bad decision. He drinks too much, parties too hard, and in the years he’s been our neighbor I’ve never heard him mention the same woman twice.He’s not happily ever after material by a long shot, but I can’t help but … material by a long shot, but I can’t help but think that Stone Caldwell knows how to bend a girl over a desk.
Stone:
Maddie’s watching me with that careful stare that she’s been fixing me with for the last couple of hours. If I didn’t know better I’d call it a good, old-fashioned eye-fck but I’m pretty sure that’s just wishful thinking on my part.
I’m no where near drunk. I might have had a little buzz going on there for a minute, which is probably why I started telling her all that stuff about missed connections and how I feel like…well it doesn’t matter how I feel now.
I should take her home. I should not take her out to the ranch, and I sure as hell should not do any of the filthy things that keep popping into my brain.
***
ROUGH features a complete story with no cheating (I promise) and a guaranteed happy ending for one reformed bad boy turned cattle rancher and the free spirited woman that he almost let get away.
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The heartbreaking news that the company she works for is closing is not expected but something that Maddie is going to take advantage of and move away. After a horrible breakup and the awesome guy in the next office who is constantly visiting with her and her two coworkers, it is just something that she owes to herself. The three women and Stone (Mr. Sexy from across the hall) go to one last lunch together. The drinks are going down a little too smoothly and Maddie is left with Stone for a ride home. He is smoking hot and the booze are affecting her a little bit….no other reasons necessary.
He can’t believe the news that he will not see the three women that have been a part of his day for the last few years. When they suggest lunch I am all aboard too. The drinks are going down too smooth, and Maddie is all Stone can keep his eyes on. It was a bit of a surprise when the other two girls leave her with him to take her home. But man are there sparks flying around or what?
After driving around for awhile, and trying to let the booze run its course through her system, Stone and Maddie flirt and make small talk. He then mentions about his cows and having to feed them. Well, that is all Maddie hears and wants to help with that. Now on the way back to dropping her off at her house, things get heated, really REALLY heated. They tangle their way to the bedroom and there are no holds bared….by either of them. Maddie pulls a Stone move and gets him dressed and pushed out the door before he could do that himself, that is if he would have wanted that. What is going on here? Stone is usually a love ’em and leave ’em guy. Now he is questioning Maddie’s lack of feeling at all. It bothers him, and Stone second guesses everything….he says that he will be back while leaving. Maddie doesn’t believe him, she knows all about his flings….remember?! The day after leaves her covered with reminders of their night of fun.
Then as she is just about all packed and ready to leave Stone shows up. That is after the sexting for a few days. Maddie is also questioning things, second guessing herself as well. The two of them have obviously started something that neither really want to stop but neither are brave enough to say something. When he shows up, he finds out she is leaving in the morning. Well he comes with a cooler and beer. The sparks fly once again, and this time they both know it is not because of being drunk, since both of them have barely finished one beer each. They don’t fight the urge and this time Stone is a little less rough with her. She is ok with him either way. Once again Maddie is the instigator for him leaving and not staying. Stone doesn’t like this one bit. But he doesn’t ask her to stay either. He does want her to be happy.
A few weeks and lots of texting later, Maddie is back in town. One of her two coworkers has finally had her baby. There is a photo of Maddie holding the baby that is sent as a text to the group. This shows up on Stone’s phone while he is talking with his buddies. It just so happens they are talking about marriages and babies themselves. Now when that photo comes it awakens something in Stone that he felt happening but didn’t want to admit it. He texts something with hints meant back. Now Maddie is assessing this and trying hard to fight the feelings she has.
On the night before she heads back to her new place Stone shows up, just like always, and heats things up. Now he is sure, but still hesitant to admit it….damn it – why?! Maddie is back home, and her BFF is talking to her about not letting this go and not to give up so easily, she also says “Don’t hate me” right before she leaves. Maddie doesn’t understand, but when she feels someone getting on the boat she turns, thinking it is her friend, and there stands sexy Stone. The word no is no longer an option and Maddie and Stone really connect, not just in the usual way either. Really connect with one another. He even gets down on one knee.
Oh, these two finally see eye to eye and get their happy ending. The fun parts are from word one to the very last word in this book. Too hard to put down.
Loved it
Loved Stone and Maddie! Stone Caldwell, is a bad boy player, a retired billionaire, turned rancher. Well he will be when the final sale goes through on his company. He rents the office space across the hall from Maddie, Lindy and Jess, remotely running his company and building his ranch. For 6 years Stone has been hanging out in their office after work, and has come to love their company. They have built a comfortable office friendship were no topic is off limits, but it’s all coming to an end. The company the girls work for is closing. Maddie is going to move out of town. Stone insists on a going away party, which ends with Maddie and Stone, and not wanting to end their evening together. So it’s a trip to the ranch to feed his 14 cows and end at Maddie’s with hot drunken sex and both wondering why now, they click, but they are moving in different direction.
Loved Maddie and Stone’s story, fast paced, fun, funny and hot and steamy. Cheers to the man know as Hookers and Blow who inspired Stone! I would rate ROUGH 14 pretty cows, but since it’s not an option, 5 Stars will have to do. Can’t wait for Maddie and Stones epilogue! Would love for Lindy to have a story, but I hear tell, that her doppelganger in the real world couldn’t be contained in a book. I received an ARC copy of the book, in exchange for an honest review, and since I loved it, and will be reading it again, and wanted to support the author, I bought copy.
ARC review For honest review. Maddie and stone worked near each other for 6 years but now they go look at his cows !!!!! Find out why so very cute.
Loosely based on real life and a real “Hookers & Blow” this is a really fun read. I was excited and laughter from the very beginning. The characters were bright and vibrant and their dialogue was so much fun to read. I liked that this was more of a romance comedy than some of this authors previous stories as it really added to the realism of the characters, their relationship and the overall plot.
This is the story of Stone and Maddie, with some amazing friends thrown in. It all starts when Maddie learns that she is losing her job and decides to move away. Her office/good friends decide to take her out for a last drink, bon voyage so to speak. As she drinks she finds Stone more and more attractive (not that she didn’t notice before) and decides that she really needs to help him “feed his cows.” The relationship begins here and never lets up. The story is sweet and one filled with laughter and great lines. This story seems shorter than others this author has written but there is nothing lacking from the story or the characters. It feels full and complete. It was such a joy to read and was really made my mood lighten and made me smile. This is a great read for those of you who need that at any point