Izzy Caliendo is a wild child. Born into a rich family, she uses her status as a pampered princess to avoid work, play the field and live her life the way she wants. Until Gunner Mann comes along, anyway.Gunner, hired by Izzy’s brother, Marc, to decode their grandfather’s secret files, is mysterious, dangerous and doesn’t bow down to Izzy’s wild ways. When Marc traps these two in the basement … these two in the basement together to finish the files, sparks start to fly. After Izzy finds out about her own file and is confronted with confusion about her past, she turns to Gunner for help. But Gunner is running from his own past and doesn’t want to involve anyone—especially a Caliendo woman. He is so close to freedom—how can he turn back now?
The more time he and Izzy spent together, however, makes it harder and harder for either of them to walk away. Will they simply finish the files and go their separate ways or will deceit, lies and secrecy actually bring these two people from opposite worlds together?
Read the full BY THE LAKE SERIES:
THE CALIENDO RESORT
BOOK 1: Sunset Thunder
BOOK 2: Sunset Rivalry
BOOK 3: Sunset Sail
BOOK 4: Sunset Flare
BOOK 5: Sunset Shelter
Other books from the By The Lake Series:
THE MCADAMS SISTERS
BOOK 1: Lakeshore Secrets
BOOK 2: Lakeshore Legend
BOOK 3: Lakeshore Love
BOOK 4: Lakeshore Candy
BOOK 5: Lakeshore Lyrics
more
Loving this series so much!
I’ve been wanting Izzy’s story from the beginning. She’s the wild child who doesn’t even attempt to filter what she says, full of life and fun. But she suffered a traumatic even in her childhood that was dealt with in a most unusual manner. Add that to the fact that her “father” never wanted her and her real father never claimed her and she has a few issues that prevent her from taking a relationship with a man seriously.
Gunner has so many secrets and once he helps to interpret Robert Caliendo’s files he will be free from the target on his back. The last thing he wants is a snobby society woman who is the very image of everything he despises. But once he starts to really get to know Izzy he realizes there is so much more to her than what is on the surface.
I really loved this couple. They worked together to open themselves up and when things turned bad, it didn’t take long for one or both of them to take action to correct the situation. Izzy was cute and quirky and totally outspoken but when she shared her fears and insecurities she totally stole my heart. Gunner was the perfect match for her once he move past is initial impression. All he wanted was to protect her even at the cost of his own life.
This is a fast paced read with the perfect amount of humor, fade to black sex, and a cast of characters that help to build this story up. The ending felt a tad rushed but mostly because, like the previous books in this series, it does not have an epilogue. I’m really holding out for a doozy of an epilogue when this series ends! I need it!! In the meantime, there is more to the series and I am curious to see what’s going to happen next.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
“His heart couldn’t handle the rise and falls of love, cracking his insides like an earthquake and swallowing everything he’d believed was real.”
A wild voyage down Izzie Caliendo’s life filled with fun, laughter and sassiness. She is mouthy, speaks her mind, sexy, bitchy and a player!
Gunner Mann is sexy as hell, doesn’t trust anyone around him; women even less.
I was once again on the edge of my seat reading this book and I just couldn’t put it down. Shannyn Leah has a way with her writing that keeps us on edge, make us laugh, cry and hold our breath at every unsuspected turn of events.
Izzie is fun and it’s impossible not to like her. I was glad to see more of her wittiness and her sassiness and of course to finally get to meet the real Caliendo Princess.
Gunner is running from his past; Izzie’s own past comes back. In order to protect the spoiled but yet lovable Izzie, Gunner is ready to turn his back on the only person that ever made him feel something real. Izzie is all about fun and not strings attached but for once in her life she might see what life can really be about. She always had flings only to protect her own heart. A non-emotional heart cannot be shattered.
Sexy, fun and wonderful read. Even thou all her books can be read as standalones; I was happy to reconnect with characters from her previous books. It’s always a pleasure to travel into the world of Willow Valley. Can’t wait for the next Chapter of the Caliendo’s story with Corbin!
Izzy Caliendo is a spoiled, pampered flirt that knows no boundaries. She sees no reason to find a job & fights anyone that suggests it. She’s also fiercely protective of her entire family. Therefore, when she sees someone skulking around the resort setting up cameras, she assumes it’s the press & goes out to destroy them. The misunderstanding wouldn’t have happened if her brother had just told her what was going on. Like she was to know that Marc, her brother, had hired Gunner to help him out. It’s too bad that such a sexy alpha man is such an arrogant ass!
Gunner Mann has been brought to the Caliendo Resort to help his benefactor Anton decipher the private files hidden in the secret room. Once he is done, Anton swears he will make sure Gunner is free from the Italian Caliendo’s reach. He thought it would be an easy job until he saw her destroying his cameras. Izzy looks & acts just like his former wife – willful, spoiled, hot headed, attention seeking & narcissistic. He can’t stand women like her. So why is he so attracted to her? Is there more to her than meets the eye?
This story has it all. It’s funny in places, sarcastic, romantic, sad, mysterious & dangerous. The plot engages you in the beginning in what feels like a dangerous moment, hooks you with the hilarious scene at the pool & keeps you interested with drama & passion. The danger & anticipation builds as Izzy & Gunner get to know the private sides of each other instead of their public personas. These characters are proof that you can’t always rely on first impressions . Shannyn Leah has done a masterful job at adding intrigue to her romance books. I’m hooked & can’t wait for Corbin’s story.