Love You So Madly

Love You So Madly is the second book in the Love You So Stories but can easily be read as a standalone. This is a pretty short read/listen about a guy, Ben who works hard for a charitable foundation. He seems to have the perfect life. Rich, attentive fiancée Alan, who wants to give him the world. A job, that even though it requires long hours, he gets to help people, which he loves. But underneath the surface Ben isn’t as happy as he seems. He doesn’t want to be a trophy husband to his rich boyfriend, he wants to make a difference in the world. Ben has noticed the office handyman, the stunningly attractive Dusty for a while but has hardly ever talked to him. Eventually that all changed and Dusty starts to help Ben out with some renovation problems he’s been having. Ben starts to notice some weird quirks about Dusty as the two get to know each other. As the two men grow closer to each other Ben struggles with his attraction to Dusty and his failing relationship Alan. After Dusty has a health scare Ben finally realizes what he wants and goes about making the changes in his life.

I found this to be a very light, fast paced book. The two main characters were sweet and funny. I did at some points find Dusty’s mother to be a bit over bearing but after finding out about past issues I could kind of get why she was like that. The one thing I didn’t like was towards the end, when Dusty and Ben finally get together, they had sex after their “first” date. I don’t think it needed to be in the story. It felt rather rushed and out of place. I would have been just as happy not to have it there. Other than that I found this to be a delightful book and series so far.

Well, this book runs right along the lines of Tara Lain’s others, being an overly sweet romance with just the right amount of cheesy-fun characters. All of them are really light, fluffy books with likeable characters and this one was no different.

I do need to talk about the audio narration first. I am really not quite sure how to express my feelings for this one. The narrator, Ry Forest, gave a really great performance with this book, and his voice really was perfect for each of the characters. I do think sometimes it was just so over the top ridiculous and silly sounding, but at the same time it was completely perfect for the characters and for what the situation called for at the time. Although I didn’t quite love it, I am ultimately totally impressed by how much effort he obviously put into this one.

Dusty was a cute character, he’s kind of a jack of all trades when it comes to work and school and everything he’s got going on in life. I really disliked his mother throughout the entire book. I felt like she was way too up in his business and needed to back off a lot and let him live his own life, even with his medical issues.

Ben was an OK character. I didn’t really feel too much for him either way, but I’m glad he came to his senses regarding Alan - that guy was a total tool and completely full of himself! I didn’t like him at all.

This is a slow-paced relationship build-up tale that needed to happen that way, no instant love here. Cute book with cute characters and an interesting narration.

*** Audiobook copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie by Dreamspinner Press for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. ***

4.5 Stars!

Love You So Hard was my first Tara Lain book ever and I loved it, so when I saw there was a new book in the series, I just couldn't pass on it. It can be read as a standalone, but really, I loved book 1, so in case you haven't read it, you should give it a try.

To anybody who knows Ben, he seems to have everything, a great, fulfilling job managing a foundation that oversees charities worldwide, enough money to live life comfortably and a handsome, wealthy fiancé. If only the fiancé wasn't intent on Ben becoming his trophy husband and not focus on his job and if only Ben could stop thinking about Dusty, the foundation's handyman.

Dusty was absolutely lovely. Sweet and resourceful, determined to make the best out of his life despite his condition. I wasn't too sure about Ben at first, mostly because he was engaged and I don't particularly care for books with any kind of cheating in them, no matter if the fiancé was horrible to him, really, I have no clue why Ben accepted him in the first place, but there was just a kiss between Dusty and Ben while he was still engaged, so it wasn't too bad. Anyway, Ben won me over with how he rushed to Dusty's side when he collapsed in the building's vestibule and how he wanted to make things right for Dusty. Dusty and Ben had great chemistry and while this was very instalove, in this case, it worked very well.

I loved catching up with Craig and Jesse, who were amazingly supportive of Ben when he needed some friends that would help him decide what it was he needed to do to make things right. I also adored Mrs. Merced, she was a riot! LOL

Overall, this was a great addition to the series! It was funny and sweet, with just a dash of angst and very enjoyable! Very recommendable!

*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie by Dreamspinner Press, a review wasn't a requirement. ***

I found this a sweet and charming story with humor and feel-good vibes. Not much angst, but with a very serious message about living with epilepsy. It is not often I have read about this disease. Although it is important for the story, the author didn’t make it a focal point. It is written with knowledge and enough details to give a good idea of how it is to live with it.
I liked Ben and Dusty. Ben is a workaholic, engaged to Alan, who is a bit of a snob. Ben, however, won’t fall in line with everything he says. Sometimes for the sake of keeping the peace, but when it counts, he stands up for himself and his beliefs. It is obvious their relationship is lackluster at best.
The sheen comes when Ben meets Dusty. Dusty is several years younger and has that sunny, cheery dispoition that draws people to him. The author did a bang-up job showing the differences in the relationship. Even when you know that Ben and Dusty will be a couple, it is clear that Ben’s engagement to Alan will come to an end quickly by the way they are with each other.
Although Ben is smitten with Dusty, he doesn’t go after him for real before he ends it with Alan. So no cheating. I loved that Ben didn’t mind Dusty’s epilepsy. The chemistry between Ben and Dusty is tangible. Every time they are together, there is a sparkle in the air and on the pages.
My absolute favorite character was Anastasia. A feisty, no-nonsense woman, without being portrayed as a witch. She is a businesswoman through and through, but her heart is in the right place.

Love You SO Madly is a very sweet short story.
Ben is head of the Clearwater foundation over charities. He is engaged to a wealthy man but isn't really happy. Not physically or emotionally. Alan wants him to quit work so they can travel and go to fancy parties. That is not what Ben wants and Alan seems to ignore his feelings.

Dusty is the handyman at work and younger than Ben. He also has epilepsy and thinks that he is below Ben's station and that his illness would keep Ben away if the money issue didn't.

I really liked this story. It is a fun read. All the characters are interesting, the storyline is predictable but good. I liked that Tara Lain attacked the illness of epilepsy since I have it I could really relate to Dusty.
If you're looking for a fast pace, fun, fluffy romance, May/December, office romance, health issues and an allover good romance this is for you.