Blog Tour: A Beautiful Distraction (Hard Feelings #3) by Kelsie Leverich

A Beautiful Distraction
Hard Feelings #3
By: Kelsie Leverich
Release Date: May 6, 2014
Publisher: Berkley Nal 
Mature Content: 18 & Up
Source:  Publisher
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A brand new novel in the New York Times bestselling Hard Feelings series—where nothing’s more dangerous than a bad boy with a broken heart… First Sergeant Rafe Murano did everything to the extreme. He trained harder, he fought harder, and, unfortunately, he loved harder. And falling for the wrong woman nearly destroyed him. Home from a deployment, and without his missions to consume him, Murano is ravaged by memories of his heartbreak. So he drinks until he’s numb and drowns himself in meaningless one-night stands. But they only take the edge off… Until he meets Fallon. Haunted by her past, Fallon Kelly knows all too well about the desperate desire for an escape. So when she sees the tatted-up bad boy who’s one punch away from a ride in the back of a squad car, she offers a distraction—one that quickly becomes an addiction. Little does she know, this bad boy can love so hard, it can break her…

My Thoughts:

The Hard Feelings Series, by Kelsie Leverich is an addictive series!  I have been highly anticipating Rafe Murano's story, and it was better than I could have even imagined.  Rafe has just returned home from his deployment, and is heartbroken.  He fell in love with a woman, who he later found out was married.  He continued the affair for two years, and hated the fact that he was a man who had an affair with a married woman.  He was completely devastated when things ended, and has used his duties of being in the army as a distraction.  Now that he's back from deployment, he distracts himself with women and alcohol.

Then, he meets Fallon, when he goes to her upscale Burlesque club, Velour, with his good friend Graham.  She is an amazing dancer, and stands out among all other women.  She is strong, confident, and dances for herself.  She has many demons from her past, and hasn't had a relationship since she was a teenager.  She has strict rules concerning the opposite sex.  She doesn't do relationships, emotions, or sleepovers.  When she indulges in intercourse, it is simply a means of satisfaction.  However, it is a game changer when she meets Rafe.  She is attracted to his intensity, passion, strength, and good looks.  Fallon offers to be a distraction for Rafe, when she see's he is struggling with heartbreak.  What starts off as purely hot sex, and a distraction for both of them, quickly turns in to much more, but is Fallon ready to open up, and give her heart to someone?

I loved Murano's story.  More than anything I love how he "loved" Fallon.  He cherished her, protected her, gave her 100% of his loyalty, and when he gave his heart to her, there was nothing that he wouldn't do for her.  It was beautiful to watch.  Everyone yearns for the type of love Rafe had to give, and I'm glad the Fallon learned that it was a gift, for someone to love so completely and unselfishly.  The sexual tension, passion, and in depth love scenes between Fallon and Rafe were unbelievable!  This is a book you do not want to read in public. I loved how the deeper connection between these two grew deeper and deeper, and it happened without either really noticing, until it was too late.  They shared secrets with each other, their pasts, what was important in their lives, and the people that they were close to with one another.

This was more of a character driven story, than a plot driven story.  There were a few little twists, but more than anything the focus was on Rafe and Fallon themselves, learning how to open up, trust, and give of themselves freely.  There were a few really great secondary characters that I enjoyed reading about.  I loved Rafe's brothers, Luca, Marco, and Leo, his father, Sergio, and especially his sister-in-law Tilly!  A Beautiful Distraction was a great addition to the Hard Feelings Series, and I highly recommend it.

My Rating:

I give, A Beautiful Distraction, by Kelsie Leverich, 4.5 Passionate, Intense, Romantic, Steamy, "I love how Rafe Loves" Filled Stars!

My Favorite Quotes:

"It was branded in his bones.  It's what his father's blood had encrypted in his soul.  What he and his brothers held in their hearts.  They loved their women hard.  Fiercely.  Passionately.  Profoundly."  (eARC, Loc. 1361)

~Rafe

"She wanted this...him.  His overpowering body, his considerate touch, his dangerous kiss.  She wanted him and what he made her feel.  Delicate.  Vulnerable.  Cherished."  (eAEC, Loc. 2038)

~Fallon

"He moved their hands from her and pressed them to his chest. 'You feel this?  You own me, gorgeous.  Every single beat of my heart belongs to you.  You do this to me. ' "  (eARC, Loc. 3128)

~Rafe

Fun Stuff:

Casting

Courtesy of Ms. Leverich's Pinterest

"Fallon Kelly"

 Book Teaser

Courtesy of Ms. Leverich's Facebook

About Kelsie Leverich:

Kelsie Leverich lives with her husband, two children, and their three pets. She loves stories that can sweep you off your feet, make you fall in love, break your heart, and heal your soul.

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