I mean…it’s Tessa Bailey, she always delivers the goods! The notes I made in my Reading Journal had me laughing out loud. “Well hot damn Duke…broody, gruff, dirty talking that delivers because he gives as dirty as he talks!” Duke is the OG #PMB (Pouty Man Bear), he’s mountain of a man whose lumbering grace is a big slice of heaven on Earth. Samantha might be small, but she is mighty and is the perfect match for Duke, in every way. Sam is an artist, and she exemplifies the idea of living life through an artist’s eye. Poor Duke didn’t stand a chance when she plopped down at the bar next to him. Sam was having a not so great day, and Duke’s protective gene kicked in mightily. The man just wanted to drink his beer and watch his game in silence, but one small smile from Sam and ol’boy was all in, and he was not happy about it at all! These two end up in a fake relationship that is obviously not fake one single bit, even though neither wants to admit it.
Bailey tells exciting stories that suck you in from page one. Her writing style creates relatable characters, filled with layers, a delicious parfait of layers, and contradictions. From Duke and Sam to Duke’s four crazy sisters, to the teasing couple in the next book, Wound Tight, the entire Made in Jersey series is pure delight. Also, I’d be remiss if I left out the part about the first sex scene that whoa nelly, still lands in my dreams three years later. With Worked Up, you’ll come for the dirty talking #PMB and stay for the sweet, sexy story.