Review: Good Girls Don't by Victoria Dahl

Good Girls Don't
Book 1 in the Donovan Brothers Brewery series

Author: Victoria Dahl
Publisher:  HQN Books
Genre:  Contemporary Romance
ISBN:  9780373775958
Release date: August 30, 2011
Author's website: Victoria Dahl

Too much of a good thing…

With her long ponytail and sparkling green eyes, Tessa Donovan looks more like the girl next door than a businesswoman—or a heartbreaker. Which may explain why Detective Luke Asher barely notices her when he arrives to investigate a break–in at her family's brewery. He's got his own problems—starting with the fact that his partner, Simone, is pregnant and everyone thinks he's the father.

Tessa has her hands full, too. Her brother's playboy ways may be threatening the business, and the tension could tear her tight–knit family apart. In fact, the only thing that could unite the Donovan boys is seeing a man come after their "baby" sister. Especially a man like Luke Asher. But Tessa sees past the rumors to the man beneath. He's not who people think he is—and neither is she.

This new series by Victoria Dahl has a trio of siblings as the main characters. The Donovan's own a micro brewery and are pretty close. The oldest is Eric and he pretty much runs everything. He raised his siblings on his own after the death of their parents.  The middle sibing is Jaime and he's a bit of a playboy. He wants more responsibility in the company, but the others aren't quite sure that he's ready for it. Then there is Tessa the youngest and main character of the book.  She's pretty much easy going and enjoys working with her brothers even though she is the one that is always in the middle of their squables.  She does her best to keep Jaime in line, but there is only so much that one can do when it comes to him.  When there is a break in at the brewery, the local cops are called in to investigate.  Detective Luke Asher arrives at the scene to investigate and is an old college friend of Jaime.  One person he doesn't know at the scene is Tessa and when he can't seem to take his eyes off of her, he is warned by Jaime to leave her along.  Luke doesn't have the best reputation and Jaime doesn't want his sister hurt.  Luke agrees and lets him know that Tessa isn't his type, but he just can't seem to stop thinking about her and when the opportunity to spend some alone time with her arises, he gives in.  When Tessa meets Luke there is an instant attraction to him.  She realizes that she's seen him before because when he was younger and noticed him then.  But now he's a man, and Tessa likes what she sees.

Luke and Tessa just can't seem to stay away from each other.   There is something innocent about her that he likes and this adds to the attraction.  For Tessa it's Luke's air of mystery that does it for her.  She is told by her brothers to stay away from him and this adds a level of danger to her life that makes it more exciting.  Eventually because of all the secrets in his life, she begins to mixed feelings toward Luke. She doesn't know if she can trust him fully.  Because Luke has been accused of things that are untrue, he keeps his silence regarding the rumors and it all begins to catch up to him. I truly think if he was honest from the beginning, this part of his life would not have been an issue with Tessa.  Eventually things end up working out and these two realize that their feelings towards each other are much more than what they thought.

I'm giving Good Girls Don't a rating of:

I had a hard time connecting with some the characters in this book especially Tessa's character.  I just didn't think she was that strong and by the end of the book I felt the same way.  I did like Jaime's character because he seemed to really have a personality that seemed appealing. I think there is more to him that what his siblings realize and can't wait to read his book. I also found myself putting my Kindle down several times and just couldn't read this book all the way through like I would with a book I really enjoy. I've read Victoria Dahl's other books and I'm sure that I will continue to enjoy others although this one was not one of my favorites.