THE FIRST TASTE (Slip of the Tongue #2) by JESSICA HAWKINS

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Reviewed by Jenny & Gitte

Opposites attract and sparks ignite when City girl meets Jersey boy in this sensual, passionate, page turning romance in which ‘the first taste’ isn’t nearly enough!

We first met Andrew Beckwith, brother of Sadie in Slip of the Tongue but it is in The First Taste that we truly explore the depth of the pain and betrayal Andrew has been experiencing following the desertion of his ex-girlfriend four years earlier, leaving Andrew to pick up the pieces, run a successful business and singlehandedly raise his daughter, Bell.  Andrew owned our hearts. Well, what’s not to love? He exudes masculinity, he’s a seductive, commanding, tattooed, motorbike riding alpha who consistently puts his daughter’s needs before his own and whose heart melts at the mere sight of his six year old little girl. He’s a big softie when it comes to Bell, he’s truly besotted with her and she has him wrapped around her little finger!  Honestly, the interaction between father and daughter is delightful! Our hearts melted!

“You’re going to look so handsome, Daddy.”
“Thanks, baby.”
“All the girls will want to kiss you.”

Andrew is jaded after his experience with his ex and has resigned himself to having his physical needs met yet denying his emotional needs in order to refrain from being hurt again. He not interested in a relationship, the scars from Shana still imprinted on him, instead focusing on the emotional well-being of his ‘old rock loving’, wise beyond her years, little girl.

‘He’s a man’s man, macho as I’ve ever known, but every single night, he puts his princess-loving daughter to bed with a fairy-tale.’

That is until the day Andrew comes face to face with Amelia, the owner of the hugely successful Beauty/PR Company Andrew’s sister works for. Andrew and Amelia are as different as chalk and cheese. She’s the high flying fashionista with her life firmly planted in New York. He’s the single Dad, blue collar worker with his life well and truly cemented in New Jersey, though they share a common bond of being betrayed terribly in their previous relationships.

‘She wants nothing from me as badly as I want nothing from her. We’re a perfect match.’

Amelia wasn’t easy to warm to initially. The uptight, snarky and bossy businesswoman seemed to revel in biting people’s heads off and had a hatred for men stemming from her cheating creep ex-husband. However, through Amelia’s pov’s we were able to better understand what made her tick and in return we shared her resentment and hurt.

Can they keep it a ‘sex only’ arrangement though when Andrew is drawn to Amelia in ways he hadn’t expected. This woman challenges him with her wit, honesty, her ambition and her willingness to allow Andrew to push her boundaries. In turn, Amelia is drawn to Andrew’s masculinity, protectiveness, his determination and his passion, not to mention his caring heart.

“I’m a man, Amelia. I treat women like treasure. I treat my girlfriend like the love of my fucking life.”

There is a lot of back and forth as Andrew and Amelia deal with their issues and begin to connect on another level and there were times when the constant pull and push overshadowed the emotion between the characters, however Jessica Hawkins soon brought it back and delivered a story of a second chance at love that was gripping, emotional and very, very steamy! Another fabulous read from an author who is quickly becoming a 1click for us!

“Have I ever mentioned how it feels when I’m the reason for your smile? Like a million bucks.”

4 stars