*~*Love Note: Zane to Sophie – Keeping Mr. Right Now by Robin Bielman*~*

Author:    Robin Bielman

A temporary agreement neither could keep…

Brainy, organized Sophie Birch is no beach bunny. In fact, she’s totally out of her element among the sun-bronzed crowd at a film festival in beautiful White Strand Cove. When a surf lesson introduces her to Zane Hollander, suddenly she’s up close and personal with the world’s sexiest surf star. But what can a great-looking, experienced athlete possibly see in a klutzy out-of-towner who’s never set foot in the ocean?

Zane Hollander’s playboy reputation has never been a problem…until recently. Now his management team wants him on his best behavior to entice a meaningful new sponsor. Sophie Birch is the perfect girl to help reform his image. She’s genuine and respected—and their relationship is purely fictional. But the more Sophie blooms under the beachy sun, the more Zane knows he’ll just break her heart. Because nothing’s more important to Zane than following the tide.

 

 

Oh I love Zane’s playfulness…

Keep reading to see the full Love Note!

Sophie,

You’re my first true Valentine. The first woman to own my heart, and I’m so unbelievably happy you’ve trusted me with yours in return. So for this, our first Valentine’s Day, I’ve got plans to spoil you.

Naked plans.

Meet me on the couch with nothing on you but this edible pen. It’s my turn to write ‘kiss me’ on you. Only I’m going to mark all my favorite spots, which I warn you, could take a while. Then I’m going to. Kiss you. And follow that up with much, much more.

Hurry. I’m hungry.

Love,

Zane

 

 

Keeping Mr. Right Now by Robin Bielman

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

*ARC Given to Blog for Honest Review*

3.5 “Zaned” Kisses

Well…that was quite an enjoyable surprise. It’s been a long time since I read a really good beach read…and Keeping Mr. Right Now is a fantastic example of just that. It was sweet, sexy, funny and had just enough emotion to squeeze my heart the way I like it. Sophie and Zane were amazing…*sigh*

Zane William Hollander…oh my golden surfer boy…there is so much more to him than his bad boy player reputation…so much it blew me away. I loved getting the know the real Zane…I was super surprised that we got his POV in addition to Sophie’s, that was an unexpected treat, but it was 100% necessary…because even the things he told Sophie…hearing his thoughts, getting every raw feeling from him was…there are no words – I loved it. Zane’s thoughts and feelings are incredibly heart breaking…his history with his father tore me apart…and the fact that it has plagued him and affected him for so long made it so much worse…and considering how he turned out, on the outside, you would never know it. He’s excellent at hiding behind the hot surfer dude. The only good thing to come out of all of that is Zane’s passion for surfing. Hearing him talk about it…getting excited about his work and what he was able to do because of surfing…the opportunities that he’s had in his life…the joy was infectious – I was happy because he was happy and aside from his feelings on Sophie, that might be my second favorite thing about Zane.

‘He rubbed the back of his neck, focused on the midnight-blue sea. “Out in the water, I don’t have to worry about uninvited attention or my reputation or letting anyone down. The world falls away and…and it feels good.”
“You’re feeling bliss,” Sophie said, seeming equally taken with the darkening ocean. “You’ve trained almost your whole life to be out there, and you’ve got a connection to nature that can lead to a naturally soothing psychological effect.”
Zane stared in awe at Sophie’s profile. She was right, and it blew his mind. How had she gotten into his head like that? He needed to change the subject.’

Sophie Rose Birch…how can I describe Sophie…she’s sweeter than anyone on the planet…I challenge anyone to dislike her. I think the girl hates to tell anyone no…even when she probably should, she would rather put herself out than to disappoint someone. She is so gentle and kind spirited, I don’t think she wouldn’t hurt a bug if you paid her. She’s got so much bravery in her tiny little body she absolutely blows me away…she flies out of her home state of Montana to California for the first time ever…got in the ocean for the first time ever to surf – with a pro-surfer mind you! – runs a huge event all by herself that could make or break her career – I mean…she faces all challenges head on and it’s awesome. She’s thoughtful and understanding, she has a true empathetic and compassionate heart, she’s so smart it makes my head spin but she never holds that over people…she’s just a one of a kind girl…who got swept off her feet by a gorgeous one of a kind surfer.

‘He was hurting. Deep down, something troubled him, and if he let her, she’d help him. She might have little experience in the way of men, but she’d always been good with strays and that, she realized, was how he looked. Like he had no home.
Except for maybe this beach.’

Sophie and Zane are…a slow, natural build. I really enjoyed watching their relationship evolve and grow…it warmed my heart, because there was a progression from the getting-to-know-you-stage to the…hey-I-really-like-you-stage to…well…you know what happens after that. I loved that they both influenced the other…they brought out the best in each other, whether they realized it or not. It’s like all of the insecurities and self-doubts melted away when they were in the presence of the other. Zane was like an open book with Sophie and she had so much more confidence when he was around…it was impossible not to love seeing that happen for both of them. I loved that they both were Quentin Tarantino movie-buffs – especially Sophie! And their quote off of Tarantino movies – that was amazing! I loved that she was the only girl he’s taken home to meet his family…or to his ‘special beach’ and that he told her things he’s never told anyone else. The amount of trust that they showed in one another completely grounded me in who they were…I couldn’t get enough of it. I was truly and completely wrapped up in the way they made each other feel more than the physical aspect of their relationship…which considering the time span that we are working with…that speaks volumes.

“I know you’re just being nice because…well, you’re a nice guy. But I’m nothing like the girls you usually hang out with.” She drew in her bottom lip and dropped her gaze to the floor.
He reached over the coffee table and gently lifted her chin. “You’re right. Your smile is warmer. When your body is close to mine, all my muscles twitch in the best possible way. And your eyes. Your eyes remind me of the tropical waters in the Maldives and I want to swim in them constantly. When you look at me like I’m a man and not a pro surfer you’re out to bag, that is beautiful. You’re beautiful.”

So…I can’t lie, the book did start off a little slow for me, but there had to be a build, that’s just the way the story progressed and I get that. The characters were developed nicely and I did appreciate that I had a very good understanding of who Zane and Sophie were apart…but I’m a romantic so I couldn’t help but crave them together. I think it was about 40-50% when I really started getting ‘the feels’ for them…feel the familiar tug on my heart strings and after that I was a lost cause. Once I fell for the, I fell hard and never looked back…so the work to get to that point was well worth it, I just wished we could have got more of it because Sophie and Zane together are just fabulous. Their conversations…their actions…they just meshed so incredibly well together and considering you couldn’t get two more polar opposite people, that just made me love it even more. And holy angst alert – 87%…I wasn’t ready. I know something was coming – I knew things were too good to be true but damn it…it hurt! A lot!

“What are you seeing now?” she asked, the gentle tide almost drowning out her soft tone.
“When I look at you?”
“Yes.” Her hair was fanned out around her head in glorious waves. Her cheeks were the color of the last rays of sunshine behind him. And her pillowy lips were temptation personified.
“I see a woman who is smart, compassionate, too beautiful for words. You do this thing to me that is unsettling and intoxicating at the same time.” And no one else had done it before.
“Thing?”
He played with a strand of her hair. “Yeah, you know, thing.” He’d wished for endless summers his whole life. What he wished for now was endless Sophie.
“No one’s ever had a thing for me before.” Her eyes sparkled in pleasure, and he was glad to have been the one to do that.
“You’ve been with some real losers, then.”

Even the secondary characters pulled me in…Honor, Sophie’s new best friend, she was amazing comedic relief and exactly the kind of support she needed…plus the whole ‘Mr. Right Now’ idea was all her fault. Then you have Zane’s best friends Bryce and Danny…they’re playful and fun but of course always looking out for Zane’s best interest. And good gravy…the hints that were dropped about Bryce and Honor I hope will be answered in the next book, since Keeping Mr. Right Now is a part of the Kisses in the Sand series…cause I have some unanswered questions that I’m dying to get answered! Two other characters that aren’t huge, but did play pivotal roles are Zane’s mom and sister…they’re very important to Zane and I liked seeing their relationships with him…showed the softer side of the hot surfer.

‘She’d stolen his heart and with it his wish for her to have it all. Everything she desired and hoped for. Rose petals and burgers and milk shakes. Late-night Tarantino films. Waves at her feet. And someone by her side to enjoy every moment with.
I love you.
Enough to let her go.’

OMG…so the last page of the book…it totally made me SQUEEE! I loved loved loved it…I can’t talk about it cause it’s a spoiler but…I seriously hope we’ll see what happens with the information that was provided on that last page. (Vague…party of one…that would be me!) I can’t lie, even though I’m happy with the ending (what Zane does is amazing)…it did feel a bit rushed and almost too easy. I wanted more resolution and honestly, coming from what I know about Sophie, I expected more from her. It was all told from Zane’s POV so many that has something to do with it…I would love to hear her thoughts on what happened! I really am excited for the rest of this series…if KMRN is any indication of what I can expect, it’s going to be a great series.

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