Book Review: The Workaholic and the Realist by Mary Smith

The Workaholic and the Realist (New Hampshire Bears #2) by Mary Smith

Release Date: April 5, 2016

Genres: New Adult, Romance

Source: E-Book, ARC

 

Goodreads Description:

If someone looked up the word workaholic in the dictionary, one would see a picture of New Hampshire Bears’ Keaton Jaco next to it. Not only is he a top defensemen in the hockey league; he’s also working towards a master’s degree and writing a book. His teammates think he’s just a playboy, but his grandmother and one other person knows the truth.

Harlow Goldsmith has never wanted to get married or have children. She considers herself a realist and knows all she wants in life is to be financially stable, travel, and have sex. After turning forty and starting her own editing company, she’s realized she has accomplished most of her goals and has done it without the help of any man.

It’s not until the workaholic and the realist initiate a sexual liaison that they see their lives in a whole new light. With both set in their ways, is a relationship even possible?

Notes about the book:
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. 

Not recommended for readers under 18 as there are explicit sex scenes.

Book Quote:

“You are my one. You walk in a room and I forget to breath. You laugh or smile and my heart stops beating. I crave being with you every moment I can, and when I'm not, I feel like part of my soul dies. I love you and only you."

My Review

 

 I loved Harlow's character in the first book and was excited to read more about her. The characters make this series for me. They are likable characters that when you don't get enough information about, you wish you knew more. In each book so far you get glimpses of future stars of the book that make you want to read the next book to learn more about these people. With this book, I'm interested to read about the next set of characters, Maxima and Remington; but I'm hoping there will be a future book starring Dacey and Vance. 

Harlow and Keaton have a fun and sexy relationship. Neither is afraid of sex. However, when it comes to committing to a longtime relationship, both are a bit reluctant. Then, of course, some climactic action occurs that causes Keaton to pull away. Unfortunately Harlow is the type of character to hold a grudge and doesn't forgive easily. 

Harlow and Keaton start off in a professional relationship. However, there's a playful banter between the two from the start as they each develop nicknames for each other. I don't always like when characters use nicknames for each other. But every now and then I will find a couple who I feel it works for and this was one of those couples. 

 

Through the climactic action I mentioned above, Keaton is forced to resolve some other stress in his life. I'm trying not to be too revealing to avoid spoilers. This stress was something that I completely understood why he had the feelings he did, but really wasn't sure how to resolve it or if it even could be resolved. I found the way it was resolved to be very satisfying and that I liked the outcome. 

 

Of course there was nothing NOT to like about the sex scenes. I personally have my favorite. :)-

 

I think while I was reading this that I had fallen into some kind of depressed slump that made me not love this book 100%. I'm not sure if it was this slump or the book itself. I came up with some things that I thought I didn't like about the book. But as I examine them closer now I can find things to disprove my thinking on them. So I think I have to conclude that it was just the events going on in my life that affected the way I felt about this book.

Although, I do have to say that this book will forever hold a special place in my heart. 

Yes, that is my name in her acknowledgements. I can't tell you how surprised I was to see that! I've shown several people in my life. :)  (Mary, please don't tell me if there's another Carey that reads for you!)

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