ARC Review: Until There Was You by Jessica Scott

Title: Until There Was You
Series: Coming Home, #2
Author:Jessica Scott
Publisher: LoveSwept
Release Date: October 8, 2012

Blurb:

He plays by the rules, she's not afraid to break them. Now these two strong-willed Army captains will prove that opposites attract . . .

A by-the-book captain with a West Point background, Captain Evan Loehr refuses to mix business with pleasure--except for an unguarded instance years ago when he succumbed to the deep sensuality of redheaded beauty Claire Montoya. From that moment on, though, Evan has been at odds with her, through two deployments to Iraq and back again. But when he is asked to train a team prepping for combat alongside Claire, battle-worn Evan is in for the fight of his life.

Strong, gutsy, and loyal, Captain Claire Montoya has worked hard to earn the rank on her chest. In Evan, Claire sees a rigid officer who puts the rules before everything else--including his people. When the mission forces them together, Claire soon discovers that there is more to Evan than meets the eye. He's more than the rank on his chest; he's a man with dark secrets and deep longings. For all their differences, Evan and Claire share two crucial passions: their country and each other.

Review

Even better than the first one! This book had me adding Jessica Scott in my list of favorite authors.

Claire and Evan didn't get along. Evan was the guy who followed all the rules and Claire was the woman who broke them for all the good reasons.

Throughout the book, they were constantly arguing with each other and then sometimes making out with each other. I loved the tension and the inner conflict that both characters had. It was admirable how Evan opened up first. Usually, men aren't the one to do that. Evan gave a piece of his heart to Claire, even though he knew she didn't trust him.

Claire: "Huh. Never figured you from Colorado."

Evan: "What's that mean?"

Claire: "It means I figured you were hatched from an egg or carved from stone."

"You don't look like you should be alone right now."

"I can't do this with you. I can't be the woman you need, Evan."

"I didn't ask you to marry me. Just stay with me tonight. Just tonight. Because honestly?" He leaned in, brushing his lips against hers and not giving a damn who saw. "I don't want to be alone, either." 

Claire also had a strong sense of loyalty to her long-time best friend, Reza. Even if it destroyed her career, she was ready to cover for him. Her sense of duty was definitely twisted, and it frustrated the hell out of Evan.

Reza, on the other hand, was like the angel guiding Evan and Claire towards each other. He was a troubled soul, but he wanted Claire to be happy. He was truly a great friend to her.

The author was so good at writing touching scenes. At some points, I wanted to cry because the characters were hurting and I just wanted them to just be together already. For me, authors who can make me feel so strongly as if I was one of the characters are brilliant minds who deserve recognition.

Check out my favorite quotes/scenes!

"There was something deeply sensual about the smell of coffee and freshly showered man."

"His smile was warm and welcoming. No, Evan wasn't a violent drunk.

Apparently, he was an extra relaxed, charming drunk. Wasn't that interesting?"

"You have magic fingers," she murmured.

Evan stopped, lowering his head to the cradle of her neck, his entire body shaking. She frowned and turned to see him wiping his eyes. He looked at her then and laughed out loud.

"What?" Her lips twitched into an almost smile.

"Magic Fingers ... it's a sex toy company." Claire bit her lip but the laugh bubbled free, unexpected and welcome. Do I want to know how you know this?"

He offered a nonchalant shrug, a smile lingering on his lips. "There's a lot of time to kill on deployments."

This review probably didn't do this book justice, but take my word for it. This book is AMAZING.