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Floored
They’re a car crash waiting to happen...so why do they keep crashing into each other?
From the moment Fetch gets knocked off his Harley, crawls into Driver’s car and offers her an obscene amount of money to drive him from Sydney to Perth — no questions, no names, no chit chat — they’re stuck with each other. By the time they arrive, they’re stuck on each other.
It’s lust at full throttle, with no seat belts. It could be more, but he’s a fake and she’s a liar. They’re both neck deep in crime, and only one of them is on the right side of the law.
From the moment Fetch gets knocked off his Harley, crawls into Driver’s car and offers her an obscene amount of money to drive him from Sydney to Perth — no questions, no names, no chit chat — they’re stuck with each other. By the time they arrive, they’re stuck on each other.
It’s lust at full throttle, with no seat belts. It could be more, but he’s a fake and she’s a liar. They’re both neck deep in crime, and only one of them is on the right side of the law.
343 pages, ebook
First published April 1, 2014
3 people are currently reading
154 people want to read
About the author
Ainslie Paton
40 books144 followersAinslie Paton always wanted to write stories to make people smile, but the need to eat, accumulate books, and have bedclothes to read under was ever present. She sold out, and worked as a flack, a suit, and a creative, ghosting for business leaders, rabble-rousers, and politicians, and making words happen for companies, governments, causes, conditions, high-profile CEOs, low-profile celebs, and the occasional misguided royal. She still does that. She also writes for love and so she can buy shoes, and the good cat food.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
March 2, 2014
This is an Australian story with a good dollop of Underbelly and a road trip. Fetch is a messenger boy for Wacker, a bikie gang leader who has drug and money laundering links. No surprises there, especially when Fetch spends his time dropping off small valuable parcels and going back to pick up payments.
Fetch is having a real bad day, which is par for the course for a dumb guy in his situation. But he does have a save the cat moment which suggests there is more to him. Then he meets Driver, who happens to be handy when an accident puts his Harley out of commission. Driver's day hasn't been too bad at all, compared to the previous year. So the last thing she wants is to get involved with something outside the law, something that might draw attention to her.
When things go belly up, they have no real choice but to team up. But neither of them quite realise the dangers involved, especially as both have secrets that together are combustible.
But not more combustible than the heat that is building as they travel across country.
The relationship that builds between Fetch and Driver, Sean and Cait, is very believable. In spite of their secrets, in spite of the fact that both of them are in a kind of limbo in their lives, they forge a real connection beyond the physical attraction.
I loved this story. I'm not quite sure what I expected because this author doesn't DO traditional love stories as such, but this was an amazing love story. Both Sean and Cait became so real I wouldn't be surprised to see them move across the street complete with dog. Nice touch that dog.
When things went right for them I was emotional, when things went wrong I cried. Cos there were moments when my Happy Ever After looked almost impossible.
I received this as an ARC from Netgalley so I'm supposed to disclaim in case you think I've been bribed. This being said, I cried, so it was a five star read according to my scale.
Fetch is having a real bad day, which is par for the course for a dumb guy in his situation. But he does have a save the cat moment which suggests there is more to him. Then he meets Driver, who happens to be handy when an accident puts his Harley out of commission. Driver's day hasn't been too bad at all, compared to the previous year. So the last thing she wants is to get involved with something outside the law, something that might draw attention to her.
When things go belly up, they have no real choice but to team up. But neither of them quite realise the dangers involved, especially as both have secrets that together are combustible.
But not more combustible than the heat that is building as they travel across country.
The relationship that builds between Fetch and Driver, Sean and Cait, is very believable. In spite of their secrets, in spite of the fact that both of them are in a kind of limbo in their lives, they forge a real connection beyond the physical attraction.
I loved this story. I'm not quite sure what I expected because this author doesn't DO traditional love stories as such, but this was an amazing love story. Both Sean and Cait became so real I wouldn't be surprised to see them move across the street complete with dog. Nice touch that dog.
When things went right for them I was emotional, when things went wrong I cried. Cos there were moments when my Happy Ever After looked almost impossible.
I received this as an ARC from Netgalley so I'm supposed to disclaim in case you think I've been bribed. This being said, I cried, so it was a five star read according to my scale.
October 8, 2014
Holy freaking OMG!!
I made a grievous error in starting Floored on a break at work. Why was this erroneous, I hear you ask? I'll tell you why - Floored was so freaking good that it was nigh-on impossible to put down.
To read the rest of my thoughts on Floored, check out the full review at My Written Romance.
I made a grievous error in starting Floored on a break at work. Why was this erroneous, I hear you ask? I'll tell you why - Floored was so freaking good that it was nigh-on impossible to put down.
To read the rest of my thoughts on Floored, check out the full review at My Written Romance.
February 27, 2014
Another take-no-prisoners romance from Ainslie Paton, one of my few auto-buy contemporary romance authors. It's apparent from the start that neither the motorcycle club errand boy "Fetch" nor the buttoned-up female chauffeur "Driver" are what they appear at first glance. There's a lot of attraction but very little trust. After a fairly explosive start, the novel settles into a leisurely road romance as our hero and heroine gradually open up to each other while at first resisting, then giving in to, their urges in several extremely hot chapters. Then the stakes are raised and everything they gained together appears to be lost.
I'm being deliberately vague to avoid spoilers, but I can say that Paton did such a good job of building a credible relationship that develops over a few short days that I was almost sick to my stomach during the chapters in which the hero and heroine were angry with and distrustful of each other. There was a little too much heroine-humbling for my liking, although the hero does an impressive amount of groveling to make up for it. For the record, while "Fetch" does exhibit a certain amount of "I know what's best for you" attitude, he is nowhere near as controlling and manipulative as the hero in Paton's previous novel, Detained (which I still loved).
What else can I say? Great internal angst and external dialogue. Sex. Danger. A secondary character named Stud. And Paton throws in a sick abandoned dog! You will end up feeling bruised and battered by this novel, but ultimately redeemed.
ARC received from NetGalley in return for honest review.
I'm being deliberately vague to avoid spoilers, but I can say that Paton did such a good job of building a credible relationship that develops over a few short days that I was almost sick to my stomach during the chapters in which the hero and heroine were angry with and distrustful of each other. There was a little too much heroine-humbling for my liking, although the hero does an impressive amount of groveling to make up for it. For the record, while "Fetch" does exhibit a certain amount of "I know what's best for you" attitude, he is nowhere near as controlling and manipulative as the hero in Paton's previous novel, Detained (which I still loved).
What else can I say? Great internal angst and external dialogue. Sex. Danger. A secondary character named Stud. And Paton throws in a sick abandoned dog! You will end up feeling bruised and battered by this novel, but ultimately redeemed.
ARC received from NetGalley in return for honest review.
June 4, 2014
Why I read it: I received a review copy from the publisher via NetGalley. (In the interests of full disclosure: The author and I often chat on Twitter and I met her when I went to Sydney recently.)
What worked for me (and what didn’t): There were so many things to like about this book. I loved that the main characters (Cait and Sean) were together for almost the whole of the book (yay for road trip books!). It was a relatively long book (these days I expect maybe 200 pages so 330 means long) and there was plenty of time for the characters to be developed, to get to know one another, for the sexual tension to build and still get all the payoff of those things later on without being rushed. I loved that Cait and Sean took time to get to know each other before things turned physical. There was a point where tension became combustible and Sean cranks it up yet another notch – I felt it both fit the story but was also a clever way of increasing the readerly tension of “when will they get it on!” and I appreciated that it wasn’t drawn out unnecessarily.
Read the rest here: http://www.kaetrinsmusings.com/2014/0...
What worked for me (and what didn’t): There were so many things to like about this book. I loved that the main characters (Cait and Sean) were together for almost the whole of the book (yay for road trip books!). It was a relatively long book (these days I expect maybe 200 pages so 330 means long) and there was plenty of time for the characters to be developed, to get to know one another, for the sexual tension to build and still get all the payoff of those things later on without being rushed. I loved that Cait and Sean took time to get to know each other before things turned physical. There was a point where tension became combustible and Sean cranks it up yet another notch – I felt it both fit the story but was also a clever way of increasing the readerly tension of “when will they get it on!” and I appreciated that it wasn’t drawn out unnecessarily.
Read the rest here: http://www.kaetrinsmusings.com/2014/0...
April 5, 2014
Once I got myself immersed in this book I really enjoyed it. Ainslie Paton has written a book with great characters and a plot that keeps you wondering what might happen next.
February 12, 2017
A fun romance with a sweet glaze of Aussieness on top.
February 2, 2019
I really, really like this author.
March 23, 2014
ARC received from Harlequin Enterprises Australia/Escape Publishing via Netgalley for honest review
I have been a fan of Ms Paton's work since I read Detained - if you haven't read it, go do it ~ NOW. And I was very excited to get an advanced copy of Floored to read and review (especially after seeing the cover with Mr Visible Panty Line~!!
And I was definitely not disappointed.
Floored is an Aussie road trip story, with a bit of an Underbelly/Sons of Anarchy feel to it, with a dose of romance thrown in for good measure.
Fetch/Sean is the messenger boy for Wacker,, president of an outlaw motor cycle club. As you expect, they are into all kinds of illegal activities ~ drugs, money laundering. He's the butt of all their jokes, a little slow on the uptake.
Or is he??
Caitlyn/Driver has troubles in her past she is trying to avoid. Now working as a hire car driver, the last thing she expects is a biker to jump in the back of her car. As scared as she is of him, she is drawn to him. He can't be all that bad, right? Even if he is getting her to drive him to his drop offs all over town.
When things take a bad turn, that's when things start to heat up.
Buckle up, because you are about to be taken on one hell of a ride!
Australia is a big country, and when Fetch/Driver - Sean/Cait take on a cross country drive, things start to heat up! Not much to do on a 4,000km road trip but get to know each other.
And get to know each other they do! There is still a lot of mistrust between the pair, but that simmering attraction has to lead to a little something-something.
Of course, pasts never stay in the past, but how will it affect Sean and Cait?
Uh uh, not telling.
One thing I always love about Ms Paton's work is, being a fellow Australian I know about/have been to many of the places she is writing about, and it makes it a lot easier to picture for a change - yay!!
And another thing that I loved ~ Ms Paton does not romanticise the life of the outlaw motorcycle clubs. We get the dirt, the grit, the downright horrible side of that lifestyle.
Ms Paton doesn't write a traditional romance, so you never know what you are going to get when you pick up one of her novels. When things went well for Sean/Cait I couldn't help but smile. When things went bad, I might have shed a tear.
If you are after a romance with a lot of twists and turns in the road, make sure you check out Floored, and any of Ms Paton's work for that matter.
Now, what to you have for us next?
I have been a fan of Ms Paton's work since I read Detained - if you haven't read it, go do it ~ NOW. And I was very excited to get an advanced copy of Floored to read and review (especially after seeing the cover with Mr Visible Panty Line~!!
And I was definitely not disappointed.
Floored is an Aussie road trip story, with a bit of an Underbelly/Sons of Anarchy feel to it, with a dose of romance thrown in for good measure.
Fetch/Sean is the messenger boy for Wacker,, president of an outlaw motor cycle club. As you expect, they are into all kinds of illegal activities ~ drugs, money laundering. He's the butt of all their jokes, a little slow on the uptake.
Or is he??
Caitlyn/Driver has troubles in her past she is trying to avoid. Now working as a hire car driver, the last thing she expects is a biker to jump in the back of her car. As scared as she is of him, she is drawn to him. He can't be all that bad, right? Even if he is getting her to drive him to his drop offs all over town.
When things take a bad turn, that's when things start to heat up.
Buckle up, because you are about to be taken on one hell of a ride!
Australia is a big country, and when Fetch/Driver - Sean/Cait take on a cross country drive, things start to heat up! Not much to do on a 4,000km road trip but get to know each other.
And get to know each other they do! There is still a lot of mistrust between the pair, but that simmering attraction has to lead to a little something-something.
Of course, pasts never stay in the past, but how will it affect Sean and Cait?
Uh uh, not telling.
One thing I always love about Ms Paton's work is, being a fellow Australian I know about/have been to many of the places she is writing about, and it makes it a lot easier to picture for a change - yay!!
And another thing that I loved ~ Ms Paton does not romanticise the life of the outlaw motorcycle clubs. We get the dirt, the grit, the downright horrible side of that lifestyle.
Ms Paton doesn't write a traditional romance, so you never know what you are going to get when you pick up one of her novels. When things went well for Sean/Cait I couldn't help but smile. When things went bad, I might have shed a tear.
If you are after a romance with a lot of twists and turns in the road, make sure you check out Floored, and any of Ms Paton's work for that matter.
Now, what to you have for us next?
March 15, 2014
Better put your seatbelt on, Floored is going to take you on one wild ride.
Driver, our heroine, comes with an interesting job and an even more interesting past. Who’s the creep who manages to get hold of her new phone number after she changes it, and what’s the big, mysterious mistake in her past that forces her to work as a freelance chauffer?
A sense of shame hovers around Driver, its presence as pervasive as the stench of naphthalene in her apartment. Little wonder, then, that she fancies the idea of a hero in her life, even if it comes in the battered, dubious form of Black Pariah member, Fetch.
Fetch, too, has his secrets. Why does the bad boy biker try to keep a neighbor from getting his head stomped on by the Black Pariah club? And why doesn’t he take advantage of the high school Lolita who crawls into his bed?
Ainslie Paton reveals all in her trademark taut prose, and swims against the current stream of romances glorifying the motorcycle club lifestyle, preferring to focus instead on its nasty criminal underbelly. However, the story focuses much more on the relationship between Driver and Fetch, and how they come to know each other (in every sense of the word) during the long drive from the east coast to Perth.
In essence, this a fun road trip story for grown-ups.
Driver, our heroine, comes with an interesting job and an even more interesting past. Who’s the creep who manages to get hold of her new phone number after she changes it, and what’s the big, mysterious mistake in her past that forces her to work as a freelance chauffer?
A sense of shame hovers around Driver, its presence as pervasive as the stench of naphthalene in her apartment. Little wonder, then, that she fancies the idea of a hero in her life, even if it comes in the battered, dubious form of Black Pariah member, Fetch.
Fetch, too, has his secrets. Why does the bad boy biker try to keep a neighbor from getting his head stomped on by the Black Pariah club? And why doesn’t he take advantage of the high school Lolita who crawls into his bed?
Ainslie Paton reveals all in her trademark taut prose, and swims against the current stream of romances glorifying the motorcycle club lifestyle, preferring to focus instead on its nasty criminal underbelly. However, the story focuses much more on the relationship between Driver and Fetch, and how they come to know each other (in every sense of the word) during the long drive from the east coast to Perth.
In essence, this a fun road trip story for grown-ups.
May 16, 2014
How to do this book justice...
Phenomenal writing skills, so many clever layers...in my top two books so far this year.
It is romantic suspense at its best.
I have never read anything by this Author, but after today she will hit my favourite Authors list along with her other books hitting my 'to read' pile.
It had me interested from the first page. I thought I knew where the book was headed but I was quite wrong on a few occasions. The story flatlined for a couple of chapters early on but looking back I think it was essential in building the characters. Then whammo! Back into action.
You could really relate to the characters and it was one of those books where real life gets in the way...where you just want to park under an umbrella and ignore everything around you.
The observation and perception skills the Author holds with her, and she has clearly drawn from, really added to the story.
I really cannot praise this book enough, from the cover I expected a book about two reasonably young people into fast cars. I could not have been more wrong.
It was so devoid of romantic cliche's I would hand her an Olympic medal.
Do yourself a favour and read this book.
Phenomenal writing skills, so many clever layers...in my top two books so far this year.
It is romantic suspense at its best.
I have never read anything by this Author, but after today she will hit my favourite Authors list along with her other books hitting my 'to read' pile.
It had me interested from the first page. I thought I knew where the book was headed but I was quite wrong on a few occasions. The story flatlined for a couple of chapters early on but looking back I think it was essential in building the characters. Then whammo! Back into action.
You could really relate to the characters and it was one of those books where real life gets in the way...where you just want to park under an umbrella and ignore everything around you.
The observation and perception skills the Author holds with her, and she has clearly drawn from, really added to the story.
I really cannot praise this book enough, from the cover I expected a book about two reasonably young people into fast cars. I could not have been more wrong.
It was so devoid of romantic cliche's I would hand her an Olympic medal.
Do yourself a favour and read this book.
May 18, 2014
Floored is the third book I've read by Ainslie Paton, after Desk Jockey Jam and White Balance. She is prolific and I am so very glad because I love her style and while I think I've given all three of the books I've read 5 stars, I still think they keep getting better.
Ainslie writes romance with testosterone. It's my favourite kind.
I have read reviews of her work where people can't get into her style. I think if you want to read an Ainslie Paton book, you have to pull up your big-girl panties and buckle up for the ride. Be ready for emotion that grips your stomach in an iron fist. Be ready to feel with every bone in your body. I was cheering so hard for these two to get together - and be good for eachother - I had my own V8 car race going on in my Kindle.
I was absolutely craving my way through Floored. Every scene with Fetch and Driver upped the ante and got better and better. The hair-shaving and the arm-stapling, oh my Lord!!! And the dates! Those delicious dates.
This was a take-my-breath-away book for me. A 6-star read. I can't wait for more.
Ainslie writes romance with testosterone. It's my favourite kind.
I have read reviews of her work where people can't get into her style. I think if you want to read an Ainslie Paton book, you have to pull up your big-girl panties and buckle up for the ride. Be ready for emotion that grips your stomach in an iron fist. Be ready to feel with every bone in your body. I was cheering so hard for these two to get together - and be good for eachother - I had my own V8 car race going on in my Kindle.
I was absolutely craving my way through Floored. Every scene with Fetch and Driver upped the ante and got better and better. The hair-shaving and the arm-stapling, oh my Lord!!! And the dates! Those delicious dates.
This was a take-my-breath-away book for me. A 6-star read. I can't wait for more.
May 20, 2014
3.5 stars
While I enjoyed the story and the characters, thought it dragged a bit as it felt longer than the 300 pages it is. There were numerous spelling and grammatical errors but that didn't deter from me enjoying the story. Especially since it takes place in Australia which I'm a huge fan of. Definitely a lot of heat and chemistry between Fetch and Cait. While Cait was running from her past and fears it'll catch up to her, I loved how strong she was. She wasn't the typical heroine who relied on the hero to carry her the entire way or becoming the typical TSTL chick. Instead, she would stand up for herself throughout, confident no matter how fearful she was, and make decisions on her own and stick by them. I especially liked the banter between the two. As for the ending, considering how much time was spent on trying to get the "bad" guys, it was wrapped up too quickly. There were quite a few Aussie idioms and I wish the author had an index of them and their meanings as it would've been nice to know what they each meant.
While I enjoyed the story and the characters, thought it dragged a bit as it felt longer than the 300 pages it is. There were numerous spelling and grammatical errors but that didn't deter from me enjoying the story. Especially since it takes place in Australia which I'm a huge fan of. Definitely a lot of heat and chemistry between Fetch and Cait. While Cait was running from her past and fears it'll catch up to her, I loved how strong she was. She wasn't the typical heroine who relied on the hero to carry her the entire way or becoming the typical TSTL chick. Instead, she would stand up for herself throughout, confident no matter how fearful she was, and make decisions on her own and stick by them. I especially liked the banter between the two. As for the ending, considering how much time was spent on trying to get the "bad" guys, it was wrapped up too quickly. There were quite a few Aussie idioms and I wish the author had an index of them and their meanings as it would've been nice to know what they each meant.
July 14, 2016
I loved this book. The author writes such good contemporary romance. This book is a road trip romance with a police aspect. I appreciate that the author didn't throw sex scenes where it doesn't make sense (like when you are hiding out from a bad guy and they just go at each other without realizing the risks). What I'm trying to say is that romance aspect is very well done. The closeness during the road trip make it work. Especially considering these two people knew each other for less than a 10 days before declaring. The sex scenes are a bit bland (admittedly I'm not one for them)
I'm definitely reading her backlist. Aussie authors have been a hit for me so far. I love the new locations/slangs and the differences.
I'm definitely reading her backlist. Aussie authors have been a hit for me so far. I love the new locations/slangs and the differences.
April 10, 2014
I'll write a longer review later when I get time but I wanted to just say, WOW. Oh by gawd did I love this book. I've adored Ainslie Paton's other books in the past but this was something else. It's hot, the writing is tight and as always, she manages to create characters and chemistry that rocked my socks off. This is a definite must read.
July 23, 2014
The vernacular was lost on me at first, but once the story got going, I was sucked in. Wildly entertaining and clever plotting. Paton really does have an interesting, peculiar style.
August 4, 2018
2.5 but I'll round up for the unabashed Aussie-ness.
This book felt longer than a road trip from Sydney to Perth. There was so much back and forth, push and pull, that character arcs got muddled. And a lot of showing, rather than telling.
I did like the part where it was the two leads by themselves. All the other plot threads jumbled everything up.
This book felt longer than a road trip from Sydney to Perth. There was so much back and forth, push and pull, that character arcs got muddled. And a lot of showing, rather than telling.
I did like the part where it was the two leads by themselves. All the other plot threads jumbled everything up.
May 4, 2021
Could not put this book down
Loved it ! The book is set in Australia, with plenty of relatable scenery and towns. Definitely want to look into more books by this author.
Loved it ! The book is set in Australia, with plenty of relatable scenery and towns. Definitely want to look into more books by this author.
June 14, 2024
Comfort brain reading when sick with an Australian romance in places I know and with characters that didn't make me cringe.
April 1, 2014
MY THOUGHTS
Caitlyn is a 27-year old girl who has finally gotten away from her old life - we don't really find out what that life was like at the beginning of the book, but it wasn't good. And her ex is still 'phone-stalking' her.
She has a new job as a chauffeur now and that's how she meets Fetch!
He hires her to drive him around after he had an accident with his bike.
That's not his real name of course - but we don't know that yet.
Fetch is a very hairy, tattoed, pierced Biker-Dude.
Then there were those blue eyes. God, they were blue. Paul Newman blue. Black Irish blue...
He's the errand boy for a criminal motorcylce gang.
But of course he's not really a bad guy - he's an undercover cop!!! But now his cover seems to be blown and he needs to get out of town for a little while. That's how he ends up hiring Caitlyn to drive him to Perth. Because he endangered her by hiring her, he needs to make sure she's safe. And the safest place for her is to be with him!
And that's how we start this road-movie kind of book! ☺
Caitlyn tries to be very cool and unimpressed by Fetch/Sean. They're both attracted to each other, but they both don't really want to start something. But the long time in the car and the talking brings them closer with every mile driven.
And just as the book could stop with a very happy ending, the suspense part is only getting started.
Will Sean & Cait end up together???
Or are her lies, his job and all the bad guys too much?
He was the law and she was the law-breaker.
I can't tell you that of course....
GO READ IT YOURSELF ☺
I really enjoyed reading the book!
The problem was that, after reading Ainslie's last book Detained, I had too high hopes for this one :(
I LOOOOOOVVVVEEEEDDD Detained, so I shouldn't have expected too much, but I did.
It wasn't bad - not at all. But it just felt a bit boring.
I really loved the characters: Sean & Cait and even Stud ☺
But the whole road-trip part of the book was too long and too Australian and too uneventful.
It's not that nothing happens on their drive from Sydney to Perth, but it's just a bit... hm... slow and long.
I wanted them to have some more sexy moments - and when they DO have sexy moments they're are too un-explicit for my tastes...
I liked the suspense part, but the suspense only happens at the very beginning and the very end.... in the middle of the book we're just driving and arguing and fighting and running - lots of running in this book, I felt all sweaty just reading it ☺
And I think I need to get out my australian dictionary again ;)
But - all in all I really enjoyed reading it - I REALLY LOVED SEAN - I would SOOOO watch the movie!
I even cried a little bit here and there ☺
Please go and buy this book....It's a really great
ROAD MOVIE!
June 3, 2014
I received this ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The gist: Fetch is a biker (well, a bikie since they're in Australia). Cait is a a hired driver, hiding from her ex-boyfriend. Fetch finds himself in the middle of a biker war & Cait is caught in the crossfire. It doesn't take long for Cait to figure out Fetch, aka Sean, is an undercover cop. Sean wants to keep Cait safe since she was in the wrong place at the wrong time and he needs to get across the country, so he hires her to drive him. Along the journey, they fall for each other & then the biker war crap comes between them before they can have a shot at their HEA.
I have to say that I was bored out of my mind with this book. I'm not sure if it was one thing in particular, but it took me two friggin weeks to get through this one and, for me, that's like the equivalent of a year for the average reader...
I felt no connection with Cait. Just about every single thing about her irritated the piss out of me. She was a mass of contradictions and just plain annoying.
Sean had a touch of multiple personalities, but that's to be expected to an extent since he's a deep undercover cop. But his whole alpha male persona didn't jive with me.
The story itself was confusing to me and felt a bit scattered. Plus, it was just SO SLOW that I was bored probably 90% of the time.
I was extremely disappointed because I fell in love with Ms Patton with Detained. Maybe I shouldn't have had such high expectations, but I did. And maybe those expectations affected my feelings on this one...??? I don't know, but I was beyond bored and frustrated and almost gave up on more than one occasion.
The gist: Fetch is a biker (well, a bikie since they're in Australia). Cait is a a hired driver, hiding from her ex-boyfriend. Fetch finds himself in the middle of a biker war & Cait is caught in the crossfire. It doesn't take long for Cait to figure out Fetch, aka Sean, is an undercover cop. Sean wants to keep Cait safe since she was in the wrong place at the wrong time and he needs to get across the country, so he hires her to drive him. Along the journey, they fall for each other & then the biker war crap comes between them before they can have a shot at their HEA.
I have to say that I was bored out of my mind with this book. I'm not sure if it was one thing in particular, but it took me two friggin weeks to get through this one and, for me, that's like the equivalent of a year for the average reader...
I felt no connection with Cait. Just about every single thing about her irritated the piss out of me. She was a mass of contradictions and just plain annoying.
Sean had a touch of multiple personalities, but that's to be expected to an extent since he's a deep undercover cop. But his whole alpha male persona didn't jive with me.
The story itself was confusing to me and felt a bit scattered. Plus, it was just SO SLOW that I was bored probably 90% of the time.
I was extremely disappointed because I fell in love with Ms Patton with Detained. Maybe I shouldn't have had such high expectations, but I did. And maybe those expectations affected my feelings on this one...??? I don't know, but I was beyond bored and frustrated and almost gave up on more than one occasion.
December 4, 2016
One of the things I appreciate about this author is how unique her story lines are. This is the fifth book of hers I’ve read and each one has something different from the norm going for it.
Things aren’t as they appear at first in this book. Fetch is a thick as a brick drug runner for an Australian gang. He wrecks his motorcycle and since things depend on him getting to his next drop off, he enlists the help of Driver, as he calls her, a young woman who drives a limousine. When it turns out he needs to get from Sydney to Perth, he makes her a deal she can not refuse to take him there. He starts out not wanting to know anything about her, not even her name so he calls her Driver only.
But as their road trip goes along, each start getting curious about the other, sensing they aren’t what they seemed to be at first and with that comes an unwelcome attraction. Turns out the Fetch – or in real life Sean is NOT a thick as a brick drug runner. In fact he hates that persona. And Driver or Cait, her real name, is hiding from her ex-boyfriend and if found, faces some dire consequences. Sean, being a caretaker by nature, knows she’s not coming clean and wants to help her and Cait only wants to get away and keep hiding.
I enjoyed this one as I’ve enjoyed some of her other books. I loved seeing the layers for both characters being peeled back until we see their true nature and they both became interesting characters. Though I read this one in the summer, I still remember a lot about the book and that’s a sign of a good book. This is one I can see me reading again.
Things aren’t as they appear at first in this book. Fetch is a thick as a brick drug runner for an Australian gang. He wrecks his motorcycle and since things depend on him getting to his next drop off, he enlists the help of Driver, as he calls her, a young woman who drives a limousine. When it turns out he needs to get from Sydney to Perth, he makes her a deal she can not refuse to take him there. He starts out not wanting to know anything about her, not even her name so he calls her Driver only.
But as their road trip goes along, each start getting curious about the other, sensing they aren’t what they seemed to be at first and with that comes an unwelcome attraction. Turns out the Fetch – or in real life Sean is NOT a thick as a brick drug runner. In fact he hates that persona. And Driver or Cait, her real name, is hiding from her ex-boyfriend and if found, faces some dire consequences. Sean, being a caretaker by nature, knows she’s not coming clean and wants to help her and Cait only wants to get away and keep hiding.
I enjoyed this one as I’ve enjoyed some of her other books. I loved seeing the layers for both characters being peeled back until we see their true nature and they both became interesting characters. Though I read this one in the summer, I still remember a lot about the book and that’s a sign of a good book. This is one I can see me reading again.
September 20, 2015
This book surprised me. The blurb for the book really tells you nothing much about the book at all so I had no idea what I was getting with this book when I started reading it.
The book opens with a grittiness that makes you think you're in for a dark, rough ride through biker-land with gang wars and drive by shootings, instead what you get after the few opening chapters is a slow meander through a literary landscape that flows like a slow, steady river that is constantly moving and urging you forward.
The drive from Sydney to Perth is very much like an physical manifestation of a metaphor for the developing relationship between Fetch and Driver as it evolves over time into Sean and Cait. It serves as an interesting backdrop as something to do while they discover who they are to each other.
It's fascinating to discover that when you think it's really Fetch who is the one who should be running and hiding, it's Driver instead who is doing that. The dynamics of the relationship change as Fetch turns into Sean and Driver becomes Cait, and Sean is wanting more from Cait. Wanting to know her, wanting to protect her, wanting her. It's a beautiful dance as you watch Cait try to resist Sean and his relentless pursuit and charm and finally succumb.
I love that this book had the ability to surprise me as it did and then engage my attention. It's beautifully and lyrically written. Well done, Ms Paton.
The book opens with a grittiness that makes you think you're in for a dark, rough ride through biker-land with gang wars and drive by shootings, instead what you get after the few opening chapters is a slow meander through a literary landscape that flows like a slow, steady river that is constantly moving and urging you forward.
The drive from Sydney to Perth is very much like an physical manifestation of a metaphor for the developing relationship between Fetch and Driver as it evolves over time into Sean and Cait. It serves as an interesting backdrop as something to do while they discover who they are to each other.
It's fascinating to discover that when you think it's really Fetch who is the one who should be running and hiding, it's Driver instead who is doing that. The dynamics of the relationship change as Fetch turns into Sean and Driver becomes Cait, and Sean is wanting more from Cait. Wanting to know her, wanting to protect her, wanting her. It's a beautiful dance as you watch Cait try to resist Sean and his relentless pursuit and charm and finally succumb.
I love that this book had the ability to surprise me as it did and then engage my attention. It's beautifully and lyrically written. Well done, Ms Paton.
July 5, 2016
This is a long long book to read. It took me a while to finish this book, it's because this is a literally a long book to read, it also was not a "OMG! I've got to find out what happened NOW" kind of book.
This book is written by an Australian author, so there are frequent phrasing of the sentence and words used can be confusing to international readers. Having said that, if one can look pass this issue, and overlook some spelling errors and its need for a good edit, it is easy to see that the author can write.
I can not deny that this book is a refreshing and entertaining read, but I felt the pacing is a bit slow and drags at several spots. Which it cause me to skim the book and constantly skipping those overly long draggy internal dialogues or actual dialogues.
Also I thought there is a need to mention 'The sex scene'. This book is filled with sexual tension for at least half the book, there is a lot of teasing for the couple in the book as well as for the readers. The book is like a extra extra long foreplay, and naturally readers will have very high expectations when it comes to the actual sex scene. So when it's finally finally time to do the 'dirty'? Bleeeeeeeep!!! It was all clean, censored and very PG. You can feel the heat, the touch, the friction but that's it. It is all very tame.
Not a bad book to read overall, and I will watch out for this author in the future.
This book is written by an Australian author, so there are frequent phrasing of the sentence and words used can be confusing to international readers. Having said that, if one can look pass this issue, and overlook some spelling errors and its need for a good edit, it is easy to see that the author can write.
I can not deny that this book is a refreshing and entertaining read, but I felt the pacing is a bit slow and drags at several spots. Which it cause me to skim the book and constantly skipping those overly long draggy internal dialogues or actual dialogues.
Also I thought there is a need to mention 'The sex scene'. This book is filled with sexual tension for at least half the book, there is a lot of teasing for the couple in the book as well as for the readers. The book is like a extra extra long foreplay, and naturally readers will have very high expectations when it comes to the actual sex scene. So when it's finally finally time to do the 'dirty'? Bleeeeeeeep!!! It was all clean, censored and very PG. You can feel the heat, the touch, the friction but that's it. It is all very tame.
Not a bad book to read overall, and I will watch out for this author in the future.
September 1, 2016
This is a very good story. The pacing is never boring. The dialogue, narration, characters and descriptions kept me in the same spot till I finally finished it (everything hurt)! I was impressed how the author took - gradually - the action to the next level. It was very well done. She made the characters alive, passionate and always interesting.
Everything about this story is intense, hyper real; nonetheless credible, sensible, dramatic,...tangible. In more than a few scenes the hyperbolic impact of the words created a sense of surreal, a unique feeling that prevails and gets even more powerful as the story progresses.
I wish they had a little more time for themselves in the end. The scenes felt rushed, cut in the middle and told only the last part. I expected to get the complete version - with the injured, the healthy, the family meeting, the full cup of after(word) emotions.
Nevertheless.. I got floored too ;-)
Everything about this story is intense, hyper real; nonetheless credible, sensible, dramatic,...tangible. In more than a few scenes the hyperbolic impact of the words created a sense of surreal, a unique feeling that prevails and gets even more powerful as the story progresses.
I wish they had a little more time for themselves in the end. The scenes felt rushed, cut in the middle and told only the last part. I expected to get the complete version - with the injured, the healthy, the family meeting, the full cup of after(word) emotions.
Nevertheless.. I got floored too ;-)
April 9, 2014
I’m beginning to count on Ainslie Paton to take a method of transportation, create a story around it, and suck me into the lives of the characters. Again she has done this with Floored. The road trip setting gives plenty of time to develop the relationship between the characters, Caitlyn and Sean. Along the way the characters come fully to life, with their past and present which endangers their future. This is definitely a character driven story, (no pun intended) though I really enjoyed the experience of traveling with them through Australia.
Ms. Paton’s writing is engrossing and early I became caught up into the lives of these two. It makes for laugh and a cry at times in the story. Yes, there are bikers, illegal activities, undercover work, an ex and suspense galore. This is a hard to put down book.
Just one or two questions now. Ms. Paton, where are you taking us next and how are we getting there? Highly recommend.
Copy provided by NetGalley for an honest review.
Ms. Paton’s writing is engrossing and early I became caught up into the lives of these two. It makes for laugh and a cry at times in the story. Yes, there are bikers, illegal activities, undercover work, an ex and suspense galore. This is a hard to put down book.
Just one or two questions now. Ms. Paton, where are you taking us next and how are we getting there? Highly recommend.
Copy provided by NetGalley for an honest review.
August 18, 2016
1.5 stars. DNF at 50 % because I was so freaking bored and I didn't like either of the characters.
I disliked Sean/Fetch with his controlling, manipulative behaviour. And owning the fact that you are controlling and manipluative doesn't make it any better unless you make the attempt to change.
Cait annoyed with her wishy washy back n forth:
- 'No I don't want anything to do with you I shall try to run away' and 'What do you mean you will hire a car and I can go - how dare you try to leave without finishing our deal'.
- 'the rules are sit in the back and don't talk to me'"why aren't you talking to me?"
Then it was all 'I hate you' "I want to sleep with you' "You rejected me, I hate you'
"I don't trust you" "Here is my life story that I don't share with anyone".
It was very irritating.
I disliked Sean/Fetch with his controlling, manipulative behaviour. And owning the fact that you are controlling and manipluative doesn't make it any better unless you make the attempt to change.
Cait annoyed with her wishy washy back n forth:
- 'No I don't want anything to do with you I shall try to run away' and 'What do you mean you will hire a car and I can go - how dare you try to leave without finishing our deal'.
- 'the rules are sit in the back and don't talk to me'"why aren't you talking to me?"
Then it was all 'I hate you' "I want to sleep with you' "You rejected me, I hate you'
"I don't trust you" "Here is my life story that I don't share with anyone".
It was very irritating.
April 6, 2014
This book has so many twists it sent me dizzy, but in a good way. I love the sexual tension between Sean and Cait. It's like cat and mouse. Neither of them are what they first appear to be. Sean is conflicted by wanting to leave behind his alter ego and doing the right thing. Cait is conflicted because she's scared to trust.
It's a story that keeps you guessing all the way through, never quite sure what the next page will bring, tears, laughter or gasps of shock.
It was an interesting plot, especially the driving across the country element.
I look forward to reading more of this authors work.
It's a story that keeps you guessing all the way through, never quite sure what the next page will bring, tears, laughter or gasps of shock.
It was an interesting plot, especially the driving across the country element.
I look forward to reading more of this authors work.
December 29, 2014
Oh man, I freaking loved this book. Made me cry, made me frustrated, made me laugh. Romance novels frequently fall into certain tropes and cliches, which is fine, since that's mostly why we read 'em! But this author managed to do what I love best in a romance novel without giving into the cliches. So original, incredibly satisfying, and I will be reading anything else by this author I can get my hands on.
Want to read
April 14, 2014Will give this another try at some stage , I found the writing style different to anything I have read before , like someone is reading the story to me ? Like the characters don't actually talk or think ? Not sure what it is , but I read the first 3 chapters thinking it my change , so gutted as it sounded really good & has good reviews
April 8, 2014
What to say? If you haven't read Ainslie Paton before, you must. Real, gripping story with adventure, twists and of course love. It's romance at its finest, most intelligent. No sappy heroine, no macho idiot hero. Real people, real problems and lots of fiction to keep it interesting.
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