Let It Ride by Jillian Burns

by shewolf0316 on July 8th, 2009, 12:36am Login or Register to post comments

May 1, 2009
Harlequin Enterprises/Harlequin Blaze #466
Category Romance
Erotica/Contemporary
Mass Market Paperback and eBook
Rating: 4

MAJ Cole Jackson has been to Hell and back. Shot down during combat in Iraq, he barely managed to drag his way back to safe territory. Now his dreams are ruined since his injuries were too severe to allow him to fly again. Spending a week in Vegas with his buddies is just what he needs before he has to report for new orders. He certainly didn’t expect to make a bet to land an ice princess.

Jordan Brenner has no interest in a fling with any of the flyboys frequenting the casino where she works, or in any men period. She followed her heart once before and ended up abandoned and alone. Her only plan now is to finish college, get a good job that can support her and her mother who suffers from Alzheimer’s. Romance is not in the cards for this Keno girl but the scarred Harley-riding Major gets past all her defenses.

While Cole only made the bet to prove his friends wrong, he finds himself wanting more than a one night stand with Jordan. Jordan and Cole are soon to discover that when hearts are on the table, the best bet is always to just Let It Ride.

Cole has suffered so much since being shot down in Iraq and he is still reeling from the emotional upheaval. He’s not quite sure what he wants anymore, but he knows love is one thing he doesn’t want. This provides for some fascinating character study as he tries to come to terms with his losses, gains, and dreams and incorporate tender feelings into the mix. Jordan has her own struggles as well, not the least of which are a feeling of abandonment after her father, and then the man she thought she could marry, left her. She’s hidden her heart behind a wall of ice to prevent those feelings from ever hurting her again. So she is in quite a conflict over what to do about Cole, whom she is falling for at the same time she knows he will soon be leaving her as well. Watching these two overcome their fears to make peace with their lives and their hearts is a very compelling story. The passion between them is through the roof, though I admit I only skimmed some of the sex scenes due to how hot and steamy they were.

Let It Ride has so much conflict and emotion packed in, that it really did a number on me, leaving me exhausted in a good way by the time I turned the final page. Just in the first few chapters alone, there is enough to build an entire novel around, and still more is added as we go along. From Cole’s PTSD to Jordan’s worries about her mother’s battle with Alzheimer’s, emotion is high. I have to say, I got a little teary-eyed at Jordan’s graduation. There is a moment there that is especially poignant, showing us how deep their feelings run, even before they realize it themselves.

With Let it Ride, Jillian Burns has written a wonderfully steamy, fast paced story that will keep you turning pages until the very end. What woman doesn’t like an incredibly sexy man in uniform brought to his knees with the power of love? My only hope is that we have a very short wait until we get stories about Cole’s cronies, McCabe, Hughes, and Grady.