Hi there! Today I’m sharing a review for a new contemporary romance from Cathrine Goldstein. SUMMER OF IRREVERENCE marks the beginning of her New York Artists series, and is a tale of two lonely hearts finding solace, when they think they are only having a fling.

Drop down to read an excerpt, my review and enter to win one of several prizes including books, a $20 gift card, and jewelry!

About the book:
Straight-laced, veterinary surgeon, Summer Wynters is ready to break the rules. And who better to break them with than the most irreverent of all men, mega rock star Malcolm Angel? With one last summer free from work obligations, Summer moves to New York City, and at the coaxing of her friend, pretends to be a model so she can spend one wild night with Malcolm.

Rock star, Malcolm Angel, tortured by a dark past, may be the poet laureate of romance, but he, like science-minded Summer, has never believed in romantic love. How could he? With his history, he doesn’t deserve to be loved.

When Summer’s honesty, kindness, and exuberance for life changes his perspective, the two discover they are in deeper than either dreamed possible. But when Malcolm discovers Summer’s been perpetuating a lie, will he forgive her? Even if forgiveness is possible, can a man immune to love teach someone else to believe in it?

How about a little taste?

“How did you go through life with that name…?” Malcolm’s eyes flashed with happiness. “I mean, if I wrote it, people would crucify me. What were your parents thinking?”

Summer froze.

“I mean, do they love you at all?” Malcolm chuckled.

Summer’s feet refused to move, and her arms lay limp at her side.

“Summer?” Malcolm’s smile faded. “Sum?”

The sound of her nickname spoken by Malcolm did her in. She desperately fought the mounting tears.

Malcolm stared at her. “It’s not your name you’re upset about, is it?”

Summer clenched her jaw and shook her head.

“I’m sorry.” His voice was low and modulated.

She nodded, looking at Malcolm, and wanting, for the first time ever, to have someone make it all okay. To have him make it all okay.

Malcolm grew quiet. They stood there for whole minutes. “I’m sorry if I touched on a sore subject. Really.”

Summer stared at him—this man who had everything except the answer she needed. How could he be so closed off? How could he care so little about the pain of another living creature?

He stepped forward then, as if reading her mind, took her hand gently, and leaned over, speaking quietly into her ear. “It’s not that I don’t care.”

Those few words found a place deep in Summer’s soul.

Malcolm stood tall, and Summer’s eyes followed him. He reached out and stroked her cheek. “But I’ve got nothing more to give than today.”

My Review:
Summer Wynters, improbably-named veterinary surgeon, is fresh out of her training and fresh off a break-up with Dr. Brad, her former professor and future practice partner. Summer wants a summer of flings, to bed a bad boy before she falls into the staid life. Her sights are set on mega star Malcolm Angel, an acquaintance of her childhood friend, Jeannette.

Meeting Malcolm comes with a caveat: he’s a one-night only guy who only dates models. That’s it. Take it or leave it. Summer will have to pose as a model in order to attract his attention, despite how uncomfortable she in in her own skin. Still, she does take it, but Summer leaves it, too, when she thinks Malcolm’s making it kinky far past her boundaries. It’s a misunderstanding. One that challenges Malcolm, and causes him to seek out Summer for an apology: hers. They get on well together, and, as the weeks pass and their friendship grows, Malcolm begins to confide in Summer about his tragic past. Unfortunately, she doesn’t reveal her true profession, and when it comes out–rather spectacularly in truth–Malcolm’s shattered by the deception. By then they had moved way past friends into a blossoming romance far beyond either’s expectations.

So, I had a little trouble getting into this book. Summer didn’t come off as warm or friendly to me, mostly because she’s super analytical about love not being real. I’m a trained scientist, and it still felt a bit pretentious, which is not my bag, baby. That said, I stuck with it and really enjoyed the slow-burn. I also wasn’t a fan of how Summer hid her education from Malcolm. He’d really shared a whole boatload of secrets, and her profession seemed quite trivial in comparison. There’s a bit of a snit between Summer and Jeannette, pretty much stemming from jealousy and pettiness, that needs to get worked out, and Dr. Brad is not the harmless dude he’s first described as, which made me lose the initial sympathy I’d had for him. That was good because her mild descriptions of him made Summer look more callous than she was–part of why I didn’t really warm to her, in the beginning.

The building bonds between Summer and Malcolm are sweet to experience, and the resolution is so tender. I’m a sucker for a man who loves dogs, and Malcolm is that. If you like rock romances, I think you’ll probably like this one. It’s got a bit of steam, and two folks who find their perfect fit.

Interested? You can find SUMMER OF IRREVERENCE on Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Wild Rose Press, Kobo, AllRomance and Romance Reviews.

****GIVEAWAY****

Click on this Rafflecopter giveaway link for your chance to win one of several prizes including books, a $20 gift card, and jewelry!
Good luck and keep reading my friends!

About the Author:
Cathrine Goldstein is a bestselling author, and a NYC girl at heart. She writes “gritty romance,” in the genres of YA, NA; women’s fiction; and romance. She’s also the author of The Letting and The Coupling, books 1 and 2 of The Letting series. She began her career as an award-winning playwright, and is a proud member of RWA, PAN, with a BA in English and my MA in Theatre.

She is a fan of Luna Bars, decaf coffee, yoga, Hemingway, and Bukowski—and the loves of her life are her husband and two young girls.

Find out more about Cathrine on her website, blog, Goodreads, Facebook, twitter, and Pinterest.