Can’t Hardly Breathe by Gena Showalter ARC Review

[I received a free advance review copy in exchange for an honest review]
Can I just say, I haven’t read any of the previous books in this series, but I somehow fell head over heels for every single character in this book. Small town romances are my favorite. They don’t only portray gorgeous familial love, but also express how beautiful it is to live in a small town where everyone knows everyone and people consider each other as family; again, I can relate a lot to that. But this one was heartbreaking and hopeful and hilarious all at the same time. I’d find myself laughing every five minutes and my sister would look at me like I’ve grown two heads. And that’s because books rarely succeed in making me laugh. It takes a lot to do that. But I’d literally give this book a 5-stars-rating for the hilarious scenes and the witty writing-style alone.
There were a lot of tropes in this one, and I’m glad to say that the author absolutely nailed it!
I loved new Dorothea. Okay, well obviously, she didn’t turn into ‘new Dorothea’ in a blink of an eye. But that’s what I loved; her character transformation. It only requires a decision, once you take it, you’re halfway there. Then there’s her asshat of an ex-husband who made me feel all sorts of erratic. What I didn’t understand was how Holly just suddenly turned into this moral person once she realized that Dorothea’s baby’s middle name was ‘Holly’. And why was Holly close to that idiot, anyway?
Then there’s Daniel, who I cannot stop thinking about. His constant fear of losing the people he loves, although appeared to be the main problem in his relationship with Dorothea, was the sweetest thing ever. And his relationship with his father was a sight to behold. Mr Porter (Sr) was the most hilarious person in town. Like, seriously, you cannot underestimate that guy’s powers.
Friendship was represented beautifully, too. Whether it’s with Daniel and his gang or Dorothea and her squad.

---

Can’t Hardly Breathe
(The Original Heartbreakers #4)

by Gena Showalter

New York Times bestselling author Gena Showalter returns with an irresistible Original Heartbreakers story about a woman who’s never felt desired and the man who wants her more than air to breathe…

Bullied in high school, Dorothea Mathis’s past is full of memories she’d rather forget. But there’s one she can’t seem to shake—her long-standing crush on former army ranger Daniel Porter. Now that the sexy bad boy has started using her inn as his personal playground, she should kick him out…but his every heated glance makes her want to join him instead.

Daniel returned to Strawberry Valley, Oklahoma, to care for his ailing father and burn off a little steam with no strings attached. Though he craves curvy Dorothea night and day, he’s as marred by his past as she is by hers. The more he desires her, the more he fears losing her.

But every sizzling encounter leaves him desperate for more, and soon Daniel must make a choice: take a chance on love or walk away forever. 

---