Heat
by Penny Reid
Hypothesis #2
Publication Date: April 30, 2015
Elements of Chemistry: HEAT is part 2 of a 3 part series (65k word novel) and ends in a cliffhanger.
**Blurb contains spoilers if you haven’t read Elements of Chemistry: ATTRACTION**
Four days left.
Private beach (…and boat).
Not so invisible girl.
And maybe less of a jerk-faced bully than originally thought.
What’s the worst (or the best) that could happen?
Kaitlyn is finding life outside of the science cabinet of obscurity to be quite illuminating …and so are her pants. When things heat up between Kaitlyn Parker and Martin—previously known as the jerk-faced bully—Sandeke, she places her trust in the one person she never thought capable of earning it, let alone keeping it safe. Fortunately or unfortunately for Kaitlyn, where she gives her trust she can’t help but also give her heart.
But how will the world beyond the sanctuary of their newfound connection react to their relationship? Soon senators, chinless billionaires, and elements beyond Martin and Kaitlyn’s control want to weigh in on the young couple’s future.
Navigating the chaotic inferno of new love might be more than Kaitlyn bargained for, and much, much more than her trust—or her heart—can handle.
Review
RATING:
*Complimentary copy received from author*
Talk about relationship boot camp indeed!
It picked up right where bk 1 ended. And in a span of few days, these kids experienced a gamut of emotions that we tend to go thru in a longer period. Some of the emotions were intense and may have felt slightly premature but given their history and age, it makes sense as well.
This is now about Martin and Kaitlyn doing the song and dance as they try to move their relationship forward, doing their best to get to know each other better than they did before while they were just lab partners, and learning to see past their assumptions about each other.
Kaitlyn is an adorable h with her nerdy thoughts and guileless words. For me, I can see that she's really trying but given her naivety, I understood her struggles. Martin, well now, that kid sure knows how to light things up *g* He really is the alpha of his pack, no question. We're given more glimpse of his family, no family of the year award there, for sure. His past has shaped the kind of guy he is in the present, and it made sense. Quite sad and unsettling actually... He does appear too worldly for Kaitlyn sometimes. I have to say that he, in a way, has a lot of patience for her. Kaitlyn on the other hand gets Martin. Because Martin trusts her, there is this side of him that only she's privy to... I love their chemistry! (pun intended) The attraction is plain to see.
Towards the end, they're faced with a situation where it looks like one has to compromise. To what degree, to what impact, who knows. These kinds of decisions are a big deal yet it isn't. I want to say yes, it's a big deal given their ages, yet would it have been really a big deal if it was a different time and place? But I suppose that's neither here nor there.
This ends on another cliffie... I want book 3, pleeease!!!
It picked up right where bk 1 ended. And in a span of few days, these kids experienced a gamut of emotions that we tend to go thru in a longer period. Some of the emotions were intense and may have felt slightly premature but given their history and age, it makes sense as well.
This is now about Martin and Kaitlyn doing the song and dance as they try to move their relationship forward, doing their best to get to know each other better than they did before while they were just lab partners, and learning to see past their assumptions about each other.
Kaitlyn is an adorable h with her nerdy thoughts and guileless words. For me, I can see that she's really trying but given her naivety, I understood her struggles. Martin, well now, that kid sure knows how to light things up *g* He really is the alpha of his pack, no question. We're given more glimpse of his family, no family of the year award there, for sure. His past has shaped the kind of guy he is in the present, and it made sense. Quite sad and unsettling actually... He does appear too worldly for Kaitlyn sometimes. I have to say that he, in a way, has a lot of patience for her. Kaitlyn on the other hand gets Martin. Because Martin trusts her, there is this side of him that only she's privy to... I love their chemistry! (pun intended) The attraction is plain to see.
Towards the end, they're faced with a situation where it looks like one has to compromise. To what degree, to what impact, who knows. These kinds of decisions are a big deal yet it isn't. I want to say yes, it's a big deal given their ages, yet would it have been really a big deal if it was a different time and place? But I suppose that's neither here nor there.
This ends on another cliffie... I want book 3, pleeease!!!
Excerpt
“What are you doing?”
I lifted my eyes at the sound of Martin’s voice, but not immediately. I finished the paragraph I was reading, then I looked up, holding my place in the book with my thumb.
He was dressed in swim trunks and he was wet, with beads of water dripping down his chest. As such, he looked super hot. However, only the right side of his body was visible as the door blocked the other side. His hand was still on the doorknob and he leaned a tad to one side, into the room.
My eyes wandered over his form and I allowed myself to appreciate the beauty of Martin Sandeke like I might admire the beauty of a cold, soulless statue. Physically, he was a magnificent male specimen: corded muscle, long limbs, and rigid angles. Even his temples were drool worthy, especially since I knew his head housed a giant—albeit mismanaged—brain. Truly, he was one of our finest. His ancestors should really give themselves a big pat on the back.
A little pool of water had gathered at his feet, which made me wonder how long he’d been standing in the doorway. My eyes traveled upward again and I noticed he wore an angry expression. He looked livid.
I started a little at the heated annoyance in his stare. Then I glanced around the laundry room, searching for the source of his anger. I found that I was still alone. Therefore, I surmised his fury must be directed at me.
But, just to be sure, I said, “Who? Me?”
“Yes. You,” he growled, then stepped into the room and closed the door behind him. “What are you doing in here?”
I raised the book and tipped my head toward it. “I’m reading.”
Martin exhaled loudly, another growl. “I can see that, Parker. But why the fuck are you in here reading?”
I frowned at his use of profanity, my shoulders bunching with tension. I realized I’d gotten used to it, how often he cussed; I’d accepted it as part of him. But that was before he’d left me standing at the entrance to a party I didn’t want to attend, and that was before I’d seen him kissing a random girl.
“It’s the first sequel to The Three Musketeers. I’ve been meaning to read it. I found it on the shelf in the library—or living room, or whatever room. There are too many rooms in this house, so I don’t know what half of them are called.”
Martin gritted his teeth, and I got the distinct impression he wanted to strangle me. “Parker. This is a party. And you’re in the laundry room? Reading?”
I paused a beat to make sure this wasn’t a trick question. When I could find nothing amiss with his interrogation, I nodded slowly. “Yes. This is a party. I am in the laundry room reading.”
“Why? What is wrong with you?”
My mouth opened and closed but no words arrived, because his questions continued to confuse me. Finally, I admitted, “Martin, I don’t know what you want me to say or why you appear to be upset. I found the book when I was in one of the several rooms with lots of books. I’ve been meaning to read it. So I picked it up and found a quiet place. Why are you so angry?”
He charged at me and I ineffectually scrambled backward on the washing machine. In less than two seconds he’d pulled the book from my hands, slapped it on the counter at my left, and braced his arms on either side of my legs, leaning forward.
I realized he’d made me lose my page in the book. I decided to ignore my urge to vocalize this complaint, because his eyes were beyond heated.
They were incensed blue flames. I braced myself, my gaze wide and watchful, and flinched when he lifted a hand. I relaxed a smidge when he used it to push my hair off my shoulder.
When he spoke, his voice was low, strained, like he was trying very hard to control his temper. “I brought you here as my date. That was our agreement.”
I nodded once. “Yes. I know.”
“And, instead of talking to people or having fun, you’re in here reading a book.”
I kept my voice even and calm, tried to sound soothing. “I am having fun. I’m reading a book.”About Penny Reid
Thanks for dropping by!
~Leftie
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