Spencer Cohen, Book 1 (Renée’s review)

Title: Spencer Cohen (The Spencer Cohen Series #1)
Author: N.R. Walker
Publisher: BlueHeart Press
Release Date: February 18, 2016
Genre(s): Contemporary
Page Count: unknown (2,049 Kindle locations)
Reviewed by: Renée
Heat Level:  1.5 flames out of 5
Rating:   4 stars out of 5
Blurb:

Spencer Cohen is the guy who gets answers to relationship questions. Playing the role of the new lover, his job is to make his client’s ex realise one of two things: he doesn’t want to break up or he really does. Either way, his client gets answers.

The ex would either apologize and beg, or turn and walk. But in the end, Spencer’s client won. If he wanted his ex back and got him, it was great. If the guy walked away, then as hard it was for the client, he knew it was over. Regardless of the outcome, Spencer’s work was done.

Andrew Landon’s ex left him without so much as an explanation. But his sister can’t stand to see him miserable, so, much to Andrew’s dismay, they hire Spencer to be Andrew’s new boyfriend to get the ex back.

For Spencer, it is never personal. Merely a business transaction. No emotions, no strings, no complications.

Yeah right.

Even a blind man could see how this would end.

Spencer Cohen is an enigma. An Aussie who’s been in the City of Angels for 2 years, he’s got full sleeve tattoos, wears three-quarter length pants and suspenders, and has a career that I’ll bet you’ve never heard of. He contracts with the recently dumped to play the new beau and see if their ex can be won back. He never guarantees an outcome, but, either way, the client will have a final answer.

Spencer’s best friend, Lola, introduces him to a new friend, Sarah. And Sarah wants her brother to hire Spencer. Andrew is heart broken by the recent walking out of his fiancée, but isn’t too sold on the “idea” of what Spencer does for a living. He grudgingly goes along with things at the pressuring of his sister, though.

In the short time that Spencer is under contract with Andrew, we get to know Andrew really well. He has a low sense of self-worth. He’s an introvert, and he stays in his own little shell. This could be partly how he is and partly his bruised heart from his love leaving him. The beauty of Walker’s writing is how effortlessly she quickly develops the rapport and banter between Spencer and Andrew. The instant connection and chemistry.

Spencer can’t for the life of him understand what Andrew saw in his fiancée. And neither can we, the readers. He’s not a BAD guy. But he’s not good enough for our Andrew either.

Spencer remains an enigma throughout this book. We only barely begin to scratch the surface of learning what makes him tick and learning about his roots. I cannot wait for Book 2. But, don’t worry. This book is not left on a cliffhanger. Just a HFN with the promise of so much more, much like Red Dirt style from Book 1.

For those like me, I want to note that there is very little steam in this book, and no sex at all. But I assure you, it won’t disappoint. The chemistry is very high, and every touch is magnified.

It should be noted that there is an abundance of music references in this story, which made me INCREDIBLY happy!

“The perfect song? How do you define the perfect song?”

I found myself smiling at [Andrew]. “Don’t overthink it, that’s how. Discard all the technical crap, the parameters, the chords, whatever. Go by the feel. How it feels in here.” I pressed my hand against my breastbone. “That song will stop me wherever I am.”

This book was not long, per se, but it wasn’t a short novella either. But it simply flew! I felt like I read it in the course of an hour. A start to another winning series for Walker, for sure. When we get into Book 2, and the intricacies of Spencer are revealed, and Eli the ex is sure to pop back up – AGAIN, I know we’ll be in for a wild ride!

 

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