Blog Tour + Review + Excerpt | Fight Dirty (Dawson Family #5) by Emily Goodwin --> 4 Stars
SERIES: Dawson Family #5 AUTHOR: Emily Goodwin
GENRE: Second Chance Romance
RELEASE DATE: June 27th, 2019
Owen Dawson is one of Eastwood’s most eligible bachelors. He could have any woman he wants, but when it comes to settling down, he only has eyes for Charlie Williams, and he blew his chance with her years ago. While Owen is busy trying to convince everyone—and himself—that the playboy life is for him, Charlie is trying to put her life back together. After discovering her fiancé was cheating on her, Charlie packs her bags, leaves her fancy New York job, and goes back to the one place she never thought she’d return to: home. Determined to start over and stay far, far away from men, the last thing Charlie needs in her life is her first love, Owen…and the old feelings that come rushing back the moment she lays eyes on him. While Charlie swears to avoid romance of any kind, Owen is willing to do whatever it takes to prove he’s a changed man and win Charlie back…even if it means fighting dirty.
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⭐️ 4 "Defying Gravity" Stars ⭐️
I can’t get enough of the Dawson Family! Each new novel in this series has me so giddy with excitement! I was really curious about Owen’s second chance romance with Charlie, because I only knew the carefree twin always ready for a good time. Let’s just say that Owen Dawson is just so endearingly sweet and funny in his endless quest to steal Charlie’s heart again. With Fight Dirty, Emily Goodwin crafted an utterly flirty, swoon-worthy and amusing romance!
"I had no idea how fast I'd fall for her. How deeply I'd love her. How she'd become my whole moon and stars and reason for living. until she was gone."
Charlie is back in Eastwood after a bad breakup and crosses path with Owen, her first love. The old feelings resurface rapidly and she’s more than ever challenged by the man’s continuous little tricks to get her back. Owen uses of all his charm and one-liners to make her fall for him. As much as I loved his playful repartees, it’s when he shows he true self with thoughtful actions that he charmed me entirely. The sparks are present in their every interaction and I just wanted to see them get their happily ever after.
I really enjoyed the story, but I expected something different, maybe more angsty. I felt their reunion was too easy for a second chance romance and they don’t really approach the subject of their breakup that much. Otherwise, the feel this book gave me was fantastic and I couldn’t get enough of all the Dawsons and their engaging interactions. This family is so entertaining!
"I want to fuck her. But I want to love her more."
Fight Dirty is without a doubt a very enjoyable novel that will steal your heart! Emily Goodwin has a special ability to create the most gorgeous small town romances! Grab your copy of this delightful story, you won’t regret it!
** ARC received in exchange for an honest review **
“Hey,” I say quietly, seeing her sitting up and looking at her phone. “You got the alert too?”
She nods and looks up. Even in the dark, I can see the fear in her eyes.
“Are you still scared of tornadoes?” I ask, stepping into the room. I shut the door so the cat doesn’t get out.
“Terrified.”
“I think it’s going to miss us.”
She nods again, pulling her lips around her teeth. “Hopefully.”
“Want me to sit with you? We can go into the basement if that’ll make you feel better too.”
“If the sirens go off, I’ll go down. And yeah…I’d, uh, I’d like if you sat with me.”
Crossing the room, I sit on the opposite side of the bed. Charlie puts her phone down and leans back against the pillows.
“Do you think it’s pathetic I’m still scared of tornadoes?”
“No,” I tell her honestly. “They are scary. You can’t do anything to prevent them or stop them. All you can do is hide.”
“Exactly. And the energy gets me all jittery.” She holds up her hand. “I’m shaking.”
I take her hand in mine, lacing my fingers through hers. “It’s okay. Try to go back to sleep if you want. I’ll listen for the sirens.”
“Aren’t you tired?”
“Not really. I closed down the bar a few times last week. My sleep schedule is always fucked up.”
“That would mess with you, I guess.”
She swallows hard, looking over me and out the window. It’s pitch black out there, and the rain comes down in sheets. Thunder and lightning tear through the sky, and the windows rattle. Charlie squeezes my hand a little tighter.
“Bad storms tended to break up before they got into the city,” she says. “We had storms, of course, but no tornadoes.”
“We won’t have one tonight either.” I give her hand a squeeze and settle down next to her. She’s still shaking, and it’s killing me not to comfort her more. Pulling the blankets back up to her shoulders, she wiggles a little closer. I don’t know if it’s on purpose or if she’s trying to get comfortable.
Heart hammering, I pull my hand from hers and rest it on her waist. The blankets are between my hand and her body, yet it sends a jolt through me. She moves closer again, and this time I know it was intentional. She rests her hand on top of mine and slits her eyes open, looking up at me.
“Thank you, Owen.”
“Of course,” I whisper back. Her blonde hair is a mess around her face, and I turn off the light on my phone. The storm rages around us, but Charlie is safe in my arms. Her breathing becomes slow and steady, letting me know she fell asleep.
It’s innocent and platonic, and I’m hit with the memory of holding Charlie while she slept off her first drunk experience. I’m working hard to tell myself that this doesn’t mean anything, yet I know this will be a new favorite memory of mine…even if it doesn’t lead to anything.
EMILY GOODWIN
Emily Goodwin is the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author of over a dozen of romantic titles. Emily writes the kind of books she likes to read, and is a sucker for a swoon-worthy bad boy and happily ever afters.
She lives in the midwest with her husband and two daughters. When she’s not writing, you can find her riding her horses, hiking, reading, or drinking wine with friends.
Emily is represented by Julie Gwinn of the Seymour Agency.
