Review: Good Girls Don't by Victoria Dahl

Good Girls Don't (Donovan Brother Brewery, #1) by Victoria Dahl

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: HQN Books (August 30, 2011)

Goodreads Description:

With her long ponytail and sparkling green eyes, Tessa Donovan looks more like the girl next door than a businesswoman—or a heartbreaker. Which may explain why Detective Luke Asher barely notices her when he arrives to investigate a break–in at her family's brewery. He's got his own problems—starting with the fact that his partner, Simone, is pregnant and everyone thinks he's the father.

Tessa has her hands full, too. Her brother's playboy ways may be threatening the business, and the tension could tear her tight–knit family apart. In fact, the only thing that could unite the Donovan boys is seeing a man come after their "baby" sister. Especially a man like Luke Asher. But Tessa sees past the rumors to the man beneath. He's not who people think he is—and neither is she.

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Contemporary romance is a genre I don't read too often but when I find an author I enjoy I stick with them. Well, after reading this book Victoria Dahl has a new fan...ME! I devoured this book in one day because I couldn't tear myself away from it. The best part is that this is part of a series so i get to continue reading about the Donovan siblings.

Tessa and her two older brothers run a brewery together. There is a break-in and Luke is one of the detectives on the case. Tessa is drawn to Luke but the detective's life is complicated and Tessa's brothers are a "tad" overprotective when it comes to their little sister. With a failed marriage and a partner who is rumored to be pregnant with his baby, Luke's reputation isn't exactly stellar. However, things aren't always what they seem and Tessa really goes out on a limb to look past the gossip and find out Luke's side of the story.

Tessa feels her family is slipping away from each other and the break-in seems to be the straw that broke the camel's back. Eric, the oldest (and of course most responsible) holds Jamie (the irresponsible middle child) to blame for the break-in at the brewery. Tessa is stuck as referee between the two and tries to keep things from falling apart. She doesn't necessarily go about things the right way which leads to more stress and tension.

I loved the characters in this book which bodes well for this being an awesome series. Although I enjoyed reading about Tessa I actually found the Donovan brothers most interesting and this book just whet my appetite for them. I'm curious to see how (or if) the dynamic between the siblings changes over the course of the series. I am rooting for their happiness.

4.5/5

I received a copy of this for review from Netgalley. Any opinions expressed are my own.