In Blue Persuasion, Blakely Bennett has given us the beautifully compelling story of Blue and Tate, two people who have had more than their share of heartache and disappointment. Ms. Bennett reveals the inner thoughts and feelings of her characters so well at times I’m convinced she has a degree in psychology. (Does she?) Blue and Tate will shove their way into your heart so deeply you will feel as if you know them.

Blue desperately wants love and a lasting relationship. Which shouldn’t be all that difficult for a beautiful, intelligent woman with the body of a goddess, right? Wrong. A devastating incident when she was a teen has clouded her perception of herself. Her voluptuous figure has caused nothing but trouble and unwanted attention from insincere jerks and douchebags. Even now, at the age of 31, Blue feels she will never be more than a body to anyone. To add insult to injury she has watched longingly as each person in her close circle of friends has found their soul mate. Blue’s character could easily have fallen into the whiny, annoying, poor me, however, Ms. Bennett didn’t let that happen. Blue is strong and true to herself, refusing to let anyone take advantage or stomp on her heart. She keeps men at arm’s length. Until Tate walks into her life.

Tate is a gorgeous, hulking man. Chiseled features reflect his American Indian heritage while shoulder length hair and tattoos hint at the bad boy within. His gruff and off-putting manner is the antithesis of the men Blue usually encounters and she is attracted to him at the onset. He appears to be interested yet his sombre personality says otherwise. Her intuition tells her to stay away from this man who must surely be damaged in some way, but there is something about Tate that Blue can’t resist.

What follows is an emotional journey that kept me eagerly turning the pages. The chemistry between Blue and Tate is sizzling and oh so erotic, especially the kinky aspects they both crave. The push and pull between Blue and Tate was maddening at times, however, Ms. Bennett kept it under control and believable.

Even though Blue Persuasion is not the first in this series I had no trouble understanding the dynamics of this group of friends. What a group! I must backtrack and read the first two novels in this series!

Review copy provided via Reading Alley.