Review: Friction by Sandra Brown

A Texas Ranger, relegated to deskwork due to past recklessness, petitions to regain custody of his five-year-old daughter, and his case is assigned to a family court judge who is as attractive as she is ambitious. When a masked gunman barges in during the custody hearing with his sights on the judge, the Ranger reacts instinctually and goes after him. But authorities apprehend the wrong man, and the real gunman remains unknown, at large, and a threat. Will this take-charge lawman jeopardize his chances of custody by going after the would-be assassin? And will this unlikely pair be able to deny the forbidden attraction building between them?

 

I literally just had to pry this one out of my hands so that I could write this review. I won't waste time making up my own little summary for it, I just want to dive right in to my review while the story is still so fresh on my mind. Before I say anything, if you know me, then you know that I'm a big fan of Sandra Brown. I have been for quite a while and for a number of reasons but the most important reason is that this talented lady has written a crap-ton of books and not one of them read the same ... they are all unique and somehow she is always able to surprise me in the end. Each time I read a new one from her, I always think that it is THE best book she's ever written and that no other would ever be able to top it. Well, that's what I think until I get my hands on the newest one. And then THAT one becomes the best book she's ever written. It seems to be a vicious cycle. Anyway, what I was trying to get at is that this one (Friction) is the best one that she's ever written. In the history of ever. 

Let's see ... I know I need to discuss character development and all of that but it's Sandra Brown. Of course it is going to be amazing but I'll go over them a bit anyhow. Mostly because I want to talk about Mr. Sexy Texas Ranger Man. That's what I call him at least. But first, the heroine of the story needs to have a moment ... Holly is ... pure. That's really the first word that comes to mind. This lady was an amazing lawyer and now she has temporarily taken up a judgeship with an election coming up for a permanent seat on the bench. Holly is honest to a fault even when she doesn't want to be, she is clearheaded, she isn't one to be bullied and she is as sweet as could be. She's basically one of those "perfect" characters that I HATE reading about. No one likes perfect. It's a fact. But Sandra Brown took that perfect lady that comes in a perfect package and made her seem personable and someone that you wanted to be around. And it takes a lot for me to feel like that for a character because I like the screwed up ones so much. 

Enough about Holly, let's move on to the shit-kicker (or cowboy boots for all of you city folks out there) wearing hottie. Dear, sweet, baby Jesus. Crawford. Oh, Crawford. This guy won't take shit from anyone. He commands authority in such a way that even I was ready to go out there and check out those phone records he wanted. He acts like a mean badass but in reality, he's a softie. He loves his little girl with abandon and anyone close to him has no reason to fear for anything because he protects his own. And that was sexy as hell. I could really go on and on about him but it's already starting to get awkward. 

I liked all of the other characters as well and not because they were good guys but because they were just written so realistically. You can't always pick out the good guys with Brown and if she can pull the wool over my eyes with multiple characters in one book, well, then she's a genius. 

The plot ... so many things to talk about but I don't want to give anything away. I'll just say this, true to Sandra Brown form, it is a fast paced novel that will keep you on the edge of your seat wishing for more. I was so excited to read this one that I just flew through it and now I'm having reader's remorse. I wish I had slowed down and relished it a little more than I did. Oh, well. Can't get that back but I will tell you this, I'll be reading Friction again and it will be soon. I miss my hunky Texas Ranger. 

* I received this novel in exchange for an honest review *

Available: August 18th, 2015

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