Review: What The Body Needs by Laura Oliva

Summary
Jak O'Mara is a survivor.

She's survived in her father's construction company. She's survived in the boxing ring. And she survived the brutal attack that left her permanently scarred.

For the last five years, she's tried to convince everyone -including herself- she's no victim. But with the apparent return of her unknown assailant, the life she's rebuilt crumbles overnight.

Ex-cop Marcus Cutter has his own scars, they just don't show. Following the violent death of his younger sister, he fled his old life in disgrace. After almost six years, "rock-bottom" feels a lot like home.

As Jak's new bodyguard, Marcus is forced to return to the city -and the memories- he's tried to forget. All he wants is to do his job, but Jak isn't what he expects. When he's with her, he finally feels something besides pain.

When the danger escalates, Jak decides it's time to take matters into her own hands. She's determined to find who's after her, no matter the cost. Marcus knows he has to protect the woman who's made his life mean something again. But how do you protect someone who's convinced they have nothing left to lose?

Review
Forget what the body wants, how about what the mind needs. Five words to describe this book was an: uninterrupted, sensual, thrilling, suspenseful romance. Even though a little edgier than her first novel, this was definitely one that at times was so hot that I thought I was going to have to call the fire department because the pages were on fire. With her well written characters and page turning story, this had the goods to not only keep you interested but satisfied your curiosity to want to know more.

Such a wonderful storyteller, she does a great job with giving the reader a story that was easy to read with just the right pace. I think what makes it so appealing is that the characters were raw, real and relatable. It was one of those stories that had an addictive appeal like a prime time soap that kept your curiosity peaked from the beginning until the end. Its various twists and turns keep you guessing with an ending that you never would see coming. For me, at times the romance was a little steamy but for you it might be the right temperature. 

Here is a little about the characters to get you started.

Jak - When you first meet her, she is a bit rough around the edges. Well, don’t judge a book by its cover yet. She has gone through a lot that gives her that tough, rough exterior. Trying to protect herself, she guards herself because a few years back she was brutally attacked. Her attacker was never found. Trying to be tough and take things into her own hands, she receives a message that brings everything back. Not knowing what to do, her family hires a bodyguard to make sure the past doesn't repeat itself. While at first completely resisting any help, she finds herself needing more than just protecting.

Marcus - He was an ex cop who got hired to watch over Jak. Around the same time as her attack, he suffered a tragedy that has plagued his life. Trying to forget the past, he is brought back to the place where everything happened. Taking on this case was just like any other until he met Jak and knew instantaneously that wouldn't be the case. Fighting his own inner battles and ones for Jak, he finds himself feeling more than being her protector. 

Alright, that was a little background about them to get you started but there is so much more to this story that will hook you in and keep you reading. If you love romance with some spice along with suspense with twists and turns to keep you guessing, than you will enjoy reading this book.

Reviewed by Michelle Bowles

Book Information
Publication Date: August 27, 2013
Pages: 265