by K.A. Tucker
Series: Ten Tiny Breaths #3
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
When a gorgeous young dancer walks through his door, a strip club owner must decide whether to follow his rules or his heart in the third novel by the author of One Tiny Lie and Ten Tiny Breaths. Owning a strip club isn’t the fantasy most guys expect it to be. With long hours, a staff with enough issues to keep a psych ward in business, and the police regularly on his case, twenty-nine-year-old Cain is starting to second guess his unspoken mission to save the women he employs. And then blond, brown-eyed Charlie Rourke walks through his door, and things get really complicated. Cain abides by a strict “no sleeping with the staff” rule. But being around Charlie challenges Cain’s self-control…and it’s been a long time since any woman has done that. Twenty-two-year-old Charlie Rourke needs a lot of money, really fast, in order to vanish before it’s too late. Taking her clothes off for men makes her stomach curl but Charlie tells herself that at least she’s putting her acting and dancing skills to good use. And though her fellow dancers seem eager to nab their sexy, sophisticated, and genuinely caring boss, she’s not interested. After all, Charlie Rourke doesn’t really exist—and the girl pretending to be her can't get distracted by romance. Unfortunately, Charlie soon discovers that developing feelings for Cain is inevitable, and that those feelings may not be unrequited—but losing him when he finds out what she’s involved with will be more painful than any other sentence awaiting her.
Four Seconds to Lose by K.A. Tucker is the third book in the Ten Tiny Breaths series. A little darker, with two complicated and flawed characters, I found myself fully engaged in this action-packed tale. Mini-review: Gritty, hot, romantic and suspenseful.
Coffee Date with Four Seconds to Lose
First Date: I enter Penny’s nightclub excited to be back in Tucker’s world and anxious to learn more about heart-throb and strip club owner Cain Ford. This tattooed hottie acts like a bad-ass, but from the previous novels, I already know how he takes care of his employees. A newcomer has arrived by the name of Charlie Rourke, and she is looking to pole dance. Cade’s “no sleeping with the staff rule” is about to be put to the test. The chemistry between them is sizzling. His intense gaze says one thing but his kindness and then cold shoulder attitude confuse the heck out of Charlie. They begin to play this dance, and it’s fun to watch. Things are about to get intense. I settled in with my coffee flavored liqueur and prepared to enjoy the ride.
Second Date: Charlie has secrets and boy howdy is our blonde haired pixie in a heap a trouble. She finds Cain attractive so to ease her nerves while dancing she pretends to dance only for him. The scenes were hot and I loved all the teasing Cade got. As the two get to know each other, Cain gets cranky. The staff and his friends encourage him to take a chance. Holy Hotness! Things are heating up; the pages are curling. Cain is sharing stories from his past. As he opens up I want to hold him. He knows Charlie is in trouble and patiently waits for her to open up. I want, need Charlie to spill before it’s too late. *bites fingernails*
Third Date: I love Charlie and Cain together; the chemistry felt genuine and those tender soft-spoken moments. Whew, someone, get me a fan. Tucker had my palms sweating because Charlie is knee-deep in some serious shit, and Cain could be in trouble. Secret calls, creepy evil men. Gah! Twists and turns, and bodies kept me flipping the pages. Mystery and danger had me spellbound, and my heart twisted for Charlie and Cain. This last date kept me up late as we raced towards the conclusion. While I still needed some chocolate, Tucker kept the angst low, and the suspense high making these dates a success.
Four Seconds to Lose was such an intense ride. The mystery aspect thrust this into the romantic suspense genre for me. Having read all of the previous books I would have to say Tucker stepped up her game giving me one heck of a ride. For fans of the series, we see past characters and get to spend some quality time with them. Five Ways to Fall is the next book in the series due out in June of 2014 and will feature bouncer turned lawyer Ben Morris.
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Lorna
I have loved all of these books and just requested the new one from Net Galley. I am glad you loved this one too! Have you read her paranormal series?
kimbacaffeinate
No I have not tried her paranormal.I will check them out!
Michelle
Oh I love how you break your review into paragraphs! A unique approach to reviewing! 🙂 I have this book and I seriously can’t wait to dig in!
kimbacaffeinate
Enjoy Michelle, I love this series 🙂
Lily B
I really liked her character in the first book, so it’s awesome for her to get her own book. I so need to get my hands on this one.
kimbacaffeinate
Ooo agreed, enjoy Lily!
Lauren
Wow, she stepped her game up? I keep reading rave reviews for the prior books so this one must be awesome! It sounds like it – I love a good romantic suspense with a strong mystery and sizzle. Definitely need to read more of her books. Lovely date review!
kimbacaffeinate
I have enjoyed this series Lauren, and connect with the characters
Lindy
Wonderful Review and Coffee date! I’ve been dying to read this series, and you completely held me spellbound with your review! I love stories like this with lots of steaminess, suspense, danger, twists, and turns!!! I can’t wait to read Cain and Charlie’s story!!!
kimbacaffeinate
Glad I piqued your interest Lindy, I enjoyed this one!
Michele-A Belle's Tales
For me, this series just keeps getting better and better. I loved this one — though at times, I thought it would give me a heart attack! I completely agree about the intense ride, and I am so thrilled you enjoyed this one, too!
kimbacaffeinate
hahaha..so true my friend. I cannot wait for Ben’s story too 🙂
lily
I absolutely LOVED this one! I hadn’t read any of K.A Tucker’s book before and i’m glad this one was the one i started with since it was just SO INTENSE and intriguing and i’ve been told this is her best one yet. The mysery aspect of the story really hooked me in and I compleyely feel for Cain. He was the good guy who used to be the bad guy and it’s written all over him and I loved it.
Great review
Lily @ Lilysbookblog
kimbacaffeinate
Sweet, I am so glad you loved this! Yes, the suspense added to this tale for me as well.
Jeann
This sounds awesome and I loved the way you set it out into dates! I have this on my shelf, I’m aware of some things like Livvie’s transformation but can’t wait to read it.
kimbacaffeinate
Enjoy, this series has been fun, and thank you 🙂
chelsea
What a creative story line!
kimbacaffeinate
thanks Chelsea 🙂
Lupdilup
I listened to the first two books and I really enjoyed them, I’m thrilled to hear this was great too. I had forgotten all about this book. I’ll be adding it right away to my wish list 🙂
Thank you Kimba.
kimbacaffeinate
Oh I cannot imagine the feels and humor on audio..I hope it is amazing!!
Melliane
I heard about this one but I confess I haven’t read it. I should. You made me curious about Cain past and about Charlie’s problems. It’s so intriguing!
kimbacaffeinate
Glad I piqued your interest. Have a good one Melliane!
Dani
This is one of the series I really need to catch up on! I read and loved the first book, just need to find time to pick up the rest of them. 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Sometimes series slip by me and then I am racing to catch up.
Andrea
I don’t know why I’ve gotten behind on this series! I liked TTB well enough, but I loooooved One Tiny Lie. I’m very interested in Cain’s story, and Charlie seems like an interesting character too.
Thanks for the review!
kimbacaffeinate
I was excited to finally get his story and Ben is next..woot!
Angela Adams
An interesting, and different, career choice for the hero and heroine. Thanks for the post.
kimbacaffeinate
LOL agreed, there is more too it, and I think if you have read previous novels it doesn’t seem so crazy..lol
Braine Talk Supe
Suspense. That’s the last thing I expect to find in this series… hmmm… must revisit
kimbacaffeinate
not all of them, but this one had suspenseful moments Braine 🙂
Melissa (Books and Things)
Oh I was on the fence with the first book and it looks like I need to come off of said fence. This sounds so good and even more like romantic suspense than contemporary. I do enjoy romantic suspense. 🙂 I’m adding this series to my wishist. *shakes fist* 😉
kimbacaffeinate
I enjoyed this one, and loved the suspense angle
Mary
Successful dates are always good! I read part of this book but didn’t really like it. I don’t know…it just didn’t capture me. I think it was the strip club thing and her dancing and…I don’t know. Not so much to my taste but yay for it being to yours!
kimbacaffeinate
To be honest Mary if I hadn’t read the other books and gotten to know Cain and the peeps at Penny’s bar I am not sure I would have picked it up with the setting. Cain’s book was one I was waiting for..LOL
Heidi
I know a lot of people are raving over this series, but I just can’t bring myself to read another dramatic, angsty NA book right now.
kimbacaffeinate
I go through moods too, the angst was fairly low in this, more suspense.
Candace
Angst low and suspense high is definitely good! Glad you enjoyed it!
kimbacaffeinate
thanks Candace!
Debbie Haupt
Kimba wow, what a premise, that and your great review has me adding this to my wish list. Should the series be read in order?
deb
kimbacaffeinate
I think you can get away with reading them as standalone, however I enjoyed the ride.
aurian
Very nice review Kimba, I enjoy this format a lot! Not sure if this is for me, but I am glad you loved it so much.
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Aurian, appreciate the feedback.
Finley Jayne
Just took a peek at the first book in the series, and its setting the city I live in, kind of crazy! So now I definitely have to give it a try 🙂
Finley Jayne
oops, meant to type ‘its setting is set in the city that I live in’-I really need to stop typing and eating at the same time 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
LOL, it is all good I understood you and I do stuff like that all of the time!
kimbacaffeinate
I didn’t know you live there, we lived in Coral Springs for six years 🙂
Jenny
Sounds like this is definitely a hot read Kim! I’m looking forward to the sizzling chemistry, and it’s always a good sign for me when someone says they needed a fan while reading:) Fantastic date!
kimbacaffeinate
hahaha..thanks Jenny 🙂
Chene Sterckx
This books sounds steamy and exciting! I enjoyed the review format too 🙂 Great post Kimba! I have had this series floating in my TBR wishlist for a while.
kimbacaffeinate
thanks Chene 🙂
Aimee
Honestly that blurb scares me. I know this sort of things happen in real life, but I’m not sure I want to read about it! It’s not a topic I would love to get into. Anyway, I’m glad you enjoyed this one! I’ve had Ten Tiny Breaths on my TBR for ages, seeing as everyone loves this series. Although this particular book? I’ll still think about it. Lovely review, Kim!
kimbacaffeinate
thanks Aimee, and I get it 🙂
Siiri
It was definitely hot, romantic and suspenseful (well, until the climax which was so uneventful in my eyes. I hated how the takedown happened since.. so much build up for nothing -.-) I felt for Cain though. I’m so happy that you enjoyed this novel even if it didn’t happen to be one of my favorites. I hope we’ll both enjoy Ben’s book 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Yeah I am curious about Ben 🙂 I hope he makes us both smile 🙂
Felicia the Geeky Blogger
An interesting twist on contemporary romance. It also sounds like it has a bit of suspense in it. I would have never guessed the subject matter though based on the cover.
kimbacaffeinate
Yeah, the covers are all like this..IDK.
kindlemom1
I scanned your review because I didn’t know if it had any spoilers and I haven’t started this series yet but I am so excited to see that 4.5 star review! This is one series I really want to make time for soon because of all the great things I have heard about it.
kimbacaffeinate
No problem Ali, I mostly talk about feels and what synopsis mentions, enjoy!
Jenea
I started this a while back, but sidetracked with another book and pit it down. *kicks self* I will have to change that. Wonderful review. Cain and Charlie sounds amazing together.
kimbacaffeinate
Well pick it back up..LOL
Nick
Great review, Kim. I’ve read the first two books in this series, but it seems like this author is not for me. I have to say though you are tempting me with your review. The couple seem to have great chemistry together. Do you think I would enjoy it if I didn’t like the first two?
kimbacaffeinate
Honestly I do not know Nick, I enjoyed the first book, liked the second and loved this one..I would just grab from the library 🙂
Silvia
Oh, wow! This one sounds promising! I think I’ll check it out, perhaps the whole series… Thanks, Kimberly! 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
welcome Silvia 🙂
Jessica
“boy howdy”
*snorts* I’ve had Ten Tiny Breaths on my TBR forever, so I’m glad that at book 3, the series is still going strong (even improving, it sounds like).
kimbacaffeinate
LOL..are you making fun of me *winks*
Christy
Dammit, this book is the whole reason I started this series in the first place. I need to get my ass in gear and read the 2nd book!
kimbacaffeinate
LOL, they can totally be read as standalone (book 4 is on netgalley now)
Christy
C’mon, Kim, do you know who you’re talking to here? I CAN’T read them out of order even if they can be. lol.
kimbacaffeinate
psst..me either at least not on purpose..but figured I would throw it out there.
Jennifer Bielman
Was the dancing/flirting not the best part?? It was so hot!!! I am happy you loved this one as much as me. The romance is slow but so worth it.
kimbacaffeinate
I loved it Jennifer 🙂 I can handle slow-building if it feels genuine and liked the tension 🙂
blodeuedd
…it looks like NA?
kimbacaffeinate
she is 18 and he is not