M. Leighton, Up to Me - Review

 M. Leighton - Up to me (The Bad Boys #2)

Happily ever after doesn’t come easy. But for love, it’s always worth the fight.

Olivia finds bliss unlike any she’s ever known in Cash’s arms. He sets her skin on fire and melts her heart right inside her chest. Unfortunately, their happily ever after is short-lived when a shadow from Cash’s past threatens to turn their world upside down.

Dangerous people from his father’s world have discovered that Cash holds information that could put them away for a very long time. And they’re willing to do anything—and hurt anybody—to get it back. Giving it up means Cash must choose between the life of his father and the life of Olivia.

Having nearly overcome her wariness of bad boys, Olivia’s trust is shaken when this new threat arises. Now she finds that Cash is not only a danger to her heart, but his family has associations that are a danger to her life as well. She soon discovers that there are some situations in life where trust is a girl’s only option. And this is one of them. If she’s to live, she must trust Cash with her life. But to Olivia, that’s much, much easier than letting go and trusting him with her heart.

Please note that is you haven't read the first book in the series 'Down to You' this book will not make much sense, this series is amazing and both books deserve a read. 

If words could knock you up, I'd be pregnant with twins...

This book continues literally where Down To You finishes, and let me say I couldn't wait to get stuck right back into the story because I am a Bad Boys addict, well and truly and I am not ashamed to admit it. In fact I would proudly announce it on badge. 

"She still thinks I’m one of her typical bad boy mistakes. Vaguely, I wonder if I’ll ever be able to do enough or say enough or show her enough that I’m not like that. At least not in the ways that count. Or will she always compare me to them? If she does, she’ll always find similarities. But will she see the differences? And will they be enough"

Just like the first book this contains one of my favorite features of a books, alternative point of views. I always feel that this gives the story line and characters much more depth and I enjoy hearing the inner dialogue from both POV's. 

This story almost immediately leads into a huge twist and let me just say it could not have been a better one, I am not going to reveal the twist here purely because I feel it will take away the impact of it for people who have yet to read it. 

“Can you trust me? Please! I know I’ve not given you many reasons to, but this one time, just go with your heart. I promise you, promise you, I won’t let you down.”

This book carries on with Olivia and Cash trying to make a go at a relationship; Olivia has to overcome her distrust of 'bad boys' and Cash has to learn how to be in a committed relationship that isn't all about hot and heavy moments between the sheets . . . or you know against the wall. Although moments like that are greatly appreciated. 

“Do me a favor,” he whispers, curling my fingers over the back of his and bringing them to his mouth. “What?” His eyes never leave mine as he brushes his lips over my knuckles. “Dream of me tonight,” he says softly. He watches me, waiting for a response. I have no words, so I simply nod. He doesn’t need to know that no one else occupies my dreams. No one. “Dream of my lips, teasing you.” Straightening one of my fingers, he kisses the tip. His voice is like velvet and his words are like an aphrodisiac. “Dream of my tongue, tasting you.” His tongue sneaks out to flick the end of my finger. A surge of desire rocks my core. “And I’ll dream of you. Of what it feels like to be inside your warm, wet body.” 

I love this series because they contain everything I adore! Love, action, banter that caused me to   laugh so much I got very strange looks in Starbucks and enough steamy scenes to fuel a fire. M. Leighton knows how to write a good sex scene, if she where to have super powers this would be here's I can almost hear kindle's sizzling all around the world. It is safe to say I am a huge Cash Junkie, in fact I think he should be in a committed relationship with me.

“If I tell you ‘I love you’ it’s because I mean it, not because it’s an expected response.” Did he tell me he loves me? Or did he tell me that if he loved me, he’d mean it? Or was he just giving me some background on his I love you M.O.? 

In a perfect world Cash would be anyone's ideal mean, especially mine. He is just the right amount of bad and sexy that will cause panties to drop around the nation. 

"It's only been a few hours and all I can think about is the way you taste, the way you feel wrapped around me. When you're so hot and so ready. So wet, "he murmurs against my mouth.

I also really enjoyed getting to know Gain, let's call him my second boyfriend (a girl could always do with more then one, especially when they are fictional). He is a former mercenary and straight up hotness machine with an Australian accent and  being someone that Cash trusts completely there are some hilarious scenes where is is trying to take care of Olivia. Personally I think he could do with his own book, possibly with a nice girl friend called Fern. . .  perfect story line. 

Olivia and Cash really do make a good couple, even with all the trust issues and life and death situations you can tell they are just meant to be together. They certainly face some huge hurdles in their battle for happily ever after but I love watching them get there.  

This series is well worth you time and I am eagerly awaiting book three in the series, YES you heard me right there will be a third book.

4.5/5