ARC Review: Racing the Sun by Karina Halle

“Color me happy because I loved this hero. Yes, maybe it’s the Italian playboy thing, or maybe the fact he rides a fast bike, but he pushed most of my buttons.” ~ Under the Covers

I was sold on this story from the moment Karina Halle announced she would be traveling to Italy to do the research for this story. That’s my hometown! I had to see what she did with it. I am pleased to find that Ms. Halle captured the true essence of Italy and the people, without shoving the stereotype easily found everywhere else down our throats.

Now onto the story. We meet Amber in WHERE SEA MEETS SKY, she’s the heroine’s cousin traveling around the world from the US. You can tell she has some issues at home and then there’s the fact she sort of developed a crush on the hero of that book. We know how that ends up. So she continues her travels alone, and ends up in Italy. At first, I couldn’t wrap my head around the fact this woman was traveling alone and quite literally without money. She’s run out of funds and her parents are not sending her any more and she finds herself stuck in Italy without a way to even buy her return ticket home. My brain cells couldn’t cope!

So she has to take on a job in order to save up money to leave before her visa expires and that’s where she meets brooding (to everyone but her it seems) Desiderio Larosa. Color me happy because I loved this hero. Yes, maybe it’s the Italian playboy thing, or maybe the fact he rides a fast bike, but he pushed most of my buttons. 😉 I can definitely say the hero of this story was the best part for me. He’s struggling with so many things that I don’t want to get into so I don’t spoil the story. It was really nice to see him get to a point where he could start healing.

Amber on the other hand I found a bit immature for my taste. See my previous issue above. But her attitude at times was a bit childish and got on my nerves. Their romance however developed nice and steady. Nothing too rushed. But an immediate sizzle that quietly grew to explosive. Something Ms. Halle knows how to write well.

As much angst as these two could pack in their romance, it was an entertaining read once it got going. A bit slow for me to start and get into it. I would’ve liked to see a better ending, it all sort of rushed to a conclusion after a problem was thrown in. I didn’t buy that quick resolution.

We’ve been on a wild ride with these characters and their adventures around the world. Although I still prefer LOVE, IN ENGLISH to this new series, there is one thing I have come to love. Being totally transported to another place. A place you may have always wanted to explore. And these books can give you that. All in a quaint and romantic way. Even if they carry a bit of unnecessary angst to go along with them. I am looking forward to seeing what this series will bring next.