ARC Review: Smoking Gun by Lainey Lawson

in

The Bunkhouse #1

***May contain spoilers***

***Scroll to the bottom for my rating***

First, I would like to thank @sunnybabepr for selecting me as one of their book influencers. I am incredibly grateful for the chance and opportunity to read and support debut and indie authors. 

Additionally, I would like to thank the Sunny Babe PR team for selecting me as one of the readers of this ARC. Blessing me with such a fun and entertaining read as my first ARC with them (and ever!). Below is my review of Smoking Gun by Lainey Lawson @laineylawsonromance

If you like small-town romance, brother’s best friend tropes, secret relationships, cowboys, friends with benefits, open-door romance, and secret identities, then this book is 100% for you. 

Just graduated from medical school, burnt out, crazy stressed, and avoiding fun and relaxation for far too long, Blythe Farrows takes a trip back to her hometown, begged for by her family. 

In a desperate need to relax and forget about her career for a moment, it is no surprise that the mysterious and sexy-as-sin cowboy, Gage Sterling, helps her do just that. 

With an immediate desire and instant connection, there was no bullsh*t between these two when it came to wanting to f*ck one another. They got to the point, set some rules, and broke every single one of them. 

As the story progressed and Blythe’s stay in Westridge continued, their connection was clear and powerful. Even when finding themselves in life-or-death situations. 

In a typical read for me, the way that Lawson changed up the plot for Gage’s background about ¾ of the way through would have turned me off, but this WORKED. It HIT. I LOVED it. 

It wasn’t entirely unexpected as she expertly hinted about his background building up to that point in the story, and the action that resulted from it was intense and had me wishing I could read at 2x speed. 

Not only did it excite me, but it also took the plot to a new level and somehow made Gage even sexier. Blythe being a powerful, career-driven woman with gumption was a fantastic plus; I mean, who doesn’t love a kickass FMC? But Gage, oh my, the heartthrob, the sexy, the ooze of man, a male main character written for women by a woman. 

Something else that I enjoyed was the spice didn’t take over from the plot. Was it there? Yes. Was it great? Also yes. But it didn’t take away from developing an exciting and plot-driven story. It didn’t overshadow anything, so it was so fun when the scenes happened. Gage and Blythe were their own people and developed a genuine relationship outside the bedroom. 

I was floored by my immediate obsession with this book. I read this story within 24 hours; honestly, it would have been less if I didn’t have to work. 

I loved the side characters, Keanna, Warren, Tripp, and, of course, Heston, and I cannot wait to see them again in whatever Lawson produces next. She is a new instant-buy author for me, for sure. 

If you haven’t guessed already, I am rating Smoking Gun by Lainey Lawson 5 out of 5 stars for the amazingly crafted combination of fun, action, spice, intensity, and plot. Additionally, a 3.5 on the spice scale for the open-door romance and the blush-inducing scenes. 

You better be on the lookout for this debut author because she is about to RISE through the ranks. 

As always, thanks for reading! 💜

Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️.5