Up To Me by M. Leighton Book Review:

Goodreads Book Blurb:

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.

Goodreads Review Link
Genres - Adult/Contemporary Romance/Suspense

The Review:
How disappointing it is to be excited about an upcoming book, wait for its release, immediately get that book the moment its out then drop everything else and start reading that book… just to wonder if I'm reading the book I was anxiously awaiting or did I accidentally stumble onto a poorly written fan fiction? That’s how I felt about Up To Me. After reading the first book in the series, Down To You and its eyebrow-raising cliffy, I was excited to learn there would soon be a book two. I put it on my TBR list and checked and re-checked the release date to make sure I got it the second it was out.

But what happened?

Story/Characters:
In the first book we learn that things with Cash and Nash Davenport aren't as they seem.  A dark tragedy has visited the Davenport family, leaving it shattered. Olivia Townsend stumbles across the brothers and finds herself drawn to them, each for different reasons. But her history with bad boys keeps her from giving herself fully to either one. Book two picks up right where book one left off. The circumstances surrounding the tragedy of the Davenport family comes full circle when history tries to repeat itself and the bad guys are coming, fully intent on cleaning house and taking prisoners!  Olivia, having come to terms with her bad boy anxiety, decides Cash is worth the risk and they head into this adventure creating lots of steamy scenes and the possibility of a heart-throbbing romance.

The whole idea of where this story could go was what drew me in and had me excited for the second book. But what fails to happen, is the grand adventure I was expecting. The author bogs the reader down with Olivia’s inner prattle about whether she should really fall for the bad boy again or if she should cut her losses and run. It was a repeat from the first book. Her constant drivel was in EVERY chapter, paragraph and sentence. Even during the apex of the story, she was blubbering to herself about whether or not she could love her bad boy! Seriously? I think she had more crucial things to worry about than if her feelings would get hurt or if Cash was going to go riding off into the sunset with the next busty blond to cross his path. Her insecurities and jealousy were a HUGE turn off. And if that wasn't bad enough, she made the classic idiotic 80’s movie mistake that all females made before Hollywood reduced their bra size and gave them a brain and backbone. You NEVER ride off on your own! Ugg!

The plot kept getting lost in all the ramblings and hesitancy of Olivia and Cash. There was no character growth at all from book one to book two.

Also, I want to bring up that fact that the author tried to redeem Marissa towards the end of this story so she can be a lead in book three. This.Did.NOT.WORK! The author did such a great job of making you dislike her character in book one that her complete one-eighty and her “ah-ha” moment meant nothing to me. I have no desire to read a romance between her and anyone, especially between her and Nash who I immediately disliked in this book. If I pick up book three, it will only be because I’d like to know how the story ends, but I won’t be waiting, counting the days for its release.

Pass me a Save, Please!
What saved this book from getting fewer stars was Cash! That man was OMG Yummy! From his confident swagger and all out commando heroics to his fantasy-perfect bedroom talk, he was what kept me turning the pages. In book one, I fell in love with his cocky, man-tastic charms, and they were doubly delicious in this book. The sexy was amped up and was very much appreciated! I will be having some jaw-dropping fantasies staring Cash Davenport and I have NO PROBLEMS with that ;)

Also, I loved the addition of Gavin. He was super hot and I would LOVE to see him in a future book with his own story. The author gave him a well of background and character development to draw from to lead his own story. Oh and did I mention he was HOT?!? Just saying...

The Wrap Up:
*Insert Sad Face Here…* I wish this book had of lived up to my expectations but it just didn’t. It lacked story and it lacked character growth. AND, it left off with another cliffy which I wouldn’t have minded except the change in lead characters in book three isn’t one I’m excited to read.