Book ~ "The Promise of Paradise" (2013) Allie Boniface

From Goodreads ~ Ashton Kirk, youngest daughter of a prestigious senator, fiancee of a hotshot attorney and fresh Harvard graduate, is headed for a promising law career when scandal breaks apart her family. To escape, she rents an apartment in the sleepy town of Paradise, NH, where no one knows who she is.

Ashton hopes for solitude, but all bets are off when Eddie West, the town’s most eligible bachelor, moves in downstairs. Eddie likes his women and his cars shiny, sleek, and fast, and when he meets his new housemate, he wastes no time getting friendly. While he's looking for a no-strings romance, though, he gets more than he bargained for in Ash, who sees through his bravado to the pain of a loss too fresh to mention.

Can two people from different worlds find common ground, a place to fall in love and build a future? Is it possible to find your soul mate in the place you least expect?

Ash's father, a vice-president hopeful, recently allegedly got caught in a car with coke, a hooker and breathalyser reading saying he was drunk.  Plus her boyfriend of three years broke up with her to be with someone else.  Ash needs to get away and have some space so runs to Paradise, NH.  She sublets the apartment on the top floor of a house and gets a job as a server in a jazz bar.

Eddie is a mechanic who is running away from his own demons.  He was in an accident three years ago that killed his younger brother.  He moves into the bottom apartment of the house the same day as Ash.

Near the curb, engine still running and rock music bellowing from the speakers, idled a red pickup truck. White and yellow flames danced along both sides. Bending over the tailgate was a broad, bare, definitely male back. Yow. No wonder Jen looked like she was about to start drooling. Even one floor up, Ash could trace the outline of nearly every muscle in his arms and back. A bright red and yellow king cobra tattoo curled around his left triceps. Wavy brown hair fell across the sides of his face. His jeans, faded in all the right places, sat low on his hips. Ash squinted harder and ran one hand over her hair.

Oh God. They still make men who look like that?

“Turn around, please,” Jen commanded under her breath. As if he’d heard her, he straightened up, biceps flexing as he hauled two large boxes from the back of the truck and turned up into the sidewalk. Her sidewalk. He looked up, and Ash’s heart dove into her stomach. A neatly trimmed goatee underscored a crooked nose. He flashed a smile and winked.

“Hey,” he called up. “You live here?”

Jen nodded and jabbed a thumb in Ash’s direction. “She does.”

“I’m Eddie West. Movin’ in today.” It was hard to hear him over the noise of the truck’s humming engine and the music. Ash watched his mouth move instead.

“Need any help?” Jen asked.

Eddie shook his head. “Nah. I’ve just got a couple of boxes to bring in. The rest is coming tomorrow. But thanks.” He continued up the sidewalk.

Jen cupped her hands around her mouth and yelled down. “Come up later, if you want.”

Ash elbowed her. “What are you doing?”

Eddie backpedaled and nodded, grinning wider. As he disappeared from their view, the heavy front door creaked open and, after a few seconds, thudded shut behind him.

Jen straightened up. “See? I told you he’d be good-looking.” She rolled her eyes. “He’s beyond good-looking, Ash.” She fell back against the railing, hands to heart in a dramatic pantomime. “He’s perfect.”

Sparks fly between Ash and Eddie right away.  But Ash is hiding a secret from everyone in the town, including Eddie ... who she really is.  How will Eddie react when he finds out who she really is and that she has been keeping this from him?

I liked this book and the writing style ... it's a quick read.  I liked Ash and Eddie ... though attracted, they start out by hanging out together, sharing supper and some beer and watching baseball on TV.  Eddie finds and adopts a kitty and names him Tiny ... gotta love a guy who love kitties!  Paradise sounds like a nice small town to live in.

I'd recommend it if you are looking for a cute romance.  As a head's up, the language is mature at times.