That’s not good news for local lawyer Cal Whaley. Though the sexually open but strictly monogamous Cal has loved Jules for a long time, he’s hardly ever taken it further than friendship. When he sees her start to fall for Gideon, he knows he has to make his move or risk losing her forever.
Who would have anticipated that all three of them would connect on such an intimate level? The trio’s scalding liaisons take them places they’ve never dreamed. But such an intensely passionate and unusual relationship comes with equally as complicated emotions, and when Jules must suddenly leave town, she wonders if she’ll have a choice to make when she returns
~~
I liked Tart but I have to say that it's probably not my favorite Dane novel. I think that while I liked the family, the relationship, and for the most part how each of the main characters interacted with the world, I couldn't get over how everything started.
It's a bit spoiler-y, but come on. Why would Jules be ok with Cal just coming up and kissing her after she'd been with Gideon for a while? Yes she goes straight to Gideon and tells him what happened, but it all seemed a little strange to me. Add in the fact that it felt so sudden, the chapters go from Cal's point of view talking about how he doesn't want to ruin the friendship he and Jules has, to suddenly kissing her in an alley, and I just couldn't quite let go of the 'WTF' feeling.
I would have to say though that if you can let go of any concerns about how the relationship initiates, the rest of the book reads pretty well. Don't expect Gideon to be anything less than perfect and with his balance between Cal and Jules things progress between the three of them without many issues. Their families aren't always as accommodating, but that's a truth that Dane has never shied away from. Sometimes people suck and sometimes they do things that hurt you for what is seemingly no reason. It's a crappy situation to be in and I'm just thankful that eventually Jules stood up for herself enough to tell those people to suck it.
It's a good addition to the series, and a great way to stay connected to the Brown siblings, but I would give this book more of an ok (but that's kind of because the rest her work is awesome so keep that in mind?).
Overall Feeling - B-
Series - 1) Cherished (duology) 2) Tart 3) Lush (April 2013)
