Into The Night Book Reviews: Blog Tour - Review: Off the Record by Sawyer Bennett

Welcome to our stop on the Off the Record blog tour! If that cover isn't enough to just make you sigh then you seriously need to read this one. Linc Caldwell is to die for and Off the Record is absolutely gorgeous (kind of like the honey on the cover!!)

Title: Off the Record

Author: Sawyer Bennett

Release date: June 11, 2013

Publisher: Big Dog Books

Age Group: New Adult

Genre: Contemporay Romance

Tour organized by: AToMR Tours

The sparks of dislike burn hot, but the sparks of mutual attraction burn even hotter.
Ever Montgomery suffered the ultimate betrayal by the one man who she should have been able to count on for anything. It has left her hurt, jaded and incapable of forming relationships, but it also means that she can spot a liar a mile away. These traits are earning her a reputation as a reporter with a keen nose for a good story and a complete understanding of the extreme power of the written word.
Lincoln Caldwell, is the hot goalie for the New York Rangers. At twenty-four and a rising star, he works hard and he plays even harder. He’s gorgeous and carefree—the ultimate charmer. Ladies fall at his feet and the single life has never been lived the way Linc Caldwell does it.
When Ever publishes an article about Linc containing information that she received off the record, she finds herself on the receiving end of the athelete’s fury. Rather than basking in the glory of exposing Linc as a shameless user of women, she finds herself at his mercy when he demands and receives retribution. Required by her editor to trail Linc for six weeks, Ever is forced to look at the real Linc Caldwell.
And she just might find that she has misjudged him.

Off the Record by Sawyer Bennett is a beautiful love story. There is no love triangle, there is no 'drama' to be uncovered that drastically impacts the characters, there is just human nature, life experience and the consequence these have for how we relate to others. Having read a number of books lately with a slightly dark or bleak nature to the story line it was an absolute delight to get lost in a sweet story about two people discovering each other and taking the risk that is falling in love.

Ever Montgomery is reporter looking to launch her career. She's also a woman with some trust issues when it comes to men, and not without good reason. When she interviews Linc Caldwell, goalie for the New York Rangers there is an unmistakeable spark between the two and for all intents and purposes the interview goes really well. But a series of events shortly after the interview hit some buttons for Ever and raise her ire, which has serious consequences for the story she writes about Linc. Ever commits the ultimate journalistic sin ... she doesn't check her facts and she publishes an 'off the record' comment. Linc's reaction is swift and to avoid a law suit, Ever must spend six weeks shadowing Linc so that she can write a new story about him. His purpose is to prove to Ever her initial assessment was incorrect ... her captivating blue eyes and quick wit have nothing to do with him wanting to spend time with her ... much!

The storyline is not complex, you are not constantly questioning motives or wondering at the impact certain events will have later. It is straightforward, but don't interpret that as boring. The interactions between Ever and Linc are delightful to read. Linc goes about his life as a professional athlete and it does not take Ever long to realise she has judged him way to quickly. There are a number of peripheral characters in the story, Linc and Ever's family members primarily along with a couple of friends, but the focus is very much on the two and their six weeks together. There are some steamy love scenes and Bennett also highlights the very important issue of volunteerism and the contribution these amazing people make following disastrous events like tornadoes.

I really enjoyed Off the Record. It was a quick read that left me feeling warm and positive at the end. If you're looking for something light to fill an afternoon of reading I would encourage you to pick up Off the Record. It is book three in the “Off Series”, but I had not read any of the other books in the series and that did not effect my enjoyment/understanding of the story - it is a stand alone read. There is a fourth book in the series scheduled for release in August (Off Course) and I'll be adding that, along with the other books in the series, to my TBR.

4 out of 5 stars

Sawyer Bennett is the pen name for a snarky southern woman and reformed trial lawyer who decided to finally start putting on paper all of the stories that were floating in her head. She is married to a mobster (well, a market researcher) and they have two big, furry dogs who hog the bed. Sawyer would like to report she doesn't have many weakness but can be bribed with a nominal amount of milk chocolate.