The One That Got Away by Kelly Hunter

Why I read it: I picked this up from NetGalley.  I'm fast becoming a major fan of Kelly Hunter.

What it's about:  (from Goodreads) Good job? Tick. Newly purchased apartment? Tick. Evie's life is on a pretty even keel at the moment. The only thing missing? A man with an edge to keep things interesting. Enter Logan Black. Tortured, distant and sexy, Logan has edge written all over him. He's also the man who tipped Evie over the edge a few years back - she gave him everything, but he didn't know when to stop taking. Leaving Logan was the hardest thing Evie's ever done. Until now. Because Logan's back, the chemistry is as blistering as ever, and this time he's not going anywhere...

What worked for me (and what didn't): Really, she had me at "tortured".  I have a weakness for a tortured hero and the reason for his distance was so damn honorable too!  In a nutshell, Logan's father was an abusive, controlling, violent piece of work and Logan is terrified that he's just like him.  So he doesn't like to feel too much or get too close.  He doesn't - won't -  trust himself. But Evie makes him feel.  Makes him want to get close.  The tension is delicious.

Evie and Logan first met over 10 years earlier and spent a passionate week together.  And then it all went to custard and they went their separate ways.  When they meet again unexpectedly, the sparks fly. And Logan especially, is not happy:

"...We could do polite, and civil. We could come to like it that way.’

‘Watching you hang off my brother’s arm doesn’t make me feel civilised, Evangeline. It makes me want to break things.’
 

Ah.

He doesn't want to deal with her at all.  He just wants her gone.

Evie eyed Logan steadily. ‘Would you like us to build you an innovative, high-profile civic centre?’ 

‘I wouldn’t employ you to build me a bookshelf.’

However, the connection between he and Evie is so very strong and magnetic that good intentions don't count for much.  And, Evie is much more mature than when they first met all those years ago and assures him that she's got it handled and asks him to give her a week. 

Despite his better judgement, Logan keeps going back for more.  And, eventually, he finds belief in himself, in his own intrinsic honour  and allows old wounds to heal - enough to give in and let Evie into his heart. *happy sigh*

I guess I was expecting a lighter funny sexy story but this is edgy and gritty and angsty.  Not what I was expecting at all.  But in a totally good way.  Both Evie and Logan like an edge of pain to their pleasure and that lack of control terrified Logan enough in the beginning to have him heading for the hills.  It's a storyline you don't read in category romance all that often IMO.  While the bondage/pain play was mostly just hinted at (more's the pity!), it added an extra dimension to the story and an extra layer to Logan's angst. 

What else? Evie's business partner (and Logan's brother) Max is starting up an interesting relationship with electrical subcontractor Kit - I really want to read that story.  Can I please?  Pretty please?  *batts eyelashes*

Grade:  B+