I Do...Or Die

“Always a bridesmaid, never a bride” is Shelby Atwood's personal credo. She’s managed to avoid commitment all her life – no pets, no plants, not even a long-term lease. Heck, she’s had colds last longer than her romantic relationships. How could she be any other way when she has a gigolo for a father?

But then gunfire erupts at the latest wedding she’s agreed to be in, and it ends up being the best thing to happen to Shelby’s love life. Detective Ryan Nichols is assigned to the case, and when the shootings don’t stop, he becomes her 24-hour bodyguard. Shelby wouldn’t mind except Ryan is too appealing, too sexy, and too happy to remind her of the raucous bachelorette party when she mistook him for a stripper.

Shelby’s plan is simple: find the shooter, have a fling with Ryan, and return to her non-committal life. Unfortunately, the shooter is very elusive. Shelby’s feelings for Ryan are way more than adrenaline-fueled lust. And returning to her normal life is now impossible since, despite her lifelong resistance, she’s managed to put her heart smack dab in the line of fire.

*May Contain Spoilers*

The humor is high and the risk of being shot is too high not to laugh about in Donna Cummings' novel, I Do... or Die. This contemporary romance is full of quick wit and sexual banter, it had me reading as fast as possible. I may have stopped for dinner, but I doubt it. 

Shelby is a passionate main character who has a thriving love for the opposite sex, just as long as he's not dreaming of a relationship. She's an honest, trustworthy, outgoing, and out-spoken young lady whose father's occupation (male gigolo) has her running for the hills when it comes to real love. Readers will absolutely adore her quirky personality, defense-mechanism humor, and how quickly she's ready to fall for the right guy. Cause, honestly, aren't we all just searching for that cute detective that makes us forget our mortality?

Cummings keeps the plot rolling with various close calls when it comes to Shelby's lifespan. Though the mystery of the novel seems to get lost in the lust between Shelby and Mister Detective. (I don't think the readers will mind too much!) I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and the extended ending where readers actually get a sneak peek at the 'happily-ever-after.' Definitely recommended for mature readers who like a little mystery with their mischievous romance. 

Rating: 4/5 Cups

I Do . . . Or Die (Crimson Romance)