I wanted to like this better than I did but I just couldn't like the heroine. The hero wanted to treat her with respect but she kept making him treat her basically like a whore by refusing to accept anything else from him. Consequently the sex scenes while hot enough left me feeling kind of icky. I don't know why he fell in love with her since she made him feel bad about himself. Yes she had a miserable back story and she had flashes of kindness mostly to his son but she was just cold and unyielding. The three stars are for the quality of the writing and for the hero's relationship with his sone. ( )

4.5 stars.

Between the Sheets by Molly O'Keefe is an intense, heartbreaking and poignant novel that is also insanely hot and incredibly passionate. In this third installment of her marvelous Boys of Bishop series, neighbors Shelby Monroe and Wyatt "Ty" Svenson's first meeting is a bit contentious. However, they easily set aside their differences for the sake of Ty's troubled son, Casey. What they find impossible to resist is their sizzling attraction to one another, but when Ty wants more from Shelby than explosive sex, her troubled past makes it virtually impossible for her commit to a real relationship.

Shelby is a likable character but she is so closed off that getting to know her takes a lot of grit and determination. Everything she is, everything she does, stems from her dysfunctional and abusive childhood. Peeling back her many layers is painful and watching her try to cope with her mother's worsening Alzheimer's is beyond heartbreaking. Shelby does not lack sexual experience but since she has never had a serious relationship, she is rather awkward when it comes to flirting and dating. Even after a very public sex scandal, no one sees Shelby as anything but sweet, prim and proper. So the fact that she uses rough, angry sex to cope with her frustrations comes as a huge shock.

Ty is a former bad boy who is struggling to be a good dad to his newly discovered son. Moving to Bishop is supposed to be a clean slate for both of them, but eleven year old Casey continues to act out and Ty is fighting his old urge to run from his problems. Ty is clearly out of his element with Casey but he does not allow his discomfort deter him from trying to get through to his emotionally damaged son.

While Ty is clearly surprised by Shelby's aggressive approach to sex, he is an eager participant. Their sex scenes are raw and gritty and there is very little tenderness between them. Both use sex as their release valve and escape from real life, but Ty wants more from their encounters than Shelby but she quickly shuts down his efforts to get to know her. Ty definitely gives more to the relationship than Shelby and no matter how many times she pushes him away, he never gives up hope that things will work out between them.

Between the Sheets is an emotional, complicated and messy romance that is unique and engrossing. Ty and Shelby are complex, vibrantly developed characters whose smoldering attraction leads to fiery, explicitly detailed sex scenes. It is another powerful novel of love and healing by Molly O'Keefe that old and new fans of the Boys of Bishop series do not want to miss.
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Good book about two people who found healing in each other's arms. Ty was new to Bishop, looking for a place to settle and raise the son he just found out about. Ty had a rough childhood and youth and spent years trying to outrun the memories of the mistakes he'd made. He felt completely inadequate as a father and struggled to connect with Casey, but was determined to do the best he could. His way of relaxing and de-stressing was to work on the motorcycle he was refurbishing, and he frequently lost track of time working late into the night. That came to a screeching end when his neighbor showed up to chew him out about the noise.

Shelby has lived in Bishop all her life. She spent her childhood under the thumb of her abusive, narcissistic father, who hid his abuse behind his role as a spiritual leader. He did his best to destroy her self-worth and that of her mother. Shelby survived by closing herself off to all emotion and keeping people at a distance. Since her father's death, Shelby's mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. Unwilling or unable to ask for help, Shelby hid behind a cool and unruffled façade while feeling overwhelmed by her life. Ty's arrival turned that safe life on its head.

I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Ty and Shelby, even though I frequently wanted to shake her. Their first meeting was very antagonistic, as Shelby's uptight attitude rubbed Ty the wrong way. He was surprised to discover that she was Casey's art teacher at school, and the only one willing to help his troubled son. While meeting to discuss Casey's needs, there was no denying the attraction that flared between them. While Ty wanted to date and get to know her, Shelby was only interested in a physical relationship, and a secret one at that. The more time Ty spent with her, the more he realized that he wanted more. I ached for Ty as every attempt he made to get closer to her was shut down. There were times I wanted to shake Shelby for not opening her eyes to what Ty offered her, but I also hurt for her belief that she was incapable of loving anyone. She very nearly succeeded in pushing Ty so far away that they couldn't recover. It took a crisis with her mother for Shelby to realize that she wanted to change and that Ty was the one who could help her do it.

Another vital part of the story was the relationship between Ty and Casey. They struggled so much in the beginning. Casey went through so much during his early years, with a drug-addicted and negligent mother. His desperation was obvious in the way that he searched for Ty. Though Ty was shocked and overwhelmed, I loved his determination to be the best father he could. I hurt for Casey, who found it difficult to believe that happiness could last and self-sabotaged when things went well. I loved how Ty's consistent presence in his life helped Casey realize that he could trust Ty. Ty's support of Casey over the fight at school was a turning point in their relationship, and I loved how they began to connect better during Casey's suspension. The part involving the bike auction was heartbreaking for Ty as he got a good look at what Casey's early life was like. I loved how he immediately took steps to change things because of it.

I loved the epilogue and seeing the progress that all three made toward giving and accepting love in their lives. Ty's surprise for Shelby was pretty sweet, as was the help of all their friends. ( )

3.5 stars

"The past is never dead. It's not even past. “ William Faulkner

Ty has just moved to Bishop with his teenage son, who he didn't even know existed until a few months ago, and is working to make a go at their relationship, settling in a new town, curbing his wanderlust and life in general. One evening a neighbor lady stops by to complain about his noisy habit of working on motorcycles until the wee hours. It's about the furthest you can get from love at first sight. However, when Ty gets called to the school to pick up his frequently in trouble son, lo and behold there is the neighbor lady, also the school's art teacher, and she is one of the few in the room sticking up for his son. Here starts the interaction and relationship between Ty and the neighbor art teacher, Shelby.

Shelby's story and background is completely saddening. She grew up in a house where her farther tried daily to break her down physically and emotionally and when she escaped into herself by deadening her emotions, he focused on her mother. Her father is dead now but her mother is also in the middle stages of Alzheimer's disease. Every day is a struggle for Shelby and when Ty walks in her door, she sees him as the perfect stress reliever. Their relationship starts off as escapism through sex, some steamy angry sex scenes here folks. Eventually, Ty starts to develop deeper feelings for Shelby and grows tired of feeling used. Shelby not knowing how to accept, understand, or express her feelings for Ty pushes him away, even as she wants to cling to him.

This story, with its characters and themes, was almost too real; it's not easy to read. The author does an amazing job of crafting incredible backgrounds, thought, feelings, and emotions for Ty and Shelby. At times, however, I almost felt like I was reading a story about Shelby and Ty, but separately. The relationship aspect takes a hit because of all the issues Shelby and Ty are dealing with; there really is not a lot of time left over for them. There is also an added story thread dealing with an exboyfriend of Shelby's that could have just been left out, the woman is dealing with enough already and it didn't really add anything to the story.

The writing and pace is good and with this being the third in The Boys of Bishop series, past characters make an appearance but never overwhelm the story and in fact, make me want to go back and visit their stories. Like I said, this is a heavier read but Shelby's past pain and increasingly declining mother coupled with Ty's ongoing struggle to connect with his son make for, while a daunting read, it is also an emotional read guaranteed to remain in your thoughts after you've put the book down.
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Wow! A powerfully gripping story of two battered souls struggling through life's curveballs. Incredibly well written, Molly O'Keefe delivers another amazing story in her Boys of Bishop series. Each of these books can easily be read standalone but I recommend you read all of them. All written with very true to life plots that show that with a little faith we can all find happy. I highly recommend this and all the series books. ( )