Review: Untouched by Jerri Drennen

Untouched by Jerri Drennen

Publisher: Liquid Silver Books
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Heat Rating: 3

Blurb

Botanist Madeline Wentworth is relieved to be heading into the Amazon, far from the university and the vicious rumors circulating about her failed love affair. But on arriving in Peru, her team finds their guide dead with a small puncture wound to his neck. Waiting to replace him is Travis Kane, Amazon guide, treasure hunter, and superhunk. Mattie is instantly attracted but uncomfortably suspicious. When a member of her team falls ill and a similar puncture wound is found on his body, her suspicions deepen.

Travis has stuck with being a jungle guide for over ten years despite a run of unsavory clients. The rain forest is full of hidden ruins and undiscovered treasure, and he’s determined to find his share. But when his grandfather dies, leaving a letter boasting of Templar gold, he’s sure it's nothing more than an old man’s delusion. Everything changes when he finds his grandfather’s map. With high hopes, he leads Mattie’s team into the rain forest and finds himself overwhelmed by the beautiful blonde. When the group is attacked and has to fight its way out of the jungle, Travis discovers something more precious than gold--the love of a woman who’s made him want to be a better man.


Hunter's Review

The premise of this book made me think it would be a really exciting read. I was looking forward to a lot of adventure, action, and romance. Although the pace does pick up eventually, the beginning of the book drags. The author throws a lot of characters into the fray all at once and I found myself losing track of who was doing what. I understand why this happened, this is the first book in a new series the author is writing, Men of the Jungle, and perhaps she wanted us to get to know future characters in future books, but I found it frustrating.

It takes a long time for our hero and heroine to meet. Mattie is a great character and I really liked her—she reminded me of someone I would want to be friends with in real life. Travis is not all that likable in the beginning, kind of whiney, kind of selfish but he quickly morphs into a very wonderful hero. I thought when they were together Mattie and Travis had great chemistry.

I think readers will find this first book in the new series to be entertaining and a good look into a well-researched, thorough book from a talented author.

3 Tea Cups!