Crazy for You by Rachel Lacey.......5 MAGICAL STARS!! As always, Rachel Lacey has written a magical story that we the readers become part of and feel all the emotions. I loved these two, Emma a good girl and Ryan a bad boy, what a perfect couple. I know when I pick up a book by Rachel Lacey I am in for a treat with a 5 star read. I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book from publisher via NetGalley.

Full disclosure ~ I was first drawn to this book just because of the title. It made me reminiscent ( yes, I found myself humming Madonna's song) and it took me to a happy place. So, I wasn't too surprised when this story took me to a happy place. It's a wonderful combination of the friends to lovers, brothers best friend/best friends little sister, and the reformed bad boy tropes. The central characters, Emma and Ryan, have a long history and a strong connection, with some new found feelings to contend with. The push and pull between them is delectable and made me positively giddy.

Emma Rush, alone save Ryan and her new circle of friends, is at a bit of a crossroads. She's after shaking things up and is looking for a bad boy to help her achieve her goal. She's dating via Tinder which does nothing but irk Ryan. Watching these two move from old family friends to a lot more is a lot of fun. The story is well paced with Emma and Ryan getting under each others skin and begin to forge something neither are looking for. They face the standard challenges and a few unique ones brought about by old expectations and new goals.

Crazy For You was my introduction to Rachel Laceys' books and I simply loved it and happily consider myself a new fan. The circle of friends in Haven; Gabby & Ethan, Mandy, and Jessica add so much to the as the ladies wreak havoc and challenge the men. Lacey writing is smooth and the dialogue makes the characters come to life. Emma and Ryan's story really gave me the warm fuzzies - a definite 5 star read and one I'd recommend.

Received in exchange for a honest review.
Love Ryan. He is protective and kind. He changed from his teen self. He also takes his promise to his best friend seriously. It takes him time and almost losing the girl he loves to see that the promise to protect his sister can be morphed into love that protects as well.
Emma is the little sister of Ryan’s best friend Derek. Derek is a fallen soldier and before he left Ryan promised to watch over Emma. Now Emma is grown and about to leave town. She is following a dream of going to college and never look back. Before she goes though she decides to see if Ryan likes her as she likes him. She decides to walk on the wild side. For Ryan he has always stayed away from Emma because of a promise and because he thought she deserved better them him.
These two were wonderful. Ryan was overprotective and sweet. He also was more grounded and becoming more of an adult. He and his friends started a business and were making a success at it. He tried hard not to act on his attraction for Emma but when she makes it her goal to get him it works. And we are entertained with some fun and sexy times. I hated watching ryan with his half brothers parents and how they made him feel. So wrong of them Ryan wasn’t what they thought he was and they judged him on his reaction when his mom died and he was eleven. He was reacting to the death and being without a parent. they took it as him not being saved because he was like his mom and walked away. they even went as far as to keep his half brother from his life. So when his half brother finds him it is bitter sweet and he is just as loving and protective of him as he is of Emma. He also tries to keep him from going down the path he did. but he realizes with Emma’s help that his brother needs to learn on his own and follow his heart. But this is it seems almost too late not sure yet.
With Emma he helps her open up and try things. He helps her escape and view the world differently. He supports and encourages her. He loves her and wants her to follow her goals and to do this he does something incredibly sweet and stupid. I hated to see them both be stubborn and in pain for they were perfect for each other. He opens her up and she helps him calm more and find peace with himself. She helps him see he is good enough and can love her and live up to his promise to her brother.
The story is sweet and endearing, sexy and entertaining. The characters are fun and flirty but also sexy and wonderful. I love how Emma sees that her goals and dreams have changed but she can still achieve all she wanted in the past and now without losing herself or love. a great nicely paced romance

OMG …. excessive #feels people *sigh*

Honestly you guys, there wasn’t anything in this story that stood out but at the same time, everything did. It’s your typical best-friend’s little sister trope. Written a million times before. But Rachel Lacey‘s style just made it fresh and happy. Your heart will definitely sing with this one. The story was so romantic and the progression in Emma and Ryan’s relationship was real and tangible. When I was reading, I felt like I was in the story and they were a part of my life. The town and the people that Rachel Lacey has created with this series gets better and better with each book. This is only book two in this series, but something tells me there are going to be quite a few to come! 🙂

Emma has had feelings stronger than friendship for Ryan forever. Life happens and circumstances come about that they decide to scratch that itch finally with a friends with benefits deal. (Because that always works well … bwahahahahah)

This was really a simple, easy, romantic journey of two people meant to be. There’s really nothing not to like about the book lol

Copy provided for blog tour review

This is book two in the Risking It All series and I admit that I have not read the first book in this series. You don't have to read the first one to understand this one.

Crazy For you is a fun and sweet story that I very much enjoyed. I liked the story and enjoyed the chemistry between Emma and Ryan. It was HOT!!

I am going to be adding the first book on my to buy list and I can't wait to get my hands on the next book.

I give Crazy for You by Rachel Lacey a 4 out of 5.

This is another light-hearted story from Rachel Lacey and this has got to be up there with my top ten books of the year so far. Fun, exciting and sexy all at the same time.

I was so excited to read book 2 in the Risking It All series! I adored the first two books (.5 and 1) but I LOVED this one even more. Maybe it's because I really related to good girl Emma? She reminded me so much of myself! Ryan was such an appealing character and I totally got Emma's attraction to him. I enjoyed them together- both had sad family histories, and it was nice to see them commiserate and get closer, as well as spend time with the group of friends they both consider family. I am looking forward the the next book in the series, Can't Forget You, where we will get Jess and Mark's story.

It’s been a minute since I read the previous story in this series, but I enjoyed how this book brought me up to speed with everyone. But, had I not read Run To You, I wouldn’t have felt lost. I was quickly entranced by Emma and Ryan’s story. I LOVED how Emma’s friends were cheering her on and supporting her decision to do something wild, out of the norm for her! In fact, her friends practically pushed her into Ryan’s lap. Ryan was Emma’s big brother’s friend. And once upon a time, he promised Derek he’d look out for his sister and not date her.
I loved the ease they had with each other. There was a long history with them, but it was simply a friendship so a relationship was a whole new thing for them. This wasn’t a territory either had crossed before and it was so fun getting lost in their journey! Typically, Ryan wasn’t the settle down kind of guy and Emma wasn’t the risk taker. They balanced each other out and the chemistry between them was hotter than hot! Their story moved quickly and I didn’t want it to end, yet I had trouble putting it down! Go grab your copy of this sweet romance today!

Crazy For You had me positively giddy! Rachel Lacey is a goddess with her writing! I loved Run To You and Crazy For You was even BETTER! Full of emotion, heat, and plenty of humor, this book had it all including that sizzling romance we come to know and love and expect from Miss Lacey.

Emma and Ryan had me falling in love with their story from the first chapter to the very last. I cried, I laughed and I SO sighed. To say this book was impressing is putting it mildly. I enjoyed the ever loving heck out this one of a kind romance!

Crazy For You gets a SEDUCTIVELY APPEALING FIVE SHOOTING STARS! Fun, flirty, and full of promise, this book will win your heart from the synopsis alone.

Emma seems to be in need of change. She is tired of being the good girl and wants to love on the wild side for a little. Thanks to some good old girlfriend fun, she has decided to jump in with both feet. She has set her eyes on her long time crush Ryan, who was her late brothers best friend. I mean there is some safety in knowing that Ryan would never intentionally hurt her but can she find her fun but keep her heart intact?

Ryan has been having more and more trouble standing back and watching Emma from a distance. But she is the taboo. He promised he would always look out for her but a decade later she seems to be slowly creeping under his skin. Will Ryan will the battle of his mind and stay true to promises made or will he give in and enjoy the beautiful woman she has become?

As with the other books in the series, this was a fun read. The group of quirky and original friends that Emma and Ryan share help to keep you locked on the story and rooting for Emma and Ryan to get out of their heads and let their hearts lead the way. Will Emma and Ryan find their HEA in Haven right under their noses?

*** Advanced copy provided in exchange for an honest review. ***

Ryan and Emma's story is a sweet friends to lovers romance that has just the right mix of fun and heat!

Emma has been half in love with her older brother's best friend for years but Ryan has always relegated her firmly to the friend zone. When Derek left for boot camp a little over 10 years ago, he made Ryan promise he would always look out for Emma and never make a move on her. Of course that made sense when Ryan and Derek were 18 and Emma was only 15, but now at 30 and 27 respectively and with Derek's passing in the line of duty 10 years ago- not so much in her mind, but Ryan is holding the line in his best friend's memory.

Emma and Ryan are similar in that they both have no real family any more, just the group of extended friends they have turned into their own extended family. They both value their friendship above all else, but Emma is ready to be a little more adventurous and a lot less boring and Ryan is just the man to help her! One girls night out, a few drinks, and one dare issued later, and Ryan needs to brace because Emma is about to turn that sexy, sweet and adorable enthusiasm his way and he knows he doesn't have a prayer of saying no to her.

With every day that passes, they fall a little bit deeper as things just feel right between them. But when a chance at a different future presents itself, Emma needs to make a difficult choice and Ryan has to decide if he is ready to put his heart on the line once and for all.

Familiar faces from prior books in the series are part of Ryan and Emma's extended family but this book can completely be read as a standalone. A new family member makes an appearance who becomes an integral part of the story too. All in all, Crazy for You is a fun, sweet and engaging read!

Review by Leah for Love Romance Books Blog

I was asked by the author for an honest review.

4 Stars!

Emma Rush has been the "good girl" for her entire life, and as this may be her last year in Haven, it's time to shake things up and make some changes. It all starts with girl night and hot bartender, Ryan Blake. Ryan has starred in many of Emma's fantasies, but he was her late, older brother's friend growing up and a promise was made to look out for her. Now Emma is making eyes and sexual advances towards Ryan. Can the town's former "bad boy" and "good girl" make it work?

This is the second book in the Risking It All series and was a good as the first book, Run to You. I love the characters in Rachel's book. The main characters always keep you focused on them, but the book wouldn't be as great as it was without the supporting characters. They add a richness to the storyline and great advice along the way. I love the message that this book has regarding life and dreams and how things sometimes work out. Can't wait for the next book!

Emma is tired of being the good girl! And this is the year to change all of that, she applies to college for a Landscaping degree, she is planning on a tattoo and finally she is going to go after the one many she has always wanted...Ryan Blake!

Ryan had worked hard all of his life, he had built a successful business with his Foster brothers and works part time at a bar. There are only two things that are causing him pain; not seeing his brother since he was adopted and keeping his promise to his best friend, that he would never make a move on his little sister...Emma Rush.

But suddenly Ryans are thrown out of the window when his brother Trent turns up on his doorstep and he can no longer say no, to the only women that he wants...Emma.

Crazy For You is a sweet, lighthearted romance, that touches very briefly on heavy topics, but doesn't bog you down or leave you with a book hangover.

The plot and writing are delightful, and characters are funny and sweet. But I have to say I'm dying for Mark and Jessica's story!

I give Crazy For You 4 stars

Favorite Quotes:

Look, last night started as a dare, but it turned out to be really fun – other than that one part we’ll never speak of again.

Emma was staring at him like he was a lollipop and she needed a sugar fix.

You really have no business being so sexy… It’s just not fair to the female species.

You’ve always felt like a part of my family, in a totally non-incestuous kind of way.

My Review:


Emma had recently been dumped for being unexciting, and by the most boring man she had ever dated, epic fail. Determined to shed her “goody-two-shoes” image, she takes a dare from her friends to put herself out there and consider a fling with a “bad boy.” Ryan looked like a bad boy but wasn’t. He had the tats, motorcycle, and the troubled kid in foster care reputation, but he was now a thirty-year-old adult and a business owner, and he worked hard and took his responsibilities seriously. Ten years ago, Ryan had promised Emma’s now deceased brother that he wouldn’t touch her, not knowing that Emma had been infatuated with him since she was a pre-teen. Ryan did women, lots of women, but he didn’t date or do relationships. Yet somehow he didn’t like the idea of Emma looking at internet dating profiles. They had been friends for many years; he hoped they could be friends with benefits.

I enjoyed the first book in this series and adored this story from start to finish. I adored this couple as well as this entire group of vibrant and quirky characters. I like the comfort and ease of their camaraderie and the supportiveness of their relationships. Ms. Lacey’s writing was thoughtful, insightful, amusing, and deliciously steamy. Red poppies have just become my favorite flower. I am already anxiously awaiting the next installment which promises to be Mark’s story, as I have been intrigued by his character from the beginning – Ms. Lacey’s clever and wily writing has taunted me throughout the past two books by providing only the barest of snippets as to his background.

Rachel Lacey writes cute and feel-good small town romances, with the perfect balance of humor, emotions and chemistry. The idea of love blossoming in a small town is too adorable for words to me and I thoroughly enjoyed “Crazy for You”. This book in the second installment in a series set in Haven, North Carolina, a charming town with colorful and quirky residents.

The hero of this story, Ryan Blake has recently opened an extreme outdoor facility with his two business partners and childhood friends, Ethan and Mark. Ryan grew up in the foster care system and his friends are his only family.

Emma Rush was Ryan’s best friend dorky little sister. She has had a crush on him for years, but she is off-limits to him. He made a promise to her brother that he would always look out for Emma and he intends to keep it. He is protective of Emma and feels responsible for her, since she lost her brother. Emma has big plans for her future and she will soon leave Haven to get a degree of landscape architecture. Meanwhile, she wants to have fun and live a bit on the wild side with Ryan. There is an undeniable spark between Emma and Ryan and they have much history. They have an easy friendship that has the potential to turn into something more. Ryan wants to do the right thing, though and refuses to take advantage of Emma. They both agree to become “friends with benefits”.

I really liked both Ryan and Emma. Emma is a great heroine, fun, stubborn and energetic. Ryan is tender, sweet and caring, not to mention really hot. They both lost their parents and they need to create emotional connections with the people around them. Ryan’s past is traumatizing and he has insecurities. He seems self-assured but he needs reassurance that Emma wants more than a casual relationship.

This book is an easy read, with sweet positive characters and a heartwarming friends-to-lovers storyline. The pace was a bit slow at times, but the charm of the story kept me flipping the pages until the very end. Based on the little snippet of the next book in the series, “Can’t Forget You”, I can’t wait for Mark’s story!
I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley.

A bad boy trying to make good. A good girl wanting to be bad. A story that can melt the heart while turning up the electricity on the senses. Crazy for You has all the makings of sassy country song. Ryan is working on becoming a better man, while temptation pulls him in a direction that may derail his promise to a friend. Emma's image could use a little tarnish. This good girl hides a wild heart and when she sets her sights on Ryan, all his good intentions may just go up in smoke. Sassy meets sexy while taking readers along for the ride. An irresistibly fun story with a message. " A little naughty is nice and can add some spice, but the best one can do is to themselves stay true."

Book 2 in the Risking It All series is a cute, sweet story that hits all the romance spots.

Ryan is the gorgeous guy Emma has been crushing on since she was a kid. Emma is Ryan's best friends little sister. Add in the promise Ryan made years ago to protect and never go after Emma and there really is a spanner thrown in the works!

I felt that our lovelies relationship developed organically. There was no big dramatic event that brought them together, it was just years of platonic love and friendship turning into something more. Sure, there were roadblocks to overcome, but this all felt natural.

The chemistry between Ryan and Emma is off the charts right from the get go. I tell you what, if Emma didn't jump on him when she did, I was going to jump into Haven and take him for myself (well, in my mind anyway!) I love the lingering looks across the room, the awkwardness, just all of it. He is the perfect amount of bad for her as she was the perfect amount of good for him.

I loved that we got more of the people from the first book (though I did struggle to remember where a couple of them fit in) and great set up for the 3rd book in the series.

Crazy for You is sweet, sexy and fun, and I can't wait for the next book.

To say that Emma Rush's dating life is boring is a complete understatement, she has been on plenty of dates, but she keeps ending up with duds... not a single one of them has ignited a single spark. She longs to find someone who pushes her to her limits, helps to bring her out of her shell, and inspire the bad girl in her that has been lurking just below the surface to finally make an appearance. What she really needs is a bad boy, and there is one in particular that she wants, but finding a way to lure him might be a challenge... good thing she is up for it!

Ryan Blake made a promise to his best friend to always look-out for his little sister Emma, and so for the last ten years he's done just that, but somewhere along the way he started to fall for her too. He's knows making a move on her would be wrong on so many levels, and breaking a promise to his best friend is at the top of the list. But when she turns the tables on him and makes a move he doesn't know quite what to do, he knows it's wrong, but being wrong has never felt so right...

One of my favorite tropes is forbidden love, and I have to say Ms. Lacey did an amazing job tackling the subject, her heartwarming and sexy read checked all the must have boxes for me. It had a little feisty infused humor, a few noteworthy steamy sex scenes, lots of emotion that is certain to tug on your heartstrings, and of course the forbidden dance that had me dangling on the edge of my seat wondering will they or won't they! I loved meeting these two, their story kept me completely enthralled from start to finish, and I must say their journey is one that shouldn't be missed! I highly recommend you take a chance on this read, Ms. Lacey's endearing characters are sure to take you on a truly exceptional literary ride!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this title.

Rachel Lacey's book Crazy for you is fantastic! I loved every minute of this book and can hardly wait for her next!

What a wonderful book, I loved it. These two characters have known each other for years. She has always had a crush on him. Ryan was the bad boy growing up and Emma was the pesky little sister that followed them everywhere. Now years later they have a sexual tension brewing between them, will they act on it? This was a great book and I highly recommend it. I can't wait for the next book.