This is Riley's story. All the main characters in these stories went through a dangerous, life changing event and all have coped differently. Riley suffered anxiety attacks and learned to cope by always being prepared to the point of being a neurotic prepper. Summer on the other hand, expect the other shoe to drop and lives as if there will be no tomorrow. Diametrically opposed coping mechanisms, so of course they are attracted to each other. Riley's solution to making their relationship work rings false. The ending only works for those who live in the wealthy DC bubble. Doing only what makes you happy, is fine if you have the money to chose that, but that is not an option for most. And there is nothing wrong with being prepared for disasters, so Riley's action in donating or throwing away all his supplies is stupid and unrealistic.

I received an ARC from netgalley.com and while I have enjoyed the series and most of the book, the last Chapter lost me.

This is the fourth book in Barth’s Naked Men series about five close friends who survived a terrible accident as teenagers and have become such close friends that they all live together. I’ve enjoyed all the books in this series, but this one was a peg down on the scale from the others. Riley is a federal agent with the National Transportation Safety Board. He is rather anal about everything because he just hasn’t gotten over his feelings of guilt for not being prepared for survival during that ordeal the guys went through in high school. Summer is the best friend of the woman one of his friends has matched up with so he sees her a lot. But she’s flighty and seems determined to live life spontaneously without any plans since she also suffered a terrible crisis as a young woman when she survived a shooting on her college campus. Naturally, the two of them are totally incompatible except for the hot chemistry between them and the fact that they’ve both survived almost fatal crises. As they become closer, they discover how much they really like each other.

That’s all well and good and I enjoyed following along in their romance. They live in Washington, D.C., where I’ve lived and so I enjoyed the attention to detail as they walk the streets and meet up for their dates.

What was annoying was that the book built up some seemingly crucial scenes and then just abandoned them offstage. For example, Drew invites Summer to speak on the podcast that he and the other guys host. She’s all panicky about what she’ll say and he helps her feel comfortable. But we never get to read any details about the podcast. There’s all this build-up and then it’s on to the next scene. That happens again when she arranges him to meet her parents. Lots of build-up and worry and then it’s the next chapter. I found that terribly annoying. It’s almost as if the author got tired of writing so just didn’t bother.

There were also some continuity problems when the characters seem to know something, but there’s no indication of how they knew it. There’s one time when he’s at a bar being served by a friend of Summer’s who works there and then he leaves the bar to go to the store where Summer works and suddenly the waitress is already there. I think that the book would benefit from some advice from an editor so that there wouldn’t be these little glitches and the omitted scenes.

I was given a free ARC of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Risking it all was the first book I read by this author and I was hooked. It was my favorite, it was so fresh, both the characters ( a letter writer), the dialogue, the way it ended....all of it was just so original. Then Knox's story came along and I thought maybe his story and his sexiness was my new favorite. But now, now I have to give it up to Riley and Summer. This is a fun story. OMG. Aside from the fact that he is as cautious and a list maker, I can relate, he is just so delicious, and Summer is his perfect foil The writing is top notch, the dialogue so so snappy and funny (I am revisiting my love of leopard prints); "being responsible for taking down the nations supply of condoms" although not said about Riley and Summer still priceless; love that they can have frank discussion about the "stick up his ass" to her love of giant hats. It all comes together so beautifully and the writing is so detailed that I can see myself (I am not stalking Riley or anything) in DC. And then when the moment that I have been waiting for since the first book, Oh Chloe, and when the boys realize what she is about to do.....I melted. We were ready! And I am ready more. Bring on Josh

I received an ARC of this novel from Netgalley in exchange for my review. This is the fourth book in the Naked Men series, and it may be my favorite one! Riley and Summer have both been exposed to life threatening situations,, but both have come away from those experiences handling life in very different ways. Riley believes that if one is prepared for every situation then you won't find yourself in danger. He works for the NTSB looking for ways to prevent car accidents. Summer, on the other hand, believes that the future isn't guaranteed so one should live life to fullest and try every thing because tomorrow isn't promised. When these two come together it could be a disaster in the making. Will they be able to let go of the past that haunts them both and has shaped their future? This book has it all! Heart, heat and humor. I loved it!

I love it like all the series. Good writing,easy to read,, steamy sex.

I legit love this entire series! The author writes incredibly passionate and realistic contemporary romance that is a joy to read from start to finish. I finished the entire book in a day and loved the continued chemistry from some of my favorite returning characters. I can't wait to read more from Ms. Barth!

I was given an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest and independent review.
This is the fourth book in the series but can be read as a standalone. Although reading the books in order does allow you to get know all the characters.
Summer and Riley, on paper, are opposites who shouldn't fit together, both with past issues but their chemistry is off the scale and their attraction towards each other is undeniable. The development of their relationship made me smile.
The outcome of the book is inevitable but if you like steamy romances which can be read quickly then this is an ideal holiday or rainy day read. A fun, easy romantic novel.
4****

4.5 stars

I can never say enough about how much I love this group of guys, and Riley is no different. Their time in the Alps scarred all the Naked Men in different ways, Riley found peace in controlling everything. It doesn't really provide him peace, but it keeps away the anxiety. He controls everything around him and in turn feels in control of himself.

I love how fiercely loyal these guys are to each other, but especially Riley, he will place the people he loves most above anything else.

Once Summer becomes a part of their inner circle, Riley is automatically turned off by her. He finds her wild and unpredictable and everything he's not looking for.

I love getting to go deeper into Summer. She too has been hurt and carries many scars, not just skin deep but also scars that are embedded in her being. Her and Riley butt heads constantly because the ways each has chosen to deal with their scars makes them complete opposites.

Riley and Summer are fun because they need to figure out how to deal with their scars and how to make their personalities fit together. I love that they push each other in vastly different directions but end up making each other better in the process.

I truly feel like I can live in this world forever <3 <3.

Trying It All by Christie Barth
Book #3: Naked Men Series
Source: Netgalley and Purchase
My Rating: 4/5 stars
My Review:
**Spoilerish for previous books in the series**

Riley Ness is the planner among the Naked Men. He is the organizer, the cautious one, the check-the-supplies-multiple-times guy. In short, Riley never allows himself or the other ACSs to go or do anything without considering and assessing every possible danger. Nothing escapes Riley’s critical eye! What do you expect from a guy who was lost in the Alps as a teenager?

As an adult, Riley has taken his threat assessment skills to a whole new level. Though his parents had aspirations of Riley holding a prominent position in some lofty organization, Riley has chosen instead to work in the traffic division of the NTSB. Along with his team, Riley assesses wrecks and collisions from every angle to determine what caused the accident and if there are any measures that can be taken to prevent similar situations in the future. Riley is all about safety and he will do whatever it takes to ensure no one else suffers the way he and the other Naked Men did when they were kids. Riley’s attitude and exactitude haven’t ever caused him problems where the ladies are concerned until he meets Summer Sheridan.

Summer is everything that triggers Riley’s anxiety. She is reckless, spontaneous, adventurous, and doesn’t give a damn about planning for the future. Summer’s presence in Riley’s life isn’t going to end anytime soon since the best-friend of Griffin’s girlfriend. The only thing Riley can do to prevent her from causing a dreaded anxiety attack is to avoid her at all costs. Trouble is, she smokin’ hot and likes to push his buttons at every available opportunity. Riley doesn’t just sit there and take it which means he is constantly interacting with Summer and they’re constantly pissing each other off. Sounds like just the right recipe for some angry/awesome sex, right?

Angry sex is all it should have ever been between Riley and Summer, but as they begin to open up to one another, they find true friendship and the basis of a real relationship. Both are oxen-level stubborn which means changing even a little or compromising is going to be difficult. Riley wants Summer to be more careful and Summer wants Riley to be more adventurous. What ensues are moments of hilarity, sweetness, naughtiness, and pure terror. Both are stretched way beyond their comfort zone before all is said and done and both are certain that if they aren’t careful, they’re going to lose the best thing that has ever come into their respective lives.

The Bottom Line: The Naked Men series slows down a bit for me with this fourth installment. I am still loving the actual Naked Men so much, but Summer is a bit hard to take. Summer tends to be very aggressive in her attitude and behavior which makes her somewhat off-putting. With that being said, I ended up liking Summer once all the madness played out and she Riley got to the HEA. As with each of the reads, the story of the Naked Men as a group has evolved as more women come into their lives. I like to see this playing out as the romance in each book plays out. There is evolution among the individuals and the group as a whole which keeps the series both consistent and fresh.

It was ok, I liked the last book better. I actually found Summer to annoying, and I did not like how the guys talked about her being so sexy and her assets, I know friends talk to each other, but I still didn't care for it. Riley was also a little annoying also, I actually preferred the rest of the couples, I think that is what actually saved book.

Another great Naked Men series book!!!
Summer and Riley are opposites in every way. But somehow, that doesn't stop the attraction that flares between them! Is that attraction enough?
With each book in the series, you get a little more of the story of the ACS's accident when they were teenagers. A deeper look into each "Naked Man" and what makes them tick. Summer and Riley's story is sweet and exciting. Not to be missed! 5 stars!!!

I could never say enough great things about this series! I fell in love with this series from book one and each one gets better and better. This book is Riley's story. Just like each of the other boys, he has his issues from the bus crash that shape who he is today. He has to plan for every possible scenario, follow the rules, and not take any risks. Summer is the opposite of Riley. She doesn't see settling down, planning for things. But these two share a very steamy kiss that has each of them rethinking what they want. Do opposites really attract? Find out if these two can make it work without driving each other crazy first. Grab this book!
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book provided by NetGalley.

Kindle Copy for Review

In book 4, we are focus on Riley Ness. He over think things and always prepared for the worse which makes him good at his job at NTSB. Riley still feels guilty about the death of the bus driver when they end up almost dying.

Summer Sheridan is a risk taker after nearly dying with her best friend Chloe in college during a shooting. She lives for today since you never when you will die as she does not live for tomorrow.

Since Chloe is involved with one of the Naked Men, they are constantly thrown in each other company as they end up bickering. They decide to form a truce and get to know each other. They realize that their bickering is really their attraction for each other.

But will they be able to give each other what they are afraid of or are their past hamper a chance of a future together? You just cannot get enough of these guys.

Once again the author has given us a beautiful story about love and courage. This one took a little longer to reveal itself, but the ending as well as the later parts of the book are so touching, it makes up for the slower start.

We learn more in this book about the ordeals experienced by both Riley and Summer, and consequently by all of the ACS''s and Chloe. I happened to read book 3 out of order, but I would say that for this one especially it would be a good idea to stick to the sequence of the collection in proper order.

It seems pretty obvious who the next book will be about, and I can't wait. I'm just sad there are only 5 Naked Men. Maybe Jerry will have a spin-off!

The familiar backdrop of DC figures into the story in a big way, and that is always fun. This book is no exception.

I can't really say much more about the book other than to encourage people to read the whole series.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC given in exchange for my honest review.

Riley keeps his life in order and prepares for any situation life may throw at him. He was in an accident when younger and devotes his life to the NTSB and helping others in situations he knows far too much about.

Summer went through her own trauma, a random campus shooting where she almost lost her life. She wants to live life to the fullest, prepare for nothing and experience everything.

Riley and Summer can not be more opposite, and for a long time can not get past their differences... until they call a truce.

I loved how this book started, with Riley and Summer realizing their attraction and deciding to act on it. I enjoyed them working through their respective issues that stemmed from their past traumas, but this book just seemed to swirl around those same issues and not really go anywhere. Great writing, great relationships between characters, but the plot did not keep me interested. I received a complimentary copy of this book for my honest and unbiased review.

I loved this book

This fourth of the Naked Men series takes a while to get going, I think partly because it is fourth in a series that has its formula fairly well set by now.

We begin with a flashback to when the "Naked Men" (their name comes from honesty in their group blog) were rich high school students in Italy, whooping it up after a soccer game, when their bus went off the road. The resulting trauma of that crash and three days in the wilderness bonded the five men together.

This time it's buttoned-down Riley Ness's turn to find love. He is obsessed with control, making sure he has contingency plans for every moment, every possibility. He's been sniping drive-by sarcasm with Summer, Chloe's BFF with whom she survived a campus shooting, who lives in the moment and refuses to think about the future. Why bother, when it's so easy for it to be taken away?

The first half is smooth with nice moments, evoking Washington DC, but it begins to feel a bit predictable as it faithfully follows the formula. The second half picks up the pacing as the couple dig down into their traumas, triggered by events. The resolution felt a bit quick, but overall it was an enjoyable read, and of course fans will like seeing the other couples again.

I really love this series and this great group of guys and the women who have wrangled their hearts. Each story so far has been very unique but the stories have meshed so well with this tight nit gang. I enjoyed getting inside Riley's head and knowing why he was such a control freak. It was heart breaking to think he took the blame for a tragic event during the ACS accident. When one feels weak in something like he did, they do try to control things to counter act that weakness and never be in that position again. Always planning for the what ifs, Riley is knocked off his socks with Chloe's friend Summer who he sees as reckless and carefree.

Summer is holding on to her own issues that have shaped her life. Having survived a horrific attack and near death experience, Summer handles herself completely opposite as Riley. Carefree, living every single second like it might be the last and no plans for a future she doesn't think she will see anyway.

Summer and Riley have the love/hate type of relationship at first. Snarky with one another and down right rude, but could it be a mask to the extreme sexual tension and inner spark/connection they feel for having suffered a similar tragedy.

These two don't know how to handle one another and the ways they have chosen to deal with life despite having had a similar experience. Riley can't allow Summer's flighty ways influence his well controlled, thought out and planned life, while Summer doesn't like the stick protruding from Riley's @%%.

When these two get together, let down the walls and just have fun and enjoy themselves they are super sweet together and a true Naked Men perfect couple. But when life bursts that bubble, Summer and Riley slip back to the old ways and put the walls back up.

A good story that I enjoyed reading. Can't wait for Josh's story- and maybe Jerry?

3.5 stars
This was an overall good contemporary romance. I enjoyed Riley and Summer's interactions. I found it predictable in places, and it didn't suck me in as much as other books in the series had.

Riley and Summer...just typing their names makes me happy.

These two seem like oil and water, but they're really more alike than they think. They need each other, they love each other, and it's pretty damn perfect!

This whole series makes my heart happy, and I need the next (last) one right now, although I don't know what I'll do with myself once they're over!