Count Me In (Mikal Dawn) – Review

~ About the Book ~

Allegra Spencer has been living a careful life. Her safe job as an accountant is bookended by going to church and the gym. Okay, sometimes the gym. Fine. She goes to church. And the coffee shop. She avoids risk at all cost, preferring to stay safe in her cozy condo. Until her accounting firm goes belly up and she’s out of a job.
Tyler Hawk had a glorious career as a star NFL tight end. He retired on a high note and now lives a second dream of owning his own business and leading others on extreme outdoor adventures. But he needs help with his books—and his heart. When Allegra takes the job, sparks fly.
It’s a case of safety zone versus danger zone, and in their minds, never the two shall meet.
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Release date:  16 May 2017
Pages:  328
Publisher:  Independent

Amazon US  //  Amazon AU  //  Goodreads

~ Excerpt ~

He was a bundle of nerves and didn’t know why. It wasn’t like he’d never hired women before. Story worked by his side in the store almost every day. Tyler glanced over to where she stood talking with Bo.
There was a story there. Ha! No pun intended. He chuckled and watched as Story walked off, with Bo watching her every move. That guy had it bad.
Just then Bo turned to face Tyler and glared when he saw him watching. Yep. Real bad. Tyler brushed and hand over his head and down the back of his neck, rubbing it at the base. Those two should just go on a date already, but Bo kept insisting there was nothing there. Tyler knew that wasn’t true on Bo’s part, but Story was pretty good at keeping a straight face. Who knew?
The bells over the door clanged against one another as a breeze carried the scent of flowers. Allegra was here.
She cleared her throat behind him, and he turned. Her eyes were huge.
“You look as scared as a coach whose star quarterback was just injured.”
She blinked. “Um…”
“I’m not making you go skydiving today, you know.”
If it was even possible, her eyes grew larger. He tried not to laugh, but the panic on her face… Before he knew it, his laughter echoed throughout the shop. But there was something under his laughter…a light, melodic sound.
Allegra had joined in.
His heartbeat picked up speed. What he wouldn’t do to hear that sound again. Tyler patted her shoulder. “Come on. I’ll show you where you can put your things. Then we’ll get started.” He took a few steps toward the back room.
“Thanks. And…I am so relieved. No skydiving!”
Tyler stopped and glanced over his shoulder. Her sapphire-blue gaze traveled the products featured around the store before it stopped on a display of skydiving harnesses and a main canopy.
He grinned. “I said ‘today.’ You’re not going skydiving today.”
Her mouth fell open.
Working with her was going to be fun.

~ Review ~

If you’re looking for a fun way to fill in a couple of hours, look no further than Count Me In—although Allegra Spencer may debate the use of the word ‘fun’! Paragliding, rock-climbing, and white-water rafting are definitely NOT fun in her book, and neither is falling in love with a guy whose whole world revolves around the adrenaline rush of extreme sports and adventure. There’s chemistry and attraction aplenty, but what good is that if you can’t share an interest in the biggest part of his life?
The beautiful irony is, that’s exactly why these two need each other. Tyler has a heart for people living with fear because his own parents lorded their fear of his asthma over him when he was growing up. Now, his mission in life is to help people experience the confidence that pushing through fear can bring. And yet Allegra has very good reason for being averse to extreme sports. Her parents spent their lives indulging their love for it—and paid the ultimate price. But to live a life in fear? Is there a balance that can be found?
There are definitely some ups and downs along the way (both figuratively and literally—in an extreme sports kind of way!) but it was fun watching these two interact and bring each other to middle ground. There’s also enough here to thoroughly whet my appetite for Bo and Story’s…um, tale. 😉
I did think the ending kind of came out of left field (if you’ll forgive me for mixing sports with that metaphor), but in a very fun way. I can’t wait for book two in the series!
I purchased my own copy of this book.

~ About the Author ~

Mikal Dawn is an inspirational romance author, wedding enthusiast and proud military wife. By day she works for an international sports ministry, and by night she mutters to imaginary friends, performs sketchy Google searches, and procrastinates (like any good writer!). When she isn’t writing about faith, fun, and forever, she is obsessively scouring Pinterest (with coffee in hand, of course!) for wedding ideas for her characters.
Born and raised just outside of Vancouver, Canada, Mikal has lived throughout the southern United States, and is currently residing in Nebraska (and loving it!) with her husband, three kids (two of whom she drives *everywhere* for ALL THE SPORTS), and one ferocious feline.
Connect with Mikal:  Website  //  Facebook  //  Twitter  //  Instagram  //  Pinterest