If you are just tuning into That’s Normal, then SPOILER ALERT: we are fans of Christina Lauren’s. It’s not just because Beautiful Bastard has its origins in the fandom that brought us all together, or because they collectively give the best hugs on the planet. It’s because they write the boys that make the whole world sing. And with the Beautiful series all but wrapped up, we could not be more excited for more Wild Seasons boys.

Dirty Rowdy Thing comes out tomorrow, and in my pursuit to find just the right words to tell of its awesomeness, I remembered one revelation I had while reading it that kind of trumped all others: My Husband Is Reading This One.

He doesn’t know it yet, but I’m putting this book in his hand tomorrow and he is gonna pore over it like the broken pump from the last waverunner he bought on Craigslist.

Why? Because he will GET Finn Roberts. He will like him. And then maybe he will emulate some of those rope skills.

Reasons Dirty Rowdy Thing is My New Fave

Fisherman Finn

I have a thing for fictional men named Finn. I don’t know where it started, but over the past few years, it has been proven over and over again that men and boys named Finn are always, without fail, wholly unforgettable and perfect.

Finnikin of the Rock. Fave Ginger Finn. Of perfect YA book of the same name.
Finn Nelson. Fave TV Finn. Of perfect My Mad Fat Diary fame.
Finn the Human. Fave Cartoon Finn. Of animated hilarity.
And now … Finn Roberts. Perfect Romanctical Lead Finn. Crafted from my dreams and put to page by my favorite authoresses.

I’m just gonna go out on a limb here and say that Christina and Lauren wrote Finn specifically FOR ME. They might tell you different, and claim, I don’t know, authorial intent or some such nonsense, but Finn is basically MY PERSONAL DREAM BOAT (he’s a fisherman … get it?).

First of all, Finn is capable. He’s been in charge of his family fishing business since he was barely out of high school, he never takes time off, and he just oozes competence. Finn is unpretentious. He wears t-shirts and snapbacks in La Jolla hot spots and does not care one bit. It’s refreshing and awesome (and very much something I love about any dude).

And without giving too much away … Finn is the hotness. But there is one other reason that Dirty Rowdy Thing might be my new fave …

I love Harlow Vega

… maybe almost more than I love Finn? Yep, it’s possible.

Most of the time when I read contemporary romance, I find myself suffering the lead girl for the sake of the story. Maybe I just don’t identify with her, or I can’t imagine myself being friends with her. With Harlow, I don’t find myself just wanting to know her, I want to BE her.

Harlow is feisty, loud and unapologetic. She’s not afraid to say what she thinks, but she’s compassionate and thoughtful. She has a great family life, and doesn’t downplay their importance in her life.

She’s effing FUN. And sexy. And in a lot of ways, the most interesting female protagonist I’ve read in a long time. God bless her.

No Slow Burn Here

Forget long-suffering glances, angsty unresolved sexual tension and long, drawn out plot devices to keep the protags apart. Christina Lauren get to the point (and the sex) the way people do in real life: without deliberation. If Dirty Rowdy Thing were written in Texts From Last Night format it would read:

[TFLN] “She showed up on my doorstep in nothing but a trenchcoat. What do you think she did to get through customs?”

[TFLN] “He brought his sex rope with him from Canada, so the least I could do was bring him a danish.”

Finn and Harlow start out this novel not only having already been lovers, but already having been spouses. They barely know each other, but they have a solid, hot and recent history that lets them get down to business right away. But it’s nothing like insta-love; Finn and Harlow go from distraction to obsession to steady love in the course of one very hot, very readable good time.

So, trust my inexhaustible expertise, and to pick up Dirty Rowdy Thing tomorrow. Finn and Harlow are waiting to make you wish you were them.