Off the Record

There are only a few books that have made me zealously count down the days until their release, and Off the Record is one of them. The Scandal fan in me zeroed in on this book immediately, making grabby-hands at the "forbidden romance with a politician" story. I. Could. Not. Wait. And let me tell you, when I finally had him...Senator Brady Maxwell III did not disappoint.Brady is every bit of the smooth, confident politician that I expected him to be. Because, you see, I expected the "nice, sweet guy". I don't know why, but I did. What I actually got was...yes, the Suit & Tie...but the Suit & Tie also had a dirty mouth. *squeals and claps hands* Behind closed doors, prim and proper Brady could be sexy, a little rough, and borderline smug. I loved that contrast between the two sides of his character. In book-love, there's just something irresistibly tempting about a guy having a secret side.And who brings out the naughty in Senator Maxwell? Liz Dougherty, aspiring college reporter. There's a bit of an age gap between Brady and Liz, and she's still in school, but there's plenty to like about her. Liz certainly has an it-factor that makes the "royalty falls for non-royalty" tale work. As the recipient of a prestigious scholarship, she's intelligent with a career-driven focus...But...That professional, "good student" side of her is offset when she gives in to her emotions and lets herself enjoy the secret romance. Again, it's that contrast between well-behaved and uninhibited.But let's go back a little, shall we? You might be asking, how did a relationship like this even start? As reporter and politician, there was a topic that Liz and Brady disagreed on, and she wasn't afraid to voice her opinion or ask the hard-hitting questions. (I love a feisty heroine. *cue witty banter and delicious tension*) There was a time in the beginning when Liz tried really hard to not like the guy, but a certain...encounter...starts to change all of that.Before I knew it, I was getting swept off my feet and caught up in one HIGH-CLASS affair, with all of the luxury and indulgence that title entails. But whenever a heroine makes a 180 and becomes so undoubtedly infatuated with a guy, I can't help but stop and wonder, "Alright. Is he REALLY a big deal?" I asked myself that while reading Off the Record, and there was a whole chapter where it ultimately hit me: Brady Maxwell III *is* a big deal. (There's a *private lake house* involved, okay.) Throughout the book, there were times when I was melting, in full-on squee and swoon territory.And I'll be pretty straightforward about something here...Brady and Liz had a lot of sex. Yet, those scenes never felt repetitive...Different places, different circumstances...Author K.A. Linde made every time feel as feverish as the first time! I don't usually get into specifics of "bedroom scenes", but at the office late at night...it's a jaw-dropper and a panty-melter. Yes! I just went there! ;)Alas, it can't all be pleasure. Any secret affair is bound to have its complications. So, sneaking around *in the middle of a political campaign* is bound to weave the most complicated of webs. For instance, I reached a point where some of the allure and excitement began to wear off, and the need to keep things hush-hush felt TOO dirty little secret. My instincts were kicking me to feel outraged for her, at least irritated! After all, he has to be completely indifferent in public. And it sucks.There's minor "triangle" action, as well. However, I'll point out that I never felt any sense of true betrayal. Liz's attraction to her editor, Hayden, simply emphasized how a normal, out-in-the-open relationship could be like. Isolation vs Camaraderie, as Liz put it. I was decidedly Team Brady, but I couldn't dislike Hayden either. (Insert increase in angst here.)I probably should've rooted for Hayden. But Brady knew how to knock a girl off her feet. Every. Damn. Time. He started out as just hot and seductive. I loved his little notes for Liz and the way he'd call her "baby". Then, he only got BETTER. When I thought it might only be sex and business, Brady Maxwell III went and changed the game. *And this is so important.* He showed a more personal, casual side of himself to Liz. I got a glimpse of what THEIR normal could look like and a glimmer of hope that they could work out. (...Maybe?...Please?)By the end, Off the Record had my stomach in knots, and it ached. So. Good. I anticipated being torn up about "Will they get caught?" and "What would be the consequences?", but I was torn up about MUCH more than that by the time I reached the last page. Brady and Liz spent all that time together getting closer and closer, bringing themselves right up to the edge, but they just can't make that final leap and go ALL the way. They can never be official. Or can they?Off the Record gripped every knot in my stomach and just pulled tight. Sleek, sexy, and sharp. I didn't want to put it down. Drawn in by the story and the characters, I found everything I wanted out of a forbidden romance. There was exhilaration in the stolen moments, followed by tension and complexity. I understood why they technically *shouldn't* be together, but also why *both* of them would even take such a risk. This is book one in the series, though, so their story is far from over. I'm only craving more! I can't wait to see what the author has next for Brady and Liz!

“Maybe it was because he was completely unattainable. Maybe it was because there was no way this could go anywhere at all. Maybe it was just because she wanted him.”Books in The Record Series should be read in order:Book 1: Off The RecordBook 2: On The RecordBook 3: For The RecordOff The Record (book 1) opens up to Morehead scholar, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill Journalism student and school paper reporter Liz Dougherty attending her first press conference with her friend and editor Hayden Lane. State Senator Brady Maxwell III has called the press conference to announce he is running to US Congress. Liz is given the opportunity to ask a tough question that catches his attention.Later that evening while out with friends Brady sends Liz a drink and invites her to the VIP section for a candid chat followed by a proposition for more. But instead Liz spends the weekend writing a somewhat scathing article about the Senator. She is impressed with his good looks, charm, leadership and ability to manage the budget, but less impressed with some of his voting records and lack of focus on education.Liz is asked to cover the campaign division for the paper that summer and keeps running into Brady. He is charming, persistent, frank and up-front and she is smitten…. until one night the act on their attraction with some mind-blowing sex. But walking away proves difficult for both and against their better judgment they embark on a clandestine affair.“I’ll be up-front with you. I might hurt you. You’re going in knowing that. I’m choosing the campaign. I’m choosing Congress, because it’s what I want and what I believe in. Nothing, no one is getting in the way of me and the House of Representatives.”As they enjoy stolen moments of bliss lines soon get blurry, but it’s an impossible romance with no hope of a future. For Liz having an affair with a politician whose campaign she is supposed to cover impartially could call into question her integrity and jeopardize her career.Brady is on a set course to Washington that doesn’t include a too young student who has publically criticized him. Besides he is the prodigal son from a prominent family whose heritage can be traced back to President Thomas Jefferson. People like him marry for strategic reason not love….“I didn’t come here to talk politics with you, baby ,” Brady said, pushing the door closed behind them. “Lecture me after I’m done with you.”BRADY MAXWELL III: 27 years/Heir/$$$$/State Senator/Aspiring US Congressman/Dark brown hair/Brown eyes.Brady Maxwell III with his imposing presence and classic good looks has my vote! Eight words to describe Brady: Captivating, frank, elusive, secretive, charming, focused, persistent and collected.LIZ DOUGHERTY: 20 years/Student/College reporter/Blond hair/Blue eyes.Liz Dougherty is young and in over her head…. Seven words to describe Liz: Smart, focused, goal-oriented, naïve, immature, impressionable and reflective.Off The Record is an addictive page-turner. At times story was a bit too detailed especially when they weren’t together, but not enough to deduct from my overall rating. I just wanted to keep on reading to know what’d happen next, pining for Brady and hanging on to his every word. This partly due to their impossible situation…. Needless to say it ended with a painful cliffy. I look forward to diving into book 2, On The Record for the continuation of their story.Spellbinding and forbidden plot! Brilliant story-telling! Larger-than-life Brady Maxwell III! All the ingredients for epic trilogy!“She couldn’t get enough, couldn’t breathe, couldn’t think. There was just Brady. She felt as if she was lost in a world of him, drowning in him, suffocating in him.”***Hero rating: 5 starsHeroine rating: 4- starsSexual tension rating: 5 starsSex scenes rating: 4.5 starsSex scenes frequency: 4 starsPlot rating: 5 starsDialogue rating: 5 starsStorytelling rating: 5 starsStory ending rating: N/ABook editing rating (5 = no edits spotted): 4.5 stars************************************************Overall rating: 5 starsWould I recommend this series: Yes.Would I re-read this series: Yes.Would I read future books by this author: Yes.

I read a hell of a lot of books and I only ever rate a book now if its worth a read because I'm just too busy to rate all the books I read. This books is worth reading, someone actually only gave this book 1 star, I think she was reading a different book because I cant understand her reasons for giving it 1 star, unbelievable.I liked the story line, yes, it could have been better and I do think it was a bit rushed in parts, but there is a second addition to this book called 'On the record' coming out in August so I'm guessing that's why.Anyway, I just hope that the author allows the female character Liz to show a bit more back bone where it comes to relationship with men.The author really needs to allow the character Liz to grow more and instead of chasing Brady, she should get angry with him more and make Brady work harder in the relationship with Liz, it was really frustrating to keep reading that Liz was doing all the chasing and waiting around.Otherwise I thought it was o.k and worth reading.

I've never really been interested in politics as I've never truly understood it properly, especially being from the UK and not having state senators. However this book changed what little thoughts I did have about politics. there were times I loved Brady and times where I wanted to punch him in the face and scream at him. The same absolutely goes for Liz also, she was strong and independent until it came to Brady, then she turned into the girl we all turn into when we fall in love. I love k.a linde and have read all her other books, this book excelled my expectations and the only thing I disliked about the book was when it ended I cannot wait for the next book!! Definitely 5*****

I did love the whole idea of a politician/reporter love story. Unfortunately I felt the final execution of the story was lacking. Herein we enter the world of seedy power hungry politicians and ruthless reporters in search of the next big story. I felt the couples love and feelings for each other were forever a back burner to the story and made to feel "wrong" in both their desperate bids to establish their careers. Was a mediocre effort for me, hope to see Brady maxwell to grow a pair of balls in the next book.

I enjoyed reading this story set in American politics. The story centre's around Liz a student reporter and Brady a state senator who is climbing up the political ladder. Brady's political career is very important to him and he insists on their relationship being secret. But Liz doesn't doesn't understand. I felt empathy with both characters as they struggled with their emotions.This was an easy to read and follow story with likeable engaging and characters. There is a second instalment for those who want to follow Liz and Brady.

This was a gripping story of a secret affair between a hot young senator and a journalism student.The sneaking around/forbidden romance element worked really well and the chemistry between them was amazing. The writing was better than average too. I don't know much about US politics but that didn't matter - the important thing was he was powerful, influential and high profile.It doesn't end on a cliffhanger but there are another two in this series that I'm excited to read.Very highly recommended read.