A review by ksheetz713
Do Your Worst by Rosie Danan

adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I've read Rosie Danan's The Roommate and fell head over heals in love.  I didn't read the second book in the duet as the character's didn't spark my interest from the first book.  So when everyone was talking about Rosie's "Do Your Worst" and kept saying, "It's nothing like her first two" I was a little hesitant going in.  But then I read it was a fantasy and said YES PLEASE because I know a lot trad debut author queens are "forced", so to speak, into writing contemporary romances because maybe their publishers don't think they can break into the fantasy world?  Nah, I'm going to support because we need more good Romantasy books in our lives written by women. 
Do Your Worst did not disappoint me in even the slightest.  I was thinking to myself that I was going to give it a solid 4.5 but then realized I couldn't find anything to take off that .5 for so FIVE STARS IT IS. 
I would call this "Fantasy light" because the magic, while being an integral part of the book, wasn't super in your face magic.  The FMC, Riley, is a Curse Breaker-Bartender (it's a hyphenate situation) that is trying to take her family's curse breaking talent from a hobby into a career that will actually pay the bills.  She takes a job in the magic soaked Scottish Highlands.  She is contracted to break a curse that has been around for hundreds of years.  She meets the shame filled, skeptical archaeologist, Clark, on her first night in town and immediately sparks fly.  Until she finds out that straight edge Clark is a non-believer who tries to get her fired.
Clark and Riley go through a lot of woe and antics to break the curse and turn Clark into a believer.  Fighting family trauma and past embarrassments.  
I know I said I would call this "Fantasy light" but it still leans heavily towards Rom-Com.  With the location of the Scottish Highlands, some magical happenings is to be expected, it is a deeply magical place rooted in Fae lore. 
Danan's spice DID NOT disappoint.  I won't lie, after the delicious spice from The Roommate, I was a little sad going in thinking we wouldn't get to see Danan's well written scenes.  I was wrong and I am SO glad to be wrong.  The first "spicy" scene with Clark, ahem, pleasuring himself, if you will.  Was so good.  I think it may be the best self pleasure scene I've read to date.  They can sometimes give the ick and I'll often feel some second hand embarrassment, but this absolutely melted panties. 
There is a part of the plot where Riley and Clark believe that having sex will break the curse, enemies to lovers, if you will.  I was really worried about this scene.  I find I don't personally like heavily pre-planned sex.  It's always awkward and uncomfortable.  But again, Danan did such a great job.  The scene flowed, there was no awkwardness, no ick, no second hand embarrassment, just hot spicy heat.  *chef's kiss*

After this book, Danan can do Rom-Com, she can do Fantasy.  I am adding her to my instant buy author list.  Can't wait to see what she has plotted next!