Cowgirl Come Home

Cowgirl Come Home by Debra Salonen

At the age of eighteen Bailey Jenkins was cursed by her broken-hearted boyfriend at the top of a Ferris Wheel.  Told that if she went through with the gut wrenching decision that she was about to make, then he would call down his grandmother's gypsy curse on her for the rest of her life.  Unfortunately, it seems like the curse might have been real, because Bailey has had nothing but bad luck ever since.

Fifteen years later there is nothing Paul Zabrinski regrets more than cursing his first love...whom he has never really gotten over.  But how can he still love a woman that made a decision that affected them both all by herself?  Now that she is back in town, broken in every sense of the word, to help her mother care for her cantankerous father, can both of them find it in their hearts to forgive each other and move on?  Or is the curse too strong to allow love to win?

This was such a refreshing book.  Not exactly a "feel good" book, it transcends its own concept and comes out as a shining example of great writing and masterful character building.  With its heavy subject matter, it was always going to be an emotional book.  You can't discuss subjects like abortion, addiction, theft, grief, and recovery and still remain shallow and lighthearted.  But this book takes those subjects and removes the melodrama, making them raw and powerful without making them sob-worthy.  In a word, they are honest.

The main characters are both flawed and broken by a life that proved that life itself is not fair.  However, they are both strong and willing to pull themselves up by the boot straps and keep trudging along.  These are admirable qualities and very well received in this book.

The supporting characters are where the true magic in the story lies.  Ms. Salonen took a character who is basically an abusive bully on a power trip, and is candidly described as "the town drunk", and completely makes him likable.  She is actually quite fearless when it comes to making unlikable characters sympathetic.  That kind of gumption is just too admirable not to recognize and applaud.

Overall, I needed this story.  I had been rather disappointed with my own opinion of the last few books I had read, and was actually worried that I was burning out.  This book revived my soul and gave me a reason to keep on reading and reviewing.  Thank you, Debra Salonen!

Ratings:

(1=unacceptable, 2=poor, 3=acceptable, 4=good, 5=excellent)

Continuity/Flow – 5

Sex – 5 

Language – 4

Storyline – 5

Overall – 5

The Other Side of the Bridge

The Other Side of the Bridge by Katharine Swartz

Ava Lancet's world has completely fallen apart.  After losing her baby, her job, and her marriage, she discovers that her late grandmother has left her a house in Greece.  Hoping fervently for a chance to separate herself from the emptiness around her she jumps on a plane and heads out to investigate her inheritance.  Little does she know that so much more is involved than a rustic, abandoned house and one broken life.  She embarks on a journey of not only self-discovery, but discovery of a life she never knew her grandmother led.

For the sake of full-disclosure, I am not a big women's fiction reader.  There are a lot of big emotions involved in women's fiction that sometimes I find a bit overwhelming.  That being said, this book doesn't disappoint on the emotions front.  Dealing with everything from grief and marital strife, to fear, hunger, and post-traumatic stress, this book is a clear-cut, "how to deal" story, with one major, over-arching moral tying everything together nicely.

Overall, I actually did like this story.  It might not be my regular cup of tea, but the story is memorable, in a good way.  I think I walked into this with a different expectation, so it took me a while to adjust my perception.  After I finally did, I discovered that it was an enthralling book filled with mystery, and ending with excitement and adventure.

Ratings:

(1=unacceptable, 2=poor, 3=acceptable, 4=good, 5=excellent)

Continuity/Flow – 4

Sex – N/A 

Language – 4

Storyline – 4

Overall – 4

After the Rain

After the Rain by Lillian Darcy

Casey Jay Brown never thought he would return to Marietta, Montana.  Not after the prom night that changed his life forever.  During a drug-fueled night of partying and excess Casey's girlfriend, Neve Shepherd, lost her life in a freak accident.  The only problem is Casey has always questioned just how responsible he was for that accident.  Consumed by guilt he has abused his body to it's breaking point and still has never found release from his demons.  When a once in a lifetime job opens up half an hour from Marietta, Casey decides to take it.  After all, what are the chances that he will ever need to set foot in town?

Kira Shepherd Blair has been angry most of her life.  Even before her sister's death  eighteen years ago she felt the sting of resentment and anger brewing beneath the surface.  There has always been someone to direct the anger at, too.  Her sister, for the unfair treatment she received when Neve was around; Jay Brown, for Neve's death; her ex's first wife, for treating her like trash even though she had no part of that marriage's demise; her ex, for constantly disappointing her and their son.  But when she is faced with a horrifying truth, she is forced to realize that it might just be time to let go.

Like most of Ms. Darcy's offerings, this story is a mixture of sweet, emotional, and mysterious.  Casey truly is tortured by his past, but he has also learned to move past the guilt and live with the questions.  Kira has never learned to do that.  Her personality is such that she thinks if she lets go of the anger then she will fall apart.  I found it interesting that she saw her mother as weak, when the truth was that her mother was stronger that everyone else.  Not because she "got over it", but because she learned to cope with it.

I really liked the transition from the other books in the series and the foreshadowing of Gemma's story.  There really was a sense of closure for Tully in this book and a promise that Kate and Harrison will be involved in Gemma's story as well.  There was also a lot of information in the book that checked out in real life and made me as reader appreciate the amount of research that really goes in to writing a contemporary book.

The supporting characters in this book were a mixture of filler (the artists and party goers) and secondary-mains (Lindeen, Corrine, Neve's parents, Kate, and Gemma).  I felt they were handled quite deliberately, and it worked beautifully.

Overall, the book was well balanced and beautiful.  A worthy continuation to captivating series.  

Ratings:

(1=unacceptable, 2=poor, 3=acceptable, 4=good, 5=excellent)

Continuity/Flow – 5

Sex – 4 

Language – 4

Storyline – 5

Overall – 5

The Escape

The Escape by Mary Balogh

Sir Benedict Harper was not made for an idle life, but that seems to be all he can manage since his dream of a military life was taken from him on the Peninsula, along with his ability to walk and dance.  His restlessness leads him to agree to help a recent widow escape from her late husband's family, and escort her on a mad dash to Wales where there may, or may not, be a cottage waiting for her.  As he fights his feelings of inadequacy he finds himself wondering if this fierce widow might understand him better than anyone else.

Samantha McKay has been trapped for six years.  First at the home of her tyrannical father-in-law for a year while her husband was at war and then taking care of her dying husband for five years.  Now under the threat of returning to a life of suppression and misery under her father-in-law, she concocts a plan to steal away in the middle of the night and make her way to Wales, where her mother was raised.  She enlists the help of Sir Benedict, her neighbor's brother and a man she has not always thought of fondly.  Can she keep their partnership purely business?  Or will she find herself once again falling into the arms of a wounded and demanding reminder of a war she wishes to forget.

I have read many books about Wales, but I honestly believe this one contains the most descriptive images of the country and atmosphere.  I have always thought of it as a foggy and craggy country (a lot like Wuthering Heights), where most Gothic novelists obviously find their inspiration.  This book, however, completely changed my perception.  The descriptions remind me a bit of the Pacific Northwest (where I live) and I found that charming and comforting.  The people seemed friendly, if a little hesitant to welcome visitors who look down on them.  I love that the musical aspect of the country was regaled upon, and the descriptor of the singing raising the roof of the church was memorable.

This the fourth story set in the world of the Survivors (The Suitor was a novella that occurred concurrently with The Arrangement), and the sixteenth story set in the world of the Bedwyns.  Starting with One Night for Love, the story that first introduced us to Gwen, Lady Trentham (formerly Lady Muir), this serial keeps getting better and better as it goes.  Ms. Balogh has managed to keep the stories fresh, while still finding a way to tug our heartstrings and make us smile simultaneously.  This story is a powerful reminder of her signature romantic trope, damaged heroes (or heroines) finding the power of love stronger than their own obstacles.

The characters in this story shine.  Ms. Balogh is an expert of creating memorable characters, whether they are in the forefront or the background.  Even the lawyer who handled Samantha's business and the owner of the inn rated important enough to actually have a personality.  This attention to detail really makes a difference in creating a captivating story, but so does knowing when to pull back and let the lead characters take center stage.  There seemed to be a seamless quality to this differentiation in this story.

Overall, I found this a pleasant and happy read.  It didn't make me laugh hysterically, or grit my teeth in suspense.  But not all books need to do that to be great.  Some books just need to tell a good story well with no distractions or additives.  That is exactly what this book did.  

 Ratings:

(1=unacceptable, 2=poor, 3=acceptable, 4=good, 5=excellent)

Continuity/Flow – 5

Sex – 4 

Language – 4

Storyline – 5

Overall – 5

Beauty and the Cowboy

Beauty  and the Cowboy by Nancy Robards Thompson

After ring shopping with her long-term boyfriend, Charlotte Morgan knew that a proposal was just around the corner.  Unfortunately, so did everyone else in Marietta, Montana.  Uncomfortable with the gossip, and unsure about the distance she has been feeling from Tom, she calls him up to get some reassurance.  Instead she gets some news she didn't see coming by a long shot.

Jesse Guthrie has always hated Tom Tucker.  Everything always came easy to Tom.  The career Jesse wanted, the notoriety, and the girl.  Neighbor and playmate Charlie Morgan was the one thing from his childhood that he cherished more than anything, but the timing was never right, so Tom was able to swoop in and take her away.  Now Charlie is showing signs of a possible opening, and Jesse knows that he would be a fool to ignore those signs.

This was a super sweet story.  Humorous and poignant at the same time, it gives a slight peek into the world of beauty pageants, and proves that not all pageants are Toddlers in Tiaras and Stage Mom fodder.  There is also the aspect of "always a bridesmaid" that appeals on many levels in this story.

I think my favorite thing about this story was that Charlie was actually learning her lessons from herself as she helped Maddie through the motions of pageant life.  It's one thing to hear advise from other people, but when you realize that you are spouting off wisdom that applies to you as well, the moment is literary gold.

Overall, this is a feel good story that leaves you realizing that there is no shame in finishing second in a contest, but settling for second best in life should never be an option.

Ratings:

(1=unacceptable, 2=poor, 3=acceptable, 4=good, 5=excellent)

Continuity/Flow – 5

Sex – 4 

Language – 3

Storyline – 5

Overall – 4

Weekend with the Tycoon

Weekend with the Tycoon by Kaira Rouda

Samantha Jones loves her job for Blake Genetics, and she has a big idea that could really set the company apart and further their reputation for helping the world.  Just as she starts to believe that her career is on an unstoppable road to success, she is given the opportunity of a life time.  An opportunity that has the potential of ending in the death of her career and the breaking of her heart.

Blake Putnam is a no nonsense kind of guy.  He likes things his way, without a lot of fluff or frivolous waste.  In order to prevent his family from trying to match him up with an air-headed socialite during his sister's wedding, he arranges for research assistant from his company to attend the wedding with him as his date so he can prepare for an upcoming contract negotiation with little distraction...or so he thinks.

This story seemed really fast to me.  I liked the back story regarding the company and why Blake doesn't like his family, but I also like the things that were left unsaid, but were glaringly obvious.  Blake may have idolized his grandfather, but he really did take after his dad in many ways.

I will nit-pick on two things here: the date the company was "founded" and the ending of the story.  First of all, it is very unlikely that his grandfather could have founded the company in 1898.  Maybe his great-grandfather, but if it truly was his grandfather then he must have 70-ish when Blake's father was born.  Secondly, the story ended too suddenly.  Blake's father tells him that his grandfather was cold and then suddenly he is willing to try and change the way he does things at his own business.  It just felt too fast of a turn-around.

Overall, I liked the story.  It was a neat premise, and there were a few fun and exciting scenes that really made it worth reading.  I just wish it would have been longer.

Ratings:

(1=unacceptable, 2=poor, 3=acceptable, 4=good, 5=excellent)

Continuity/Flow – 3

Sex – 4 

Language – 3

Storyline – 5

Overall – 4

The Honeymoon Trap

The Honeymoon Trap by Kelly Hunter

Calling Eli Jackson the "shy" Jackson brother is not a difficult stretch, considering how loud and boisterous his two older brothers are.  But there is something more reserved and cautious about Eli that "shy" doesn't even begin to cover.  So when Cutter and Calder gift Eli a "honeymoon" trip to a gaming convention with his "game wife", Eli is not thrilled.  After finding out his "wife" is outgoing and sexy, he is ready to call the whole thing off.

Zoey Daniels lives life in the moment.  She touches everyone she meets, both literally and figuratively.  When she is invited to spend a weekend at a gaming convention with the man she has been gaming with for two years, but has never met, she jumps in with both feet.  Now she finds herself falling hard for a man who has cut himself off from the world, and happiness in general.  Can she touch him deep enough to make a difference and open him up to the possibilities of life?

This one started out very fun and light-hearted.  There was a lot of back and forth bantering that actually does happen when gamers congregate (I know because I am married to one and have hosted my share of game nights).  I loved the brotherly interaction as well.  Ironically, that is another one I have first hand knowledge of.

The light-heartedness turned a little emotional toward the middle though, with both characters discovering each other's challenges.  The way those challenges were dealt with were very really.  I didn't feel cheated, as though the author was trying to find an easy fix to some major issues.  The reactions were raw and well timed, and the resolution was fun, but with that little bit of brevity that makes it special.

As always, I need to consider the supporting characters.  The only real supporting characters in this book were the brothers.  And their antics were both fun and endearing.  They obviously love their little brother and are genuinely worried about him, but they also like to take the mickey out of him...a lot.

Overall, this was an awesome and insightful story that will have readers admitting that they might just be gamers at heart.

Ratings:

(1=unacceptable, 2=poor, 3=acceptable, 4=good, 5=excellent)

Continuity/Flow – 5

Sex – 5 

Language – 3

Storyline – 5

Overall – 5

Unraveled by the Rebel

Unraveled by the Rebel By Michelle Willingham

Juliette Andrews has been living what many women of her class would deem the a nightmare.  With the knowledge of her ruination at the hands of a monster and the nightmares it still provokes, she has declared that she shall never marry, especially not the man she has loved for years and is now unworthy of.

Dr. Paul Fraser has been fighting against the tyranny of the Earl of Strathland since the day the Earl killed his father for a crime Paul had been accused of.  After years away from home studying and helping the rebellion with its medical needs, Paul returns to woo the woman he left behind, but never forgot.  Not understanding her dismissal of him, he is determined to win back Juliette's trust and affection, even if it means agreeing to marriage in name only.

The second book in the Secrets In Silk series, this one is a LOT more emotional than the first.  Juliette has to deal with a truly horrifying experience.  Unfortunately, that experience brought with it consequences both physical and psychological.  No one in her family, save her aunt and uncle, are aware of this experience, and they aren't even aware of all of the details.  She has kept it bottled up inside her until she is almost completely dead inside.

Paul is haunted by his own demons, as well.  The death of his father has left him hungering for vengeance to a point where he is willing to turn his back on everything if it means eliminating the Earl from existence.  There are some other qualities that add depth to Paul.  He is honorable and loyal.  His love for Juliette is strong and unyielding.  When she finally agrees to a marriage in name only, he knows that he will never touch any woman but her...therefore, none at all.  He is also humble enough to know that his position in society as a doctor is not enough to recommend him as husband material, so he decides to use his uncle's legacy for the first time since it was offered to him many years ago.

Again the cast of supporting characters are wonderful.  Lively and memorable.  The villain is even more evil than before, and a few more characters pop up to add flavor to an already delicious world.

Overall, this is a great book.  I read it quickly, as I couldn't put it down, and loved every minute of it.  Not for the faint of heart as it deals with some highly disturbing situations, but the end is very satisfying.

Ratings:

(1=unacceptable, 2=poor, 3=acceptable, 4=good, 5=excellent)

Continuity/Flow – 5

Sex – 5 

Language – 4

Storyline – 5

Overall – 5

Undone by the Duke

Undone by the Duke By Michelle Willingham

Victoria Andrews has designed some of the most sensual and scandalous lingerie for the most exclusive modiste in all of London.  Yet she hasn't met the modiste in person, hasn't left her Scottish home in five years, and hasn't felt the touch of a man...ever.

Jonathan Nottaway, Duke of Worthingstone, has had his fill of women for the time being, marriage minded or otherwise.  After his fiancee dumps him due to a family scandal beyond his control, he disappears from society for a year without any intent on returning.  Deciding to check on a piece of property he one in a card game, Jonathon heads north to Scotland, not realizing that the man he won the property from was so cruel and so hated among his tenants that showing his face was likely to get him shot and leaving him to the uneasy ministrations of a skittish female and her superstitious servants.  Will his recovery bring about a healing for both of them?

This was a tantalizing, intriguing, and emotional read.  The heroine suffers from a truly debilitating phobia that she cannot even put in to words, much less explain or reason.  The incident that led to this phobia was truly horrifying to her, and given the fact that she has been letting it build and fester for five years, it seems almost insurmountable.

Aside from the phobia, Victoria does have a certain amount of quite bravery about her.  She is highly observant of things around her and is thoughtful when contemplating solutions to issues that come up.  Upon the appearance of Jonathon she proves that her phobia is consistent with her personality.  She is naturally skittish around strangers and has to force herself to socialize with anyone, even just one person.

The hero in this story is a bundle of emotions held together by a contradictory disconnect.  His life has been full of abuse, anger, shame, grief, and guilt.  After ending up on Victoria's doorstep he is cautious and hopeful all at the same time.  He hopes to protect her from his world and protect himself from the heretofore unknown feelings that she seems to bring about in him.

The supporting characters in this story are memorable.  The sisters are very much like any sisters you meet.  They are loyal to each other and very close, but nothing alike.  Their different personalities complement each other and lead to the successful clothing design endeavor.  Jonathan's aunt is brash, but likable, as are Victoria's aunt and uncle.  Their neighbor, Cain, is cunning and harsh, but is an overall good guy and his connection with Madison is an interesting subplot.

The villain, however, takes the cake.  The Earl of Strathland is more than words can describe.  Even curse words would not be strong enough to describe him and what he does to innocent people who are supposed to be under his care.

Overall, this is a good book.  Well paced, well written, and well plotted.  It is the first book in a quartet, so we will be seeing many of these characters again.

Ratings:

(1=unacceptable, 2=poor, 3=acceptable, 4=good, 5=excellent)

Continuity/Flow – 5

Sex – 4 

Language – 4

Storyline – 4

Overall – 4

Liberty For Paul

Liberty For Paul by Rose Gordon

Liberty Banks is not pretty.  Nor is she funny.  Nor with she the slightest bit interesting.  In fact, it would be safe to say that she is simply...not her sisters.  Because of this huge discrepancy on her list of personal qualities, she has made it her goal to be unerringly proper.  All of the time, without fail.  She reads etiquette books and pays attention to every stricture of society's never ending list ways to behave.  With nothing else to recommend her, she firmly believes that this is the only way she will ever land a husband.  Unfortunately, she forgot the most common way society has to ensure marriage in the upper ranks:  Scandal!

As a minister, Mr. Paul Grimes has never done anything scandalous in his life.  Unfortunately, no one seems to believe him.  His own congregation seems stubbornly bent on believing every bit of gossip that comes to their ears, and no amount of admonishment on his part seems to help.  Unfortunately, having someone like Liberty Banks in his life isn't helping his reputation.  Her stringent belief in propriety hasn't seemed to curb her desire to seek vengeance for every slight (real or imagined) she has ever felt.  When one act of vengeance goes too far, though, they find themselves in the most unacceptable of all scandals: the kind that ends in marriage.

Confession time:  I don't really like Liberty.  I tried, I really did.  But the things she does to Paul, and the way she acts toward others, just makes me see red.  She makes me think of a devious child who thinks they are always right, and will prove it to you by embarrassing you in public.

That being said, Paul was actually an enjoyable character.  His quiet and shy demeanor hid a cunning and creative mind which he used to bring joy.  Despite my dislike for Liberty, I actually loved the way that Paul interacted with her (with the sole exception being what he did with the books).  In the end he was able to get through to Liberty and start a change in her personality, but it wasn't soon enough to redeem her in my eyes.

Speaking of reforming images.  The Duke of Gateway makes another appearance in this book, and he is slowly working himself toward redemption.  His overall character remains the same, but there is something more to him now.  I have a feeling we will see his story end on a high note in the next book.

The rest of the supporting characters redeem the book immeasurably.  Brooke and Madison provide great entertainment and mischief, Andrew and Alex return with great back and forth banter, and John rounds it all off with some wonderful "fatherly" interference.

Overall, the book was well written and ended quite well.  I just wish I had liked Liberty more so I could give the book a higher score.

Ratings:

(1=unacceptable, 2=poor, 3=acceptable, 4=good, 5=excellent)

Continuity/Flow – 3

Sex – 5 

Language – 4

Storyline – 3

Overall – 3

Duchess In Love

Duchess In Love By Eloisa James

At an age when she should have still been in a school room, Gina was married off to Camden Serrard, a boy not much older than she was herself.  Much to her indignation Cam does not stick around after the wedding, setting of directly for the Continent and vowing to never return.  In the mean time Gina manages the estate and becomes the most vibrant woman in all of society; flirting with scandal, but never quite stepping over the line. 

Twelve years later Cam, now the Duke of Girton, has returned, but only to grant Gina the freedom she needs to marry the man she has fallen in love with.  Upon arriving at the house party she is attending Cam spies the most beautiful woman in the room and is shocked to learn that he is admiring none other than his wife.  Suddenly the idea of a divorce is not so simple.

There are really three stories twisting around each other in this book.  Two of the stories are so closely intertwined they could simply be the same story with four characters.  The third story is a charming side story that really makes you want to stand up and cheer in the end.

There used to be a trend in romance that the hero had to be perfect.  Strong and brave, always making the right decision, and always having the perfect timing and appearance.  In my humble opinion, that is a very boring premise.  No one is perfect.  That is probably why I love the current trend in romance: heroes with flaws.  This book is a great example of an Alpha Hero with a fear that might not seem very manly.  To me, knowing this fear made him all the more perfect in my mind.

The sex scenes range from the sensual and steamy to the downright fun and endearing.  Where most authors in this genre shy away from playfulness in bedroom scenes, Ms. James shows no such reservations and "dives" right in.  *Pun intended for those who have read the story*

Overall, this was a very fun book to read.  The characters were complex and every time you think you have one of them pinned down, they do or say something that completely bucks you perception.  I found myself enjoying the multiple plots, despite my usual preference to simplicity of story, and kept wanting to hear more and more about one character or another.  This approach really helps you develop a bond with the characters.   

Ratings:

(1=unacceptable, 2=poor, 3=acceptable, 4=good, 5=excellent)

Continuity/Flow – 4

Sex – 4 

Language – 4

Storyline – 5

Overall – 4

*This review is revised from a previous review on this site*

Pick Me

Pick Me by Erika Marks

Thea Dunn is having a rough day month year life.  After enduring the constant drama that was her baby sister's wedding the previous summer, Thea was hit with a difficult legal case that ended badly.  Then, a few months later, her long term boyfriend pulled the plug on their relationship.  Now, she has been chased out of her Charleston town house by termites.  Not much could get worse for her, until she realizes that her neighbor is the only person witness to the most humiliating night of her life fourteen years prior:  Calder Frye.

Calder never paid attention to his reputation in high school, so he didn't really notice that girls thought he was sexy or that the people of Magnolia Bay generally thought of him as a bad boy.  Instead he was too distracted by his not so great home life and wanting to get as far away from it as possible.  Now he's returned to town as an ER doctor and who should happen to be his new neighbor?  The girl who shared with him the best night of his life.  Could this be fate giving them a second chance?  Or are their personal lives simply too complicated...even for each other.

This story is sweet and refreshing.  Thea and her sisters are such a contradiction that the way they play off of each other is priceless.  Honestly, as I am a sucker for supporting characters, I would have loved to have had more meaningful dialog with the sisters.  I loved Connie and Jay from Bet the House and would have loved to seen more of them.  Yet, the story involving Pete and Marie was handled very well.  Ms. Marks is an expert and keeping things buttoned up until the end, so it came as no surprise that I was surprised when the source of the conflict in that story was revealed.

The main characters get a lot of interaction time in this.  Maybe because the story is short, but it felt like they spent more time with each other (or alone) than with anyone else.  The big shock was that I actually liked it.  Their interactions were both sincere and humorous.  There wasn't a lot of sex, but this story was written in a way that the tension speaks for itself and doesn't really need resolution to be satisfying.

Overall, this book and fun and enjoyable.  Very heartwarming and a comfy kind of familiar.

Ratings:

(1=unacceptable, 2=poor, 3=acceptable, 4=good, 5=excellent)

Continuity/Flow – 4

Sex – 4 

Language – 4

Storyline – 5

Overall – 4

The Honeymoon Prize

The Honeymoon Prize by Melissa McClone

After the death of her grandmother and the betrayal of her greedy family leaves her homeless, Addie Sinclair is grateful to her childhood best friend for his offer of protection, even if it is in the form on an "in name only" marriage.  Considering she realized long ago that falling in love with Nick was a bad idea, their agreement seems perfect.  She gets a place to live, financial security, a chance to go to college, and a free vacation, courtesy of their friend Emily.  Too bad Emily forgot to mention a few details.

Nick Cahill doesn't believe that love and sex belong in the same thought, much less the same relationship.  His parents' marriage was disaster and his own fiancee was a lying cheater.  In fact, the only relationship he has ever been able to count on all of his life has been his friendship with Addie.  So when his boss implies that he either needs a wife or a new job, Nick finds the perfect solution to both his and Addie's problems.  A marriage based on friendship without sex.  However, as they arrive on Starfish Island for their "prize" honeymoon, Nick and Addie both realize that keeping their marriage platonic is going to be a lot harder than they had originally thought.

This story tested my boiling point.  Probably because Estate Law in and of itself boils my blood.  Ms. McClone did a wonderful job creating one of the most heartbreaking, and all too real, situations faced by non-inheriting caretakers.  My heart was ripped out for Addie, and I wanted to reach through the pages and slap her family.

Now to the warm and fuzzies.  The scenery in this book was beautiful!  The descriptions made me want to hop on the internet and book a vacation to Fiji, forgetting that I don't exactly have three grand to blow at the moment.

I loved how Nick and Addie interacted with each other.  Once they remembered that they were still friends, their banter was fabulous.  Even their interaction with the supporting characters was better when they remembered that they were friends.  I loved Brad and Mama Lani most of all because they were true to their character stereotypes, but still made to be interesting.

Overall, this was a great quick read that will make you wish you had more books just like it.

Ratings:

(1=unacceptable, 2=poor, 3=acceptable, 4=good, 5=excellent)

Continuity/Flow – 4

Sex – 4 

Language – 4

Storyline – 5

Overall – 4