Review: A Real Romance!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 11 16, 2010
Hands On has to be the most down to earth, realistic romance novel I have read to date. I found her novel to be refreshing, and ultimately a much needed breath of fresh air in the romance genre. Here are the three reasons why you should read a copy of Hands On.Real Characters:Harry and Ginnie are two of the most relatable characters I have seen because Crooks doesn't take the easy route in character development. I really like how she weaves deep rooted issues into Harry and Ginnie. Harry's ex-fiancee publicly humiliated him with an unthinkable accusation, sending him into seclusion. His mistrust of women runs so deep that he fights off Ginnie's charms at every turn. Crooks really kept us on our toes with Harry, as you will literally have to wait until the end to find out if he will ever get over his issues with women.Ginnie has escaped her controlling ex-fiancee and is now making a fresh start in a new city as a puppeteer. Her self-esteem has taken a huge beating, and her puppeteer business is really struggling. All she wants is to do what she loves for a living, and a man isn't in her plans. After her traumatic experience with her ex, Ginnie ironically develops control issues of her own as she is determined not to let anyone control her again. Like a well developed movie, Crooks succeeds in shaping each character into a true to life being.Real Sex:I loved how Crooks created very honest sex scenes between Harry and Ginnie. For example, when Harry removes his pants for the first time, Ginnie immediately recognizes that Harry "bore no resemblance" to her ex. While it is funny to read, it is even more tickling to know that thoughts like that really go through a woman's mind. Crooks also shows us the real hesitation that comes along with a first sexual experience between our characters. Ginnie says, "Can I...touch you?" With as many sex scenes as I've read, it is hard to find novels that stay true to the emotions involved in having sex. Crooks accomplishes this in spades, and I definitely appreciate the extra effort.Fat-Free:With this novel coming out to approximately 115 pages, I quickly noticed that Crooks has a unique way of giving us all the delicious details without any extraneous fat. I was surprised at how I devoured this novel in a single sitting. The pacing is solid, and the transition between scenes is very smooth. Hands On is an easy read, and I found myself emotionally invested into the character's happiness. I would absolutely recommend purchasing Hands On!Zee at Fire Pages […]