Review: Just didn't feel the connection...
Rating: 2 out of 5
Date: 12 29, 2013
You can read this and other reviews at [...]I could not connect with these characters for the life of me.  I swear to you that I tired.  I really did.  But as I read each page, my mind would wander.  It’s almost as if it was intent on picking apart things that had absolutely nothing to do with the pages in front of me.  Finally at around 85% of the way through there was a moment.  The connection – my stomach bottomed out and I felt the horrible despair that Leah must have felt.  I found myself worried for Mick. His head and heart were in two very different places.I’m getting ahead of myself…Leah and Mick work together.  They’re partners in a real estate firm.  Leah finds herself in a bit of a jam.  She invented a boyfriend to keep her parents happy. Her father has been ill and they moved to warmer weather because it’s easier on him.  The last thing Leah wants is for her parents to come back to the wind and cold simply because they’re worried about her.  It seemed easier to invent a fake relationship.  Let this be a lesson to you all, fake relationships only end in heartache.  Don’t do it.  Just, don’t. Leah’s parents decide to come visit for Christmas, and by this time, Leah has upped the fake relationship to a fake engagement. Bad idea… How could that possibly end well? Maybe you can tell me because the future isn’t looking too bright.  Of course Mick finds out about the whole thing and volunteers to be the mysterious fiancé.  Who would have thunk it? Both Leah and Mick have feelings for one another.  They struggle with keeping things “friendly” and as a result, Leah makes a fool out herself – repeatedly."Now he had more time with her to explore whether or not this – whatever it was between them, was worth taking the risk. A risk that was twofold, he reminded himself. A friendship and business partnership were on the line."Mick has a lot to think about before diving into a relationship.  He’s got a little boy named Luke from a previous marriage. And if you’re a parent, you KNOW what a big deal that is.  Not only would the woman have to be into Mick, but she’d have to love and accept his son, Luke, as well. The man hasn’t even dated in the last three years…"He could still be a good dad to Luke, and have a passionate relationship with a woman. A woman who wanted a good man with a little bad boy mixed in.A woman like Leah."Leah has also been in a dating drought.  When she realized Mick was waiting for someone special, it made her want to do the same.  Sweet, yet a little creepy.When the two finally get together they jump right into sexy time.  Seriously...  It went from “eh, we shouldn’t do this” to “take your clothes off and do me” in a matter of sentences.  Yes, I get that they already have the friendship foundation, but it seems awful sudden and intense.  Also, for me, the sexy time writing was a little “old school” for lack of a better term.  I felt like it was something out a romance novel from the 80’s; something my mom would have read when I was young.  It just didn’t do it for me.Overall this is a cute story. It’s very basic and straight forward, not much in the twists and turns department.  The ending is sweet – yet predictable.  I can’t really say I’d recommend this novella, but if you’re looking for something to read and happen upon it, give it a chance. You might find it a nice change of pace. I wish I could say the same.  Again, your opinion may differ greatly from mine.  That’s perfectly fine.  It’s what makes the world such a beautiful place. Even though I FINALLY found that connection I was so desperately searching for,  I just can’t in good conscience tell you to run out and pick this short read up.