Review: The modern geek in her natural habitat
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 04 28, 2014
Kate is a computer nerd, a gamer geek, and proud of it.I'm not a gamer geek, but my husband is, and through his circle of friends I've met enough women like Kate to know that her attitude is pretty damn perfect. I think my favorite moment in the book is when she takes Will to Minicon, and one of the required convention a**hats calls her "FGG."This is a sweet (but also steamy) love story where two stubborn opposites are forced to take a look at their priorities and decide if what they think is important really is. I really liked that both of them are willing to give a little without making it feel like giving in.Kate is the last hold out in a neighborhood that Will wants to develop, and the man he left in charge has been using a lot of vinegar as opposed to honey. Kate believed Will himself was responsible for the harassment, while he's been led to think she's just trying to get as much as she can out of him for the building. The two of them are off to a rocky start, soooo cue the instant attraction. :)While the attraction was instant, it does take them a couple of weeks to progress, although one of those passes in the turn of a chapter. Still, it's not the absolutely instant OMG I LOVE YOU LET'S GET MARRIED TODAY kind of romance that still shows up in a lot of books.During the required conflict:"A great love affair? It was hardly that, was it?""It was to you. It felt that way while it was happening and so the scars it leaves will be that way."How beautiful is that? That's Kate's bff Meg, btw. She's awesome and I want her story!I really, really enjoyed this book. I didn't catch any typos or grammar mistakes that threw me out of the story, and the author's voice was fun to read. Emma Shortt is definitely on my favorite-authors list.There is a mini-SPOILER in the paragraph below, but it comes out fairly early in the book and I don't think knowing it will really spoil anything for you.*************If I were going to take off a half star for anything, it's the backstory for Kate's continued virginity.While I could see how the stereotypical shy & awkward nature of Kate's friends may have ended up in failed attempts to turn in her V-card, I find it hard to believe that someone as feisty & attractive as she is could go to conventions in full cosplay and not appeal to the more modern, confident nerd. They do get married, after all. ;)Not necessarily a con hookup, because ewwww, but someone local who might come to her shop and flirt. Yes, this is where the wall she's built up since her parents' deaths keeps people out, but it seems implausible. Just relax and let your willing suspension of disbelief roll with it.