Review: A solid beginning to real romance (4.5 stars)
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 07 26, 2013
This is one story over three volumes, and yes, volume 1 ended with a mild cliffhanger, but the story still had a satisfying plot and emotional-arc in itself. There are many things going for this series – including:1) Alex and Jennifer have good chemistry and depth to their issues to make them believable. Both have flaws that aren’t likeable at times, but are tolerable, which makes them authentic. For example, Jennifer’s caustic tongue and put downs to those she has instantly judged not worthy of her compassion had me cringing and rolling my eyes.2) I appreciate that while we are reading yet another heroine who doesn’t believe she’s beautiful (which let’s admit ladies, is most of us), she’s not timid or a wallflower. She’s a bright woman with (mostly) savvy business instincts.3) Wonderful 3-D secondary characters that have their own voice and strong personality. Ms. Blackwell as the over-the-top New Yorker-fashionista is a hoot.4) I’ll admit I was worried for the first 1/4-1/3 of the book since it followed a very contrived plot line. Thankfully, I was so excited when it took the turn that it did (I’m purposefully keeping it vague so as to avoid spoilers in this review). Suffice it to say – I was pleased when Jennifer showed us (and Alex) that she wouldn’t take any crap from any man.5) Appreciated that this isn’t a love-at-first sight, jump into bed, storyline. Don’t get me wrong, attraction and chemistry are there – but both Alex and Jennifer want to keep it professional/platonic and then want to get to know each other first. Well done! To me this is one of the main reasons why I’ll put up with a multi-volume series where you have to wait between books – a well-developed emotional arc that takes the relationship in stages.Only a couple minor disappointments: 1) Since Jennifer’s toxic parents play a huge role in her going/staying in New York and shaping her resolve and self-image, I wish there was a bit more shown of this nastiness sprinkled throughout (either with internal dialog or memories). There’s some but given how deeply it has affected her, she would have lots more negative talk running through her head.2) If Jennifer was a business news junkie as shown in the last half of the book, it was completely missing in the first half. Someone like that would have googled Alex Wenn and Wenn Enterprises to the “n-degree” ESPECIALLY for the second interview and spouted something intelligent during that opportunity. As a result, later on her business instincts felt hollow (an instance of tell vs. show).3) My Kindle didn’t have a linked table of contents, but I blame the formatter/editor for this rookie mistake and not the author.Already bought volume 2. I can only hope that the next two are just as satisfying.