Review: Playful and Serious
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 05 23, 2012
Parolee Luke Bailey is struggling just to get by, so when his Parole Officer pulls a few strings to get him an interview for a bartending job he is ecstatic--on the inside. Working at the theme bar, My Parents' Basement, would mean a steady job and a place to stay. But Luke, an introvert, is totally out of his element at this cozy bar designed to evoke memories of childhood where customers and employees mingle and play board games. This bar even throws an annual Prom! But Luke finds he enjoys working alongside his boss, Mary Scott. Mary knows Luke is off-limits for so many reasons including he's her employee, he's an ex-con, and they are total opposites. But Mary just can't seem to stop herself. Soon, they are working all day and playing all night. But when Mary notices cash and stock missing, things start to change.I wasn't sure what to expect with this story, but found I really enjoyed it. The POV shifts between Luke and Mary allowing us to really see how different they are. Mary is the outgoing party hostess who has a smile for everyone. Luke keeps to himself, but has a wicked sense of humor that Mary brings out. The authors did a great job of showing us how completely different these two are in personality and background, but showed us how well they complement each other and work together.I enjoyed watching Luke and Mary get to know each other and learn to trust each other...because both have reasons not to trust. The conflict didn't feel contrived or forced, but really helped to push the story along.My only real complaint is that while Luke's actions in the end are believable, a lot of his language isn't so believable. In fact, he kinda sounds like a girl--or what a girl WANTS to hear from the boy she loves. I think Luke still could have said what needed to be said and still sounded like the man we grew to know and love.