Review: Slightly Angsty, Simply Sweet
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 03 17, 2012
I'm pretty sure that I read this story when it was originally released by Harlequin. Though it still reads like a Harlequin of old (love scenes behind closed doors, relatively short novel) Fasano's updates for this Kindle edition keep the story from being dated.The angst in the story comes from Chelsea's feelings of being unloved as a child. When the story begins, she offers to enter into a temporary, mutually beneficial marriage with Ben because she wants a child but doesn't believe that she will ever find love. Her feelings stem from an abusive childhood that she is slow to reveal to Ben because she's both ashamed and afraid of being hurt. His patience and kindness toward her result, of course, in her falling in love with him.The sweetness in the story comes from Ben's gentle handling of Chelsea. When she first suggests the temporary marriage arrangement, Ben thinks that Chelsea is cold and unfeeling, and she does nothing to dispel that idea. Although she wants him to give her a baby, he insists that they get to know each other first. His compassion and caring make him a rather likable guy. One of the things I appreciated about the story is that Chelsea is attracted to him, but it's not about his perfect looks and killer body; it's about who he is and how he treats her.Fasano's writing is smooth and polished.