Review: ..if you love something, you set it free...right???
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 05 14, 2013
This story is a prime example of why one cannot believe all five ★ reviews.  A review is relative; that is, what was "fabulous" for one reviewer might me "so-so" for another.  And what someone might deem "steamy sexy" might come across as desperation to someone else.Kate Westby is a 22 year old college student looking for a Sugar Daddy to pay her school expenses etc. in lieu of offering her "companionship".  Basically, Kate is a good girl.  She's no innocent, but she IS naive in many ways.  She's not complicated or complex and she has her doubts about what she's doing....that is, putting her pict. and profile online to advertise for a Sugar Daddy.  Within hours, she deletes her profile as she's apprehensive about "kooks" looking her up.  But before her history is deleted, Jack Ryker see's her.Jack Ryker wasn't looking for anything in particular when he saw Kates profile...but he heard about the website on the news and out of curiosity, checked it out.  BAM! ....there's beautiful Kate.  Jack is a lonely, depressed 49 year old widower.  He's a multi-billionaire on the verge of selling his 30 yr. old garment empire.  He has suppressed his sexual urges since he's lost his wife...(3.5 yrs. ago)  And when he meets Kate, he's suddenly acting like a hormonal teenager.  And the relationship begins.There were so many things I found odd about this story.  This Author's writing seemed bizarre at times IMHO, and amateurish other times.  Then I remembered how much the book cost and I had my epiphany...aaaah, this is one of those Authors that has published their own book.  Ok, so all the odd wording, statements and events made more sense.  (No Publishing House picked this story up).  I'm fine with that and more power to Authors who have the guts to publish their own work.  Brava Ms. Stone!!But back to the review... it was odd (to me) how quickly the relationship between Kate and Jack moved...incredibly waaaaay too fast for strangers with such an age gap.  And even though this is the way of relationships for some 22 yr. olds...it wasn't believable for a 49 yr. old who's been out of circulation for almost 29 years...(he was married and faithful for 25 and widowed for 3).  I found it odd how quickly  Jack and Kate were familiar with each other.  There was no growth between the characters..no build up...no time for them to get to know one another or to allow the reader to connect with them.  They just suddenly act as if they've known each other all their lives...literally; using endearments like "baby, sweetie, hun" etc. within hours of meeting.I found it odd how many times the characters say each other's names in a sentence or paragraph.  I mean, who talks like that?  It was odd (to me) how they disguise their sugar daddy/mistress relationship, calling it a partnership.  And yes.. while they DO in fact establish a partnership/business together...they skitter away from the reality of what is really going on...a lover/mistress relationship.  In todays world, who cares?Jack always stresses the importance of loyalty to family, friends, your business team workers or acquaintances.  And yet he's disloyal to Kate!  It was odd how Jack get's offended when Kate's best friend comes on to him when he's just had a threesome with her.  It didn't make sense to me.Jack is constantly, logically rationalizing the futility of his arrangement with Kate due to their age differences, and the fact that Kate is just beginning her life while his is winding down (retiring)... but then turns the tables on himself and refutes everything he just got through rationalizing as futile.  He's just one mixed up, hormonal puppy.  Yet I loved the guy.Anyway, on it goes.  I gotta say though I found this plot interesting enough to finish the book...even through the inane, absurdity of a 22 yr. old female hooking up with a 49 yr. old for anything more than his money.  And I truthfully gotta say I loved these two characters.  Especially Jack (probably because I'm closer in age to him).  He was simply... perfection.  All in all, I think this Author did very well for a first publishing.