Review: Loved it! Hero, heroine, romance, story = all fabulous (4.5 stars)
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 08 1, 2011
I really enjoyed this book and it will definitely be a reread for me in the future. It was sweet, funny, smartly written, and sizzling - what's not to like? This is the first I've heard of this author and when I finished the book I was interested in browsing through her other work. I noticed that it all seems to be erotica so I want to make a point of saying that this appears to be her venture into more mainstream romance, as it's not erotica (or romantica) - just straight-up good old-fashioned (hot!) contemporary romance. Definitely recommend. Enjoy!!LOVED BRANDY:She was funny, authentic, friendly, intelligent. No TSTL or TATL moments. Her "transformation" didn't really feel like a transformation, so much as a coming into her own and gaining confidence. Sometimes these makeovers can be ridiculous, over-the-top, and be a mouse-becomes-slut situation. Not the case here, which I loved.LOVED MARCO:So, so sexy and such a surprising sweetheart! I loved his back story and that there was way more than meets the eye to him. He's rough around the edges, but very sweet. From the beginning, he's not a bad-ass: he wears leather, drives a motorcycle, and co-owns a bar, but he is relatively nice to Brandy from the get-go - though NOT in love with or very attracted to her (more about that below). I also loved his possessiveness when he realizes that he DOES have feelings for her ... though that actually kicks in before the realization, making it that much more delicious.LOVED THEIR RELATIONSHIP:Marco is good-looking, so there are times when Brandy finds herself attracted to him. And while at the beginning I feared this would be an instant lust situation (even though the heroine is supposed to be somewhat plump and frumpily dressed) with Marco looking at Brandy's mouth etc., this did not end up being the case. When it starts, they are strangers, and they act like that (though both being nice), and as they get to know one another they become friends and the attraction between them builds. I loved the slow and steady pace of it.LOVED THE CHEMISTRY:Sizzling, delicious, hot hot hot!! Enough said. (Note: it's not erotica, though I've seen that some people have classified it as such).ALSO LOVED ...The supporting characters, dialogue, overall story arc. No additional comments.LOVED IT!CRITICISM:Would have liked to know more about Marco's history earlier on and have it be integrated earlier into his relationship with Brandy and their "discovering one another" stage. Definitely wanted his relationship with his father further developed; all seemed very mysterious and when we find out the cause of the rift, it frankly didn't make sense and seemed way overblown, like some big misunderstanding that could have been solved with a five-minute sit-down. Also think the relationship and dynamic between Brandy and her parents could / should have been further explored.RECOMMENDATIONS:*Bet Meby Jennifer Crusie (5+ stars)*Wanting What You Getby Kathy Love (5 stars)*Cutting Looseby Susan Andersen (5 stars)*Heaven, Texasby Susan Elizabeth Phillips (5 stars)*One Reckless Summerby Toni Blake (4.5 stars)*Jewels of the Sunby Nora Roberts (4.5 stars)*Fast Womenby Jennifer Crusie (4.5 stars)*See Jane Scoreby Rachel Gibson (4.5 stars)*Getting Rid of Bradleyby Jennifer Crusie (4 stars)*Lead Me Onby Julie Ortolon (4 stars)* This review is of an advance reading copy provided by Carina Press through NetGalley.