Review: Engaging romance
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 03 25, 2013
His Brand of Beautiful is a debut contemporary romance for Lily Malone with Harlequin's fledgling digital imprint, Escape.Christina Clay manages the family winery and has come up with an idea to expand the iconic company, but she needs the help of marketing guru Tate Newell to ensure a successful launch. Tate isn't really interested in dealing with Christina and her company, her cause based advertising strategy doesn't align with his own principles, but he finds inspiration in the concept she floats - a wine label that reflects the wild side of Australia, and decides to give her a chance to show him just how wild she can be. But Christina is not a woman easily tamed, when she wants something she goes all out to get it - and Tate can give her everything she ever wanted.I really liked the chemistry between Christina and Tate, which is present from the first moment they meet. They have a lot in common, including deep emotional scars after tragic loss and both are afraid of risking their hearts fully. The author explores their fears well, it's evident a relationship between two such guarded people is never going to be easy.Christina seems to swing wildly between two extremes, she is immensely generous at times but can also emotionally selfish. This is evident particularly when Christina drops a bombshell on Tate and doesn't seem to understand his reaction to her manipulation. To be honest I felt her obtuseness in this situation didn't really fit with her character.I loved that Tate is a mixture of businessman and jackaroo. He is easygoing and fair minded but no pushover. His wounded heart ensures sympathy and his patience with Christina is admirable. I thought he made an appealing romantic lead.There were two elements I struggled with, the first being Tate's comparisons between Christina and his dead sister Jolie that, initially at least, I found pretty creepy. The second had to do with what I perceive as a gap in the storyline between Tate and Christina's first intimate encounter and Christina's bombshell. Christina's personal goal is mentioned not at all during that period whereas I would expect it to be at the forefront of her mind and emphasised within the story.Overall however I did enjoy the book. The sexual tension is well developed, the sex scenes are hot yet tasteful and love triumphs, despite all the obstacles.His Brand of Beautiful is an engaging romance that moves between suburban Adelaide and the South Australian Outback, and a nice first effort for romance fans to savour with a glass of good wine.