Smart Girls Think Twice (Berkley Sensation)
*Starred Review* Linz takes us back to the small town of Rock Creek, Pennsylvania, for her latest romantic romp. Sociologist Emma, sister of Sue Ellen and plus-sized model Leena (Big Girls Don’t Cry, 2007), has always been the “smart sister,” considered plainer and more reserved than her pretty, personable siblings. Sue Ellen and Leena are both getting married, and while Emma’s in Rock Creek for the weddings, she figures she can do an academic study on the town’s revitalization. When Emma approaches one of Rock Creek’s newcomers, hunky bartender Jake Slayter, to interview him, she wishes for once that she weren’t the ordinary-looking sister. Jake doesn’t want to be interviewed for Emma’s study: his reasons for coming to Rock Creek are secret. But when he watches the mousy sociologist deck one of the more obnoxious bar customers, Jake begins to view her in a different light. Readers will be captivated as they watch the introverted academic get in touch with her inner warrior and realize her true potential. Funny and poignant by turns, Linz’s latest is sure to charm. --Shelley Mosley