TEST
I’ve been looking forward to Rachel Gibson’s second novel after Simply Irresistible but I was disappointed in this one. There were problems with underdeveloped characters and lapses in logic. These problems were made worse by a hero I did not like at all.
Delaney Shaw left Truly, Idaho, to go to college after having been driven away by controlling parents, and never came back. She’s come back for the reading of her stepfather, Henry’s, will. Nick Allegrezza is Henry’s illegitimate son whom Henry ignored most of his life. Nick tortured and teased Delaney while they were growing up until one night of almost passion between them. They’re brought back together again by Henry’s will. He’s set things up in the hopes that Nick and Delaney will get together this time out of nothing more than spite. If they do, he might get a grandson to carry on his bloodline since he and Delaney’s mom didn’t have any children.
The will was the first thing to be annoying. First of all, it’s becoming as big a cliche as the cowboy and the secret baby. I can’t even believe that a person would actually set up such an outlandish stunt in his will as Henry does here. Nick and Delaney have to avoid a sexual relationship or their inheritances are voided – and this is supposed to bring them together? I’d pick $3 million dollars over hormones any day.
I didn’t really have any problems with Delaney as a character. She was fairly spunky and defiant, but not stupidly so. I do like heroines with smart mouths. Nick, however, was as obnoxious as they come. He’s slept with several women, avoided relationships like the plague, and has mixed feeling about Delaney. Nick is an excellent example of one of the topics in Laurie’s News and Views – the male slut. I didn’t find this guy remotely attractive as a hero. Promiscuous, rude and arrogant, yes – desirable, no. Also, by the end of the book, we discover that Delaney’s the only one for him and that he’s wanted her all these years. Uh huh. I believe that one – not.
I could also tell this was supposed to be a funny, probably madcap book, but it didn’t really work in that way. There were some humorous situations, but the emotional baggage of both main characters took over the whole tone of the book and drove off a lot of the humor. Still, some of Delaney’s beauty shop customers were fun.
I think my basic problem comes down to this: it’s hard for me to believe that one woman could change a man so much. I simply could not believe it in this book. Sometimes, I don’t have a problem believing it, especially in historicals, but not here. I just didn’t buy Nick’s change of heart. He’d been too deliberately cruel to Delaney all through the book. While parts of Nick’s basic goodness showed through, like buying Delaney snow tires or changing her locks, I just didn’t see enough of it. Also, Nick’s crude language turned me off.
If you don’t mind a promiscuous hero, you might like this one. But if you don’t like the male slut, this is not for you. And Avon – get a decent copy editor. You’re, not your, is the proper contraction of you are. And it’s the sole of the shoe, not the soul. Geez.
Grade: C-
Book Type: Contemporary Romance
Sensuality: Hot
Review Date: 30/12/98
Publication Date: 1999
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Recent Comments …
Yep
This sounds delightful! I’m grabbing it, thanks
excellent book: interesting, funny dialogs, deep understanding of each character, interesting secondary characters, and also sexy.
I don’t think anyone expects you to post UK prices – it’s just a shame that such a great sale…
I’m sorry about that. We don’t have any way to post British prices as an American based site.
I have several of her books on my TBR and after reading this am moving them up the pile.