Summary
Dr. Sophie Grimaldi is successful and happy in her career, if not in love. She’s single and content to remain that way. Any romantic notions that men are decent and true love exists are indulged only with her book boyfriends.
Best-selling author Jax Rowland is writing the first book of his next spy thriller series and it’s not going well. He’s struggling to forge a deeper connection between his protagonist and not-another-Bond-girl. If he fails, he faces even more negative reviews from his disenchanted female readers.
When Sophie finds a sheet of Jax’s notes in a library book, she’s appalled by his attempt at a love scene and critiques it. She never imagines the author will read her review.
Embarrassed to view his work through a mystery critic’s eyes, Jax recognizes her talent and hires Sophie to edit the love scenes of his next novel. As they get to know each other through the work and discover all they share in common, a desire for more than a working relationship or friendship grows. But, after a series of missed connections and unexpected twists, it seems fate has other plans.
Will they continue to play it safe and single or will they risk another heartbreak for a chance at love?
Characters
Sophie and Jax are fun characters, although sometimes I enjoyed their friends more! They felt like the female and male versions of the same person, but had enough differences for the attraction to feel real. I very much enjoyed how frank Sophie was about what she wanted but of course was guarded about the whole commitment thing. Meanwhile Jax gets a new lease on life. It’s like they were made for each other…because they were!
Plot
And there in lies the rub. The characters felt very real with but times it didn’t feel like the story progressed organically. Instead the author seemed to be spinning a tale of “will it/won’t it” until the very end to fit the story she wanted to tell. It was actually very refreshing in many ways because normally the romance is the focus, instead this focuses on the building of a relationship, where two people aren’t sure if it is right or not in this day and age. By the end I was rooting for them!
Overall
The writing was punchy and enjoyable. The romantic scenes fun and steamy…uniquely steamy. Let’s just say this is a romantic onion – it has layers of writing within it to give that spiciness! I did like the characters, and they were both modern healthy fanatics that made me go an eat ice cream out of pure spite, but the author didn’t make it too overbearing so it just added to their characters and why they were made for each other.
Hardest time I had was how a practicing dentist didn’t have her picture up on anything social media wise. Nothing friends, family, or anyone uploaded to show each other what they look like. I get it was necessary for the story but it was hard to believe. I’ll get off my soap box, but that was very strange for a modern romance.
Rating
4 stars
Was it perfect? Nope. Was it unique? Yep! Did it show that this author had lots and lots of potential? Absolutely. Would I read another book by them? For sure! Does this book need a better title… I’d recommend it…
Where did I get a copy?
Kindle Unlimited
Creating Worlds with Words 