Satisfying romance

I was not sure about this book in the first few chapters. The H rejected the very obese h in college when she asked him to take her virginity. There was no old romance here or unrequited feelings on his part. She fancied him, he liked her but was more interested in the connection to her famous rockstar father. So to start with, I was not too keen on the H. As a result of this rejection, among other things, the h was so uptight about her obesity that she was still a virgin at 29. But now the weight has gone, she is a successful and beautiful wedding planner, and she meets up again with the H who is writing a book while on military leave, having also been roped in help arrange a wedding.

I normally don’t like the “older virgin” storyline. If there is no religious or moral reason, I find it unrealistic that an attractive, intelligent woman is almost 30 and still a virgin. But when we find that our h’s obesity problems lasted well into her mid 20s, with constant emotional battering from her demanding, perfectionist, super model mother, it starts to become more understandable. She has managed to break the apron strings and take control of her life – and weight – over the past three years but still those feelings of insecurity run deep. Once the attraction between the H and h is established she reveals her virginity and asks him (again) to be her “first”. After the initial shock he decides to approach the whole thing like a military operation. Sounds weird but what it leads to is the most drawn out, erotic (and funny) foreplay I have read in a long time. She just wants to get it over with, he wants to take things slow and make it wonderful for her.

I loved the banter between the two leading characters. It could swing from sexy and funny to serious and emotional all in one page and while both have issues to deal with, they are both helping each other deal. I like this sort of mutual “back scratching” because dealing with the bad stuff is what changes a flirtation into a lasting romance.

Meanwhile, h’s estranged mother, who has had something of an epiphany and realised the damage she did to her daughter’s emotional well-being, is now trying to manipulate her way back into her daughter’s life. H finds out the plan and is somehow persuaded to go along with the deception. The resulting inevitable fallout leading to the happy ending is emotional and understandable. The closing scenes do read a little like a “made for the movies” sort of finish but fortunately the light touches of humour manage to stop it getting too overly sentimental.

All in all, this is a well written, satisfying romance, between two likeable characters, along with a good supporting cast.

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1 person found this helpful

Disappointing

I must admit that if I had started this series with this book I don't think I would have bought anymore. This couple got on my nerves all the will he won't he and the cloak and dagger of the wedding it was a disappointment after reading book two which I enjoyed immensely.

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