Three Little Words

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Book Review, Fool's Gold, Susan Mallery, Three Little Words

New review is now up.

*****

Isabel Beebe is back in Fool’s Gold to run her family’s bridal store while her parents are on vacation and to help get it ready to sell.  But she’s heading back to NYC as soon as she can, whe has big plans to start her own fashion business.  When Ford Hendricks was dumped by his fiance weeks before his wedding, he joined the Navy and hasn’t been back since.  Now home to help run the “bodyguard school”, he’s having problems settling in … especially considering his mother’s match-making attempts.  Isabel may have been the little sister of his former fiance and the girl whose letters kept him sane as a SEAL, but she’s all grown up now.  What seemed like a simple plan to use their friendship to fool his mother into thinking there is more going on quickly turns into something more.  But what can a man who doesn’t think he has the capability to love give a woman who already has one foot out the door on her way back to the Big Apple?

I can have more than one pretend boyfriend in Fool’s Gold, right?  We’ve had some great guys before and now there’s Ford … he’s just oh-so-yummy!  He’s sweet, sexy, thoughtful and caring.  He loves his mother so he talks Isabel into a fake relationship just so that he doesn’t have to hurt her feelings with his refusal to date any of the women she suggests.  And of course everyone knows where that is going to lead … yup, things stop being quite so fake.  I loved both of these characters.  They are fun and complement each other wonderfully.  I was hoping for a happy ending for them from the first chapter and of course, since this is Fool’s Gold, you know they’ll get it … with a few bumps along the way.  I think the ending is one of my favorites – there’s angst without being too angsty and things resolve themselves quicky but satisfyingly.

Oh, and I can’t forget the secondary storyline between Consuelo and Ford’s brother Kent.  Full of heart, even if it didn’t take up a bunch of pages, it too was super sweet and satisfying.  Kent is just as caring and sexy, without being quite as rough as Ford.  He’s had a softer life but Denise Hendricks raised good boys who turned into fantastic men.  (Is it ok to have both brothers as my fictional boyfriend?)  I almost wish that Consuelo had a chance at her own book because she has such an interesting past that leads to some unusual romantic troubles.  She’s tough but vulnerable and Kent finds all those soft, scary parts inside her.  It’s such a treat to watch her fight falling in love.

And of course we are given sneak peeks into the next books in the series coming in 2014 – more football players, people!  WooHoo, bring ’em on!  They are described as three gorgeous guys who have always been able to get or buy what they want … so they are a little spoiled.  I can just imagine what kind of trouble they are going to get themselves into with the lovely ladies of Fool’s Gold.  Luckily, to help us wait, we’re going to get Noelle’s story as a Christmas romance in a few months and she takes on Gideon’s twin, Gabriel.  I just know it’s going to be another winner.

If you’ve never read a Fool’s Gold book, or anything by Susan Mallery, pick up Three Little Words.  You’ll get a wonderful love story and a great introduction to the fantastic world Mallery has created.  (Of course if you have read any of her books, you’ve probably already got a copy of this one.)  As I’ve said over and over and over again, I absolutely love Susan Mallery’s books.  She always makes me smile, laugh, sigh and even occasionally cry.  And her stories never fail to delight – full of characters that are witty, touching and sexy, and dialogue that is smart, funny, flirty, and sweet.  It’s an irresistible combination that makes me happy every time.  So pick up any of them, all of them, it doesn’t matter.  Just go out, get one of her books and prepare to be hooked.

Two of a Kind

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Book Review, Fool's Gold, Susan Mallery, Two of a Kind

Susan Mallery welcomes us back to Fool’s Gold with Two of a Kind, a poignant, heart-warming love story full of wit, tenderness and passion.  Freakishly smart Felicia Swift has always been a bit of a misfit.  She grew up at a university, more of an experiment than a kid, and went straight into the military where she worked with special ops teams doing logistics.  Now she’s going to help her friends open the bodyguard school and hopefully finally find a home.  Gideon Boylan just wants a place where he can be left alone.  Years spent as a POW has left scars both physical and emotional.  And even though they shared a steamy night years ago, Gideon knows that he can’t give Felicia the family she wants.  But as they find their attraction still as strong as ever, will they discover that they are perfect for each other, faults and all?

I couldn’t wait for this book to come out because Felicia was such an engaging character in Just One Kiss and I loved the idea of super-sexy, super-troubled, Gideon.  Two of a Kind is a wonderful story and both characters are flawed but so very charming.  They’ve led totally different lives but ended up in the same place, a little bit on the outside, and together they find a place to belong.  Felicia and Gideon are sweet together and I love the emotionally charged interactions that Mallery very deftly creates for them.

With Two of a Kind, like always, Mallery treats readers to humorous dialogue that pops, a strong story-line that touches the heart, and memorable characters so real you expect to run into them at the store.  Although it’s not a requirement to have read Just One Kiss I would recommend it – not only will it give you more understanding of the complex, addictive characters you’ll find inhabiting Fool’s Gold, but it’s a fantastic read all on its own.

Just One Kiss

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Book Review, Fool's Gold, Just One Kiss, Susan Mallery

I’ll admit it, I’m biased.  I absolutely LOVE Susan Mallery’s books and I look forward to Spring because I know that it means that new Fool’s Gold books are coming out … and this year doesn’t look like it is going to disappoint.

Fifteen years ago teenager Patience McGraw fell in love with her best friend, Justice Garrett.  She finally got up enough courage to tell him how she felt, only he disappeared without a trace in the middle of the night.  Fool’s Gold and Patience were the best thing about Justice’s childhood.  In the witness protection program to escape his criminal father, he was stunned when they suddenly had to relocate after his father was seen in the area.  Now, after years in the military and a stint doing private security, Justice is back in the only place that ever felt like home to open a defense academy – and to see Patience again.  When they realize that their feelings are still strong, will they be able to trust in themselves and each other enough to commit to something more that Just One Kiss?

Once again Mallery brings readers her signature quirkiness and heart in a book full of humor, love and angst.  Although Patience is pretty well centered, Justice is struggling with the things he’s seen and done, plus his fear that he could hurt people like his father.  A fear like that goes deep and no matter how many people tell you otherwise, you are still going to have doubts.  I love the little boy hidden in the man – the one that wants so badly to connect to others, to have a normal life, and for someone to give him the comfort and love he didn’t have growing up.  No matter how big and strong and capable he is, I just want to give him a hug and a cookie.

As always, a Fool’s Gold novel is about more than the two people in the blurb.  It’s always like coming home for me when I pick up one of these books because the town is so real and the people are like old friends.  We’re given updates on everyone, but we’re introduced to new friends too, which is fun.  Mallery does a great job of giving you just enough about the people who will be in the next handful of books to tease you.  I’m actually restraining myself from picking up my ARC of the next novel as I know it is going to be so awesome.  Felicia, who will be the focus next, was definitely a highlight for me in an all-star supporting cast.  I just know she’s going to be a trip to get to know better.

New and long-term readers will love the newest in Mallery’s amazing series – with heart, humor and just that perfect tinge of heat, Just One Kiss is sure to please.

A Fool’s Gold Christmas

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A Fool's Gold Christmas, Book Review, Fool's Gold, Susan Mallery

The exceptional Susan Mallery once again brings readers a delightful and heartwarming story with A Fool’s Gold Christmas. Evie Stryker isn’t happy to be in Fool’s Gold because it is way too close to her family. She’s always been the odd man out in the group and has learned it is better to be apart from them. She just needs to bide her time until she is healthy enough to move away and a romantic entanglement doesn’t fit into that plan. Dante Jefferson learned the hard way that there can be a price for love and he isn’t looking to do it again. An overwhelming attraction to his business partner’s sister is definitely not in his plans either. But Christmas in Fool’s Gold comes with its own share of miracles and may bring these two exactly what they need.

Mallery’s gift is her ability to bring characters to life. She creates people that are vibrant, detailed, and realistic – they always leap off the page. By the time you finish one of her books you feel as if you know them personally and Evie & Dante are no exception. You experience everything right along with them, all their highs and lows. The story flowed very smoothly with a sweet ending that, even though you wanted to smack Dante a little, was satisfying. I love these two and am so happy that they found each other.

A Fool’s Gold Christmas is a rich, engaging romance that will definitely get you in the mood for the holidays. It can stand on its own, but for reader’s of Mallery’s other Fool’s Gold novels this is also a nice chance to catch up with old friends and get a glimpse of those to come. If you haven’t been to Fool’s Gold before, don’t let that intimidate you. Pick this one up – you’ll be happy you did … and will want to visit often.

All Summer Long by Susan Mallery

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All Summer Long, Book Review, Fool's Gold, Susan Mallery

All Summer Long is the newest book in Susan Mallery’s Fool’s Gold series.  Charlie Dixon wants to be normal.  A disastrous incident in college has left scars that stop her from having a successful romantic relationship.  The youngest Stryker brother, Clay, is known for his “assets” after spending years as a model, but now he wants to do more with his life.  When Charlie and Clay develop an unusual friendship, it looks like they might be the answer to each other’s problems.

I honestly did not expect to like this book as much as I did.  Before you even start reading it you know how it ends – the two come to a no strings arrangement that ends with them both falling in love – it wouldn’t be a romance otherwise.  The premise seemed a little strange and I wasn’t sure what to think of Charlie using Clay to get over her hang-ups about sex, just so that she could move on to having a relationship with a “normal” man.  But it should in no way surprise me that Mallery makes it work.  She deftly handles what could have been something awkward with humor, heat, and most importantly heart.

Charlie is awkward and insecure.  Her issues with herself and her mother are poignant and delivered in her straight-forward manner.  I know women like her who so badly want to show that they don’t need a man and how the more mainstream feminine ideals are worthless.  The trauma she went through, along with her delicate mother, make this attitude understandable.  I like the fact that she isn’t changed into a traditionally female character by the end.  Instead she is appreciated for the woman she is – strong, blunt and no-nonsense – and it is her caring and dedicated personality that draws Clay.

Clay is almost perfect, emotionally as well as physically.  He’s spent so much of his adult life being appreciated for what is on the outside that he now wants to be seen for what is on the inside.  He is afraid he isn’t enough, though, and it is hard, even in Fool’s Gold, to be taken seriously.  But the way he approaches Charlie’s request is very touching and the thought he puts into it shows the strength of his character.  He does research into what she is feeling and how best to work with her to overcome it, showing that he is more than just a gorgeous . . . face.

Once again Susan Mallery brings to life characters so real they feel like long-time friends, in a story that is both touching & funny.  All Summer Long is a wonderful addition to the Fool’s Gold saga and I highly recommend picking it up.