REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY: WHEN WE MET by SUSAN MALLERY

 

 

 

Welcome to my stop on tour to celebrate the release of When We Met the latest in the Fool’s Gold Series. The tour is being hosted by BookTrib. My stop includes a review and giveaway.

Series: Fool's Gold #13
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Harlequin HQN
Publication Date: 4/29/14
Format: ARC
Pages: 352
Source: Received from publicist for review
Rating: 3.5 stars


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New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery invites you back to Fool's Gold, where a newcomer to town might finally meet the man she never knew she needed…

Angel Whittaker earned his scars the hard way, but the scars that can't be seen are the ones that haunt him the most. Since he moved to Fool's Gold, California, he's cobbled together a life for himself as a bodyguard trainer. If he's not exactly happy, at least his heart is safe.

Working with pro-football superstars taught tough-talking PR woman Taryn Crawford one thing—she can go toe to toe with any man. But then dark, dangerous former Special Ops Angel targets her for seduction…and challenges her to resist his tempting kisses.

Even in four-inch heels, Taryn never backs down. Unless, somehow, Angel can convince her that surrender might feel even better than victory.

After enjoying Three Little Words, I was happy to go back to Fool's Gold, California. This series is full of characters with interesting and often complex backgrounds; Angel Whittaker and Taryn Crawford were no exception.

Both Angel and Taryn have exceedingly heartbreaking backgrounds. Angel is a man who lost his family, and has a mysterious scar across his neck that draws curious glance, but which he refuses to discuss. I'll admit, I'm a bit disappointed we never get the story. Taryn is a divorcee who's ex-husband is her business partner and close friend (it's a long, weird, but cool story). At first, these two sort of seemed like an odd pairing to me. I'm not sure why, but Angel struck me as the type to like a woman with simpler style, the complete opposite of what Taryn projects. After a life of poverty, Taryn can finally afford what the wants, and that would be designer shoes and clothing.

So despite my initial assumption of Angel, he is very attracted to Taryn's style, to all of her. I was a bit thrown by him just approaching Taryn and telling her they were going to happen, but it's just one of those things you have to go with. And wow, the things Angel says to Taryn...that man can bring the swoon. The relationship starts to build in a more endearing manner when work and obligation has them seeking help from each other. Along the way, Marcus and Taryn open up about their sad pasts, and that's when I was pulled into the story. Because of those pasts, Angel's devastating loss and Taryn's tough upbringing, neither wants love. We all know where this is going, right? Right. It was also no surprise that despite the two falling for each other, there's a lot of resistance, especially from Angel. Though he did frustrate me, Mallery did a nice job of reinforcing the reason for his hesitance.

I'd forgotten how much I enjoy Fool's Gold, a small town in California with the most interesting variety of people and businesses. I really appreciate the strong friendships between the ladies, and that's really a huge selling point for this series. There are no rivalries or general bitchiness, these ladies are all about support and having fun. A lot of the story is filled with the day-to-day goings on of Fool's Gold and its residents, so if you're a long time fan of the series and you love mentions and interactions with former leading characters/couples, or you just really enjoy the small-town setting, When We Met will hit the spot.


Favorite Quote
   "Of course I want you, Taryn. I'm breathing, aren't I? Because it would take being dead not to want you. You told me you wanted me to work for it and I'm more than willing to do that. To wait to feel your skin against mine, your mouth, your breasts, all of you. But when we are together, it's going to be my way. It's going to be slow. There won't be an inch of you I won't touch, won't please. I want to learn everything you like and then figure out how to do it so well I can make you come anytime, anywhere. And I will."

Giveaway

One winner will receive a copy of When We Met, courtesy of the publisher.
Must be 18+ years of age; open to US/Can only.


a Rafflecopter giveaway


 

About the author

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author SUSAN MALLERY is known for emotionally complex stories told with charm and wit. With a keen eye for human nature, she breathes life into characters on the page and was recently honored with a prestigious National Readers’ Choice Award. Susan has lived all over the United States, including a childhood in the suburbs of Los Angeles, graduate school in the hills of Pennsylvania and several years in Texas. These days, she makes her home in Seattle, Washington. She’s there for the coffee, not the weather.

Find Susan online at www.SusanMallery.com  She’s also very active on Facebook, Twitter and Goodreads, and has been known to invite her fans to help her name characters and brainstorm aspects of her books.