REVIEW and GIVEAWAY: UNTIL WE TOUCH by SUSAN MALLERY

Series: Fool's Gold #15
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Harlequin HQN
Publication Date: 6/24/14
Format: ARC
Pages: 384
Source: Publisher
Rating: 3 stars


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From New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery comes the story of secret desires finally fulfilled…

After a family tragedy, former football hero Jack McGarry keeps the world at arm's length—a challenge now that his PR firm has moved to neighborly Fool's Gold, California.

Larissa Owens knows where she stands—Jack sees her as just another one of the guys. No matter what her heart wishes, Jack's her boss, not her boyfriend. But then Larissa's big secret is revealed…by her mother!

When Jack discovers the truth about Larissa's feelings, her touch suddenly becomes tantalizing, and he's not sure he wants to resist. But if he gives in to desire, heartache is sure to follow. Friendship or true love—will Jack go for the ultimate play?

 

My Review

 

I've been excited to read Until We Touch since I finished When We Met. Somehow I managed to miss Sam's book, but there was no way I would miss Jack and Larissa. These two had an underlying chemistry that's a result of years of working together, laughing together, and helping each other many ways. Though they were opposites, Jack and Larissa fit together so well. I just knew that I would love their story.

 

Except...I didn't. Don't get me wrong, I didn't dislike Until We Touch. In fact, there were a lot of things I liked about it. I always love revisiting Fool's Gold, I love the strong female relationships in the series, and I like the comfort. But I just didn't get on board with Jack's part in the relationship.

 

I recently read this post from a romance author (sorry, I can't find it!), on what she believes is expected of a romance novel. To briefly sum it up, she noted that readers need three aspects in romance: 1) to believe the couple is meant to be together  2) to believe and/or understand the conflict that keeps them apart  3) to believe the couple can/has worked sufficiently worked through that issue and has earned the happily ever after. The problem here, for me, is I wasn't completely sold on #2, but that's not uncommon, so, fine. But I was absolutely not sold on #3. I felt that the ending -with Jack's revelations about himself and his feelings for Larissa not being fully fleshed out - was rushed. That's always going to bring me away from the story with a less than satisfied feeling.

 

I understand that I may be alone in my feelings, but there you have it. I do enjoy the Fool's Gold series so much, and believe that a lot of readers will love Jack and Larissa's story. I just had higher expectations that were not fully met. I have no idea whom the next book will be about (maybe Kenny? Bailey?) but I do look forward to revisiting.

 

I'm giving away my ARC of Until We Touch.

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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.