Thursday, June 19, 2014

REVIEW and GIVEAWAY: UNTIL WE TOUCH by SUSAN MALLERY

Until We Touch (Fool's Gold, #15)
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.
Must be 18+ years of age; open to US only.



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.



28 comments:

  1. I very much enjoy Susan Mallery's books and this one looks like another winner!!

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  2. I haven't read any of Susan's books yet (I live under a rock :) ) so I'm very excited to see this newest one! Definitely going to be added to my want list! Thanks for sharing!

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  3. I'm sorry this one let you down, Andrea. I would agree with needing those 3 elements in a romance and if I'm not feeling one or more of those elements, it wouldn't work for me either. I am glad you still had the strong female relationships and Fool's Gold to enjoy. Great review!

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  4. It does seem like a book I would enjoy. I just love susan's books. Thanks for having the giveaway.

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  5. Sorry this one didn't really work for you! I love those three romance necessities you mentioned though because they are completely true! If I'm not sold on one of them the story usually doesn't work for me. Great review Andrea!

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  6. I have read the first books in the Fool's Gold series, I absolutely loved them. I actually don't have a fab couple. I'll have to re-read them!

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  7. Andrea, I can understand why parts of this book didn't work for you, and I too am never a fan of rushed endings. But I do always like reading a differing opinion on a book, so thanks for your honest review!

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  8. Thanks for the honest review. I haven't started this series as yet (I'm a long way to go before getting here it seems) but I can understand not being sold on the conflict that keeps them apart. That happens often in romance books and even I as an author have trouble mastering that aspect.

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  9. That is always the worst feeling. You get all excited for the book, but then you wind up not really enjoying it. I completely get where you're coming from, Andrea. Not being able to understand points #2 and #3 on the list is frustrating. I'm not sure if I would appreciate the rushed ending.
    Great honest review, Andrea!

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  10. I'm actually reading my first Fool's Gold novel right now -- "When We Met" I like it so far! =)

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  11. Sorry you didn't really love this one, but hopefully whoever has their story next will be better.

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  12. Conflict-resolution is important IMO, if it's not believable then it makes the relationship seem shallow, forced or even convenient.

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  13. I hate when I'm disappointed about a book that I've really wanted to read. I've been looking forward to Jack and Larissa's story. My favorite Fool's Good book is still Two of a Kind.

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  14. I wish you could have found that post, that was brilliantly said! Sorry you weren't wowed. Better luck next time?

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  15. I haven't read any of Susan's books yet but this book I'm looking forward to read it!!!!

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  16. Oh that's always a let down when one aspect just doesn't quite click for you. Glad some points worked though :) I need to get caught up too. I missed one in there as well and not quite sure when it happened. lol

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  17. I dont know what book Substitute is but I love Susan Mallory's Fool Gold series. Unfortunately I haven't been able to read the last 3 but hopefully I'll get an amazon gift card for Christmas so I can get them.

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  18. Oh, so sorry that you "didn't believe" the issue these two had was worth to stay apart. Sorry the ending felt rushed. I'm glad that you enjoyed this as a whole though! Mallery always writes good summery stories so I hope your next book by her will be more enjoyable :)

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  19. Very well said. I totally agree with the elements of a romance that are necessary to really "buy" the story. I'm sorry to see a few of those were missing for you in this one. Great honest review! :)

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  20. I have read several of the Fool's Gold Books. My favorite has been Almost Summer.

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  21. I've not read anything from this series yet. I do really like your list of what to expect from a romance series though. Sorry this didn't meet those expectations, but I really appreciate your honest review. Well done.

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  22. I haven't read any of them yet but love Susan Mallory. Thanks for such an honest review.

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  23. So, question 2, Substitute? I must be lost but I can't find it to read about it. But that being said, I love to read-okay am addicted to reading-so would love to read it.
    Ok, take that back, just searched it on your site. I would like to after all.

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  24. I haven't read anything by Susan Mallery but am intrigued and can't wait to start :-)

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  25. Pass then. Besides, that cover is off. How is he holding her like that?

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  26. I have not read the Fool's Gold series but I have heard good things about the series.

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