Review: The Best of Friends - Susan Mallery

Author -  Susan Mallery
Category - Fiction
Genre - Contemporary Romance
Rating – 1/5
 
Story Blurb

Jayne is best friends with Rebecca Worden, so when Jayne Scott lost her mother when she was in high school and was taken in who are extremely wealthy. Rebecca and her mother Elizabeth are bitter enemies, due to which Rebecca runs away from home at 18. Rebecca has stayed away from home for whole 10 years due to her differences with her mother but Jayne and Rebecca has remained close over the years. Jayne unable to refuse Wordens anything after they took her in their household when her mother died, finds herself at Elizabeth’s beck and call working as her unpaid assistant.

After 10 long years Rebecca has returned home and still resents her mother. Jayne is happy to see her friend back but knows that Rebecca’s return will not be welcomed by Elizabeth. Adding more complexity to this web is David, Elizabeth’s son whom she adores. Jayne had a long standing crush on David since she was in her teens and is afraid of the proximity with David when he also returns home after jet-hopping for so many years finally ready to settle down. David starts spending time with Jayne and likes her. David and Jayne’s relationship shatters the illusions that Jayne had about her relationship with Elizabeth and Rebecca finally forcing her to see the truth. Jayne must decide where her loyalty to Worden ends and her life and love begins.

My Thoughts

Frankly I did not like this story. Other than Jayne and David’s relationship the whole novel was depressing and too negative. Elizabeth and Rebecca Worden’s character were too similar – selfish, unthoughtful and taking others in their life for granted. For me it was too much negativity going in the novel for me to thoroughly enjoy it. Elizabeth is so selfish who does not love her husband or her daughter whom she considers a mistake. 

Review: The Marcelli Princess - Susan Mallery

Author -  Susan Mallery
Category - Fiction
Genre - Contemporary Romance
Rating – 3.5/5
 
Story Blurb

Mia Marcelli is a smart independent single mother to an adorable four-year old son. She believes her child’s father - her one true love has died four years ago when she was working undercover for CIA. So when one morning she finds him on her bed alive she is confused. Her love re-introduces himself as Rafael, Prince of Calandria who confesses to himself being under false identity when he met Mia four years ago. Still apprehensive about the whole truth, Mia is too stunned to find Rafael alive and all too well. She has suffered from broken heart all these years and is not too ready to welcome Rafael back into her life. But Rafael has an ulterior motive, he is back to take his son, his heir to Calandria even if it means deceiving Mia into marrying him. But when Mia finds about his deceit she is heartbroken but fiercely protective about her son. She is supported by her extended family and all rally behind her to prevent Mia’s son to be taken away by Rafael. Suddenly finding himself at odds with the Marcelli family, Rafael is truly alone and finds himself truly falling for Mia. He is torn between his royal duties and his heart’s desire and must convince Mia about his love.

 My Thoughts

The USP of the story is Mia’s independence and strong personality. She was fearless at 18 when she broke her engagement without succumbing to Marcelli family pressure (in The Sparkling One) and she is still strong in present being a single mother and standing against her son’s father who heads a foreign country. She is the most interesting Marcelli sister. 

Review: The Seductive One - Susan Mallery

Author -  Susan Mallery
Category - Fiction
Genre - Contemporary Romance
Rating – 3.5/5

Story Blurb

Brenna Marcelli is the only Marcelli daughter who dreams of running the family winery business. She has at last returned home after her marriage failed. But taking charge of the winery is still a long way since her grandfather has other plans for the business including handing it over to the long lost Marcelli heir whom they have reconnected with. Desperate for a solution, Brenna decides to open her own winery and approaches Nic Giovanni, her neighbor for loan. Nic Giovanni and Brenna’s family has been at loggerheads since many years. Both their great-grandfathers were friends who came from Italy to start their own business but soon the families turned bitter towards each other after Marcelli’s accused Giovanni of tampering with their grape vines. Brenna and Nic were once in love but she chose family over love. Nic is still bitter about the past but agrees to loan Brenna money to start her own business. He has a hidden agenda, buying Marcelli winery and hence agrees to loan money to Brenna to control her fate. However, seeing Brenna’s enthusiasm over her new business and their growing proximity Nic’s desire for revenge slowly starts dying. Both Brenna and Nic’s rekindled passion towards each other makes them realize that their love hasn’t died. But is Brenna brave enough to choose love over family this time?

My Thoughts

I like stories where lovers are separated and then get reunited. Brenna and Nic’s story is one such where they are separated and then fate intervenes and brings them together. What is good or rather different about the story is that for once it was not the guy who broke the relationship but rather girl’s fear and insecurity due to which she could not commit to their relationship in the past. 

Review: The Sassy One - Susan Mallery

Author - Susan Mallery
Category - Fiction
Genre - Contemporary Romance
Rating – 3.5/5

Story Blurb

Francesca Marcelli married at 18 as per the norms of her family who always believed that beauty like her will have no trouble finding love. But after a few years later finding herself widowed, Francesca pursues her education with a ton of interesting experiments where she disguises herself. One such disguise introduces her to Sam Reese – CEO of a security firm. After accepting being fooled by Francesca, he invites her out to dinner. Both Sam and Francesca do not want to start an emotional entanglement and are delighted by each other’s suggestion about no-strings attached relationship. But Sam suddenly finds a secret from his past in front of him for which he needs Francesca’s help to smooth things out for him. Both of them develop a relationship outside of bedroom and find themselves in love. But can they accept this change in their relationship? The story is a realization of love and family for Francesca and Sam.   

My Thoughts 

Good read, I seldom find a novel from the author which I don’t like. All the Marcelli sisters’ stories are a bit similar in nature. Only this novel stands apart from others because the male protagonist has no ulterior motive while developing a relationship with the heroine. 

Review: The Sparkling One - Susan Mallery

Author - Susan Mallery
Category - Fiction
Genre - Contemporary Romance
Rating – 3.5/5

Story Blurb

Katie Marcelli is a party planner who is part of a big boisterous Irish-Italian family headed by Grandpa Lorenzo who believes the girls are supposed to get married at 18 and have a lot of “bambinos”. Katie defied the rule and is still single at 28. She is the oldest Marcelli girl followed by fraternal twins Francesca and Brenna. Mia is the youngest child in the family. So, when Mia announces her engagement at the age 18 everyone is excited and thrilled especially Katie who believes in happily ever after and Prince charming. There’s only one problem – the father of the groom, Zake Stryker, is opposed to his son marrying so young. He hires Katie to plan a major fundraiser and tries to blackmail her business if she does not agree in trying to break his son’s and her sister’s engagement. Katie on one hand is appalled at Zack and his intentions on breaking her sister’s heart and on the other hand is instantly attracted to Zack. The story leads into a passionate battle of wills between Zack and Katie awakening their deepest desires for family and love.

My Thoughts  

This is the first story in the Marcelli series. We are introduced to a Marcelli family headed by Lorenzo who controls them all with an iron fist. Katie and her sisters have a wonderful childhood surrounded by their parents and grandparents. One of the best things about this series is the love between the sisters. And even though the grandpa is over meddling when one is in trouble whole family comes for the rescue. 

Review: Because of You – Cathy Maxwell

Author - Cathy Maxwell
Category - Fiction
Genre - Historical Romance
Rating – 3.5/5

Story Blurb

Samantha Northup is an orphaned vicar daughter who has no prospects for future until one night when a stranger knocks at her door. Circumstances lead to Samantha nursing the stranger during his illness and when they are found in a comprising position there is no other solution but to wed the stranger. What Samantha does not know is that her bridegroom is not a plain mister but the disinherited son of a duke. Now the prodigal son has returned home to prove his worth. Yale is trying to keep his distance from his new wife but her innocence and sensuality awakens feelings in him he has long thought died. “Because of You” is an intriguing journey for Yale and Samantha where they find love and acceptance in each other when they both least expected a fulfilling future.

My Thoughts 

What sets this story apart from other is that the male protagonist is not just another aimless son of a titled lord, but has made a name and wealth for himself after being rejected by his family. He has a business which he is proud of that he built grounds up. The relationship Yale shares with Samantha is very refreshing. 

Review: The Sins of Viscount Sutherland – Samantha James

Author - Samantha James
Category - Fiction
Genre - Historical Romance
Rating – 3/5  
 

Story Blurb

Claire Ashcroft hates Viscount Grayson Sutherland for a reason. He is responsible for a death of her loved one and she vows to avenge his death by making Grayson fall in love with her and then shattering his heart. But she is an innocent who is no match for Grayson who just wants to loose himself away from any responsibility. Once Claire gets to know Grayson she is torn between her goal and her attraction towards Grayson. Slowly and gradually she starts seeing him as a man set out to ruin himself and running away from the nightmares of his past. This is a beautiful tale where Claire helps Grayson to bury the bitterness of his past and accept the beautiful gift of life which she brings in his life.

My Thoughts

I like historical romances and have read a lot in past. The story stands apart from many others in the way author has successfully created both Grayson’s and Claire’s characters. Claire is a strong female who sets out to avenge the death of a loved one but in the process discovers a sad soul in Grayson who does not have any desire to live life fully. Grayson was once happy and believed in love but one tragedy in past has made him sour towards life.

Review: To Wed A Wild Lord – Sabrina Jeffries

Author -  Sabrina Jeffries
Category - Fiction
Genre - Historical Romance
Rating – 3.5/5  
 
Story Blurb

Lord Gabriel Sharpe has been challenged to the deadly game he masters by Virginia Waverly to avenge the death of his brother at the hands of Gabriel. But Gabriel counters her with a marriage proposal. His grandmother has put a condition in front of Gabriel and his siblings – get married in a year all none of them will get their inheritance from her. Three of his older siblings have found their love match and settled in the normalcy of their life. Gabriel pursues Virginia to marry him because he believes she needs him. As the story unravels, Virginia learns about how compassionate Gabriel is and does not believe if he is directly involved with her brother’s death. Gabriel on the other hand feels overly responsible for Virginia believing indirectly responsible for her financial state and hence sets out to marry her. Both love each other but there is still an invisible wall between them – the truth about Virginia’s brother death. As Gabriel sets out to find the truth about Virginia’s brother death, he is risking his heart.

My Thoughts 

This is the fourth novel in the series of Hellions of Halstead Hall. I find the first novel “The truth about Lord Stoneville” so far to be the best story of the series. This is also one of the better written novels of the series after the first one. Lord Gabriel Sharpe unlike his siblings is not averse to marriage based on his grandmother’s stipulation. He wants to get married so that his youngest sister will feel pressured to follow in their footsteps and marry and will not remain lonely. One of the highlights in this series is the mystery behind Sharpe’s parent’s death. 

Review: Only Yours – Susan Mallery

Author -  Susan Mallery
Category - Fiction
Genre - Contemporary Romance
Rating – 4/5
 
Story Blurb

Montana Hendrix is one of the triplets living in Fool’s Gold who took some time to realize her goals in life. All that is missing is someone special in her life. Simon Bradley is world renowned surgeon who travels from place to place never staying too long to build friendships. But chance encounter with Montana and her accident prone dog starts a friendship between both which soon turns to attraction. The story weaves a beautiful relationship which cultivates between Simon and Montana. Simon is at a threshold where he is torn between the depth of his feelings for Montana and his resolve never to stay at a place long enough to develop ties. This is a beautiful story where both of Montana and Simon help each other bury ugliness of their past and move into a beautiful future.

My Thoughts

Wow…. One of the best novels I have read in recent past. Most of the romance novels are similar, what sets them apart is the characterization of the protagonists. Both Montana and Simon’s characters are so well defined and believable that you will not feel keeping the book down for a moment. Simon is such a believable character. In most of the stories the hero is portrayed as an arrogant man too full of himself. This is one of the few stories where Simon’s character is real with nightmares from his past. Never having seen love in childhood and scarred by one of the closest people in his past, he does not believe in love or happy endings.

Review : The Last Mercenary – Diana Palmer

Author -   Diana Palmer
Category - Fiction
Genre - Contemporary Romance
Rating – 3/5
 
Story Blurb

Micah Steele is a mercenary who over the course of his job has made a lot of enemies, including a Mexican drug lord. The drug cartel kidnaps a girl (Callie) from Micah’s past. Callie Kirby had a rough childhood and complex relationship with Micah. She is attracted towards him but is unable to understand her own feelings. Micah while saving Callie from the hands of the drug lord brings her to his mansion in Bahamas until the danger to her life is eliminated. In a peaceful and secluded world of their own, both Micah and Callie get second chance to act on their mutual attraction and desire towards each other. The story is a beautiful journey where Micah and Callie realize their love for each other.

My Thoughts

This is one of the better Diana Palmer stories from “Texan Series”. Even though most of her stories in this series have similar story line, the distinguishing factor in this story is the characterization of female protagonist. Callie is not your “run-of-the-mill” insecure heroine. She has lived a difficult childhood but instead of turning into an insecure or frail person; Callie has made a good life for herself. She has faced rejections from everyone including Micah, the man she loved since she was sixteen. But all these hardships have turned her into a strong individual albeit a lonely one. Micah on the other hand is afraid to act upon his feelings for Callie given their history.