Fool's Gold #7
Summer Days by Susan Mallery
Susan Mallery is one of my favorite lighthearted romance novelists, and she hasn't disappoited. I think the book could rate a solid B, maybe 3.5 stars.
I'll start with what I didn't like; Rafe's mother. I really tried to appreciate her, I mean, her personality was written to be sweet and sunny but, geez, she seemed too saccharine, a little dense and a lot imposing - doing whatever she felt like all the time. I understand the big issue and that she was duped but her impositions went beyond the 'duped' fiasco. Anyway, I also didn't like that big blow up towards the end, there. I don't want to spoil the story, so I'll just say that I was disappointed by everyone's forgiving-yet-totally-unforgiving nature depending on the main character in question. I didn't quite mind the whole matchmaking theme going on - but it detracted from the sweetness of the plot, I think.
With all of that aside, I loved, loved Heidi. She was totally funny and very relatable, the blow-up thing I mentioned towards the end of the book helped enhance her relatablity (though I didn't like that they forgived so quickly then went on to champion her - which was sort of unrealistic). The romance was also very tender; that 'oh-love-crept-up-on-me' story that gets my hand fluttering over my heart occasionally and, of course, Susan Mallery knows how to write a humorous story, which added value. Rafe wasn't a knockout hero for me, but he was good enough and managed along Heidi, who was a great heroine.
All in all, I liked the book though I felt that it lacked some amount of substance. If the characters, besides Heidi, her granddad and her friends, had been portrayed better, then the book would have been top of the book-shelf for me.
I'll start with what I didn't like; Rafe's mother. I really tried to appreciate her, I mean, her personality was written to be sweet and sunny but, geez, she seemed too saccharine, a little dense and a lot imposing - doing whatever she felt like all the time. I understand the big issue and that she was duped but her impositions went beyond the 'duped' fiasco. Anyway, I also didn't like that big blow up towards the end, there. I don't want to spoil the story, so I'll just say that I was disappointed by everyone's forgiving-yet-totally-unforgiving nature depending on the main character in question. I didn't quite mind the whole matchmaking theme going on - but it detracted from the sweetness of the plot, I think.
With all of that aside, I loved, loved Heidi. She was totally funny and very relatable, the blow-up thing I mentioned towards the end of the book helped enhance her relatablity (though I didn't like that they forgived so quickly then went on to champion her - which was sort of unrealistic). The romance was also very tender; that 'oh-love-crept-up-on-me' story that gets my hand fluttering over my heart occasionally and, of course, Susan Mallery knows how to write a humorous story, which added value. Rafe wasn't a knockout hero for me, but he was good enough and managed along Heidi, who was a great heroine.
All in all, I liked the book though I felt that it lacked some amount of substance. If the characters, besides Heidi, her granddad and her friends, had been portrayed better, then the book would have been top of the book-shelf for me.
New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery returns with a new Fool's Gold trilogy featuring three rugged cowboys who will find love in the unlikeliest of places.... Locked in an unexpected land dispute, Rafe Stryker is trapped in the one place he vowed never to return to-the Castle Ranch in Fool's Gold, California. He made millions facing ruthless adversaries in the boardroom, but nothing could've prepared him to go head-to-head against stubborn, beautiful Heidi Simpson. No one is more surprised than Rafe to discover that he's finding Heidi-and life as a cowboy-much more compelling than he wants to admit.
For Heidi, the Castle Ranch is the home she's always wanted. After a life on the road, the vivacious blonde has finally put down roots. She won't give that up without a fight, not even for a man whose late-night kisses make her yearn to be a little less...wholesome.
As the two turn from passionate adversaries to passionate, period, they'll discover that summer love can last a lifetime.
Harlequin HQN
ISBN 0373776837
(ISBN13 9780373776832)
Publication Date: May 29, 2012
Goodreads Page
For Heidi, the Castle Ranch is the home she's always wanted. After a life on the road, the vivacious blonde has finally put down roots. She won't give that up without a fight, not even for a man whose late-night kisses make her yearn to be a little less...wholesome.
As the two turn from passionate adversaries to passionate, period, they'll discover that summer love can last a lifetime.
Harlequin HQN
ISBN 0373776837
(ISBN13 9780373776832)
Publication Date: May 29, 2012
Goodreads Page