This latest tale in the Fool's Gold series about a
town
in the Sierra Nevadas builds on the situations previously
established. For loyal fans of Susan Mallery this is ideal
but new readers may have trouble settling in to the story.
BEFORE WE KISS starts with a party planner, Dellina
Hopkins, who has an embarrassed client. Sam Ridge and she
got carried away at a Valentine's Night party and spent a
lovely night together, until Sam discovered a stash of
wedding dresses in Dellina's home. Thinking she was nutty,
he fled and hasn't been brave enough to speak to her since.
Now he needs her expertise, so she calmly explains that a
wedding dress shop in town stores stock with her. This is
good fun, and Dellina didn't hold a grudge, so she goes
about planning his corporate party.
Next we get into a host of other locals, in a cafe, a
basketball court and other settings. Fayrene has asked her
beau not to propose to her for four years, while she
accomplishes some aims, and he's acquiesced. Only now she's
changed her mind and thinks she'd quite like him to offer,
of his own accord. I thought she seemed insecure and if
there was a communication problem it should be discussed
between the two sooner rather than later. Mayor Marsha
needs young Fayrene to pet-sit a Pomeranian with a list of
likes and dislikes, while she travels. A new male
character is an Olympic skier, with a troubled family
background.
There's interesting titbits such as owning timeshare in a
jet, and other items thrown in for fun. A warehouse stores
rabbit costumes for Easter festivals - storage must be
cheap. Dellina turns out not to have a sound business
head, while Sam's embarrassment returns as his mother is a
lecturer on tantric sex who has booked a speaking
engagement in town. Sadly, a pet hoarder turns out to have
sixty cats needing homes. With all the trivia and cast it
can be hard to focus on the romance in hand, but I read
BEFORE WE KISS quickly as the action flows well. There is
no great drama; the story reads more like a soap opera with
an adult romance making good use of those tantric sex tips.
BEFORE WE KISS is probably best for those who are following
Susan Mallery's series, but a new reader could start a few
books earlier or try her Blackberry Island series
which
is relatively recent.
New York Times bestselling sensation Susan Mallery returns
to Fool's Gold, California, where it's true that sometimes
you have to kiss a few frogs…
Former pro-football kicker Sam Ridge has notoriously bad
luck with women—from cheaters to fame chasers. Still, the
gorgeous brunette at the bar in Fool's Gold looks harmless—
until she takes him home and he discovers a room devoted to
securing a man, for life.
Dellina Hopkins never guessed that storing gowns from a
friend's bridal boutique would chase away her first and only
fling. After her parents died, she skipped her "wild youth"
to raise her sisters. She doesn't want forever from Sam, but
one night—all night—would've been nice.
His clean getaway gets messy when his firm hires Dellina to
plan an event. As long hours lead to late nights, the two
succumb to temptation again. Has Sam's luck finally changed?
Or this time, will Dellina be the one to run?
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