This is a well-rounded romance after forty story, an account that makes us believe in second chances at life and love. FLIRTING WITH THE BEAST hints at a Beauty and the Beast tale, but there are considerable differences as well as similarities. Andi McDermott is preparing to host her stepson and his partner at her Christmassy home in San Juan Capistrano. But he rings to say they have another engagement. Andi was never close to him, so she swallows her disappointment, phones a girlfriend and arranges for them to spend the holidays at her cabin near Lake Arrowhead, in the San Bernardino Mountains.

Widowed five years, Andi tells Margot that she’s now coming to terms with what she doesn’t need in her life – like the show-off house, the decorative dressing. She can be just herself, without needing anyone’s opinion. Margot, fully supportive, makes eyes at the solitary neighbour in his comfortable cabin. Wolf Enders, who left his New Orleans family behind after retiring from the Army, works from his mountainside perch and doesn’t require company. But a snowstorm comes barrelling in after Margo leaves, and the two neighbours might have to overcome their past differences to survive.

If that was all the story, it could be a brief novella, but in a manner true to life, everyone has family ties and responsibilities, even if they have not felt them for some time. As we get to know Andi and Wolf, we can see why the man’s sister nicknamed him Beast and make up our own minds about the truth of the matter. These are deeply shaded characters, with reasons for their behaviour and with room in their hearts for love – perhaps. Reading a contemporary romance with middle aged characters is a good departure for those who generally just read about first love. First love can be impulsive and passionate, but later in life, with wiser heads, the characters tend to have different values and bring a full set of responsibilities.

Jane Porter is an author from small-town California, and this is reflected in her wintry landscape descriptions, bringing the weather in as a character and the wooded slopes as backdrop. I particularly enjoyed this aspect of FLIRTING WITH THE BEAST. With the delicious food and drink described, I also wanted it to be Christmas already!