COPYRIGHT: 2007SETTING: Contemporary
TYPE: Straight Romance
PAGES: 364
SERIES: Third in the 'author friends' series
SENSUALITY: Hot
SUMMARY: [from Amazon]
Maddie is determined to uncover the untold story about the town's sordid past—her past. As a child, Maddie lost everything, and now she's back at the scene of the scandal—a local establishment that's always belonged to the Hennessys—determined to uncover the truth, and nothing is going to stand in her way. Especially not a black-haired, blue-eyed Hennessy.
Everyone in Truly knows that the Hennessy men are irresistible, and the current owner, Mick, is no exception. His late father was a skirt-chasing heartbreaker who ended up causing disaster for two families. So far, Mick's managed to keep the ladies in line, but when he claps eyes on Maddie, with her luscious curves and tempting lips, he can't resist getting tangled up with her.
But Maddie is keeping secrets, not the least of which is her true reason for being in town. And when Mick discovers what‘s really going on, there is going to be a whole lot of trouble in Truly.
THOUGHTS/OPINION:
I was rather lukewarm over Gibson's last couple of books but I was pleasantly surprised with this latest one. Not quite as good as my two favorites, Truly Madly Yours and See Jane Score, but very good nonetheless. As in the last two books in the series, the heroine of TUIY was again a writer.
Maddie Dupree travels back to her hometown, Truly, Idaho, to research the story of a double murder-suicide which happens to be a very personal story. Maddie is a true crime writer and the story she is researching involves her mother. Thirty years ago when Maddie was a little girl her mother began an affair with the local bar owner. When his wife discovers the affair she shoots them both, then herself. Maddie is left all alone in the care of her eccentric aunt. The cheating husband's son, Mick Hennessey, now owns the bar. He and his sister were totally devastated by this event as children and he now wants to just forget the past. Mick is furious that this author is in town stirring up old memories better left forgotten. Mick and the rest of the town don't know that Maddie is the daughter of 'that waitress'.
The pages fairly sizzle from the moment Maddie and Mick meet and they had wonderful chemistry and sexual tension together. But Maddie keeps her true identity secret much too long and I was could just see the writing on the wall. And as expected when Mick finally finds out he is royally pissed.
The topic was probably more serious than Gibson's previous works but I thought she weaved the serious subject with some witty dialog rather well. In the end I really sympathized with both of them. They both had been damaged by this tragedy and each came to see that they couldn't hate the other for the actions of their parents because it was out of their control. They were both victims and they realized they could comfort each other. There is also a very nice secondary romance between Mick's old army buddy and his sister. Overall, I thought Mick and Maddie were perfect together and I enjoyed their snappy dialog.
GRADE: B
13 comments:
Cool. I have this book in my tbr pile but felt the same way as you about her last couple of books. Now I can't wait to read this one.
I have this in my tbr pile also ~ I think it's 4th or 5th in line to be read this month. I can't wait to crack it open.
Okay I'm the third one with this in her TBR. I did start it back when I was reading 5 or 6 books at once. I just have't gotten back to it.
I too was 'meh' about Gibson's last few glad to see she's back in fine fettle here.
I really enjoyed this one, too, and thought it was much better than the other books she's released in this series.
Although..I did think Mick's reaction to Maddie's true identity was a little over the top. I just didn't see how it was such a big deal.
Stacy: Yes, this one was better than the last couple, I think.
Dev: Sounds like you will get to it soon. I hope you enjoy it.
Rosie: I don't know how you read 5 or 6 at once :) I sometime read two but then I lose track of what the heck is going on. Amazing how everyone has this in their TBR. Her last couple books really put a damper on our expectations. I knew she was capable of better writing and this one proved to for me. I hope everyone enjoys it.
Holly: I think several reviewers had the same opinion about Mick's reaction but at the time I read this I was more pissed at Maddie for keeping her identity secret so long. Especially since she was sleeping with him so I thought she should have been honest with him. But she just kept procrastinating. But, hey, I'm the 'queen' of procrastination so I should be more understanding :)
Oh, cool, there's been some mixed opinions about this book. Glad you enjoyed it, Renee!
Keishon
Keishon: Yeah, the reviews have been all over the map on this one, but I enjoyed. Not perfect but better than the last couple.
We share the same top two Gibson books. And I also thought this better than some of her later books.
Kristie: If I'm not mistaken I think SJS is your #1 and TMY is #2 but for me it's the reverse. Pretty cool, huh. We seem to agree about this book too. It's funny how often we agree or come close.
Renee,
I agree about her putting off telling him for so long being annoying. But even so (and yes, I was pissed at her for not saying anything) I think Mick's reaction was...odd. I mean, it's not like Maddie's mom was the one who killed someone. OTOH, I guess I can see why it would be a big deal.
I guess I'm on the fence now. LOL
Holly: I think I'm on the fence now too :) His reaction was a bit overbearing. They both behaved badly. Maybe that's why I was ready to let it go when they got back together. An interesting thought provoking book.
Have you read anything by Linda Francis Lee? If you like Rachel Gibson, you might like reading Linda's new book, The Ex-Debutante.
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