The Morning After, Sally Clements (3.5 stars)

From Amazon: One photo changes everything... A mortifying incident in her youth has shaken sense into Cara Byrne. No more bad-boys. No more getting arrested. Instead, hard work and good behaviour has earned her a job teaching at the local Boys Secondary School, and a proposal from a worthy man. So what if he doesn't exactly light her fire - surely passion is overrated?

When her friend since childhood, Ethan Quinn, storms back into the small Irish village he left to pursue a career as a Hollywood action hero, she's stunned to discover she's as susceptible to his lethal charm as every woman in the world. And when a compromising photograph floods the media of them in a clinch, her almost fiancé reveals his true colours, CarEthan starts trending on twitter, and she loses her job, could anyone blame her if she accepts his invitation to hide out at his Malibu beach house?

Ethan loves women, but never lets his girlfriends into his heart. He's failed at being there in the past, and won't put his heart on the line for anyone, ever again. But Cara's a different matter - and when passionate attraction is added to his friendship with the one person he's always confided in, he's thrown for a loop. Cara's lost everything, and like it or not, he's responsible. There's no fighting the attraction that blazes between them - but when the month long affair is over, will he ever be able to let her go?

Ever wondered what would happen if you were photographed with a celebrity and the media thought you were an item? Do you fantasize about a Hollywood affair?

Cara and Ethan have been friends for years, without a twinge of anything else until sparks fly at the most inopportune moment. When Ethan helps Cara out of a couple of jams, suggestive pictures end up tabloid fodder since he’s now a Hollywood star. Cara loses her job as a teacher, and worries she’ll never teach again. Feeling protective, Ethan brings her to Malibu to look after her. But he’s also aware of his growing feelings.

They ultimately succumb to their feelings with eyes wide open; they know the other’s faults, but also know they’d never hurt each other. I wanted these two to make it, to build on their tight connection and newfound passion.

Usually I complain when a romance rushes too much in the beginning and doesn’t make me believe two characters are falling for each other. I believed in these characters… I just wanted more story for them, an ending as well-paced and interesting as the beginning. This ending felt rushed.

The writing is engaging, the characters well-developed, and the love scenes sexy. All that was lacking was a bit more satisfying lead up to the conclusion. But please read and enjoy and see if you agree with me about the last quarter of the book. I’m happy to be wrong.

Rating: 3.5 stars

(For GoodReads and Amazon, I rated it 4 stars, since it was closer to a 4 than a 3.)

I reviewed Sally Clements’ novel, Marrying Cade, (a solid 4 stars) here. In my opinion, Sally Clements strikes a better balance in this novel with a bit more sizzle to boot.

Note: I received a complimentary copy for review purposes. A positive review was not requested or guaranteed; the opinions expressed are my own.

Marrying Cade, Sally Clements (4 stars)

From Amazon: Capable financial advisor Melo Bellucci always knew when it came to organizing her sister’s wedding she’d be in charge. After all, her sister Rosa is notoriously scatterbrained. But there’s a silver lining in the form of the Best Man, Melo’s childhood crush, Cade West.

When Cade returns to the Tuscan island, Isola dei Fiori, he’s prepared to mix business with pleasure, especially when he meets Melo again. The confident, sexy woman is a world away from the lanky tomboy he remembers, and attraction burns between them instantly.

But when he discovers that the perfect site for his hotel, idyllic Paradise Beach, belongs to Melo rather than her father, can their relationship survive, when there are two plans for Paradise?

 

Sweet and satisfying, Marrying Cade is an enjoyable romance between childhood friends. Often, romance novels pair two characters who bump into each other and immediately fall in love. Not true for Cade and Melo. They grew up together and know each other intimately.

Brought back together by Melo’s sister’s wedding, Cade is drawn to “the siren Melo had become.” He doesn’t realize she’s been carrying a torch for him for years. The heat between them escalates only to be sidelined by wedding activities and business deals. Unfortunately, Melo is dealing with an ailing father who has made poor business decisions. Little does she know that Cade’s involved as well.

The story moves at an easy pace, gradually building Melo and Cade into a believable couple with rooting value. Melo is no damsel in distress, ultimately working out her family’s business issues without Cade having to swoop in to save her. He’s willing to, but she stands on her own. It made me appreciate the characters individually, which only added to their dynamic as a couple.

I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys romantic heat mixed with a believable relationship. Cade manages to be both the White Knight and a man who respects a confident, strong woman like Melo. It’s sexy, and what’s a romance novel without a good amount of sexy?

Rating: 4 solid stars

For more information on the author and her books, please visit her blog or follow her on Twitter.

Note: I received a complimentary copy as a World Literary Cafe reviewer. A positive review was not guaranteed or asked for; my opinions are my own.