Having never read a Lori Foster romance before, even though a few of her older ones are on my TBR list, I’m not sure if my issues with this book are due to her general writing style, or are just unique to this book.
This is definitely a contemporary romance in the vein of a Kristan Higgins, or a Jill Shalvis (but not as cutesy), but honestly felt more like a New Adult romance to me. Even though our main characters are all in their late twenties and early thirties, Honor comes across as naive, young, and inexperienced in life - and not in a good way.
Her “big secret”? Not much of one. Her “trust issues”? A wee bit overdone. Her family? Also overdone. Jason has nothing to him - he has no flaws. He's just a perfect, hunky, home-repair dude who loves his family, and fixing things, and his neighbours. In comparison to Jason, Honor comes across as needy, whiny, and undeserving. She's just not a strong character.
The mini-sub plot involving Lexi and Sullivan could have made a good story on its own, but was relegated to second place in favour of the less interesting characters of Honor and Jason. This overly long novel would have been far more palatable as a novella.
What really bothered me were the actions of the men around Honor (and Lexie, but less so with her). They are your quintessential take-charge romance heroes, but to me often moved past the invisible line of “alpha” and over to “alpha-hole.” Frankly, if any person I had just met “tipped my chin up” I would NOT be pleased. So, why this action is considered ok in a contemporary is beyond me, and why Honor puts up with these actions (and more) is astounding.
Frankly, most of these characters were two-dimensional stock-romance characters, and the overall story wasn’t unique or well done. At times this book felt like the text version of an Abercrombie and Fitch commercial; everyone is very buff and tanned and beautiful, and they all frolic in proscribed and clichéd ways.
I was looking forward to a light, easy, fun contemporary and just ended up frustrated at the characters instead. I don’t think I’ll be trying any of Lori Foster’s others now.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.