Reluctant Date

by Sheila Claydon

In a rut, and with her love life at an all time low, Claire Harris makes a New Year’s resolution to join an Internet dating agency. Her challenge is twelve dates or twelve months, whichever comes first, unless she is lucky enough to meet Mister Right along the way. On her final date, and convinced that only frogs are left in the dating pool, she is relieved that it’s nearly over…until she meets enigmatic American, Daniel Marchant. The only problem is, his brother has set him up, and Daniel makes it very clear that he’s not interested in dating anyone at all. He is looking for someone to work in his developing conservation research company though, and when he discovers that Claire has the photographic and cataloguing skills he needs, he offers her a dream job in Florida. But Dolphin Key is not as idyllic as it seems. There are too many secrets and too much heartache. And Claire has her own secrets as well. Not that she is going to share them with anyone, least of all with Daniel, because he must never know he has stolen her heart.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary

263 pages, Paperback

First published July 29, 2012

About the author

Although she was born and educated on the south coast of England, life choices have gradually moved Sheila Claydon and her family northwards across the UK. At present she is lucky enough to live on a stunning stretch of wild coastline in the northwest of the country where she finds walking her dog an enjoyable if necessary counterweight to the sedentary life of a writer.

Interspersed with her writing is a long and varied career in health, education and employment and she likes to think she is a better writer because of those experiences. She also admits that a few of her heavily disguised characters are based on people she has met or worked with in the past.

Reviews

[Anna Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I want to preface this review by saying I LOVED this book, and would read it again. And again. The author's way with weaving a story was perfection. I loved it...

But having said... homiGAWSH, it was hilarious - and it wasn't SUPPOSED to be. You see, the author is obviously a British girl. She's writing about a British lady who takes a job in Florida. So the book takes place in the Florida Keys, and ALL of the characters aside from the heroine are Americans. But because the book is written by a Brit, she has NO grasp on how Americans speak, and she's written it all with a British accent. It was charming and amusing - even being very, very wrong. For example, Daniel says he's going to 'ring up' his brother. Americans don't 'ring' each other up, they CALL them. It was just really, really funny, because it went on throughout the entire book.

But that aside, the writing truly was superb. I was drawn into the descriptions, the characters were all fleshed out and delightful to read about, and the storyline... okay, it had some flaws (like an American businessman being set up by his brother in Florida on an internet date with a girl in England while he's there for two days?). Still... it was exactly the kind of story I like - where he knows from moment one that this is the woman for him, and he will move heaven and earth to woo and win her. Excellent book!

[Nikki Wilde]

While the story was good it really starts to get repetitive with the oh he said this so that means he doesn't like me. Or she firmly told me she's not into relationships so she's not into me. If either one of them put aside their worries for one minute things would have gone much more smoothly. There were too many misunderstandings.

I did love how Claire took charge of things at the end. Even if it wasn't really her place. I felt like she said a lot of things that needed to be said. Like I said though, if only that had happened earlier.

The family and side characters were really enjoyable. I liked them well enough. It was easier to connect to these characters than some of the others books I've been reading lately, so that was a huge plus for me. I'm happy I read this one.

[Jen_C · Rating 2 out of 5]

Boring. 1 date & 2 kisses in 6 months!!!! Clean.

[Gina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another beautiful love story from Sheila Claydon, this one taking us from the moors of England to the balmy Florida Keys. On New Year's Eve, Claire Harris makes a resolution to try an Internet dating service for twelve dates. The first eleven aren't what they're cracked up to be and she's just about to give up on #12 when Daniel Marchant walks into her life. Through a series of miscommunications, both Claire and Daniel, smitten with one another, agree to go their separate ways. But Daniel decides Claire would be the perfect employee and persuades her to move to Dolphin Key to work for him on a six month trial basis. Peppered with rich characters and the lush scenery a Sheila Claydon book always promises, Reluctant Date is a must-read!

[Cheryl Harrington · Rating 4 out of 5]

Twelve dates on a dare? What was she thinking? Librarian Claire Harris looks back on the first eleven men as "frogs in the dating pool". Number twelve just might be the prince she's been waiting for - he certainly manages to charm her parents. But following her heart means risk-averse Claire must face her fears and take some life-changing chances.

I thoroughly enjoyed Reluctant Date, especially the powerful sense of place Ms. Claydon deftly creates with each change of locale. Her lush descriptions of Dolphin Key had me feeling the Florida sun on my face and the warm sand between my toes. I'll be re-reading this story next winter when the cold wind blows and there's snow on the roof. It's the perfect escape.

[Alisa Allen · Rating 2 out of 5]

it was just too slow for me. The story line had a lot of potential, but it just seemed to slow and too repetitive. Both of the main characters had "different" up bringing's, but not so that one would feel sorry for them. The characters learn a lot about themselves throughout the story and eventually come to terms with their feelings and thoughts. There were no great love scenes or a finally moment in the story. It was a very clean story, but that doesn't mean there can't be that aha moment and it just didn't have that spark that a love story should have. Like I said there was a great story behind it all, I just thought that that it could have been organized better and less repetitive.

[Carlos · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is my first book I read written by the author. It was an easy read. And I liked that. I am a sucker for romance with family drama in between. I can see the book being made into a lifetime movie, which I don't watch regularly. Will I read another book by the author? Probably yes. Although I don't think I'll actively seek her work.

[Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. A bit slow at times. I was anxious for the main characters to get together and wanted them to just talk! Outside of that point, the tension was realistic and I wanted to visit Dolphin Key and get to know the main characters more. I will definitely read more books for Ms Claydon (this is the first one I've read). It was a nice read.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice story, a little slow here and there, but for the most part well paced. It was also clean which I really appreciate. Loved the climax at the end! The characters were good too, very true to life in many ways. :)

[Kathleen Crowell · Rating 2 out of 5]

Entertaining enough time killer. Freebie...

[Stephanie Bolen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Basically about book about conservation, it was cute but a bit boring.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a beautiful love story. I found the slow movements that each character made, the time that elapses and the length of the story, just perfect. You fall in love with the location.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

As I was reading this book, I couldn't help but cheer for Claire and Daniel. It drove me crazy that they were so afraid to tell each other they were so in love with each other.

[Stephanie Gallegos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love can change how you look at life.

[Jo Notary]

internet dating, he has stolen her heart, they both have secrets, but offers her a dream job, he is not interested in a relationship, she is set up with him, 174pgs

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good romantic story with a great ending! Thoroughly enjoyed it!