Traveling to the Exotic and Magical World of Love
Worldly Magazine, the publication of Nicholas Meryton, the 30-year-old amber-eyed, dark-haired handsome publisher, was based in NYC and had as its mission to explore the most exotic and esoteric destinations around the world. And, as its publisher, Nick made it his goal to personally investigate and experience as many of those locations promoted in his magazine as possible. He had learned that traveling the world was a method of never having to acknowledge his own absence of “home.”
During boss Nick’s most recent travels, Worldly Magazine’s editor-in-chief, Rachel Rothenberg, had successfully poached a new writer, Chloe Beckett, from her former job as a reporter with a celebrity gossip rag to join the staff of Worldly Magazine with promises that the new hire might someday have the opportunity to reveal domestic locations just as romantic, beautiful, and inspiring as those exotic sites that were often the primary focus of Worldly. What had caught Rachel’s attention was Chloe’s brilliantly written exposé of Nick Meryton, the globe-trotting playboy who had recently engaged in a scandalous liaison with a 19-year-old model and whom she had called a “pretty boy” in the article. But, as a new hire at his magazine, she would soon be calling him boss.
So, when Nick learns that the Chloe Beckett, the crafty reporter whose cleverly researched article had made him an international joke was the newest member of his staff, he also realized that not only could he extract revenge for his embarrassment, he could also redeem his reputation as a playboy.
And Nick began his campaign to redeem his reputation with the assistance of Chloe late one night when they both worked late. When Nick raced to grab the closing elevator doors, Chloe began to aggressively push the down button. But, as Nick slipped in, they began their decent, until the elevator shuttered to an abrupt halt. And, to Nick’s surprise, Chloe begins to hyperventilate, overwhelmed by panic in the small enclosed space of the stopped elevator.
Amazingly, Nick—playboy, world traveler and boss—proves to be kind and considerate during her panic attack, comforting her, talking quietly and rubbing her back, and encouraging her to breath with him. As Nick comforted the beauty with “Aegean blue eyes” and “chocolate tresses", something began to touch his mind and his heart that he had rarely—if ever—experienced.
And, as Nick begins to view Chloe differently, he suggests a path forward that would benefit both co-workers, especially after they both attend the same party where Nick witnesses his older brother David attempting to move in on Chloe. Nick swoops in, claiming Chloe as his “fiancé.” And, when alone with Chloe, he negotiates a mutually beneficial arrangement—for Nick and Chloe to be allied in a personal and economic partnership in order to further the needs of both—quite like an engagement. And Chloe agrees—and the arraignment works publicly, until for Chloe, the emotion of love that is supposed to be an act, becomes her reality.
LA Pepper continues her powerful and engaging storytelling with the story of bright, engaging individuals seeking the one person who completes them, as each supports the other to become a better individual. The author weaves a passionate and sensuous tale of love and discovery that is filled with the unexpected twists, turns and tunnels of life. And, while Nick and Chloe experience challenges not always of their own making, they face them with love and determination, with only a few bumps and scrapes along their way to happiness and wholeness. This romance is a reading adventure well worth the reader’s attention.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review ARCS, but I enjoyed the reading experience so much that I bought a copy for my "read-again" titles.