The couple: Jack and Nia
Romance genre: insta-love
Length: 90 pages
Plot: Nia is in Hawaii on a team-building trip with her company, about to go out on a helicopter tour. At the last minute, their pilot is replaced by Jack, the owner of the company. He saw Nia through the window and came running for her. He's waited to give himself to the woman meant for him, and he knows the minute he sees her that Nia is that woman. She's scheduled to go home in a couple of days, but if Jack has anything to say about it, she'll be staying on the island with him.
Commentary: This wasn't my favorite OTT, but it was okay. I liked the typical over-the-top, growling, breeding insta-love. The thing that bothered me a little was the references to Nia being Black - the way it was done felt a little, exploitative, maybe? I don't think that was the author's intention at all, but it felt weird. All romances describe the heroine, and you'll often see references to "creamy thighs" or "milky white skin." But in those cases, the descriptions are referencing physical traits and not race, and I didn't get that sense for this book. Also, I know - because I've seen it before - there are other ways to describe someone's race. Physical descriptions are great, and I'm there for that. But what about describing someone's family or location? Maybe the heroine went to an HBUC - you tell me she went to Jackson State, and I'm 99% certain she's Black, without you mentioning her "Black skin." Or maybe you notice she looks like a famous Black actress, or her family celebrates Kwanzaa or something that indicates Black culture. The way it was done, though, made me feel like we were supposed to see how hard the author tried to incorporate a Black character. It could have been done with a little more sensitivity. And I say that as someone who loves this author. But I'm white - maybe I have the wrong of it?
I will read this author's next book - I'm considering that perhaps this was a learning experience and the author will do better the next time (or she could ignore this because I'm just one reader lol).