One wrong move, and she meets a guy with all the right ones...
Talia Dalton lives her life on cruise control. Despite her successful career as a professor, she prefers protecting her broken heart to taking chances. She’s calm, cool, collected, and steady. Until the morning she takes her eyes off that familiar road and almost runs over the sexiest man she’s ever seen. It may not be the best way to start the day, but it might be the type of shake-up she needs.
Male dancer Derek Grant has goals, and nothing is going to get in the way of achieving them. As a graduate student and the sole caretaker of his ailing father, he hasn’t much time for relationships. Then Talia crashes into his life. Sweet, pretty—and so buttoned-up that he can’t wait to help her cut loose.
For Derek, falling in love was a beautiful accident waiting to happen. And it might be exactly what Talia needs—if she’s willing to let go of the past and embrace every surprise Derek has to offer.
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MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:
From the very start it’s a charming tale of opposites attracting found amongst the pages of this contemporary romance that deals with heavy issues while balancing feel good interactions. Readers will find this a simple story, almost too simple at times, of boy meets girl with compelling layers making it more relatable and that has it leaving a lasting impact after the turn of the final page.
Talia Dalton is the proverbial good girl, one who’s always done the expected when it comes to her work and her personal life. With her recent relationship ending with her being cheated on though, she’s starting to realize that being good isn’t bringing her any closer to HEA. Seeing her siblings finding their own HEAs has her wanting that for herself and determined to start living life more fully and going outside of her comfort zone. The first step in that process comes in the form of sexy bartender/dancer Derek and before long he has her doing things she never thought she’d do. Being with Derek brings Talia outside of her safety bubble as she starts standing up for what she wants and embraces loving Derek wholeheartedly. As the story progressed she became more comfortable in her skin, but there was still the occasional issue with her self-esteem when his dancing was discussed that made me frustrated. She held certain assumptions about his dancing, feelings that had her keeping his job a secret from her family that could’ve caused a big roadblock. Ms. Foster never took the obvious route though in this tale and despite that one small foible, Talia’s a very likable heroine. She’s kind-hearted, loyal, and places great importance on family and the supportive interactions of these eclectic characters put a smile on my face.
Derek Grant’s a charming man who’s the quintessential hero in many ways. He’s sexy, doesn’t shirk from his responsibilities, and will sacrifice much for his father who’s suffering from Alzheimer’s. He’s a hard worker and has a plan for his life that’s left little room for love. The moment he’s almost hit by a car is the moment everything changes for him though. Previously, his life revolved all around his father, but seeing Talia leaves him captivated. He soon finds himself putting his heart on the line trying to claim her, figuring out how to juggle his father’s needs with what brings him happiness. And being with Talia definitely makes him happy as there’s a sense of freedom when they’re together. It’s them against the outside world and I enjoyed their quiet, introspective interludes that gave great insight into the changes they went through once they stopped making assumptions. Derek’s a loving son who wears his heart on his sleeve. He easily expresses his feelings for Talia, is quick to claim her in front of everyone, and the romanticism surrounding him warmed my heart. In subtle words and deeds he makes sure that Talia knows she’s loved in a relationship full of heart and soul.
There was a beautiful balance in this story as it dealt with the heavy issue of Derek’s father’s illness alongside a sweet and sexy relationship between two very different people who are perfect for each other. Jonah’s Alzheimer’s was dealt with in vivid detail, the personal pain to those deciding what’s best as well as the loss experienced by those suffering with the illness, and it broke my heart. It’s a timely discussion that Ms. Foster brought to life, one that I became fully invested in and that really has no easy answers. Derek’s dancing was an issue for Talia too, it battered her self-esteem and could’ve caused a crack in their relationship. Ms. Foster didn’t take the expected route though and for that I wanted to cheer. These two individuals clearly loved each other and nothing was more important than that love. Alongside this strong-willed main couple was a large cast of secondary characters, a cast of characters readers have seen before and who are strong supports to the main couple. They’re a caring group of people, snarky and playful at times in their familial roles, and their immediate acceptance of Derek and his father was endearing. From start to finish I had a smile on my face courtesy of the warmth and humor this story engendered in me. The romance was heartwarming too with its sweet and sensual interludes, moments on the stage and off. Readers looking to be charmed will get all that and more in this delightful tale of opposites attracting.
My rating for this is a B+
*I got this book from NetGalley for review in exchange for my honest opinion.
AUTHOR INFO:
Melissa writes sexy and heartwarming contemporary romance, new adult romance and women's fiction with emotionally compelling characters that stay with you long after you turn the last page. Readers adore Melissa's fun, flirty, and sinfully sexy, award-winning big-family romance collection, LOVE IN BLOOM featuring the Snow Sisters, Bradens, Remingtons, Ryders, Seaside Summer, Harborside Nights, Wild Boys and Bad Boys After Dark, and the Montgomerys. Melissa's emotional journeys are lovingly erotic and always family oriented-- perfect beach reads for contemporary romance lovers who enjoy reading about loyal, wealthy heroes and smart, sassy heroines with complex and relatable issues.
Melissa also writes sweet and clean romance under the pen name Addison Cole.
Melissa has painted and donated several murals to The Hospital for Sick Children in Washington, DC. Her interests include her family, reading, writing, painting, friends, helping others see the positive side of life, and visiting Cape Cod.
Melissa is available to chat with book clubs and welcomes comments and emails from her readers. Visit Melissa on social media or her personal website. Get 5 books from Ms. Foster free HERE.
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