06/11/2018
The woods of rural Ohio help wounded souls heal in Foster’s tender contemporary. Sisters Phoenix and Ridley need a quiet place to heal and regain their confidence after some hard knocks, and picturesque lakeside resort Cooper’s Charm is the perfect temporary landing spot. The groundskeeper job is hard work, but the physical labor helps Phoenix recover from the trauma of robbery and assault, and she thrives on being part of a tight-knit staff. Resort owner Cooper Cochran understands needing a hideout, since he bought the resort while reeling from his wife’s murder, and Phoenix helps take his mind off his woes. Ridley, at loose ends after an ego-bruising divorce and hefty settlement, stays at the resort as a housekeeper and soon falls for sexy scuba instructor Baxter McNab. Sexiness permeates every scene; Cooper’s gentle protectiveness and desire contrasts with Baxter and Ridley’s hot bedroom games. A subplot involving a stalker and vandalism feels misplaced in this otherwise well-executed contemporary romance. Foster excels at portraying well-crafted characters with distinct personalities, and readers will enjoy the banter among all the friends. (Aug.)
This week’s Romance Roundup includes two battling photographers who want to get it on, a descendant of the Greek god Apollo out to save her people, and a bodyguard who is about to show his lovely protectee that great guys DO exist.