This clearly originated as a personal fantasy that did not translate well onto the page, or at least into a novella. Awkward characterization and rushed plotting made Clay seem like a creep. Like Clay's professional trust-building strategy ("there's a stalker on the loose so I, a complete stranger who tells you nothing about himself, should force my way into your apartment and then berate you later for not being more emphatic when saying 'no' to me"), the prose had little finesse. Marisol's blatantly Not I'm Not Your Ex Wife comments are jarring, and I LOL'd when the machismo obstetrician brother actually uttered to his college bro bff named Gator the phrase "marriage of convenience." Mediocre fan fiction of little-known characters at best. I connect with authors whose characters and stories convey a depth and richness that stems from the author herself. I have no interest to read (or write) more here. DID NOT FINISH THIS BOOK for the following reasons:- contrived plot to throw the lead characters together- awkward writing and POV switch- the guy's ex-wife is constantly demonized for having had an abortion behind his back because she didn't want to risk having a child with Down Syndrome (which the character's brother has). The woman is written in the most evil, gross way possible so we can constantly justify the character's hatred of her, because he even says that she rubbed it on his face that she got an abortion so she wouldn't have a R-word child. Sure, it's problematic to have an abortion behind someone's back if you're married to them and your marriage is a safe and consensual one. But overall the way his ex-wife was written was just messed up and problematic and a disservice to people who choose to have abortions for whatever reason (honestly, not everyone is able to raise children with developmental abilities, even if they can turn out to be productive members of society later on, we never get to see his ex-wife's point of view further and every time ANYONE mentions her to the female lead, it's to reiterate the guy's disgust for her)- MAJOR SPECIAL SNOWFLAKE SYNDROME - the main female character is unique and fun and unlike no one else, possibly THE ONLY WOMAN EVER that would thaw the guy's frozen heart locked away in his glacial chest cavity. I'm sooooo tired of this shit.- every guy in the book is somehow in love with the main female character or at least after her goods (except for her brother, but I'm not even sure). They all want her because she's this sexy little latina that speaks her mind and walks in sky-high heels 24/7- the main female character is a fake strong woman. she barks and talks about doing things her way and being independent, but as soon as the romantic interest yells at her, she bows her head and apologize, eventually realizing that of course SHE was wrong and he was alright.- the romantic lead is a demanding jerk, trying to control the main female character.- the main female character runs a salon and as in most salons, she has a mostly female staff. You'd think that at least one of those characters would be developed and fun and cool. It seems that way in the beginning, but then it turns into a mess. They're all character tropes, not people.- out of nowhere, we find out that one of the salon girls (Trini? The receptionist? I can't even remember their names) has been in an abusive relationship for quite a while and that her male partner has beaten her pretty badly before. When she shows up with injuries, blaming it on some accident, the main female character IS A FUCKING JUDGMENTAL ASSHOLE to her, going on about how she knows the relationship is abusive and why does the girl stay and she should just leave the guy and this is the last time she'll help the girl, totally making light of a situation that is often extremely complicated.I will not be reading any other books by this author if this is the kind of thing we can expect.
What do You think about Wild For You (2011)?
Quick read. Fun and exciting. Ending happened so quick .
—hei
