1.0 out of 5 stars Trite and dull
After the stunning steaminess of Behind Closed Doors, this author has just got worse and worse. Her second novel didn’t have enough sex, ditto this book. Also, like the second book, the premise of the couple already being in love means there is no heat, no tension, no development of chemistry between them.
The best thing about Behind Closed Doors was the sexual tension, with the couple literally not knowing who they could trust on any level. In both of her last two books, the couples have practically grown up with each other, so there is little mystery. And who on earth marries the guy next door all that often? It is just too safe. Mildly edgy public sex on a motorcycle and at a waterfall does not make for a hot book.
I liked Simon more than I liked her. McKenna can write men for sure, I will give her that, but her women are woeful.
Yes, she can write men, but alas, they are usually Neanderthals, toying on the edge of S/m games of dominance, and totally challenged by any thinking woman with a bit of independence who desires the more sensual in life.
Simon’s moods swung so rapidly and unaccountably that Ellen ended up sounding like she had a perpetually bad case of PMS trying to keep up with his snippiness.
As for the mystery to be solved, well, the author gives away so much at the start of the book there is no suspense-we know exactly how it is all going to play out.
The secondary plot with Ellen’s fiancee and the town laundry woman is just too unbelievable to be true, and pads out an already well padded book the author no doubt struggled to sustain for about 100 k words.
The author should stick to her guns and write sexy stories if that is what she likes to do. This was dismally dull, watered-down pulp with no suspense and very little romance.
