Heat Factor: Lots of peppers (and a tad of pepper spray perhaps?)
Character Chemistry: It overpowers all reason and sanity, I think
Plot: Sara was a promising student at Julliard when her whole life fell apart. Four years later, she sees a tall, wealthy, handsome man and they immediately get tangled up in a super intense, emotionally-explosive relationship with a lot of serious issues and roadblocks to happiness
Overall: This book is going to be like catnip for a VERY niche audience–if you thought Gossip Girl was the best, most romantic show around, this might be for you. If your favorite summer memories of love look like they came straight out of an episode of Jersey Shore, this might be for you. If you’ve ever heard that Sex and the City actually modeled fairly unhealthy female friendships and you thought “huh?”, this might be for you.
Character Chemistry: I don’t understand how they simultaneously work so well together and communicate so badly, but the give and take is wonderful to read
Plot: Eccentric Duke comes to London to find a wealthy bride. Naughty Countess gives him courtship lessons.
Thanks to Susan Craig for the recommendation! I was looking for inspiration for The Duke Project, and Temple is, indeed, a prime specimen of Duke-ish-ness.
Heat Factor: Simmering
Character Chemistry: Sizzling
Plot: You ruined my life, and now I will have my revenge!
Overall: Well executed, but I couldn’t get over the initial premise
Character Chemistry: He is a super Star Wars fan. Her name is Leia. Need I say more? (She hates Star Wars.) But in all seriousness, they obviously really like each other.
Plot: Low drama, high angst
Overall: There was a lot to like about this book, but the writing style didn’t work for me.