Barbara L. (Barbllm) reviewed A Small-Town Temptation (Built To Last) (Harlequin Superromance, No 1488) on + 241 more book reviews
Charlie Keene has poured (pun intended) everything she has into running her fathers concrete company, Keene Concrete. However, her brother, who is a co-owner with artistic tendencies, wants to sell out. As she deals with her brother, acquisitions specialist Jack Maguire arrives in Carnelian Cove and wants to buy. Charlie tries to resist Jacks charm (and he oozes it from every pore), but to her surprise, she actually likes him. He tolerates her Labrador guard dog and schmoozes with all the locals, including Charlies friends. The scene at the Shantyman bar where Jack dances (and flirts) with Charlie and her friends is funny and sweet, particularly the somewhat barbed banter between Jack and Charlie.
I couldnt get into the plot all that much because the author didnt really describe many of the details that come with businesses buying out other businesses, and she also didnt really describe how the concrete business works, either. However, she did create two very likable protagonists in Jack and Charlie, not to mention the supporting characters including Ben, who serves as an advisor of sorts to Maudie, Charlies mother, who is starting over after the death of her husband. The book seems to serve as a lead-in for other books set in Carnelian Cove, and its an easy, fun read.
I couldnt get into the plot all that much because the author didnt really describe many of the details that come with businesses buying out other businesses, and she also didnt really describe how the concrete business works, either. However, she did create two very likable protagonists in Jack and Charlie, not to mention the supporting characters including Ben, who serves as an advisor of sorts to Maudie, Charlies mother, who is starting over after the death of her husband. The book seems to serve as a lead-in for other books set in Carnelian Cove, and its an easy, fun read.
