Genre: Contemporary Romance
Disclaimer: Reading is all about discovery, but this Book Review does not shy away from spoiling specific scenes as this is more of a look inside the good and bad of a book.
The Analysis:
I picked this up from a recommendation from a Bookstagramer that I follow. As I loved the book, it’s safe to give her a shout out. So if you’re not following @romancing_carolyn, do that for the new year. So, let’s book review it.
Here’s the Blurb:
But that’s no reason to stop…
Jihae Park’s icy heiress facade is quickly melting—all because of Colin Song. A fling with the sexy film producer could jeopardize her one shot at achieving her own success—and the movie they’re making together. But resistance to her searing attraction—and Colin’s breathtaking bedroom skills—proves futile. Even as Colin’s ulterior motives threaten to destroy their chance at a picture-perfect ending…
Now The Story:
Book Info:
Pages: 169
Author: Jayci Lee
Available: On Google Play
The story opens with our hero worried about this meeting with this big head honcho of this widely successful movie producing company. He wants to get an Asian romantic comedy done and it’s like his passion project. Rightfully so, good nerves.
But this isn’t a simple meeting. The head honcho is a beautiful woman that he’s all too familiar with. She used to be engaged, arranged marriage fashion, to his cousin. It was called off and she went on the war path almost ruining the family company and the mans new engagement. At least that’s what he thinks happened.
He doesn’t just want his movie made, but he wants the truth. He’s hoping to spy on the woman’s company and find proof of her nefarious actions against his family’s company. A family that he is trying to get out from under the shadow from. Okay, not sure what that last part was about. Gloss over it. It’s not given too much build in this novel, but maybe in the others. It is a connected series.
I read this as a standalone, and I do think it works as a standalone.
The romance seems to start off slow because it’s just so sweet and nice. The heroine is like a fresh babe, who experienced very little of the world. And it’s the hero that opens her eyes to the simple joys of going to the movies or walking at the zoo.
Side note: Covid-19, got me missing the movies too. So this part was particularly heart-tugging. Keeping in mind, how many are closing. Disney+ putting others in the red, etc., etc. So seeing her enjoy this was particularly sweet.
But once the initial, newness rubbed off. I couldn’t put it down. They were hot together. There were more sex scenes than even I expected from a Harlequin. The intrigue of the spying. Will the hero find something? Only for him to realize with the help of his grandmother that love really was enough. So, he dropped it just to worship at this girl’s feet.
Then here come the tears. My heart broke for her when she realized that her father was setting her up. Only for her to turn to her new boo for comfort. But he was honest with her and like hey, I was keeping some secrets too. Her reaction was so heartfelt and real.
The breakup played out like most international movies, I thought. There wasn’t some immediate airport scene. The characters split up and genuinely worked on themselves and there careers. Getting back together wasn’t just some sure thing. And the heroine seemed genuinely affected by losing, the love of her life.
And then by hook or crook, you get the well deserved airport scene. But more truer to the characters, it was a red carpet scene. One that included all of the hero’s family members as back up. It was a sweet and more importantly hard fought win.
Now if I had a negative, the spy element of the novel was wrapped up all to nicely. To win the heroines heart, the hero pretty much dropped the whole search and the case. His family aren’t mad. They are just going to support him. The heroine decided to take him on herself. But her plan is only stated. We don’t actually get to see it. Or see a confrontation, between her and her father. This was a missed opportunity and for one more chapter, I wish they had included it.
Story At A Glance:
Recommendation: 5 out of 5
The Ratings:
Book Cover Appeal:
🍓🍓🍓🍓🍓
Story & Narration:
🍓🍓🍓🍓
Romance:
🍓🍓🍓🍓🍓
Character/(s) Personality:
🍓🍓🍓🍓🍓
New Policy:
God convicted me through my husband about writing scathing book reviews. A mistake I was about to make twice with His and Hers by Alice Feenly, and A Girl Like Her by Talia Hibbert. I just didn’t like either one. So, from now on I will only be posting 4 and 5-star reviews. I’ll probably ignore anything three and below. Maybe just mention it in passing. But the intention is to put more positivity into the world. And a bunch of other stuff, so yeah. I’ll be lucky if I can post one book review a month now.
