A wonderful romance with some angst and fantastically portrayed characters. A must read!
Synopsis
Until …
Flint discovers Ellen Rodgers, Board-Certified Music Therapist, plays music. Bongos, guitars, singing—not Beethoven administered through noise-cancelling headphones.
The cut-throat attorney serves up an eviction notice to the bubbly, constantly humming redhead who’s too sexy for her own good. But luck is on Ellen’s side when Flint’s autistic son, Harrison, takes an instant liking to her. A single dad can’t compete with guitars—and rats. Yes, she has pet rats.
This woman …
She’s annoyingly happy with a constant need to touch him—adjust his tie, button his shirt, invade his space, and mess with his mind.
Still …
She must go.
Their lust-hate relationship escalates into something beautiful and tragic. This sexy, romantic-comedy explores the things we want, the things we need, and the impossible decisions parents and children make to survive.
Review
I got a copy of the book from the author but it didn’t influence my as always honest opinion here below.
4,5 humming stars
As astonishing as it can seem this is my first Jewel E Ann ever! Now I understand why my friend Melanie is such a fan! It won’t be my last one that’s for sure 😉
This story has everything I love: humor, deep and complicated feelings, a hot hero seemingly grumpy but melting under the heroine’s touch, an autist kid and a fantastic heroine.
Ellen Rodgers has just moved from Cape Cod to Minnesota. She is a music therapist and has signed a business lease with Flint Hopkins, lawyer. Ellen being a music therapist her sessions are …noisy. Flint can’t concentrate to prepare his court cases and will soon ask Ellen to leave.
Some things you must know about Flint: he’s been through Hell and is still living in Hell for something he did ten years ago. He bears the weight of guilt and does not feel worthy of love or second chance or any solace at all. It’s his self-imposed penance.
As a consequence Flint is always in control facial expression included. Don’t expect to see even the ghost of a smile on his face. Don’t expect him to do spontaneous things to just enjoy the moment.
“There’s really no reason not to rent her the space other than my obsession with crossing more t’s and dotting more i’s than exist on the proverbial paper. Absolute control is my life.”
Always looking the part in three pieces suits, feared in the court room Flint raises his autistic son Harry alone.
When Ellen, very touchy-feely Ellen, live in the moment Ellen, bright ray of sunshine Ellen and very sassy Ellen enters his world Flint is knocked off his righteous seat. He will try to resist the woman. For all his bravery his resistance will be feeble because let’s face it, she has great tits, gorgeous auburn hair and an incredibly sexy silhouette. Ace up in her sleeve: his son Harry is infatuated with her.
At least as infatuated as an autistic child can be.
Ellen can’t avoid touching Flint. Righting his tie, fastening the buttons of his jacket, chasing imaginary lint from his sleeves… because Flint is Sex in a Suit.
“I’m going to miss tidying you up, Mr. Hopkins. I like to think of myself as an expert on suits, and I can say with one hundred percent certainty that no man has ever looked this good in a suit.”
I loved how Ellen invaded his private space throwing Flint on a loop. She loved ruffling Flint’s feathers. And soon enough Flint will want Ellen’s touch.
This story is built on fantastic characters.
I loved Amanda, Flint’s secretary. She was taunting him mercilessly and he fired her every day. She was a wise woman 😊
“AMANDA: Ellen Rodgers is here. I imagine you know this. She’s not a client, so I wasn’t sure if her arrival warranted an intercom announcement or a verbal announcement since your door is open. How do you want me to proceed with this delicate situation? ME: You’re fired. AMANDA: For real!!!! Gosh, I have so much laundry to catch up on at home!”
I loved Ellen. She went through so much! She was a giver. Dead set on enjoying life. She was the perfect balance of sassy and sweet.
Flint is also the kind of hero I love: tortured, stoic in the beginning and needing the right woman to crack his shell open and have him to live again.
I loved Harry with all his peculiarities and intelligence.
“Twelve is the new twenty. I didn’t have these conversations with my parents when I was twelve.”
I even loved Ellen’s rats! Who wouldn’t be impressed by rats playing baseball right? Plus they obey! And they bath in sinks. Who said rats are filthy? I predict rats will be the next rave in pets!
There were so many feelings in this story. It’s a story made of mistakes. You can’t remake the past you just have to live with it. If you do horrible mistakes are you deserving of a second chance at life? At love? Can you forgive yourself? Can you forgive those who hurt you so badly?
A wonderful romance with some angst and fantastically portrayed characters. A must read!
.Have you read it? Do you love Jewel E Ann’s books?
Thanks for reading and happy Friday!
Sophie
Great review Sophie! I never read from this author but I will check this book out for sure 🙂
Well Mia I had never read anything by her either before. My friend Melanie kept pushing me but I had othe things to read but now I will always make room!
This sounds fantastic Sophie, definitely gotta check this out♥
I hope you will love it Ari but first you have to read all your ARCs 😉
I suddenly don’t like you anymore 🙁
Bwahahaha just the voice of the reason 😉
I’ve never read this author but it seems I may have to start with this one! Great review Sophie!
Trisy I’m certain you will love her. Knowing your taste she will be one of your future one-click authors. Happy saturday!
LOVED this book so much!!!! It was fantastic, nothing what I expected, and gave me the BIGGEST HANGOVER EVER!!!! ♡♡♡♡♡
Me too Corina!!! 😉