MEANT TO BE YOURS
by Susan Mallery

ISBN: 9781335041494

Publication Date: 10/22/19

Publisher: HQN Books

Harlequin  / Indiebound / Amazon /

B & N/  Google / iBooks / Kobo

 

In Happily Inc, love means never having to say “I do”…

Wedding coordinator Renee Grothen isn’t meant for marriage. Those who can, do. Those who can’t, plan. But she never could have planned on gorgeous, talented thriller writer Jasper Dembenski proposing—a fling, that is. Fun without a future. And the attraction between them is too strong for Renee to resist. Now she can have her no-wedding cake…and eat it, too.

After years in the military, Jasper is convinced he’s too damaged for relationships. So a flirtation—and more—with fiery, determined Renee is way too good to pass up…until his flame becomes his muse.

Renee is an expert at averting every crisis. But is she finally ready to leap into the one thing that can never be controlled: love?

 

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

 

His voice was low and teasing. It sent ripples down her spine and made her wish she was the kind of woman who could look a man in the eye while inviting him back to her place. But she wasn’t and she couldn’t.

 

“So you’d be using me for sex… I don’t know.” He raised and lowered his shoulders. “I’ve never been anyone’s sex toy before.” “You didn’t really just say that.” He dropped his gaze to the floor. “I feel used.” “Just stop it. No one believes that for a second.” He looked at her again and grinned.

 

You are the dumbest of the dumb. She must be furious with you. Personally I’d hire someone to beat you up and then set you on fire. How could you?

 

Someone tapped her on the shoulder. She turned and saw Jasper standing very close. He leaned in and kissed her on the lips— a sweet kiss that unexpectedly made her eyes burn. “Score!” he whispered. “I always wanted to kiss a girl in the library. It’s been a fantasy of mine since I was fifteen and had a thing for a girl named Bambi.” “Seriously? Bambi?” “I swear. She was so hot and she never noticed me.” “That’s her loss.” “I like to think so.” Then he was gone, continuing his library exploration.

 

My Review:

 

I was late to discover her brilliance but I am unashamed in confessing that I unabashedly adore the nimble raconteur known as Susan Mallery and want to read every word she ever scribbles. Her latest tale was a cleverly amusing small-town romance featured Renee and Jasper, two somewhat fractured and socially awkward people who viewed and avoided relationships like a virulent disease but had entered into a monogamous friends-with-benefits agreement as both realized their lives were lacking. They had an A+ rating for advanced chemistry although their mutual friendship developed slowly with fits and starts and several calamitous missteps. Their lives began to mesh until they had become considerably more than planned, but were they able to be more, and more of what would they be?

 

The primary and most of the secondary characters were endearingly flawed and alluring as well as distinctly quirky. I enjoyed their snappy banter, clever levity, and humorous situations and sensual exploits, although I was quite beguiled by the considerable insight and thought that went into the profoundly perceptive details involving the myriad complications and peculiarities of wedding planning, which was Renee’s vocation and she was exceptionally good at it; as well as the absorbing tendency and capricious nature of the resilient Jasper’s writing process. Jasper was a best-selling author of thrillers and I can imagine just how much this crafty wordsmith enjoyed skewering her own foibles and muse.

 

 

About the Author

Author Website

Twitter: @susanmallery

Facebook: @SusanMallery

Instagram: @susanmallery

Goodreads

 

SUSAN MALLERY is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of novels about the relationships that define women’s lives—family, friendship, romance. Library Journal says, “Mallery is the master of blending emotionally believable characters in realistic situations,” and readers seem to agree—40 million copies of her books have sold worldwide. Her warm, humorous stories make the world a happier place to live.

Susan grew up in California and now lives in Seattle with her husband. She’s passionate about animal welfare, especially that of the two ragdoll cats and an adorable poodle who think of her as mom.