Series:
Valentine Vineyards (Book 1)
A red-hot romance between a career-focused woman and a
determined younger man? Doctor's orders!
Dr. Julian Brandon is too charming, too sexy and too
young for Chandra Valentine. But after the successful bachelor rescues her --
twice -- she owes him. Still reeling from life-changing family revelations,
Chandra somehow agrees to pose as Julian's girlfriend. And now the irresistible
Julian has plans that start with seduction under the mistletoe and end with
their fake relationship erupting into a scorching affair. Now Chandra's questioning
everything she believed about love…
Good story about love and family. Chandra is the oldest
of the six Valentine siblings, intently focused on her career in San Diego.
When her father calls a family meeting in the small town of Magnolia Lake,
Tennessee, the request is odd enough that she drops everything to go. Chandra
is a nervous flyer in small planes, and the last leg of the trip is on a very
small plane. A fellow passenger, "JB," provides the distraction she
needs to make it through the flight.
JB, Julian Brandon, is headed home to Magnolia Lake to keep
a promise. Years earlier, local billionaire, Joe Abbott promised to pay for Julian's
schooling if he committed to spending four years as the town's doctor when he
finished. Julian dreads his return thanks to unhappy memories attached to his
hometown.
I enjoyed watching the relationship develop between Chandra
and Julian. They connected quickly on the flight to Magnolia Lake. Julian's
calm demeanor and easy conversation soothed her fears. The sparks of attraction
were there, but neither expected to see the other again. Fate intervened when
Julian came to her rescue after she drove off the road. Their third encounter
was an eye-opener for Chandra when she discovered that her sexy rescuer was
none other than the town's young new doctor. I had to laugh at this meeting.
Chandra is aghast that she's attracted to a man years younger than she is,
while Julian is thrilled to have the opportunity to see her again. Very
conscious of the age difference, Chandra shoots down his invitation for a date.
However, that isn't the end. Chandra soon has the chance
to repay Julian's kindness by helping him. Poor Julian has become the quarry of
nearly every single woman in town. During a party given by the Abbots, and at
the instigation of her sister Naya, Chandra rescues Julian from his pursuers by
implying they are a couple. Julian jumps on the idea as a way to spend more
time with Chandra and show him as more settled to the people in town. As Julian
finds every opportunity possible to be with Chandra, the sparks between them
continue to grow. She is willing to enjoy the attraction but, with her looming
return to California, has no interest in a relationship. Julian hopes to change
her mind.
A change in circumstances at her job in California
motivates Chandra to take a hard look at her plans for the future. I loved how
Chandra stood up for herself and didn't allow them to take advantage of her. Her
return to Magnolia Lake allowed her to explore the feelings she was just
beginning to admit. An unexpected complication pushes them closer together,
while Chandra's fears have her resisting the truth. Meanwhile, Julian must face
his past before he can move forward into the future he wants with Chandra. The scene at the poker game was a hoot, and I
loved Julian's big moment. The epilogue was terrific, and I can't wait to read
the rest of the books in the series.
The overarching theme of the series is the establishment
of the Valentine Vineyards. Stunning family revelations redirect patriarch
Abbott Valentine's interests and passions in a new direction. His actions shock
his children even as he indicates his desire for their involvement in the new
enterprise. It was interesting to see their reactions, good and bad, and how
they handled the news. I can't wait to follow the progress.
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