The Last Man in Town (An Avon Romantic Treasure) [Mass Market Paperback]

A handsome man and an obstinate woman who has been friends for years. A town devoid of all other able-bodied males. A cast of multi-dimensional supporting characters. Sound like a good premise for a great romance novel? If only the author had delivered. While the premise sounds inviting, I find "The Last Man in Town" boring and completely lacking in intelligence. Since the readers unavoidably start out knowing what's going to happen between Lucas and Priscilla, this book would have worked much better if the author had allowed our two main characters to gradually discover that there's something more to their relationship than just mere friendship. Afterall, that's why we bought this book in the first place. Instead, from the moment Lucas steps into Priscilla's bedroom after escaping the attentions of an unwanted female, Lucas was presented with the knowledge that he actually wants his long-time friend "that way." And that was only in the 2nd chapter. The same revelation came to Prescilla not much later, and from then on, it's one scene after another in which the two main characters tries valiantly to control their lust for each other while feeling jealousy towards each and everyone of the townspeople who dares to encroach on their territory. And the reason Lucas and Prescilla cannot be together? Luca is the by-product of a broken marriage and therefore has resolved not to get married because he does not believe in the sacred institution. PLEASE!!! How lame can you get! This book could have been over in 20 pages with the kind of plot there is, or there isn't, and instead we had to suffer through pages and pages of sparkless interactions between the two main characters only because we've already bought the book. On top of that, I did not find Priscilla's prim and proper mannerisms the least bit likable. And did I mention that the dialogue between our hero and heroine can only be described as juvenile at best? You can bet that this is the last time I'm buying a Susan Kay Law book without borrowing it from the library first.

This book is a perfect can-a-man-and-a-woman-be-best-friends type of romance that makes me all warm and smiley when I finished it. Fabulous.

Watch out for my review on the Avon Romance website.

In 1860 all the healthy males leave Maple Falls in search of gold except for Lucas Garrett. Sounds like male heaven, but to a weary Lucas it plays more like hell. With one noted exception, every female in town wants a piece of him. Needing a good night's sleep, Lucas turns to the model on proper behavior Priscilla Wentworth for help.

He asks her to fake an engagement with him so that he becomes hands off to all the hungry women. She agrees if he finds her a real husband. As he searches for a mate for Priscilla, he treats her like a fiancee. His kisses make Priscilla realize she has found her soul-mate. Though he is jealous of his own actions, Lucas does not realize that he is the right spouse for Priscilla.

The humorous story line centers around the antics of Lucas, a renowned philanderer, trying to thwart the advances of an army of women and ultimately legitimize his compassionate relationship with his pretend fiancee. The lead characters are fully developed as their motives are loud and clear. The supporting players add jocular depth that turns THE LAST MAN IN TOWN into a fabulous American romance. Justice will be served if award winning Susan K. Law has another best seller.

Harriet Klausner