The Life of Riley/Naked in New England (Duets, 56) [Paperback]

Ryan Monroe now had a project that could very well be the biggest coup in his architect career and he needed quiet! When Dave got married and was leaving for his honeymoon, he gave the keys to his country cabin to Ryan. Ryan looked forward to his solitude and expected to get the project completed with no interruptions.

Lynne Waterford was an interior designer. She was a friend of the new bride, Carmen. As a surprise gift for Dave, Carmen hired Lynne to redecorate the country cabin. When Lynne stepped out of the shower she never expected to see a man staring at her as if he could eat her alive!

One of them had to go! That much was clear. But the rain storm stranded them together for the weekend. The only other company was Waldo, a mischievous and remarkably dexterous racoon, and Killer Claymore, an ax-wielding Brit of a neighbor!

(A) weekend together PLUS (B)oth Ryan and Lynne's attraction for each other EQUALS (C)haos!

***** This is one of my favorite authors! Once you read this one you will easily understand what I mean! I found this story to be hold-onto-my-side funny and extremely romantic at the same time! At work, I startled the people at the next lunch table when I burst out laughing. WHY? Glad you asked! Jacquie D'Alessandro (the author) must be a chocolate fanatic! Major Choco-holic addiction here, people! You will have to read the book to totally understand what I mean! Oh, as an added bonus, you will have a second romantic comedy (The Life Of Riley by Cara Summers) within the same covers. Two books in one! Readers, it gets NO BETTER THAN THIS! Why are you still reading this? Get to a book store and buy this book NOW! *****

From the back cover:

THE LIFE OF RILEY by Cara Summers

He's working on a case of puppy love...

Cop Jack DeRosa's life is going to the dogs. After being out on sick leave, the only way he's getting his beat back is to strike gold on his latest case. The assignment--to investigate pet caretaker and probable thief Riley Foster. Undercover, Jack manages to deal with rambunctious mutts, clinging kittens and opinionated birds. But one look from his sassy suspect and Jack knows he's in over his head...

NAKED IN NEW ENGLAND by Jacquie D'Alessandro

Going back to nature...

Ryan Monroe is finished with women! After giving his latest girlfriend, Ms. You-mean-I-can't-sleep-around?, her walking papers, he heads off to the mountains for a little R & R. The last thing he expects to find in his friend's backwoods cabin is a woman--especially one in her birthday suit! But when a storm leaves them stranded, what else can Ryan do but convince his bathing beauty that it's more fun to be naked in New England--together!

And my review:

I'd never read anything from the Harlequin Duets line before I tried this book, so maybe I expected these stories to be funnier than they were. After all, they are labelled romantic comedies.

THE LIFE OF RILEY was fairly well written, but I didn't find it very funny. In fact, in her attempt to be funny, the author came across as silly. I felt that the main plot-line of the book (about the robberies) was too heavy for a comedy. There were just too many contrived situations for me to stomach, and I gave up halfway through. Two stars.

NAKED IN NEW ENGLAND was the reason I bought this book, though. I've already read three books by D'Alessandro, and they've all been keepers, five-star reads. This is an author who can do humor with a light hand, has delightful running jokes throughout her books (if you've read her work, you'll understand what I mean) and has wonderful, human characters that jump straight into your heart and stay there.

So why the low rating? The romance had nothing going for it but sex! Usually, D'Alessandro is able to handle the sexual tension beautifully, but not here. I felt like I was being sledgehammered with the instant lust between these two. There was just nothing else between them but the siren call of their libidos. And I need more than that to cheer a couple on. Sex is not enough.

Maybe this smaller format made the difference, as I'd only read full-length novels (at least 400 pages) from her before. I sure don't like when a romance novel ends with a "We'll need four-dozen condoms" comment from the hero. Yuck! Seriously, that's the last line of the story. Okay, they've decided to get married, but still. I like the last line of a romance to give me the "warm fuzzies" and that just doesn't do it.

If you want really good writing by D'Alessandro, I highly recommend THE BRIDE THIEF and WHO WILL TAKE THIS MAN? Those books were fabulous. But as for this collection, I'd skip it.

I found Naked in New England by Jacquie D'Alessandro a breath of fresh air! Very funny throughout the story. Architect Ryan Monroe has just landed a big project that could sky rocket his career. He needs quiet and seclusion to work on the plans for this project so he borrows his friends vacation cabin while his friend, Dave, is on his honeymoon. Unfortunately, Dave's bride Carmen, has hired an interior decorator to redecorate the cabin as a surprise wedding gift for Dave. The interior decorator, Lynne Waterford, has already moved into the cabin when Ryan arrives. Ryan and Lynne are instantly attracted to each other but both have their careers as a priority and not getting involved! Lynne's friend, Killer, is a riotously funny character. All in all the book is funny and highly recommended to all those who enjoy romantic comedy.