FOOL FOR LOVE - Kayla Perrin
B
November 2003
SYNOPSIS: Florida career woman Kelly Robbins is stunned when her old high-school love calls her out of the blue. Now she must face her past fears as she gives in to passionate desire.
CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE: (4) Jennifer Brathwaite
REVIEW: Kayla Perrin’s FOOL FOR LOVE is a fun, enjoyable read. The
story is a classic example of the model: boy meets girl, boy loses girl, and boy gets girl back. This interpretation of the well-established
genre surrounds three friends: Kelly, Ashton and Karen. In high school, Kelly and Ashton share a brief but meaningful liaison that ends
abruptly. The story picks up 10 years later with the two coming together and seeing each other for the first time because of a mutual
interest, Karen.
The book surrounds issues of love lost & found, trust and forgiveness. The story speaks to both Kelly and Ashton’s issues with having faith in
others and being able to forgive and move on. By the book’s conclusion the lesson is clear that true love and happiness cannot be achieved
unless there is trust and the willingness to let go of past hurts. Ashton must let go of the demons that motivate his 10-year lapse without
contacting Kelly. Kelly must set loose the decade of hurt stemming from Aston’s seemingly callus treatment.
All of the characters are well formed and well written, so that in the reading, they are easily imagined. Everyone has a friend like Karen,
someone dramatic, loyal and optimistic in equal degrees. For women, the relationship and conversations between Kelly & Karen are familiar and
realistic. Ashton’s character, while not perfect, has a charm and appeal that works perfectly within the confines of the story.
For the most part the story flows easily and comfortably. The reader is taken from one scene to the next without breaks that distract from the
reading. At times however the reader may become impatient when it seems to take a while for something to happen. In other areas, the book is
engaging enough where one hardly wants to put it down. The differences between these parts of the book create a slightly uneven tempo that
hinders the reader’s ease in keeping the beat.
For those who are familiar with Toronto, the story is a treat. Rarely, in romance novels is the city the backdrop of the story. As such,
references to familiar landmarks are great; happily FOOL FOR LOVE showcases the eclectic energy of the cosmopolitan locale well.
Overall, Kayla Perrin delivers a solid, enjoyable novel. While not necessarily one of her best works, it lacks the fire and all around
fabulousness of IF YOU WANT ME for example, the book is one I’d recommend buying the next time you’re at the bookstore. FOOL FOR
LOVE is a story well structured and imbued with Perrin’s professional skill and lively style.