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MAN OF FANTASY - Rochelle Alers Harlequin Kimani/Arabesque August 2009 |
SYNOPSIS: In the third book of the Best Men series, no woman has ever gotten past the wall that commitment-phobic Ivan Campbell has built around himself. But Nayo Goddard makes it clear she's not interested in marriage. So a no-strings relationship with Nayo should be perfect for Ivan--except that he suddenly wants more.
CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE |4+| Susan Plummer
REVIEW: She’s done it again! Romance writing maven Rochelle Alers has written another exceptional new series. In MAN OF FANTASY, the final novel in the trilogy, love proves to be an irresistible emotion and even a die-hard bachelor knows when its time to accept defeat, and what a sweet defeat it is.
Psychologist, Ivan Campbell is happy with temporary entanglements and sees no reason to change. However, within a week of meeting a beautiful photographer he finds himself fascinated with her work and fixated on the woman. She makes him desire something he’s never wanted before -- a commitment. Nayo Goddard doesn’t want a serious relationship, she too busy creating a career in photography. Yet, the sexy, brooding doctor has made his intentions clear. Ivan and Nayo must rethink their priorities as the only thing standing in their way of having it all is each other.
There is nothing slow about the pacing of MAN OF FANTASY except some of the love scenes and no complaints here. The story unfolds at the right tempo and Ivan and Nayo’s romance evolves rapidly but with substance and credibility.
The characters in MAN OF FANTASY are very appealing and likeable. Initially Ivan doesn’t appear approachable, yet in time his warm and caring side shows. Nayo is a petite woman but her huge personality heightens her stature. Little idiosyncrasies also make the characters more three-dimensional. Ivan has an aversion to seeing things hanging from the wall and Nayo is very particular about who enters her personal space. This attention to character building takes them out of the realm of fictional to relatable characters. The bond between friends is as strong as ever. I didn’t quite know what to make of Geoff Magnus, Nayo’s friend but he’s a very interesting man.
As with the other novels in the Best Men series, MAN OF FANTASY is set in NYC, a great location with just the right favor to support the story of upward moving young professionals.
Dialogue helps in shaping Ivan and Nayo’s relationship and their exchanges are either charged or hilarious. In one scene where their dance is interrupted by Geoff, Ivan subtly tries to get rid of him but Nayo takes offense at his tone. Ivan matter-of-factly tells her, “What do you want me to say? Please go away and leave us alone because right now I have a hard-on I don’t want you to see.” This is Ivan; frank and to the point
Overall, I loved it. My one regret, I wish there were more friends. The final novel in the Best Men trilogy, MAN OF FANTASY, is nothing short of wonderful. Read the novels in sequence to truly appreciate each story. Consistency is the key to success and Rochelle Alers consistently delivers stories that are just plain good. Three cheers to Ms. Alers for a job well done.
reviewer@romanceincolor.com | 15th August 2009