~ Review: The Look Of Love ~

Romance authors have at times stretched, and challenged the boundaries of traditional plots and characters.  Monica Jackson is an author who creates innovative stories that appeal to the varied tastes of the romance reader, and makes us look forward to her next release with anticipation.  In this light, THE LOOK OF LOVE does not disappoint. Ms. Jackson’s latest is different in style from her previous book, and is, to me, her best book to date.  There is so much I loved about this book.

THE LOOK OF LOVE is Carmel Matthews’ story.  In appearance, Carmel is definitely not the typical romance heroine.  She loves food, and is…fat.  She lacks self-confidence—a result of a lack of self-discipline, and is conscious about her size--“Fat, she was fat, no way around it.  Her breasts were nicely shaped but way too full.  Flat was not a word to describe her stomach.”  Carmel tries, without success, to diet.  There are times when Carmel’s response to her size and the circumstances in her life are so real that one cannot help but feel her pain.  In lesser hands, a heroine like this could become annoying.  With Carmel, Ms. Jackson is more introspective than her previous heroines, taking us deep into Carmel’s mind, giving us privy to her every though.  In Ms. Jackson’s skilled hands, Carmel becomes a heroine with whom we can empathize.  We cannot help but applaud when she reaches deep within to embrace the inner strength that was always there, and finally learns to care for herself.

To further complicate Carmel’s life, her daughter is beginning to experience the same insecurities about her size that her mother does, and her son is mixing with the wrong friends.  Then she’s attracted to a man, who she believes could not be interested in her sexually.

The hero, Steve Reynolds, is the man most women are looking for—a sensitive caring individual.  His attraction to her is evident from their first meeting.  He sees her in a totally different light from others: 

Her scent assailed his nostrils, a faint whiff of vanilla and musk.  Her body was the icing on the cake.  She had full, straining breasts, hips he’d love to sink into and a curved soft belly, not taut and hard like his.  Her thighs looked like they held a billowy feminine softness he’d love to have wrapped around him. And her rear, the thought of her voluptuous deliciousness made him want to…

Through his subtle courtship, he helps Carmel to recognize that she is a special woman, worthy of loving.

BET Arabesque and Karen Thomas must be complimented on taking a chance with this special book.  THE LOOK OF LOVE is a wonderful surprise.  Ms. Jackson has outdone herself with this delightful tale of a woman’s journey of self-discovery.  She not only creates a collage of vivid characters, but also writes a story that is a moving tribute to the full-figured woman.  Original, unique, refreshing…definitely not to be missed!!

October 1999