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THEN COMES LOVE - Candice Poarch Harlequin Kimani/Romance September 2007 |
SYNOPSIS: As a girl, Jasmine wanted Drake desperately, but Drake had considered his best friends little sister off-limits. Now grown up, Jasmine goes to work for Drake, and he's stunned by the explosive desire he feels for her.
SERIES ROMANCE |4| Jennifer Brathwaite
REVIEW: Life doesn’t always work out the way you plan it, adapt
and make do, better, make good. For the hero and heroine of Candice
Poarch’s new novel, this maxim proves to be hard-learned, but results in
rewards beyond both of their wildest imaginations.
Jasmine Brown moves to a new town, in a state far from home, in order to
try and shake the distresses of her past and to find a connection with
the family she never knew and who didn’t know her. In attempting to make
this connection her life becomes intertwined with a man, Drake Whitcomb,
who she had a crush on when they were both younger. Now adults and
attracted to each other, their union is challenged by obstacles such as
a lack of trust on Jasmine’s part and secrets on Drake’s.
THEN COMES LOVE progresses at a believable momentum so that the reader
is always captivated by the text. As with the pace of the book the
setting is also well crafted. The use of wide-open spaces is symbolic of
the freedom Jasmine needs and finds comfort in; the sprawling perfection
of George’s ranch a representation of her dreams of what being loved and
accepted by family is like.
All of the characters in the book have been constructed quite nicely.
Outside of the main characters, whose roles are clear, all of the
players serve a purpose; either to enhance another individual within the
text or to further the story. Noelle’s association with Jasmine – both
before and after the true nature of their relationship is revealed – and
how that bond changes Jasmine, as well as Steven and his actions in the
story, are excellent examples of this.
Genuine, believable and first-rate are all words that can be used to
describe Ms. Poarch’s dialogue. The animal analogies from the horsey set
that are the characters in the book are an especially nice touch. The
conversations between Jasmine and Drake, as well as their internal
dialogues, are all honest, add to the text and keep the reader engaged.
Overall THEN COMES LOVE is a very good book. Thoroughly enjoyable, a
little more passion would have been nice but was not a necessity as
there was enough to suffice. The ending of the story feels a smidge
rushed but the groundwork was laid throughout the book for all of the
characters relationships so it can be forgiven. A nice story and a sure
hit with Candice Poarch fans.
reviewer@romanceincolor.com | 28th October 2007