Paperback, 384 pages
Published May 28, 2013 by Harlequin MIRA
Genre: contemporary romance novel, chick lit, women's fiction, adult fiction
Rating: 5 stars
It was in those moments, when everyone was cold and nothing was going "right", that magic would happen.
And 'magic' really happened for romance writer Bella Andre when she went from being dropped by her former publisher because her stories failed to sell, to becoming a New York Times and USA Today insanely popular/best-selling author, as an independent first and, recently, as a traditionally published novelist. With 1.5 million books sold and a groundbreaking seven-figure, print-only deal with Harlequin Mira, Bella's sensational author bio is a romantic fairy-tale in itself. Are you amazed yet? If you decide to pick up The Sullivan series, starting from its delicious first installment (The Look Of Love), the reasons of such a stellar success will become immediately clear. With a storyline absolutely poignant in its simplicity, a male lead as outrageously alpha as charmingly sweet and protective, a 'wounded' female protagonist with a strong core and a vulnerable heart, you will be reminded of all the reasons why you love reading contemporary romance novels.
For those readers who haven't had the chance to try this author before, but are familiar with some of the most illustrious names in this genre, Bella's voice will easily resonate with you and will bring to mind Lisa Kleypas' contemporary sagas (Andre's male heroes remind me of the Travis brothers from the Travises series or the Nolans from the Friday Harbor series): in The Look Of Love you will be introduced to the Sullivans' heartwarming family dynamics, an intensity of feelings and emotional connection that will squeeze your heart, a flourish of sizzling and tasteful love scenes that will turn the summer heat a couple of notches up, a female lead so endearing in her imperfections and a gorgeous, honorable knight in shining armor that will knock your socks off with his sweet charm and relentless seduction. The storyline, evolving mainly around the protagonists' struggles to win each other's heart in spite of past traumas and emotional wounds, delivers a punch of action right at the end, adding a gratifying plot twist to the pervading romantic chemistry.
For years Chase Sullivan has been trying to capture the essence of feminine beauty in his photo shoots, but it will be during a stormy night on his way from San Francisco to his brother's Napa Valley winery, that a life-changing encounter will show the professional photographer what the soul of beauty and true love look like. Chloe Peterson is stranded on a narrow country road, miserable, desperate and drenched to the bone. Her car is stuck in a muddy ditch, her cheeck is awefully bruised, and the weather too nasty to refuse Chase's offer to drive her to a safer place. But it's her heart that needs to be rescued the most - rescued from the damages caused by an abusive relationship, rescued from her own fears of being herself, unconventionallly beautiful, innately sensual and creative Chloe. Her ex-husband has left the mark of his violent personality on her face and an even deeper scar in her self-confidence, but real beauty has a way to shine through the emotional lense of a camera and breach through even the most guarded of hearts. My verdict: LOVELY!
*Review copy graciously offered by the publicist in return of an unbiased and honest opinion
A print copy of THE LOOK OF LOVE is up for grabs!!! Follow my blog, leave a comment (and e-mail address), let me hear what love looks like for you, for a chance to win. Contest open to US/Canada residents.
For those readers who haven't had the chance to try this author before, but are familiar with some of the most illustrious names in this genre, Bella's voice will easily resonate with you and will bring to mind Lisa Kleypas' contemporary sagas (Andre's male heroes remind me of the Travis brothers from the Travises series or the Nolans from the Friday Harbor series): in The Look Of Love you will be introduced to the Sullivans' heartwarming family dynamics, an intensity of feelings and emotional connection that will squeeze your heart, a flourish of sizzling and tasteful love scenes that will turn the summer heat a couple of notches up, a female lead so endearing in her imperfections and a gorgeous, honorable knight in shining armor that will knock your socks off with his sweet charm and relentless seduction. The storyline, evolving mainly around the protagonists' struggles to win each other's heart in spite of past traumas and emotional wounds, delivers a punch of action right at the end, adding a gratifying plot twist to the pervading romantic chemistry.
For years Chase Sullivan has been trying to capture the essence of feminine beauty in his photo shoots, but it will be during a stormy night on his way from San Francisco to his brother's Napa Valley winery, that a life-changing encounter will show the professional photographer what the soul of beauty and true love look like. Chloe Peterson is stranded on a narrow country road, miserable, desperate and drenched to the bone. Her car is stuck in a muddy ditch, her cheeck is awefully bruised, and the weather too nasty to refuse Chase's offer to drive her to a safer place. But it's her heart that needs to be rescued the most - rescued from the damages caused by an abusive relationship, rescued from her own fears of being herself, unconventionallly beautiful, innately sensual and creative Chloe. Her ex-husband has left the mark of his violent personality on her face and an even deeper scar in her self-confidence, but real beauty has a way to shine through the emotional lense of a camera and breach through even the most guarded of hearts. My verdict: LOVELY!
*Review copy graciously offered by the publicist in return of an unbiased and honest opinion
GIVEAWAY
A print copy of THE LOOK OF LOVE is up for grabs!!! Follow my blog, leave a comment (and e-mail address), let me hear what love looks like for you, for a chance to win. Contest open to US/Canada residents.
I love Bella Andre! I get sucked into her books and want to finish them in one sitting! Thanks for the giveaway. Hmmm...what I think love looks like is unconditional support, communication, and always being there for each other. mj(dot)emma64(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteThank you, Emma! I like your idea of what love looks like. You will love this book :)
DeleteIt sounds really good! I think i'm gonna give it a try ;)
ReplyDeleteHi, Eve! Thank you for dropping by. Please let me have your email address if you would like to enter the contest :)
DeleteI read this as an ebook and I totally love it. I've read all the Sullivans book so far considering I finish her latest one, The Way You Look Tonight, the day it got release. I truly do recommend it to those that haven't read it as well lol. Love looks like something that cannot be broken no matter how many times it seems to be. It will always come back together in one piece. paaj(underscore)xyooj(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDeleteThank you for your beautiful comment, Sandy. There is no wound that love can't heal. Best of luck!
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