ROMANCE

How To Handle a Heartbreaker

by Joss Wood
Harlequin Desire. (Texas Cattleman’s Club: Fathers and Sons, Bk. 2). Dec. 2021. 224p. ISBN 9781335735294. pap. $5.25. CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE
COPY ISBN
Wood’s entry in the “Texas Cattleman’s Club: Fathers and Sons” series (after Janice Maynard’s An Heir of His Own) is an age-gap romance between a police officer and a property developer. Hayley Lopez is asserting her independence from her family while studying to become a lawyer devoted to helping the underprivileged. Billionaire property developer Jackson Michaels is set on creating his new development in her hometown. Superficial characterization creates conflict between the leads without adding much to the romance. Wood creates tension with characters who are continuously at odds; she resolves the tension by having them change without showing why or how they do so. The writing is technically fine but fails to ignite the passion between the characters.
VERDICT Readers looking to pick up plot threads might find it worthwhile, but newcomers to the series will not find it a good starting point.
Reviewed by Brigid Black, Lucius Beebe Memorial Lib., Wakefield, MA , Nov 19, 2021
Comment Policy:
  • Be respectful, and do not attack the author, people mentioned in the article, or other commenters. Take on the idea, not the messenger.
  • Don't use obscene, profane, or vulgar language.
  • Stay on point. Comments that stray from the topic at hand may be deleted.
  • Comments may be republished in print, online, or other forms of media.
  • If you see something objectionable, please let us know. Once a comment has been flagged, a staff member will investigate.

RELATED 

FICTION

One Cursed Rose
by Zanetti, Rebecca
FICTION

Tangled Up in You
by Lauren, Christina
FICTION

The Next Best Fling
by Gamez, Gabriella
FICTION

Lady Scandal
by Guhrke, Laura Lee
FICTION

Beautiful Villain
by Kenney, Rebecca
FICTION

You Should Be So Lucky
by Sebastian, Cat
More
ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?

We are currently offering this content for free. Sign up now to activate your personal profile, where you can save articles for future viewing

ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?