ROMANCE

Love in the Afternoon

Carina: Harlequin. 2012. 254p. ebk. ISBN 9781426894831. EPUB $4.99. CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE
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Packard's debut features a refreshing venue for her two protagonists, Kayla Maxwell and Sean Barrett, soap stars on A New Dawn. Sean, a veteran of the show, is a Hollywood heartthrob who has been burnt from women using him to get to his famous father. Kayla, still trying to prove herself as a serious actress, also carries emotional baggage from her ex and vows never to date another actor again. When the writers start scripting a new romance featuring Kayla's and Sean's characters, it's clear that the chemistry is just as hot off screen as it is on. While the couple are navigating this new relationship, Kayla starts receiving hate mail that indicates the threat is more serious than the ranting of just another crazy fan. Sean and Kayla look to each other for safety as they work to stop the person who endangers more than just their relationship.
VERDICT Most readers will peg Kayla's stalker early on, but that is a minor defect in a novel that succeeds in crafting an engaging and substantive romance with likable characters. Packard's next book (The Winning Season), featuring Kayla's sister Kelly and Sean's best friend Matt, is set for release in July.
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