Three Little Words, by Susan Mallery (review)

August 19, 2013 Book Reviews 6 ★★★

Three Little Words, by Susan Mallery (review)Three Little Words by Susan Mallery
Series: Fool's Gold #12
Published by HQN Books on July 30, 2013
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Pages: 332
Format: eARC
Source: the publisher
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three-stars
Also in this series: A Fool's Gold Christmas, Christmas on 4th Street, When We Met, Before We Kiss, Until We Touch, Yours for Christmas, Hold Me, Kiss Me, Thrill Me, Marry Me at Christmas, Best of My Love
Also by this author: A Fool's Gold Christmas, Christmas on 4th Street, When We Met, Before We Kiss, Until We Touch, Yours for Christmas, Hold Me, Kiss Me, Thrill Me, Marry Me at Christmas, Best of My Love, The Ladies' Man, Second Chance Girl, Why Not Tonight

Isabel Carlisle thinks she's cursed in the romance department. Her teenage crush, Ford Hendrix, ignored all her letters. Her husband left her for another...man. So Isabel has come home to dust off her passion for fashion and run the family bridal shop until her parents are ready to sell it. Then she'll pursue her real dreams. At least, that's the plan, until sexy, charming Ford returns and leaves her feeling fourteen all over again....

Seeing Isabel all grown up hits bodyguard trainer Ford like a sucker punch. Back when heartbreak made him join the military, her sweet letters kept him sane. Now he can't take his eyes-or his lips-off her. The man who gave up on love has a reason to stay in Fool's Gold forever-if three little words can convince Isabel to do the same....

I received a review copy of this book from the publisher.

Review

I enjoyed Three Little Words, which is the first Fool’s Gold romance I’ve read.  Isabel and Ford have great chemistry, and I loved that he had read and remembered all her letters.  The fake-dating scenario is a little overused, but it works reasonably well in this case, particularly given how over-the-top Ford’s mother is when it comes to seeing him marry and settle down.  That said, I felt that Isabel’s character is more three-dimensional than Ford’s, which was a little frustrating at times.

To be honest, the relationship that interests me the most in Three Little Words is the developing one between Ford’s co-worker Consuelo and his math-teacher brother, Kent.  Consuelo is a fascinating character.  Petite and incredibly beautiful, she’s also a fierce fighter and a martial arts expert, and fit enough to take on even the six-foot-plus Ford.  As a former Army special operative, Consuelo used whatever she had to to get the job done, but she’s clueless and terrified when it comes to a normal relationship with someone like Kent.  For his part, Kent is patient and determined despite being intimidated by Consuelo’s beauty and appeal.  He’s a thoroughly decent man with an unusual degree of empathy and understanding, and a very good match for Consuelo.  As much fun as the relationship between Isabel and Ford was, I would have been even happier if the book had focused on Kent and Consuelo.

I’ve enjoyed the other books I’ve read by Susan Mallery, and the premise of this series — a town with a shortage of men (though they do seem to keep moving in!) — is amusing.  The series also features strong friendships between the women characters, which is something I appreciate.  I’ll probably visit Fool’s Gold again.

 

three-stars

About Susan Mallery

With more than 25 million books sold worldwide, New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery is known for creating characters who feel as real as the folks next door, and for putting them into emotional, often funny situations readers recognize from their own lives. Susan’s books have made Booklist’s Top 10 Romances list in four out of five consecutive years. RT Book Reviews says, “When it comes to heartfelt contemporary romance, Mallery is in a class by herself.” With her popular, ongoing Fool’s Gold series, Susan has reached new heights on the bestsellers lists and has won the hearts of countless new fans.

Susan grew up in southern California, moved so many times that her friends stopped writing her address in pen, and now has settled in Seattle with her husband and the most delightfully spoiled little dog who ever lived.

6 Responses to “Three Little Words, by Susan Mallery (review)”

    • Lark @ The Bookwyrm's Hoard

      Three stars isn’t bad for me; I don’t give out four and five stars lightly. So three stars means it was mostly good, and I liked/enjoyed it, I just didn’t love it. Four means I really enjoyed it or loved it, and five means it was absolutely amazing and/or I loved it so much, I re-read it multiple times. (Hmm, maybe I should post a key to my ratings in the sidebar?)