Three Little Words, by Susan Mallery (review)

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.

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