REVIEW: Holiday Bound by Beth Kery
Dear Ms. Kery:
I realize it is a little late and possibly no one is in the mood for holiday stories, however, I thought it might be best to post the review now than wait an entire year. This had an interesting setup: father’s girlfriend falls for son but thinks she might be a toy in their escalating one-upsmanship.
Alex Carradine left Chicago, his high profile Board of Trade job, and his father behind to take refuge in a ski resort. The ski resort is so remote that access to it is shut down during inclement weather (seems like a poor location to me when you are dependent on tourists). During the holiday season, his father, Mitch, ostensibly offers an olive branch by asking to come and visit over Christmas. Mitch is going to bring his girlfriend with him.
When the girlfriend arrives before Mitch, Alex realizes he has been set up, although he doesn’t know what game his father is playing. Angeline Kastakis is an associate in Mitch’s law firm. She isn’t in the same practice group but she’s always admired Mitch and when he starts flirting with her, Angeline is flattered. Mitch is someone that she aspires to be and his charisma and magnetism is untouched by his age. When he invites her to go away with him over the holiday, she thinks that he is moving their relationship into something deeper and more meaningful and she wants to explore that opportunity.
A snow storm erupts and prevents Mitch from joining Angeline and instead informs her that they will meet at the resort. Only the storm has shut down the resort leaving her alone with an angry Alex.
Alex had seen Angel a long time ago, right before he left Chicago. He saw her and wanted her. She was exactly his type and to find out that she is now his father’s woman is driving Alex crazy.
It was a bit of a hard sell for me for Angeline to put aside her relationship with the father to embark on a sexual repast with the son. I think the premise is that we know, through Alex’s eyes, that Mitch is a bastard and doesn’t deserve Angeline. However, I would have liked to have had more time pass between Angeline planning on a weekend sexual romp with Mitchell and actually having the sexual romp with Mitchell’s son.
The story was too short for the interesting conflict that was set up, at least too short for me to buy into any kind of real lasting relationship between the two of them. C
Best regards,
Jane
This book can be purchased at My Bookstore and More, Kindle, and other retailers. (no affiliate links).
I’d worry about a supposedly smart heroine who is willing to have an affair with a partner in her law firm when she’s still an associate. I’m sure it happens all the time, but I’m also sure if often ends badly (especially for the associate).