Dakota Cassidy
Publisher: Harlequin MIRA
Date: 24th June 2014
Format: e-ARC
Pages: 298
Genre: Contemporary romance
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Marybell Lyman is notorious for two things: Her look. The wicked hairstyle, multiple piercings and practiced sneer that say: "Stay back—I bite."
Her voice. The syrupy lilt that's her bread and butter at Call Girls, the prim little town's flourishing phone-sex company.
Hunky handyman Taggart Hawthorn is mesmerized by the contradiction: such sweet tones inside such a spiky shell! He wants to know more about mysterious Marybell, to hear more of her sexy talk—all for himself.
But Tag's attentions, delicious as they are, have Marybell panicked. She's been hiding a long time. She's finally got a home, a job and friends she adores. She won't have it all snatched away by another stupid mistake—like falling in love. So when Marybell's past comes calling, she and the Call Girls will prove no one handles scandals like a Southern girl!
Talking After Midnight is the third book in the Plum Orchard trilogy by Dakota Cassidy. I had not read the previous two, however this did not matter too much. Obviously some of the other characters had back stories I didn't know, however the focus was on Marybell and Taggart, and I gleaned enough of the others from the little details included in this book.
Marybell is a heroine who has often had to live on her wits. She now has a job and friends, and she just loves that sense of belonging. Yet she is hiding, yes all that gloop, spiky hair, piercings are hiding something from her past.
She finds herself falling for Tag, the local handyman, although she fights it, because she does not want to become involved with him. Yet sparks of attraction keep whizzing around and Tag is not a man to easily give up. He too has a past, and has pulled himself up out of the depths of despair, with some little help from his two brothers. He is back on track and shares with Marybell a little of his past. One thing he hates is people lying to him, he was burnt badly in a previous relationship. The only problem being - Marybell knows he won't like her lying to him - and at present she is.
When life turns into Marybell's biggest nightmare she is in for some big surprises. I won't give anything away - so no more. The best moment for me in this book is when Taggert surprises Marybell with a gift from her past. Heart warming and perfect. An enjoyable story all round.
This sounds like a fun read. Thanks for your great review. It's good to know that even though this is the third book in the series, it stands alone.
ReplyDeleteYes sometimes a book can be picked up out of a series and read easily - and sometimes it can't! Thanks Pat.
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