Charlotte’s mother was in rehab for alcohol abuse and her father was in prison. She was determined to be all fun and games. She would never allow herself to actually care for any one man. No one was worth the pain of devastation. She had tried to get Marcus out of her mind. He had rejected her at the mayor’s home. She had never gotten over the hurt and shock. So why would she bid $50,000 for a date with Marcus?

Ms. Darah Lace has written a great novel about two people who don’t realize they are in love with each other. The main female character is realistic and disturbed. Ms. Lace has presented this woman as a confused, determined woman it was impossible not to like. The male counterpart is much more commitment-phobic than he realized. After their five year acquaintance, he typically is resentful that she allows men to use her. He wants more from her. The underlying tone shows they are perfection together, but for opposite reasons, they cannot seem to get together.

This storyline is an attention-getter and one hard to put down. The subordinate characters help make the book a poignant travel through the ups and downs of their relationship. When the manuscript involved another woman, barely nineteen, the book took another journey altogether.

I recommend this book as one which is explicitly written but also has a wonderful plot. Readers should rush out and get this book. You will not be sorry. Kudos, Ms. Lace!

Overall rating:
Sensuality rating: Explicit

Reviewer: Brenda Talley
September 22, 2010