Johanna is a beautiful, intelligent business woman who travels to a remote cabin on her own, using some much-needed vacation time to sort out her feelings about her longtime boyfriend, Geoff. Imagine her surprise when she finds the other side of her duplex rented to her idol, rock star Ian McInnes. She has had a crush on this man since she was eleven years old! Ian is intrigued by her naturalness and her beautiful curvy figure, and as the pair spend more time together, becomes smitten. Although deeply confused about her relationship with Geoff, Johanna can't resist Ian, and soon falls in love with him. When Geoff shows up at the cabin and gets into a violent argument with Ian, Johanna flees into the woods to escape. The incredible pressure to choose between the two makes her frantic. In the dark, she trips and hits her head, and is rushed to the hospital. Geoff urges Ian to leave, not to make a scene in front of Johanna's parents, and he agrees - only to realize, too late, that he doesn't know how to contact her at home!

Just as it seems the tale is winding up, McHenry introduces Kate. Turns out that Johanna and Ian are characters in a novel she wrote, which is being released soon. Kate is drumming up all the publicity she can through book signings and television appearances. One interviewer asks her if the character of Ian is based on a certain well-known rock star, Simon Hardwicke. Kate denies it, but her blush gives her away, leaving one viewer in particular - Simon Hardwicke himself - intrigued. He buys a copy of the book, and enjoys it so much that he decides to arrange a meeting with Kate. He stops by a store where she is signing copies of the novel, and a dinner date leads to a spontaneous night together. Real life is more complicated than a romance novel, however. Simon is in the middle of an acrimonious divorce, and Kate is in a serious relationship. Chances are they would never have seen each other again, except that a photographer hired by Simon's bitter wife catches them on film, and when the picture hit the tabloids, everything is turned upside down! The thrilling conclusion of their tale is a real page-turner!

McHenry's prose is so believable I kept thinking, "Yeah, that could happen," which is after all, the essential element in any novel - to make readers suspend disbelief and enter the lives of the characters fully. This book certainly succeeds in that! The sex scenes are spicy without being overly explicit and best of all, also highly believable. I highly recommend this book!

Overall rating:
Sensuality rating: Very sensual

Reviewer: April Chase
May 26, 2003