Sandy M’s review of What Lies Between Them by Jodi Lynn Copeland
Erotic contemporary romance ebook released 29 Nov 07 by Cerrwiden Press
For the most part, I liked this book. Both main characters are strong, they’ve come a long way from their time together ten years past, and they both still have feelings for the other no matter how desperately they deny it to themselves. The storyline isn’t a complicated one, it is feelings and lies that complicates lives in their small hometown.
Matt and Autumn have secrets about their past together that now keeps them apart, plus Autumn has a humdinger of a secret when she returns home and delaying telling Matt is the worst thing she can do. Matt is a man’s man; he’s made something of himself after coming from the wrong side of the tracks, and he sure does look good in a pair of Levis. That makes the already hot love scenes flame up a little bit more. The secondary characters are few, but they spice up the story, especially Autumn’s parents. Her father is always there for her and it’s her mother who gives us extra spiciness in her opinions concerning her daughter’s life.
The story moves along at a pretty good pace, but it does get bogged down by repetition. Autumn’s goal when she returns home is to prove to everyone she’s not the impulsive wild child she was before college. Well, that was pounded into me throughout — over and over again. As was Matt obsessing over Autumn’s deceased husband being the love of her life/soulmate, she’ll never be available, so he might as well give up. I believe an author should have faith that her readers will keep in mind the important parts of the story after they’ve been told something a couple of times. Repeating it over and over only hinders the story’s progression and the reader’s enjoyment.
Along those same lines, I wanted an example of what Autumn had done when younger to make an entire town gossip and look down their noses about her, and perhaps not re-elect her mayor father. I can see where her parents would want to see changes after dealing with her when younger, but I can’t see the town punishing her father for her misdeeds. If I had that example, this probably wouldn’t have bothered me. However, all I got was Autumn speaking without thinking and throwing herself at Matt and kissing him silly. As fun as that is, it’s not enough.
I did let my slight irritation go because I liked the characters and their dilemma. I liked their squabbles and they way they handled them. I liked Matt in Levis. And I liked the way Autumn took the first step in the solution to their dilemma, especially when she realizes Matt is really serious this time about calling it quits. How they eventually work it out is intelligent, with feeling, and they do it together.
Grade: B-
Blurb: “You didn’t lose me, Matt. You let me go. You walked out when I was ready to spend my life with you.”
They were the last words Matt expected to hear out of Autumn’s mouth, and the only ones that could stop him in his tracks. They were also lies. No one who cared so deeply could fall into another man’s arms days after leaving him behind.
Matt has transcended both Autumn’s deception and his humble beginnings. Now a successful, well-respected rancher, he isn’t about to fall victim to his dreams of the past and back into her arms. Not even if the fire between them still burns…making his dreams seem more like hopes for the future.
Rekindling an old flame was the last thing on Autumn’s mind upon returning to Wyoming after her husband’s death. She should hate Matt, who not only broke her teenaged heart but failed to show up at his one-time best friend’s funeral. Only it isn’t hatred Autumn feels…but desire that threatens to burn beyond control.
Read an excerpt.
