Sandy M’s review of Once Smitten, Twice Shy (Wedding Veil Wishes, Book 2) by Lori Wilde
Contemporary Romance released 1 Jan 08 by Forever

I think Tish Gallagher would laugh out loud at the old adage ‘love isn’t everything.’ She loses everything else in her life throughout the course of this book except her love for her ex, Shane, and the love of her girlfriends. On top of that, someone devious is making it plain she may lose her life. Things start out slow for these characters, but once Secret Service agent Shane, is injured in the line of duty, things begin to move swiftly in emotional and mysterious ways.

Shane is lost when he realizes his injury may keep him from returning to active duty.  When Elysee stays by his side during his recuperation, he suddenly finds himself engaged to her, the first daughter – a needy woman totally unlike Tish. Both he and Tish are completely blindsided when Elysee chooses Tish to videotape their wedding.  Tish and Shane eventually remember how the other walked out on their marriage, both literally and figuratively. Ultimately they each come to the realization their love never died, a deep and consuming love that throws sparks with a look or a touch, is all consuming.

With Shane’s commitment to Elysee, I kept wondering how this story could end the way I hoped it would, and then there at the end of a chapter well into the book I was subtly given the answer. That little tidbit also led to the beginning of another love story that I assume will give us another interesting book down the road.

The happily ever after in this book came in an emotion-filled scene that’s both frightening and joyous. I got caught up in the mire of these characters’ lives early on and made it through the mystery, betrayal, and twists and turns with them. Both Shane and Tish learn from their mistakes for their second time around. I have a feeling they’ve learned their lessons well.

Grade: B

     From the back cover:

     Legend claims this antique Irish wedding veil can grant your heart’s deepest desire. But be careful what you wish for…

     Wedding videographer Tish Gallagher is at the end of her rope. Her video business is about to go bust. She’s just spent her last buck on non-returnable (but oh so fabulous) shoes. And her most sustainable relationship is with a pint of Haagen-Dazs. So she makes a wish on the lucky wedding veil to get out of debt…and sees the man she never stopped loving, her ex-husband, secret service agent Shane Tremont. Sure, their chemistry was off-the-charts sizzling hot, but their clashes were legendary and no amount of longing will change that.

     So when her dream job of recording the first daughter’s wedding appears out of the blue, Tish knows it’s her only shot to get out of the red. Just one teensy glitch: Shane is the groom. From the moment they see each other, she knows nothing’s changed-the same old black magic is still between them, just as irresistible and potent as ever. But he’s promised to another and Tish has been burned before. Will she always be…

     ONCE SMITTEN, TWICE SHY

     Read an excerpt