Limecello’s review of Flashback by Nancy Warren
Contemporary romance released by Harlequin Temptation on 21 Jul 01
I really like Nancy Warren’s books, and have recently been on an old school reading kick (much to Sybil’s dismay – sorry!) but I’ve simply been drawn to these books. That and I’ve been getting them as part of my used book purchases, so I’m sharing the love. I know a lot of people miss the Harlequin Temptation line – and I never really read any, so this is a fun look back for a number of people, I hope.
Laura Kincaide is an interesting heroine. She’s someone who has made it on her own, and lives a full life. Laura owns her own successful business, and doesn’t have a dull moment in her love life. In fact, she’s simply too picky, and is the one sending the men off packing. A new project she can’t refuse convinces her to go home, where she realizes “the one that got away” is the one. Laura is a great character with a sense of humor and is sensible at the same time. She gets a bit goofy over Jack at times, but that’s almost to be expected. I liked how normal she was, and how so many of her reactions were natural. Ms. Warren manages to create a real person, who is still interesting to read about.
Jack Thomas is a great hero, who knows what he wants and goes after it. Well, ten years after he first meets the girl. He’s a great guy – a single father who is not only doing the best he can, but one who does a good job. He’s stayed in the small town, and realizes what he’s missed out on when Laura comes back. I liked Jack’s personality, and that he was so human. At times he was uncertain, and willing to ask for help, but that only added to his character. Jack is very entertaining – he gets himself into scrapes, and back out again. He’s also an incredibly upstanding guy, and it’s clear that Jack is a very good person.
The story line was cute, but some parts didn’t flow as much as the rest of it. Laura’s character seemed to have undergone a drastic change from the first chapter to the second. Perhaps some of it had to do with setting, but it didn’t jive completely. That along with the issue (or non issue) as to whether or not Laura was in a relationship. Another minor issue was the conflict Lauran and Jack had when they were first dating – the reason why Laura left town and didn’t come back. I felt that it wasn’t really addressed, and although it was an old argument it was important considering it left Laura emotionally unavailable for such a long period of time.
Nevertheless, it’s a well written book, and I enjoyed the plot. Laura and Jack were both likable, as were the secondary characters. Another major plus was that Jack’s daughter was incredibly normal (this is a good thing in my book). There was humor, heat, a deep emotional connection and a purpose to all the events and occurrences. It was nice to read about a small town that came together and characters that all know something about each other. It was fun reading a book by Ms. Warren written more than seven years ago. Fans of Ms. Warren, and Harlequin Temptation (or Blaze) will enjoy this book.
Grade: C+
Between a Rock and a Hard Place…
Thanks to her matchmaking grandma, Laura Kincaide has got the job of a lifetime… and the last man on earth she would have shocen as a partner. How can she work under the same roof with Jack Thomas when she still hasn’t forgiven him for breaking her teenage heart? How much will they get done when his sexy smile still makes her want to jump his gorgeous bones…?
Jack is more than willing to have his bones jumped by the girl who’s grown into such a feisty woman. But there’s the teeny problem of her attitude. How can he get her to come out and play when she won’t even be in the same room with him? How can he convince her that being with him in the present will be far more satisfying than holding the past against him?
