Veena’s review of Two of a Kind (Fool’s Gold, Book 11) by Susan Mallery
Contemporary Romance published by Harlequin 25 Jun 13

So we’re back in the town of Fool’s Gold with socially awkward brilliant Felicia and tortured hunk Gideon. Hats off to this author who has been able keep each book so fresh and appealing, even though we are now at the twelfth book in the series. Gideon and Felicia share a history that has assured she will always remember him; however,  the last place she expects to see him again is in tame all-American Fool’s Gold.

Felicia has a genius level IQ, and being raised at universities and think tanks, she is not very socially adept. Fool’s Gold is the last place she would have been comfortable with, but the town offers her a warmth and friendship she’s never experienced before. They also offer a job managing all the many events they celebrate. I think Felicia’s first event coordination story is so funny when she uses her skills to create a perfect location for each vendor and they all shout at her for her daring. This brilliant mind who moved mountains for the US Armed Forces getting yelled at by petty little vendors in little old Fool’s Gold. But by golly! by the end of the event they learn their lesson and bow to her superior skills.

And, of course, there’s Gideon. He owns the local radio station and plays oldies but goodies during the night. Gideon was captured by the enemy in Afghanistan and held in captivity for two years. He survived against overwhelming odds, seeing each member of his unit succumb one by one until he was finally rescued. Now he has retreated to Fool’s Gold and fights his demons one at a time. The one beacon that helped him survive his captivity were memories of his single encounter with Felicia. What are the chances that she would come to Fool’s Gold and that they would meet and potentially resume their relationship?

I love the ladies of the town and how when things are not going well for the heroine, they gather with margaritas and junk food to commiserate and call the man of the hour stupid for throwing away his chance at happiness. But, hey, the senior citizens are even more fun as they watch, enthralled, as their town’s population continues to add hunky men whose butts they can admire up close and pretty personal.

Can Felicia help Gideon conquer his demons and actually realize that he needs love, a home and a hearth? I love Felicia’s character with her loud thinking, blunt speaking, and absolute lack of filters. She is one of the best and unusual characters that I have seen in a romance novel. I truly enjoyed the book and I will continue to read the new and unfolding romances in Fool’s Gold. The author does a great job of setting up the next book before ending the each book.

Grade: B

Summary:

Could a one-time fling become the real thing…

Felicia Swift never dreamed she’d hear a deep, sexy voice from her past in tiny Fool’s Gold, California. The last time Gideon Boylan whispered in her ear was half a world away…on the morning after the hottest night of her life. Her freaky smarts have limited her close friendships, and romance, but she came to Fool’s Gold looking for ordinary. Gorgeous, brooding Gideon is anything but that.

Black Ops taught Gideon that love could be deadly. Now he pretends to fit in while keeping everyone at arm’s length. Felicia wants more than he can give—a home, family, love—but she has a lot to learn about men…and Gideon needs to be the man to teach her.

As these two misfits discover that passion isn’t the only thing they have in common, they just might figure out that two of a kind should never be split apart.

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series: