Sandy M’s review of All I Want for Halloween by Marie Harte
Contemporary Romance published by Sourcebooks Casablanca 16 Sep 17
I don’t usually read books about holidays other than Christmas. Mostly because the theme, whatever it may be, is never carried throughout the book to my satisfaction. Because I’ve been having a very difficult time finding books that I can complete reading lately, I decided to go out on a limb for Halloween with an author who I haven’t read in a while.
First, I’m going to make sure I have more Marie Harte books waiting on my Kindle. I recall reading her a number of years ago and always enjoyed her books. So it’s just too many books and too little time that has kept her off my radar all this time. This book brought home all I recall liking about her writing, and I plan to read her much more often now.
As far as the Halloween theme in this story? Ms. Harte does a great job of keeping the feeling of October 31 nearly as front and center as the hero and heroine. A couple of parties, hunts for costumes, decorating to the max and a lot more make this a fun read.
Sadie is the Liberato sibling who is best left at home and in the kitchen of their restaurant, Sofa’s. She says her mind and cares not one whit what anyone thinks about her. After a push from her brother, she decides to let loose at an upcoming Halloween party. Behind a mask while enjoying a hot and sexy stranger? Why not! Gear Blackstone has to also be talked into attending the party. He just parted ways from his ex-fiance and his best friend – who cheated on him together – and their reality TV show. Watching Xena deck his ex is hot, hot, hot. Actually having Xena while people roam around their erotic rendezvous spot has left them both wanting more, but they leave the party knowing nothing more about one another.
I’m quite glad Ms. Harte didn’t string out their real identities being revealed to one another. That initial encounter is enough, and I like they began to know one another so quickly, despite the fact neither of them is looking for a significant other or to get married. They enjoy a lot of the same things, are so alike their respective siblings can’t believe it. Meeting the parents on each side is loads of fun too, and I love that Gear has to work a bit harder to get Sadie’s dad’s approval.
At first I felt the ongoing feud with the show’s new leads would be a bit much, but each time those two tried to make something more of the fight among all of them, it’s handled perfectly by Gear and Sadie. These two learn how to work together, give each other advice on what should happen in their lives next, and then support that decision once it’s made. Though there are a few moments when they each let their vulnerabilities and doubts come through, it doesn’t go too far to push them apart. which I love to read in romance anymore. I’d rather have a couple work together to get through conflict than having that conflict rip them apart for a lot of the book. Ms. Harte stays true to her characters to the end.
A fun and happy read for the holiday. Be sure to pick it up to read while enjoying that last of the Halloween candy!
Grade: B
Summary:
TONIGHT, SHE PLANS TO LET GO.
Dressed up and anonymous, Sadie Liberato feels powerful, sexy and free. Where better to lose herself than a masked party?
Gear Blackstone’s cheating ex and scheming best friend have managed to spin his life into a serious downward spiral. At least with a mask on he can cut loose for one night. And cut loose he does—with the sexiest, snarkiest chick he’s ever met.
After a scorching-hot encounter, Sadie and Gear are desperate to find each other in real life. But can the heat last when the masks come off?
Read an excerpt.
