LynneC’s review of What Happens in Charleston by Rachel Bailey
Contemporary Romance published by Harlequin Presents 6 Feb 12
Matthew’s wife died a year ago, leaving him with a small son, Flynn. The story starts with Flynn in hospital suffering from an illness that means he might need bone marrow. Matthew’s wife, Grace, isn’t the baby’s biological mother. That’s Susannah Parrish, who needed the money to pay off her mother’s mortgage. However, now, five years later, Susannah is doing well and has a good career. When Matthew calls to ask her if she can help, she takes leave and flies to Charleston.
Matthew is part of a dysfunctional family who are no doubt the subject of other books, but this one pretty much concentrates on Matthew and Susannah. While normally I’d object to this “biological” business, here it’s handled well. Grace was a good mother, and nobody, least of all Susannah, wants to denigrate her right to call herself the mother. However, toward the end Matthew and Susannah make a decision that disturbs me somewhat. Bailey does her best to explain and give reasons, but it does spoil my enjoyment somewhat, because I think it is a “romantic novel” solution and not a good one.
Susannah and Matthew are an interesting couple. Susannah does her best not to intrude, but, of course, they can’t resist each other, and the old “chemical attraction” rears its head, together with the “this can’t last” trope. I find it hard to believe in both of those. Couples who are just in it for the sex tend to want to find out where it leads, unless they are out-and-out fans of erotica or swingers. Since Desire doesn’t have this possibility, I find it hard to believe, especially with the characters involved. And any woman who accepts that kind of proposition is being manipulated. Matthew isn’t a manipulator, and I like that about him.
Susannah doesn’t want to become a Grace substitute, but when she first arrives in Charleston, she slips into family life, because she knows she’s only there to help Flynn and not to change Matthew’s life. So when she becomes involved with him, it’s hard for her to change that.
This book could have gone two ways, because of the tried-and-true tropes involved. It could have been a tired trek through old country, with sketchy characters going through the motions. In fact, it is a good read, one I enjoyed. That is mainly because of the characters, Matthew most of all. He’s far from manipulative and does his best to understand Susannah, never taking her for granted. Although he uses the “this is only temporary” and “chemistry” tropes, they didn’t spoil my enjoyment, for the most part. He does do something stupid, but I believe in his redemption and the way he realizes the fault is with him. Susannah is interesting, but she does get close to the Mary Sue at times. She is beautiful. She has a good job, she can cook, she gives Flynn up, and her only rebellion in her youth results in a lesson she has learned and no uncomfortable leftovers. I started to wish she had some kind of flaw, but the longer the story went on, the fewer she had. She is endlessly patient, and, oh yes, she’s amazing in bed.
So I really read this story for Matthew, who is the kind of hero I like – not abusive, thoughtful, and with flaws that make him interesting.
Grade: B-
Summary:
Money has always given Matthew Kincaid whatever he wanted. Yet now his son needs something even his millions can’t buy. The widower’s sole recourse is the surrogate who gave birth to his child—for she is also the boy’s true biological mother.
Susannah Parrish needs no prodding to offer her assistance—a child’s life is at stake. But to their mutual surprise, the minute she’s back in Charleston and residing in Matthew’s home, passion consumes them. Is this a relationship doomed by deception? Or is it the one chance at a love they both secretly crave?
Read an excerpt.
