Dinca’s review of Taking Charge by Ruth Cardello
Contemporary Romance published by Montlake Romance 25 Oct 16
Taking Charge by Ruth Cardello is the fourh book in the Lone Star Burn series. I have not read the first three in this series, and I think I would have enjoyed this story more if I had read the others first.
Lucy Albright wants to succeed on her own and save the family ranch from foreclosure. She tries several ways and gets herself in a bind. When she ends up engaged to the wrong guy for the wrong reason, I almost stopped reading. It was a little dumb for me. In her desperation she starts in an unorthodox yet successful, fast-growing Business to pull herself out of the situation. Did get a few chuckles out of her experiments with her products, though.
In steps David Harmon. At his friend’s suggestion, he comes to offer his help. One look at her and he knows he’ll do anything he can to help her. Lucy turns him down and shuts him out of her life. And he goes away. I find this unrealistic. You don’t just decide you fall in love with someone, then turn around and walk away for six months.
There isn’t a lot of chemistry between Lucy and David. The story tells me there’s chemistry, but I just didn’t feel it. Lucy is a little too scattered for me to find a connection enough to cheer her on. David is a charmer and I was rooting for him because he wants Lucy not because, I felt, she deserves him.
I found more chemistry between the supporting characters from the previous books in the series. The bad guy is really bad and the good guys are really good, and cheering for David is no hardship at all. I wish Lucy’s character had been a little more developed. The scatter-brained, foolish person does not mesh with the smart business woman.
Grade: C
Summary:
Lucy Albright never wanted her family’s Texas ranch, but now it’s in foreclosure. She’s already lost so much she can’t bear the thought of losing one more thing. Lucy learned the hard way not to accept help from a man when there are strings attached, so she’ll do whatever it takes to save the ranch on her own terms—even if that means launching an online business marketing high-tech sex toys.
Ranch manager David Harmon has a reputation for being a cowboy with a heart of gold. Even if she refuses his help, down-and-out Lucy is the kind of woman he’ll do anything to protect. And while David may not know much about Lucy’s naughty side business, that won’t stop a cowboy from doing something he’s set his mind to.
With the ranch threatened by a scheming neighbor, Lucy can’t help but keep David around. Their attraction may be undeniable, but will the spark between them burn her entire future to the ground?
No excerpt available.
Other books in the series:
