Limecello’s review of Holding Out For A Hero by HelenKay Dimon
Contemporary romance released by Brava 1 Oct 09

I really enjoyed this book. I admit, I was apprehensive about reading it because I knew it was the “sequel” to HelenKay Dimon’s Your Mouth Drives Me Crazy. And that book… I did not like. Though I generally do enjoy Ms. Dimon’s stories. While the characters in Your Mouth also show up in Holding Out – this was a good thing. I felt that Holding Out for a Hero was realistic, nicely paced, well written, and I couldn’t stop reading it. I stayed in my car reading so I wouldn’t have to interact with people and could finish more chapters. I laughed out loud at parts, I squee-d, and was left wanting more at the end.

Deana Armstrong is a very interesting character. I liked her, which in a way surprised me, because I have to say I’m rather predisposed to disliking her “type” of character. She’s basically an heiress, who thinks that her money, position, social status, what have you, can and should get her what she wants. In effect, she doesn’t mind throwing her money around to make sure an outcome is as she likes.

A major factor that allowed me to like her, however, is that Deana changes throughout the book, and realizes some things about herself. It might also help that she didn’t want to be the same as other “rich people.” (Or didn’t think she was.) That, and what she was trying to achieve was altruistic, and important, albeit misguided. That, and she’s a likable person – just hard to get to know, and easily misjudged. Add to the fact that she’s basically been paying penance for a decade makes it easier to forgive her less attractive qualities.

Josh Windsor is a fantastic hero. He’s… well, obviously the title says he’s a hero. (If I think about it, it does get annoying, but all the references to a “hero” throughout the book work.) Josh definitely has a savior complex, and a huge chip on his shoulder. At the beginning of the book he’s pretty burnt out, and a jerk. In a way his surly attitude makes his and Deana’s relationship more believable and natural. Josh is one of the good guys, although extremely misguided at times. He’s not some paragon of virtue, but is someone you can depend on, and trust to do the right thing. I also liked that he was willing to disagree with Deana, argue, tell her when she was basically being a brat, and also able to admit his own faults. And I have to admit, a frustrated Josh is pretty entertaining, and he gets fed up with Deana a lot.

I hate spoilers, so I’m going to try to be descriptive, without giving away important factors. Bear with me.

I loved that this book was realistic. Generally I demand… well, pretty much fluff and rainbows in my books. I mean, that’s why I read romances. (Granted that rarely happens, and I accept that.) The subject matter and overall focus of Holding Out for a Hero is rather dark. And I kept wondering if there might be some twist, or easy escape for Ms. Dimon to end up with the candy coated ending. For once, I’m glad that didn’t happen. It would have taken away something from the book – and in a way cheapened Deana and Josh’s relationship.

Also important, is the fact that the overall tone was relatively light, and easy. Ms. Dimon’s writing -and the plot- flow naturally. While the subject matter is heavy and Ms. Dimon addresses it with the requisite gravity, I never felt bogged down, depressed, or that it was too much. I think the cameo appearances by the secondary characters helped, as did the developing relationship between Josh and Deana. (Oh and let me be clear – for some reason I really didn’t like Annie in her own book, but quite liked her here.) Everything seems to happen rather quickly, although it is believable. I’m not sure at what point Deana and Josh’s relationship goes from mutual distaste and dislike to something physical, and then love – but I know in the end I knew Josh and Deana would work.

In a way, I’m surprised at how much I enjoyed this book. First, considering how much I disliked Your Mouth Drives Me Crazy, I was worried about Holding Out for a Hero. Then there’s the fact that I really don’t like rich entitled heroines. (Or heroes – that’s why I love their suffering and grovelling so much.) Plus the fact that Deana and Josh do not like each other at all, in the beginning, and have a pretty rough history. Josh actually arrested Deana’s nephew a two years before the book begins, and she tried to ruin him.

It boggles the mind, and generally I’d say “yeah right – this story would never work.” But Ms. Dimon skillfully crafts and weaves together all the facts so it is all laid out perfectly. Deana obviously failed in her attempt to ruin Josh, and in a way, that helped lay the foundation for her feelings about him. She tried as hard as she could, but couldn’t get any dirt on Josh. Proof he’s a good guy. And then, the fact that Deana already came after him with all her resources allows Josh to work through some of his money issues and past.

Yes, both Deana and Josh have rather traumatic pasts. This is another pet peeve of mine – but while they skate the edge of “could happen” (Josh’s especially) – they aren’t that improbable. Deana’s especially – kids make a lot of stupid mistakes. Add in the fact that both their experiences give depth to their characters, and have shaped them into the people they are today… along with the fact that both their pasts are something that builds the relationship and are integral to the story… I bought it.

Basically, my biggest complaint would be that the book ended. No, really. For some reason I expected more. An epilogue, a “two months” or “one year” later… I actually stared at the last page and thought “What?!?! No!!” I wanted more. Yes, there is closure… but I wasn’t ready to leave Josh and Deana yet.

I hope Derek gets his own book and that Josh, Deana, Kane and Annie all have cameo appearances. (I’m debating about Eric- I’m pretty much a canon girl, so I’d like for him to pine after Deana forever, but I guess that’s not fair.)

I recommend this book to anyone who likes contemporary romance, Ms. Dimon’s writing, or anyone who plain enjoys a good book.

Grade: A-

Summary:

TOO CLOSE FOR COMFORT…

Deana Armstrong needs a hero—not for herself, but for the nephew all her money and time can’t seem to get out of jail. Unfortunately, the best hero in all the Hawaiian Islands is set on turning in his badge and getting his excellent butt into another line of work. If that wasn’t enough, Josh Windsor also has a big-time grudge against Deana herself. But if there’s anything being rich, smart, and stubborn has taught Deana, it’s never to settle for second best…

Josh has had it with saving people. He’s had it with getting hauled into court. And boy, has he ever had it with Deana. Or well, he hasn’t had it. Yet. But the more she pops up sounding infuriating and looking good enough to eat, the more her hot bod and her cold case wriggle into his mind. And there’s only so much even a hero can resist…

Read an excerpt here.