Limecello’s review of When the Lights Go Down by Heidi Betts
Contemporary Romance released by Silhouette Desire on 1 Oct 05

I love romances where opposites attract. That and Plain Jane stories. This is a great book that has both, and is extremely well written. I’ve been on a Heidi Betts kick – well, I went and got my hands on all the Heidi Betts books I could after a recommendation, and this book is by far my favorite thus far. I think it’ll keep its place.

Gwen Thomas is turning 31, and she’s giving herself a man as a present. Well, actually, she’s determined to see how “the other side” lives -and she only has 24 hours to do it. She’s a librarian, who has a simple but satisfying life, but… she’s never had sex. She’s determined to change that before letting yet another year of her life slip by.

Generally, the premise of such a book would irritate me. It’d be too fake and contrived. Not so with When the Lights Go Down. Gwen’s transformation is very realistic, and she remains true to herself. That is, just because she gets new hair, new clothes, a new look, her personality remains the same. She doesn’t suddenly turn into a vamp or sex kitten. Her beauty doesn’t suddenly strike the NFL quarterback walking into the club and he doesn’t sweep her off her feet. No.

What happens is she gets a bit schwily, and almost goes home with the wrong guy. Luckily, the owner of the club she’s in has noticed the smarmy guy putting his tired routine on her, and saves her. Ethan Banks actually owns the night club the Hot Spot (cheesy name, but that’s okay). He’s pretty happy as a play boy, but something about Gwen just attracts him. He knows she’s different from the usual hookup he has, but the tables are turned when after one night together, he wakes up to an empty bed. He doesn’t really like that, and decides to follow up on his mystery woman.

For her part, Gwen is in limbo. She’s finally had sex, and with someone she considers way out of her league – but Ethan seems to actually and earnestly want a relationship with her. She thinks he’s after the sexy sophisticate she appeared to be that night in the club, but doesn’t realize that he easily and immediately saw through all of that.

This is a terrific book, sweet and simple, romance in it’s purest form describing the budding and random relationship between two (relatively) normal people, living their normal every day lives. As a quick plug, I have to say I love Georgetown. I will say however, that it sticks in my head more as a “younger” hang out – but then maybe that’s because of the whole college town mentality. The fact that this book is set in Georgetown is just an added bonus.

After reading this book, I wished it was a person, or a plushie so I could hug it. Seriously, this book put a huge smile on my face and I just wanted to stay up and read more books to continue the book joy, regardless of the fact that it was 3 AM and my body sorely protested. I highly recommend reading this book. If you’re a book snob and don’t read Harlequin romances, you need to get off your high horse, read this book and see what you’ve been missing.

Grade: A-

Today is Gwen Thomas’s 31st birthday. She’s given herself T-minus 24-hours to change her life.

8 a.m Call out sick from the library
8:01 Scour yellow pages for Emergency Beauty Technicians
10 – noon Hair. Good-bye mousy. Hello, auburn.
noon – 1 p.m. Nails. Be bold!
2 – 3 Makeup. Nix au naturel for Notice-Me.
3 – 5 Shopping. Trade dated look for date-able.
10 Arrive at The Hot Spot. Pretend you’ve gone clubbing before.
11 Fight polyester lizard’s advances-and the disappointment of a failed mission
11:30 Revel in being rescued by Ethan Banks. Don’t let the sexy club owner’s chivalry prevent mission completion
When the lights go down Lose virginity…finally!

In the light of a new day, something had indeed changed for Gwen: She was in over her head…

Read an excerpt here.