LauraJ’s review of Not Another Bad Date by Rachel Gibson.
Contemporary Romance released by Avon 27 May 08
I wasn’t sure what to expect from this book having never read anything by Ms Gibson, but from the blurb this sounded like something I would like and was even looking forward to getting it to read. I found out that this book is actually part of a series so I was a little worried about reading it without having read the others first. Fortunately it is one that can be read without reading the others first and nothing is given away to ruin the other books should you, like me, want to go back and read the previous books.
One thing I want when I read a book is good, strong characters in both the hero and heroine as well as the secondary characters. Ms. Gibson did a fantastic job with Adele and Zach. I immediately liked both of them and the chemistry between them, no matter how hard they tried to fight it was strong. The secondary characters are well written without ever overpowering Adele and Zach. Even the two teenagers (which normally I don’t like to have in the books I read) are well written and one is even somewhat important to the plot.
While the book seemed to start off kind of slowly, once Adele and Zach reconnected the pace of the book picked up quite a bit, but at the same time the relationship didn’t feel rushed. It’s not an easy re-connection thanks to Zach’s deceased ex-wife causing Adele’s bad dates. Devon, Zach’s ex-wife, appears only in 3 chapters, but adds an interesting element to the story. While I wanted to dislike her for the villain she was, I still found that I enjoyed her antics, and how they effected the characters without their knowledge.
I’m looking forward now to digging into my tbr pile and pulling out other books by Ms Gibson.
Grade: B-
Blurb:
What does a gal have to do to get a good date in this town?
Adele Harris can’t even begin to answer that question. She’s had so many lousy dates that she’s sure she’s cursed. Why else would every man she goes out with suddenly act like he’s lost his mind-and his manners? Adele thought life couldn’t get any more confusing . . . until she learns the marriage of her seemingly Miss Perfect sister is on the rocks. So she goes back to their hometown to give her a shoulder to cry on, only to run smack into Zach Zemaitis . . . the one who got away.
Texans love God, family, and football, though not always in that order
Zach, a former pro star, knows all about football. As for the other two, well, he’s doing his best. But when Adele comes charging back into his life-still all lush curves and beautiful, big blue eyes-he wonders if his best is good enough. After all, he did her wrong. Can a woman with her track record ever really believe that he’s serious this time . . . or is he destined to be another bad date?
Read an excerpt here.
