Lynne C‘s review of The Money Man’s Seduction by Leslie LaFoy
Contemporary romance released by Harlequin Silhouette Desire 14 Oct 08
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. LaFoy’s gentle wit and engaging characters made it a delight to read. I do have a few reservations, but enough later.
The person not mentioned in the official blurb is Cole’s grandmother, a woman well known as a do-gooder, so much that fraudulent people come to her as well as genuine ones. Cole is anxious to stop her getting involved in another scheme, so when he hears about Emily’s plans for an old person’s community center, he fears the worst and turns up in the small town to sort it out. He soon realizes that Emily isn’t a put-on, and falls for her. Well it wouldn’t be a Harlequin if he didn’t, would it?
I did think that the big turning points in the story – Cole’s acceptance of Emily and a few other things that turn up later (avoiding spoilers here!) were taken gently and quietly. None of the big revelations you usually read in HMB’s.
The black moment at the end was a bit of a puzzle, because (trying desperately to avoid spoilers again) they should have talked, the way they did all through the rest of the book.
Also, LaFoy’s use of wit made both of the main characters very much alike. I never really got a good picture of Cole.
At times the book edged on the sugar, but the ameliorating style meant that my teeth never ached too badly. It is good to get the message that people with money should share it a little, after all. There were some problems left unresolved at the end of the book, and I would have liked some resolution, or an indication of how Emily and Cole would deal with them.
Cole is an investor, and at one point in the story, his description of the portfolio he’d set up for Emily’s charity made me shudder. Events have rather caught up with the investments, and Cole’s hedging strategy (to invest in banking futures – optimal dynamic hedging) was a bit scary, but at least he balanced it a bit, so even in today’s climate they wouldn’t be left with nothing. So the happy ending would still be there.
So a very enjoyable read, and one I would unhesitatingly recommend. I give it a…
Grade: B+
Summary:
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From his platinum watch to his Italian loafers, Cole Preston looked like a man who meant business.
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And Emily Raines knew he didn’t want her business interfering with his precious family. A man like Cole just couldn’t believe her claim of innocence. Obviously, he had ulterior motives when he began his full-on seduction. But she was happy to play his game. For the tycoon would uncover nothing she didn’t want revealed. And she might just loosen him up enough to open his heart to all kinds of possibilities.
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Read an excerpt here.
