Limecello’s review of One Night Mistress… Convenient Wife by Anne McAllister
Contemporary romance published by Harlequin Presents on 1 Nov 2009
One Night Mistress… Convenient Wife is one of those books you want to read, but don’t because you’re embarrassed of the title. That’s why you can order harlequin books online… or get them electronically. Anyway, Harlequin Presents titles seem to all be like this, and I didn’t care, because Anne McAllister wrote it, and I knew I wanted to read it.
Natalie Ross seems at first glance to dangerously skate the edge of a too stupid to live heroine. It might be my personal feelings, but I felt she left herself open emotionally one too many times. Although – in a way she didn’t, because Natalie knew she’d be hurt. She just didn’t care, because she wanted everything she could get before the not-relationship was over. In a way, I admire that. I also admire the fact that she dropped out of law school. (I know, I’m twisted right? That and jealous.)
Christo Savas is… I feel like “jackass” is too strong a word but… he really is a jerk throughout most the book. Yes, he’s super sweet- is an incredibly caring and empathetic lawyer and friend, but as a boyfriend, he stinks. He doesn’t consider himself a boyfriend, but as a lover. Maybe not even that. A booty call- but … classier. That makes for a difficult romance – or lack of one. However, Christos has a number of redeeming qualities- he’s just not willing to be involved emotionally in a romantic relationship. Or… have romantic relationships. Friends are fine, sex is great, but no mixing of the two.
I thought it was nice that Natalie and Christo had a history, paltry though it was. Natalie had a mad crush on Christo, but nothing ever came of it. Christo was also attracted to Natalie, but couldn’t act on those feelings. A lot had to do with their career paths. Perhaps I feel it more strongly that others might, but I was very impressed with how Ms. McAllister got the mundane details right. She doesn’t leave loose ends. Natalie was in law school, and a summer associate, but then dropped out. Christo, however, continues to work as a lawyer. The firm is where the two first meet, and what they decide to do with their lives I think shows a lot of Natalie and Christo’s character.
I enjoyed the secondary characters as well, and all the secondary stories. Christo and Natalie both have a close relationship with certain members of their family, and it was nice to see them as “real” people- and how they acted with others. Natalie and Christo were both very human, and well rounded.
What I didn’t like about this story was… basically the lack of romance. Natalie and Christo essentially are fuck buddies. Natalie is way more in than Christo is – and that’s because he’s an idiotic emotionally stunted male… but I don’t find that to be a valid excuse. Then Christo essentially coerces Natalie into going to a wedding with him… which is South America… (I want to say Brazil). It makes Natalie appear to be something of a push over.
Nevertheless, there is the happy ending, which is a major point both in Ms. McAllister, and this book’s favor. I normally love Ms. McAllister’s stories, but found this one was essentially average. I am, however, looking forward to her next book, whenever that may be.
Grade: C+
Three years ago Natalie was utterly humiliated when handsome, debonair Christo Savas rejected her clumsy advances. Now, suddenly, unexpectedly she finds herself at Christo’s beck and call.
Natalie is older now, wiser by far. She won’t fall for him again — she hopes.
But Christo has other ideas now that the little firecracker has grown up. Now he is more than ready to take what she once offered. He wants just one night to satisfy his desire — But one night is never enough!
Read an excerpt here.
