Limecello’s review of Her Secret Fling by Sarah Mayberry
Contemporary romance released by Harlequin Blaze 1 Jan 10
Sarah Mayberry has to stop it. She’s getting readers – one by one. (Not in the acquiring sense, but in the “I’m gonna getchu” sense.) Making us laugh, and cry, and … well really there aren’t words for it. I don’t actually want Ms. Mayberry to stop. I want her to write more books. More, more, more Blaze books especially. I’ve been in something of a reading slump, but I knew Ms. Mayberry wouldn’t let me down… and she didn’t. This is a terrific story. The characters are unique and unexpected, but so brilliantly normal. She also manages to make a ruined relationship work.
Poppy Birmingham is a great character. I believe she’s an Olympic gold medalist… but aside from being an amazing athlete, she’s rather a novice at all other aspects of life. And that’s what was necessary for her to get where she was in her sport. Unfortunately, this leaves her uncertain and without much confidence in anything but the water. I truly enjoyed reading Poppy’s experiences with a new career, and growth in general.
I have to admit, I got a little annoyed with how stupid Poppy was being or acting… but she knew it too. Which made it more ok. (Though no less self deceptive and annoying.) I still felt for her, however. You can’t dictate your emotions, no matter how logical you’re trying to be – and that’s exactly what happened with Poppy.
Jake Stevens… he’s an ass. A lovable one, yes… but an ass. He’s your “super hero,” – he’s hot, charming, affable, and generally perfect, other than how he treats the heroine. And, women in general, when romantically involved with them. Jake makes up for it with his “grand gesture” – and it was understandable why he acted as he did, and forgivable. He need a major wake up call, and luckily his family is there to give it.
I liked the dynamics between Jake and Poppy. Both were uncertain about things, yet experts in the others. Poppy is a national hero. She’s a world class athlete, but only knows life in competitive swimming. Jake is an excellent journalist, and an acclaimed author. But she’s injured, and he’s stuck. Neither knows how to act in a romantic relationship with feelings involved, and both don’t want to get hurt. They’re both so flawed and refreshingly human.
The secondary characters are fun, and really help move the story along. They don’t distract from Poppy or Jake, rather their colleagues and families give them layers. The family dynamics are extremely different. Poppy’s makes her feel like an outsider, while Jake’s is much warmer and natural. The fact that Poppy is grieving and vulnerable is an important aspect of the story, and both she, and Jake are cognizant of the fact. Ms. Mayberry did a wonderful job.
This book made me laugh, it made me cry, it made me squee, and forgo all the other tasks I had to complete. (Which were many.) Sarah Mayberry is hands down one of my favorite authors, and if you haven’t read any of her books, get one. Especially this one.
Grade: A-
Summary:
Talk about office politics!
Jake Stevens—star reporter and celebrated literary genius—is a snake. How else to explain the way he turns Poppy Birmingham’s hero worship into loathing with a single conversation? So what if she’s got a lot to learn about journalism? Aren’t they coworkers now? On the same team? Jake can take his attitude and…
Then during a job-related road trip, their relationship goes from antagonistic to hedonistic in no time flat. And suddenly Poppy can’t think of anything more delicious than having a secret fling with Jake. But with all this intensity, can she really keep it no-strings-attached?
Read an excerpt here.
