Sandy M’s review of Ain’t Misbehavin’ by Jennifer Greene
Contemporary Romance ebook published by Carina Press 15 Nov 10
When I read the blurb for this book, it sounded cute and fun, which is something every reviewer will tell you they need once in a while. Once I started reading, however, I got much more than I bargained for. Mitch is a delight and I love the way Kay helps him through his issues, even though he doesn’t realize it.
The “much more” in this book is that a very young Mitch had to deal with heart problems, in and out of hospitals during his teenage years, a time when other kids his age are getting their first taste of girls and all that goes with it. So now, years later, more from the fear of failing to go along with his inexperience, Mitch is still a virgin. Meeting Kay at the local hospital where they both spend time with sick kids kicks his libido into high gear, but he can’t get past his fear of what her reaction will be once she finds out how inexperienced he truly is.
Kay is the girl that everybody loves. Her home is always full of friends and strays she wants to help, and not just the four-legged variety if she can pull it off. She spends some of her Saturdays at the hospital in an effort to give back because of her younger sister, who is now living on the East Coast with mom and dad for the sake of her health. When she meets Mitch, it’s at first hard to believe he’s such a gentleman, the kind who don’t seem to exist anymore. But the more she gets to know him, she finds out he’s the real deal. What she doesn’t realize is that some of that frustrating leaving her on the doorstep with a goodnight kiss is something she’d never imagined, though she should have put two and two together earlier. Especially once she finds out he’d been really sick at one point in his life.
In between all of this and the heavenly kisses and divine petting they allow themselves, this couple has fun together. Mitch takes Kay to some of his favorite places he frequented as a kid, things like that to just enjoy being with one another. Then as much as Mitch hates to leave Kay at her door unsatisfied, she’s beginning to realize that the only way to get him to run the next base is become a little more aggressive. Let the man know she wants more. Then she figures out his secret and she knows it’s time to step things up.
When Mitch loses that darned virginity, you guessed it, he can’t get enough of Kay. Loving Mitch is as addictive for Kay as his hunger for her is, but when he starts talking about getting married, Kay hesitates. She’s his first and only lover. What will happen when that newness wears off and he begins to look at other women, wanting to try something different? So Kay cools things down, backs off for a bit, all to Mitch’s dismay. Maybe he’s not good enough in bed for Kay. He’s learned a lot since their first time, but his doubts still remain.
I enjoyed both of these characters, especially when they’re together. Mitch is so infectious in his thirst for life. Though I understand Kay’s logic about Mitch and his newfound sexuality, I think she let it go on a tad too long. Mitch is now a grown man, not in the throes of teenage sexual angst even though it’s his first time. So I think that issue is taken a bit too far at this stage in Mitch’s game. Ms. Greene does tell readers at the beginning of the book that this is a re-issue of a previous Harlequin and she worked with Carina Press to update it, but there are a few things that are dated that pull you out of the story for a moment or two. Whether they’ve been left in intentionally or just missed, I have no idea, of course, but they still have that older feel to them.
But other than those two small issues, this is a nice story of love and romance after a lifetime of pain and doubt, and it will touch your heart and make you smile.
Grade: B-
Summary:
Mitch Cochran had been kept from enjoying life to its fullest, but he’s now
ready for all love has to offer. He wants much more than just a casual
encounter, though. He’s looking for love, and Kay Sanders is the real thing.
But when he learns she’s a sex ed teacher, Mitch worries that he’ll be unable
to live up to the expectations of this very passionate woman.Kay can tell Mitch is hiding something, and the less he volunteers about his
past, the more intrigued she becomes. Despite kisses that could tempt Kay to
go against her own rule of no sex without commitment, Mitch ends each date
like the perfect gentleman. Kay soon realizes that if she wants to move their
budding relationship to the next level, she’s going to have to take matters into
her own hands…Read an excerpt. (scroll down and click link)
