LynneC’s review of Just Let Go by Kathleen O’Reilly
Contemporary Romance published by Harlequin Blaze 21 Jun 11
While this Blaze does have sizzle and steam, the interactions outside the bedroom are as good as the ones inside it. With vivid characters and a memorable setting, this book is hard to overlook.
The story takes place in the small town of Tin Cup, Texas. Years ago, local bad boy Austin left and ever since the town has vilified and derided him. In fact, Austin made good and now works as a lobbyist for a Texas politician. When he comes back to Tin Cup on a visit, he encounters old flame Gillian Wanamaker, now the sheriff, and the sparks fly.
I love Gillian. Although she’s sheriff, and she does a great job, she is also a girly-girl in her private life and far from super-confident. However, she knows her place in the world and is comfortable in it, until Austin comes back to town. Years ago he stood her up on prom night, and almost her first act when he returns is to get him back for that act. He never explained, and he doesn’t now, until the end of the book. But we know he will.
Austin isn’t an all-around good guy. He does his best, even though the job of political lobbyist doesn’t really give a guy clean hands. He works hard for a man he knows isn’t perfect. I like that too. And I enjoy the difference in the job and watching Austin work his job. He’s an ace fixer, can wheel and deal and get people together. He used to be a car mechanic and the town of Tin Cup still views him as such. The town doesn’t trust him, and neither does Gillian.
While her family features in this book (well, it is a small-town romance) they are fun characters and they don’t overwhelm the story, as I’ve seen happen elsewhere. As Gillian and Austin get closer to each other, the story concentrates more on them.
I adore the way Gillian shows Austin what he missed that night. That was going to be her prom night – and the night she lost her virginity. She didn’t wait for him and she wasn’t a virgin. Thank goodness. She gave it up to someone else she still likes, but there weren’t the sparks she expected with Austin. So she takes him to the sleazy make-out place, not the romantic one, and she seduces him. The sex is raw and hot, and afterwards, she walks away. Saunters away. Go, Gillian.
The story develops in a believable way without coincidence or deus ex machina going on. Gillian discovers that the railroad the town had been counting on is being diverted to a different, more politically advantageous town, and she goes to the big city, in this case, Austen (yes, that’s deliberate) to confront Austin and to persuade him to help her.
Austin is bowled over by Gillian, but she doesn’t have everything her way. I won’t spoil it for you, but the struggle to save the railroad intersperses their burgeoning relationship and gives them a common goal. The characters have inner, more personal problems to overcome, too.
The vivid character depiction and the description of the small town of Tin Cup add color and vivacity to a book that I thoroughly enjoyed.
Grade: B+
Summary:
As town sheriff and all around go-to girl, Gillian Wanamaker has always gotten everything she’s ever wanted—except Austen Hart on prom night ten years ago. She’s never forgiven or forgotten his disappearing act, and now the super-sexy bad boy of Tin Cup, Texas, is back! And Gilly’s getting even! Austen’s not the only one who can love ’em and leave ’em. And she’s gonna love him, sugar.
All. Night. Long.
The leaving part is tougher. Especially when important Tin Cup business keeps throwing them together. But if she ever hopes for more, will Austen leave her again?
Read an excerpt.
