Sandy M’s review of The Charmer in Chaps (Princes of Texas, Book 1) by Julia London
Contemporary Romance published by Berkley 7 May 19
It’s been a few years since I’ve read Julia London. So when I saw the title and cover of this book, I couldn’t wait to get it in hand. I love a cowboy, so any stories about one is sure to win my heart. Luca Prince does that in spades, and then some. How does our heroine, Ella, fare? Stick with me to find out.
Ella, in contrast to Luca’s family life growing up, didn’t have it lucky or loving. She grew up in foster care, then was dumped on her own when she aged out at eighteen. Her mother is currently in prison. Life has not been kind to her. So after having gone from home to home for years, when she inherits her grandmother’s ramshackle house in the middle of nowhere – back where she went to high school and had the biggest crush on Luca – it’s a home for her. Someplace steady and constant, despite the fact it’s nearly falling down around her ears.
Luca, on the other hand, is from a very wealthy family, has had anything and everything he’s wanted in life, lives in a huge mansion and has no cares or worries. Except his disability, something he’s kept hidden for years. He’s currently interested in the environment, turning land back to nature instead of ruining it over time, leaving it good for nothing. However, no one, even his family, believes he’ll stick with it, since he’s never stuck with anything in his life. Thing is, they’ve all underestimated Luca this time. Especially after he meets Ella, who he doesn’t recall from high school. Thus, he doesn’t know he’s been her crush forever.
Now, I really do like these two together, even in spite of Ella’s attitude that a guy like Luca wouldn’t want to be with someone like her. She runs before things can go wrong. But Luca is a charmer and he wants Ella. But it’s Ella’s inability, stubbornness, whatever you want to call it to give a little to see what will happen in life that kept me from liking her totally. She keeps that up until the last few pages of the book, and I just got tired of it all. She’s also a bit too wishy-washy when it comes to her messed-up friend Stacy, who was in foster care with her. That woman is one whack-a-doodle and rubbed me the wrong way every time she showed up.
I’m happy it is Ella who has to do the groveling here, even though it came too late for me. I guess late is better than never. But that’s one pet peeve of mine, taking something too far for too long in a story. So it’s Luca who saves this book for me. He’s the one who grows as you go along in his life with him. As sad as Ella’s story is, it loses impact with her behavior. Though I do like the fact she has a soft spot for the stray animals that show up at her place.
That being said, I do want to read the series as it develops. I did enjoy Luca’s sister, Hallie – whose book is up next – and his brother, Nick, and look forward to their stories.
Grade: B-
Summary:
Cimarron County knows the youngest son of the fabled Prince family as a womanizing hell-raiser, but Luca has changed and he intends to prove it. There’s just one problem—a woman with sparkling eyes and more fight than a barnyard cat.
After a childhood of living in foster homes, Ella Kendall has exactly three things to her name: A dog, a pig, and the rundown house she just inherited. Luca may not remember her from high school, but she definitely remembers him. He is as seductive as he was then, but Ella isn’t about to fall for his flirting. She recognizes a playboy cowboy when she sees one.
Luca knows Ella has learned the hard way to trust no one but herself. Yet the closer he gets to Ella, the more he wants to be the only one she leans on. Because Ella is the only woman for him, and he wants to be the man who finally gives her the home she truly deserves.
No excerpt available.
Other books in this series:
