Sandy M’s review of California Dreaming (Davenports, Book 1) by Bella Andre & Nicky Arden
Contemporary Romance published by Carmel Oak Press 01 Feb 24
It has been quite some time since I’ve read Bella Andre. I always enjoyed her writing and stories. So I was happy to see the first book in a new series, and decided I needed to read her once again.
So you can imagine why I was stumped that this book didn’t work for me. I gave it ten chapters, and I just didn’t want to go any further. The characters are likeable enough, but everything else just moves at a snail’s pace with only ho-hum everyday issues.
Archer is a handsome and popular movie star. He loves doing his own stunts, but when we’re introduced to Tessa, who is a caregiver to a friend of Arch’s, we all know somehow she’s also going to be taking care of him down the road. All the attraction and wants and desires start early, and even when Tessa tries to stay out of Arch’s orbit when he wants her to help him out, I never really felt all that invested in them as the story moves along.
There’s really no conflict to speak of – nothing explosive anyway to keep you cheering for them to make it – with no ebb and flow to keep your interest in the storyline. After ten chapters, I wanted some real tension, conflict – heck, even a misunderstanding that I normally don’t care for any longer in romance. But there’s just nothing along those lines to give the story depth.
Sorry to say I won’t be continuing this series in the future.
Grade: DNF
Summary:
Hotshot movie star Archer Davenport has never met a stunt he couldn’t ace, a challenge he couldn’t overcome, or a woman he couldn’t have. When he breaks his leg during a dangerous stunt, the production company insists on hiring a live-in caretaker for him. He refuses the help…until he meets Tessa Taylor. She’s not only caring and beautiful, she’s also as tough on him as a drill sergeant.
Tessa knows all about confident men. She used to be married to one and that didn’t go well. Her only solace is her painting, even if she has no talent, as her late husband always claimed. Her biggest problem on this job, however, is that sexy, magnetic Archer makes her toes curl with desire every time he’s near. She does everything she can to try to remain professional. But it gets harder and harder every day as she starts to fall for him—and for his amazing family—even though she knows she’ll have to leave him for her next client as soon as he’s fully recovered.
Arch, however, has no plans to let Tessa disappear once his leg is fully recovered. In fact, as the sparks between them grow hotter and hotter, he’s determined to show Tessa that she’s not only the most incredible and loving woman he’s ever known, she’s also the most talented.
No excerpt available.
Other books in this series:
