Blindsided

Louise
Henry
Genre: 
Contemporary

Chief communications officer Sophie Campbell is looking forward to her boss’s maternity leave so she can prove herself as a temporary city manager and maybe even take over the position full time.  There is just one problem — Marcus Lewis.  It's bad enough that he is her best friend's cousin and object of her childhood crush, but now he has been selected to fill in as city manager.  Annoyed but professional, Sophie does her best to help Marcus, but it's not her fault the man doesn’t read her emails.  Not only is Marcus egotistical and professionally aloof, he is on the run from his own heartbreak. They attempt to stay out of one another’s way until a snowstorm catches them both off guard and they end up keeping warm with more than just a fire. Unfortunately, the past is about to crash into them both.  Will the collision spin them together or break them apart?

Bold and strong characters, Sophie and Marcus are both delightful in their own right. Sophie’s colorful language and outfits make her jump of the page while Marcus’s darker introversion is the perfect counterpoint for her.  The pair complement each other well.  There are a few moments where Marcus’s attitude gets the best of him; he turns into a jerk and Sophie swings from quirky to neurotic. The conflict that drives the characters apart lasts a bit too long and takes away from this couple that has fantastic chemistry. Overall, this is a fast and easy read with steamy sex and great dialogue.  

Elissa Blabac