Maid for Each Other

Abi Mariano's apartment is being fumigated and the penthouse apartment of one of her cleaning clients is supposed to be empty for the week while she needs to be out of her own place. She figures that she can use the penthouse and then clean it up before he even knows. Except his parents come in and find her and think she's his girlfriend.  Then horror of all horrors, he shows up in his own home and Abi has a lot to explain.  

Declan, the owner of the apartment, sees how this can work to his advantage and makes a deal with Abi.  She asks for $40,000 to pay off her student loans and she will go with him to a business weekend as his girlfriend.  It stretches out for more than just the weekend and one thing Abi learns about Declan is that his wealth is not as important to him as it would seem on the outside.  He plays the party line with his company, but behind it all his passion lies in a charitable company that does its good deeds anonymously.  

This is a formulaic romance, but it is one that uses a third party to throw a spanner into the works.  Lynn Painter has done a creditable job in creating a believable story.  Her plot lines are sometimes hilarious, but easily followable. She uses her thoughts to paint a picture worth perusing.  

Four Stars. 

Berkeley Publishing Group provided the copy I read for this review. All opinions expressed are solely my own. 

 

Sense and Suitability

Emmeline thought that Simon was going to propose to her, but he bailed on her at the last minute.  Now both of them have been given ultimatums to find a spouse this season or else.  Simon needs money, Emmeline doesn't have a large enough dowry.  The problem is they are in love with each other, but there is a black mark against Simon and Emmeline would rather not get married if she can't have Simon.  

There are several interesting characters who flesh out the movement of the plot--Aunts for both Simon and Emmeline feel that they have a say in what happens in their niece's or nephew's lives, even to the point of choosing spouses for their charges. 

Pepper Basham writes compelling novels that grasp the reader from the very first pages all the way through to the end.  She seems to know what her readers want and delivers with a flourish. I love the way she puts a plot together and her settings are spot on for the story she is telling.  

Four Strong Stars. 

My Thanks to Thomas Nelson Fiction for providing the copy I read for this review.  All opinions expressed are solely my own.