Title: Brushing Off the Boss Series: Half Moon Bay #2
Author: Annie Seaton
Format: ebook, 234 pages
Published: September 15th 2014 by Entangled: Bliss
ISBN: 163375071X
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | ARe
Source: NetGalley
Reviewer: Linda
Rating: 2.5/5
The one passion they had in common was the one that would keep them apart.
Artist Sienna Sacchi is about to have everything she’s ever dreamed of, when sexy playboy Jack Montgomery comes strolling back into her life as the owner of her gallery. Her plan to buy it herself ruined, she refuses to let him interfere with the most important thing—her debut exhibition. But Jack’s not just taking over her workplace, he’s also intruding on her art studio, her home, and maybe even her heart.
Jack Montgomery has few rules for his carefree life, but never mixing business with pleasure is one he is determined to keep. He’d planned on finally satisfying the tension between him and Sienna, but discovering he’s her boss puts an immediate end to that. Unfortunately, being forced to share a tiny apartment with the gorgeous, tempting sculptor is pushing Jack to his limits. One brush with desire could ruin everything they’ve worked for.
Thoughts:
Art brought them together; Now their art may keep them apart.
BRUSHING OFF THE BOSS by Annie Seaton is a contemporary, artsy romance. It's the second book in Annie's Half Moon Bay series. There are interconnected characters with the former book, TANGLING WITH THE CEO, but this story is easily read as a standalone. I enjoyed the art aspect, the small town setting of Half Moon Bay and catching up with Blake and Ana from Book #1.
I love attending art shows and fairs and both lead characters were artists. Sienna, our heroine, specialized in small enameled animals. I have a friend who collects enameled frogs and I couldn't help but think about her while I was reading. I'm sure she'd go ape for Sienna's creations! LOL! Just this past Friday night, I was snapping pictures of enameled frogs to share with her at Wyland's Gallery on Disney's Boardwalk. Jack, our hero, also produced enameled masterpieces - but he's into much larger specimens.
The story begins as Sienna is celebrating three milestones in her life with friends: her birthday with her twin sister, Georgie, her upcoming first exhibition and her impending purchase of her own art gallery. The only problem is that Jack Montgomery is the true owner of the gallery and he's not selling. Sienna discovers this when Jack crashes her celebration. Sienna and Jack had been attracted to each other years ago but much has happened since. Any relationship with Siena seems out of the question now as Jack appears to have stolen Sienna's dream out from under her. AND... now that they're slated to be business partners, a romance between them would only further muddle the mix.
My favorite scene from the book was the motorcyle drive to the party with Jack wearing Prince Charming's pink tights on a Ducati. Now that's a picture that I won't easily forget!
Annie's books are always must-reads for me. I normally love, love, love Annie's books and have never been disappointed until now. Unfortunately, I detected almost no chemistry - romantic or sexual - between the hero and heroine and the author elaborated upon so many mundane day-to-day happenings that I was bored. Annie's books are ordinarily also laced with humor, but this read was for the most part fun-and-games challenged. That said, while I struggled with it, I did finish it, and I know others have really enjoyed it.
Annie's writing is first rate, as always. The romance is sweet with some implied-more-than-sweet. The plot is well-crafted. If you love small town contemporary romances, you should check out BRUSHING OFF THE BOSS! I seriously want one of her frogs for my friend! I really hope we get to find out if Georgie will make it to Machu Picchu in a future installment!
I have not read many books with art involved. It is not something that I understand much about. Lol.
ReplyDeleteI, too, find it hard to read when I don't see the chemistry between characters. I have a thing about finishing a book, even if it takes me a really long time to. :)
Thank you for your honest review.
I had much the same thought when I read this. Also, I had a time liking Sienna's character. It took me until the very end to really warm up to her and for most of the book, I thought that Jack deserved so much better. But the saving grace for me was the ending was so beautifully written with Jack's grand gesture.
ReplyDeleteI do normally like Bliss books and even though this was my first Annie Seaton book, I'll definitely try another read.