Detective Nick Barone would rather do almost anything than teach petite socialite Allison McClare jiu-jitsu, but it seems he has little choice in the matter. Sparks fly every time the two meet until a grudging friendship develops into something deeper. But when Nick suddenly leaves town, Allison realizes he's a fraud just like all the rest of the men she's cared for. Does she dare love again?
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Dare to Love Again is the second of Julie's early 1900s San Francisco books. While I still desperate miss the Boston O'Connors and their generational stories, Julie's novels are still full of the wonderful narrative voice that I love. I have to admit that at first it took me a while to get used to this new setting and different family. While Dare to Love Again can stand on it's own, it is so much better coming into if after understanding the outside cast of characters from Love at Any Cost. (I mean you have to know about that one particular skunk of a man!!)
When it comes to Julie Lessman I already know that I'm going to have a book on my permanent keeper shelf. Now I know that I put some thoughts about this one already down on paper somewhere, but I cannot seem to find them. So hopefully I can repeat the good of what I've said (or dreamed that I thought) before. When I think Julie, I think Boston and that wonderful Irish family. But this is an entirely different story, a different kind of story in a very different location. The characters are different, their problems are pretty different. Backgrounds are different and futures are different. Goodness, even the timeframe is different. So, the question is, when Julie can pull off such a wonderful series (well two connected series over seven books!) can she do it again when it is all so different? You bet-ch-a!
Jamie makes me so mad that I could spit. Ugh. Smack that boy. His pride is soo... it's his ego. He's just blind. Ignorant. Irritating! But my goodness is he sparkingly attractive. Yes in the description and reaction of the ladies that pass him by, but you should see the boy in the movie trailer. Woo. I just want to throttle him. Now, Cassie. She reminds me a bit of a Deeanne Gist heroine. Now, while I typically love Dee's stories and books overall her independent creatures that protagonize the stories often drive me bonkers. Cassie and Cait while I'm at it are so... what is it that I'm trying to say... they're such amazing independent and so vulnerable. Goodness gracious me, they are so real and remind me so much of me (minus the independent streak that I sometimes wish I had) that it drives me bonkers! Goodness, I said bonkers twice (now three times!) in one paragraph. My point is that Julie is bringing text on a page to life in something that I can truly imagine. Male and female.
The other thing is that as a reader I know how I want the story to end... I know how the story should end. But reading in the situation, how can it POSSIBLY end in the correct way. Goodness gracious does Julie have a way with a pen!
Then after Jamie and Cassie's story in Love at Any Cost we get to venture in depth into cousin Allison's own romance in Dare to Love Again. I think it's a blessed curse, but every book in a series Julie writes seems to be better than the last! I enjoyed Allison before, but I have loved her character from the first page, and oh her Nicky! Boy oh boy, throw in some of that Italian flare, what a guy! It is fun and educational to watch these two grow as their own people in faith as well as in love. Of course I come into a novel knowing the back cover blurb and how I want things to go and no matter what, with Julie I'm entertained, surprised and mesmerized from page turn to page turn!
I received this product free for the purpose of reviewing it. I received no other compensation for this review. The opinions expressed in this review are my personal, honest opinions. Your experience may vary. Please read my full disclosure policy for more details.
posted: http://creativemadnessmama.com/blog/2014/01/26/dare-to-love-again/
