Open Season
Old-fashioned & drab 34yo librarian wants a makeover so she can attract a man to marry & have a family with. Her changed appearance attracts several men in the singles bar she goes to, including a serial rapist who drugs his would-be victims with GHB in their drinks. Fortunately, the new chief of police in their small town is often in the same places heroine is at & keeps rescuing her from mishaps around her. Hero makes his attraction to heroine known, which heroine is surprised to return given their tumultuous interactions. Their affair gives fodder for gossip as well as unknowingly protects heroine from danger. This was a funny & somewhat suspenseful Howard book. The writing was engaging, well-paced, & emotionally-involving. Dialogue was funny. Sexual chemistry & sex scenes were good. Heroine had a good combination of primness, naivete, inner strength, & passion. I liked that alpha-male Hero saw through heroine's drab appearance & was attracted to her fire & old-fashioned ways. One thing I didn't care too much for was how contrived the suspense element was pulled together towards the end. There were too many coincidences in such a short time period to be realistic.
Recommended.
