Bona fide good read…

Now and then, I see in the stacks of the library a bevy of thinner romance novels. They tend to be published in thematic groups, and occasionally their covers catch my eye. Pretend Mistress, Bona Fide Boss by Yvonne Lindsay was my most recent foray into Harlequin novels.

This novel is the third of the Rogue Diamond series. It had been a while since I had a book unfold its tale well in under 190 pages. These novels are different than those contained in anthologies because they are required to be able to sell on their own. That’s a big responsibility–was this book going to be able to deliver?

The short answer is yes. Surprisingly so! And I think I am going to have to read the other two books in the series since Lindsay is quite skilled at weaving a tale filled with emotional drama and exciting sexual tension. The heroine Lainey is living a double life, working for her boss Adam by day, and playing casino Arm Candy for the loan shark Ling by night. At first, her motives for the dual existence are her secret to keep. Adam discovers the duality, and because he is strongly attracted to the Lainey that has been until now hidden from him, he raises the stakes of her employment.

Their encounters are hot, especially once the initial contact is made between them. Adam’s character even manages to fit in some soul-searching. It was a deliciously short read and highly enjoyable.

Lesson learned: Harlequins get my vote for excellent short attention span reads, such as on the beach, sitting in the passenger seat on a road trip, chilling in a coffee shop alone with the book, a latte, and a rainy afternoon.