May 23, 2016
Mallery returns to the tiny mountain town of Fool's Gold, Calif., in the 20th and final book in her contemporary Fool's Gold series (after Marry Me at Christmas). Shelby Gilmore followed her ski racer brother, Kipling, to town, and bought into the local bakery. After her abusive upbringing, men terrify her. Town playboy Aidan Mitchell will sleep with any woman who comes through town, but only if she's a tourist. When the two team up as friends without benefits to overcome their fearsâShelby's belief that intimacy means abuse, and Aidan's belief that commitment means pain and extreme self-sacrificeâneither expects the arrangement to turn into a true romance. Even as they try to insist that they're only friends, it's obvious to everyone elseâboth fictional characters and readersâthat they'll end up together. Mallery spins such an appealing town in Fool's Gold that readers will want to move in, or at least return for many visits. Even though the ending is eminently predictable, this expertly characterized tale has heart and soul.
Starred review from April 15, 2016
Appalled to realize he's turned into a one-night stand jerk when it comes to women, charismatic Aidan Mitchell is determined to change his ways. When pastry chef Shelby Gilmore, who has relationship issues of her own, suggests that they agree to a six-month platonic friendship so they can hang out together and learn what makes the other gender tick, he says he'll give it a shot. The results are touching and hilarious and surprise them both--although not the rest of the town. A hero who needs to figure out how to appreciate and respect women and a battered heroine who must learn to trust men strike a bargain that ends brilliantly. VERDICT This insightful, laughter-laced story fairly crackles with sexual tension and has a lot to say about friendship, love, and relationships. Heartwarming and memorable. Mallery (Marry Me at Christmas) lives in Seattle. [An April LibraryReads pick.]
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