Kirkus
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A classic underachiever falls in love with a man who seemingly cares only about business. Rory Meadows Garrett has always felt like a failure in her family; she’s a broke, unemployed chocolatier who drifts from job to job while Clint, her half brother, has found fame and fortune as a professional quarterback. After interfering in Clint’s love life, Rory attends a team party, intending to come clean about her meddling. Instead, Rory falls into bed with Brett Rivers, Clint’s agent. For Brett, sleeping with Clint’s sister is the ultimate fireable offense, and he was already in hot water for suggesting that Clint’s girlfriend, Ashley Hart, is a gold digger. After a few days of failing to reach Clint on the phone, Brett drives out to his house, but he only finds Rory, also looking for Clint. As they search the house, they discover Ashley’s dead body and realize she was murdered. Although Rory and Brett’s quest to find the killer and clear Clint’s name drives the plot, it’s the shifting kaleidoscope of personal, business, and family relationships that makes this such a captivating novel. Rory and Brett seem to be complete opposites, but Phillips is a pro at creating characters who turn out to be perfect for each other in unlikely ways. Brett’s staunch belief that professional success is all that matters is challenged by Rory’s laid-back approach to life, while Rory’s feelings of inferiority are vanquished by Brett’s assurance and belief in her skills. Ashley is more plot device than real person, which is the one discordant note in an otherwise emotionally generous novel about romantic and familial love. Not quite a touchdown, but still a winning romance novel. Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.