Could the partnership that should save his reputation
cause the scandal of her lifetime?
To save his inheritance, Declan Masterson needs to fix
his playboy image -- fast! Partnering with plain, respectable Charlotte
Palsgrave for a charity yacht race is a genius first step, no matter how much
she initially dislikes him. Charlotte is from an established family without a
hint of a scandal. Or so he thinks…
At first, they can barely speak to one another, let alone
sail a boat together. And then he has the nerve to suggest she needs a
makeover! But when the two become shipwrecked, they may discover just how much
opposites can attract…
Good book about two people who pair up to win a sailing
race. Declan and Charlotte each have reasons they need to win this race. Charlotte
needs the prize money to replace the funds that her rat of an ex-fiancé stole
from her charity. Declan must prove to his father that he's ready to take over
the family business. But can two very different people find a way to work
together?
I liked both Charlotte and Declan. Charlotte's charity,
Martha's Kids, is very important to her, and she's devastated and ashamed when
she discovers what her ex did. Though she's turned over all information to the
authorities, the details aren't public knowledge, and she hopes to replace the
missing money before it is. Entering the sailing race is her chance to get that
money. It doesn't help that her father constantly puts her down. Charlotte spends
a lot of effort doing everything she can to avoid notice and blend into the
background.
Declan and his brother Nash were adopted by Hollywood
producer JJ Masterson when they were children. JJ is a control freak, but
Declan did things his way, from becoming a stuntman and actor to extreme sports
and playboy shenanigans. He's recently given up some of his antics to
concentrate on being part of the family business. He's furious when JJ tells
him to clean up his act or lose his chance to inherit the business. He agrees
to his father's demand that he partner with Charlotte to win the race. If he
can avoid scandal, he'll get the company.
I enjoyed watching the relationship develop between
Charlotte and Declan. Things get off to a rough start because Declan's good
looks and charming ways remind Charlotte of her ex, and she doesn't trust him. Charlotte's
need for control triggers Declan's contrariness, and he has too much fun
yanking her chain. This leads to a bargain between them - he'll support picking
Martha's Kids as their team's charity if she consents to a makeover. With a
truce called to concentrate on preparing for the race, neither expects the
sparks of attraction that flare between them.
I liked seeing Declan and Charlotte get to know each
other. Charlotte learns that there is more to Declan than his playboy image.
His protectiveness when the paparazzi show up is sweet. Declan is intrigued by
Charlotte's intelligence and big heart and finds that she makes him want to be
a better man. There are some terrific scenes between them during the events
leading up to the race. I especially enjoyed the ball and seeing Declan and
Charlotte work together to promote Martha's Kids. When a storm ends their race
and shipwrecks them on an uninhabited island, the attraction between them
becomes too much to resist. But when scandal erupts after their rescue, will
the publicity draw them together or pull them apart? And what about the secrets
neither of them had shared with the other?
Declan and Charlotte had to deal with their insecurities
before they could have a shot at a life together. Charlotte had to decide if
she could trust Declan, and he had to decide if giving in to his father's
demands was worth the cost. I loved Declan's confrontation with JJ and his eye-opening
conversation with his brother afterward. I also liked seeing Charlotte's
strength as she dealt with the fallout at her charity and her father's
attitude. The ending was terrific, and Declan won my heart with his emotional
reunion with Charlotte.
I wish there had been an epilogue because I'd love to see
how their future plays out. After checking out the author's upcoming releases,
I'm excited to see that Declan's brother Nash features in the next book. Maybe
Declan and Charlotte will make a guest appearance there.
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