This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Genres: Sports Romance
Published by Skyscape
Released on March 19, 2019
Pages: 283
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley
The Delight
Heiress Mackenzie Dupont heads to Mexico six months after being left at the altar. Meanwhile, soccer superstar Slade Rodriguez boards the same airplane as Mack for a trip away from the scandal in his life. The two sit together, share fake names together and a bond is forged. He leaves her alone after a night together and takes over as the bad guy in Mack’s life shortly after. Thrown back together after the vacation by no fault of their own, sparks are flying. The question here is: Are they sparks of passion or anger?
Review
Rachel Van Dyken finally entered my orbit of romance authors I read only recently. For the most part, I’ve enjoyed most of everything I’ve read by her-not that there has been that many-4(I just checked). I saw this book on Net Galley and I didn’t even read the blurb, just automatically requested it.
Mack’s family owns a very successful wine company and she is what is known as a sommelier-someone with a perfect palate as far as wine tasting is concerned. She’s on a break from the company and when she meets Slade she’s immediately attracted to him. He is on a break as well before moving to Seattle to begin with a new to him soccer team. World famous, he just wants normal for a few days so when he realizes Mack has no idea who he is, a fake name seems to be the way to go. What he doesn’t realize is that Mack is a famous heiress and has her own troubles splashed on the pages of the scandal sheets, especially after being left at the altar. So a fake name for her is also the way to go. When they inevitably hook up on vacation and he leaves her asleep without a word, Mack is pretty devastated. She thought they had really shared something. Thing is, Slade thought so too until he realizes that while he ignored calls from home to be with her, a tragedy was happening so he blames himself-and her-for not going home in time.
This is where the big coincidence starts happening. After meeting in Mexico, they both end up in Seattle. And if that’s not coincidence enough, even though she has a very good job and actually is wealthy in her own right, she starts working for Slade as his housekeeper/dog walker/cook. Of course, she doesn’t know that’s who she will be working with temporarily and he, of course, decides to be a total creep about it. There’s reasons why she’s doing the work, but I am leaving it at that. This book goes from being a romance, to being an enemies to lovers story. Kind of unusual, even though I thought his reasons for being mean to her were a bit flimsy, to say the least.
I did enjoy the characters for the most part. I got a bit fed up with Slade and his immature attitude at times, but I thought Mack handled him pretty well. Of course, there are several villains to be had here, in particular one I think should maybe have his own book. He comes off as a bad guy, but he has his reasons too. Also, at times, I thought Mack’s father was even a villain. He was pretty unfair to Mack and he made me suitably mad for her.
Usually I am not a fan of coincidences to make the story, but I thought it worked here. I mean, there had to be a way for them to meet again so that the story would exist right? So I had no problem with that. I did have problems with Slade’s personality at times(he does have reasons). But that just moved the story along so I just sat back and enjoyed the ride. And it ended up being a pretty good ride. I think this is another win in this author’s, Good Read!, column and I would recommend this to all adult contemporary romance readers.
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Sounds like it could have turned out really bad, but the author wrote it in a way that really worked for you. I still need to try her books. Great review, Lorna!
Thanks. Yes, I think I liked this one more than her others.
I really like the cover of this one. Sounds like a good read.
Ash @ JennRenee Read
It was a pretty good read!
I have enjoyed RVD books but have only read a couple. They were absolutely ridiculous in some aspects but still a fun read. (So not realistic)
Oh, now you have me curious what the books were and if I read them.
The first book I read of hers was the Bachelor Auction which is a very loose Cinderella retelling. Then The Bachelor Contract and The Playboy Bachelor. I really enjoyed them but some things made me roll my eyes.
I’ve never seen anything about them. I read The Matchmakers Playbook and sequel The Replacement Matchmaker. Also Infraction and Fraternize.
See below. I answered you wrong.
I haven’t tried this one but I do enjoy her novels from time to time, she has some good ones
So far they’re not that deep, just a fun read!
LOL, glad she handled Slade. This sounds like a nice spring romance.
Yes, her books are good romances but more fun than deep.
I think I would have issues with the personality too
Yes, I had problems with him at times. But he got better!
I haven’t ever read this author before but now you have me wanting to try her out. I don’t mind coincidences as long as they are believable and written well.
Yes, you might like her! She writes a lot of sports romances.
I’ve heard of this author, but haven’t read any of her books. It sounds like a fun set-up with them both sharing a fake name as they’re sort of famous and just want to be normal for a bit. The enemies to lovers part seems a bit forced after that first meeting. Good to know the coincidences mostly work here and that the characters are likable for the most part. Great review!
The fake name set up was one of my favorite parts! Thanks!
Great review Lorna. I’ve read a few of Rachel Van Dyken’s books, and she’s been a hit or miss author at times. I do like the sound of this one though, might have to give it a go!
I know what you mean about hit or miss. I ended up enjoying this one.
I just read a book where the usually tropes just worked. It made sense. I think that is the key to adding them. This looks interesting. Thanks for putting it on my radar.
Sorry just saw this. And you are welcome. Good to see you here!
Yes, agreed, Slade was a bit immature there for a while, but I had hope he would come to his senses. Her dad… asshat. I enjoyed this coincidental read too, enough to grab Matt’s book 😉
Yes, I just got Matt’s book from KU. Now to get time to read it!