Book Review: Crazy Thing Called Love by Molly O’Keefe

Title: Crazy Thing Called Love
Series: Crooked Creek Ranch, Book 3
Author: Molly O’Keefe
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Sensuality Rating: Steamy
Source: LibraryThing Early Reviewers
Published: January 2013 by Bantam

Dallas TV morning show host Madelyn Cornish is poised, perfect, and unflappable, from her glossy smile to her sleek professionalism. No one knows that her iron will guards a shattered heart and memories of a man she’s determined to lock out. Until that man shows up at a morning meeting like a bad dream: Billy Wilkins, sexy hockey superstar in a tailspin—still skating, still fighting, and still her ex-husband.

Now the producers want this poster child for bad behavior to undergo an on-air makeover, and Billy, who has nothing to lose, agrees to the project. It’s his only chance to get near Maddy again, and to fight for the right things this time around. He believes in the fire in Maddy’s whiskey eyes and the passion that ignites the air between them. This bad-boy heartbreaker wants a last shot to be redeemed by the only thing that matters: Maddy’s love.

Why I Read this Book: I’ve heard good things about Molly O’Keefe’s novels so she’s been on my ‘to-read’ list for a while now. Plus I’m a fan of reunited-and-it-feels-so-good romances. (And yes, I was totally singing that song as soon as I typed the word ‘reunited’.)

What I Liked: I actually really liked Billy’s character. He was the shining star in Crazy Thing Called Love. His character grew during the duration of the story and he was actually the better person when it came down to him and Maddy.

The epilogue was great. It was sugary sweet and it was the finishing touch that completed the story.

What I Didn’t Like: At first, I liked Maddy’s character but as the story progressed, I grew to dislike her, and very much so. She was extremely insensitive to Billy's situation and more concerned about saving her own ass. She was even willing to use Billy to keep her job at the station. That’s low.

The entire second half of Crazy Thing Called Love was ruined by children plot moppets (a toddler and a teenager) and an overload of drama usually seen on the Jerry Springer show. As a reader, I do not want children to have a heavy presence in the romance novels I read. The blurb gave me no indication whatsoever of children playing a role in this story. Had there been, I would have avoided reading this book. The kids stole the thunder right from under Maddy and Billy.

Overall Impression: Crazy Thing Called Love was a story that had great potential but unfortunately, for me, was ruined by children plot moppets. If you don’t mind a heavy presence of children in a romance novel, you might want to give Crazy Thing Called Love a try. As for me, I’ll have to scour reviews before I read another book by Molly O’Keefe to make sure no children plot moppets or drama overload are included. If you have a recommendation (no children and only likable heroines please), let me know!

Brianna’s Rating: