Book Review: Halfway There by Susan Mallery

Title: Halfway There
Series: Fool’s Gold, Book 9.6
Author: Susan Mallery
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Sensuality Rating: Mild
Source: review copy provided by publisher
Published: May 2013 by Harlequin

Fayrene Hopkins may be only twenty-four years old, but she runs her own business and has big plans--plans that don't involve falling in love yet. She's determined to make her mark on the world before settling down.

She thinks she's got life all figured out--until she meets Ryan Patterson on her latest job. Fayrene senses his interest in her, and she has to admit he gets her pulse racing. Luckily, starting a relationship with Ryan is safe--he's leaving Fool's Gold when his work contract is up.

Ryan has goals of his own and a job waiting for him in Texas. He doesn't expect to get waylaid by a sassy blonde and cozy town. But what started out as temporary is starting to look like the real thing. If only he can convince Fayrene that some plans are made to be broken.

Why I Read this Book: Fool’s Gold fan here! I gobble up each new installment as soon as possible.

What I Liked: Ryan and Fayrene were great leads. Both were pretty straightforward and blunt with one another so there was no game-playing between them. I like angst and tension in my romance but sometimes it’s nice to read an easy going romance every once in a while. Fayrene is my kind of girl – she’s a planner. She has flaws but not only does she admit to them, she owns them. They make her who she is. Ryan is a thoughtful and caring kind of guy. He pays attention to even the smallest of details when it comes to Fayrene. He’s understanding about her concerns and wants to work them out with her, one by one. And offers a compromise that makes her feel comfortable.

Dellina and Ana Raquel, Fayrene’s older sister and twin sister respectively, were interesting characters and I would like to read both of their stories. The possibility of Ana Raquel and this “annoying” Greg Clary from the 2nd grade would make from a great and interesting coupling. Speaking of secondary characters, I love how the author drops little hints about characters that have a book coming up. Gideon, I’m looking at you. I cling to these nuggets of information and try to figure out who their happy-ever-after match will be.

What I Didn’t Like: My only gripe is that Halfway There was more of a ‘happy for now’ instead of a ‘happy ever after’ story. I am hoping I will see Ryan and Fayrene’s relationship grow over the course of the Fool’s Gold series. But I wish their HEA had been completed in this book.

Overall Impression: Halfway There works for series fans, like myself, and people who haven’t read a single Fool’s Gold book. It didn’t attest to the small town life as much as the other novels have but it’ll give you an idea of the town and its residents.

Brianna’s Rating:

 

Brianna’s reviews for other books in this series:
Chasing Perfect, Book 1
Almost Perfect, Book 2
Only Mine, Book 4
Only Yours, Book 5
Only His, Book 6
Summer Days, Book 7
Summer Nights, Book 8
All Summer Long, Book 9
A Fool’s Gold Christmas, Book 9.5