Book Review: Three Little Words by Susan Mallery

Title: Three Little Words
Series: Fool’s Gold, Book 12
Author: Susan Mallery
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Sensuality Rating: Steamy
Source: review copy provided by publisher
Published: July 30, 2013 by Harlequin

Isabel Carlisle thinks she's cursed in the romance department. Her teenage crush, Ford Hendrix, ignored all her letters. Her husband left her for another...man. So Isabel has come home to dust off her passion for fashion and run the family bridal shop until her parents are ready to sell it. Then she'll pursue her real dreams. At least, that's the plan, until sexy, charming Ford returns and leaves her feeling fourteen all over again.... 

Seeing Isabel all grown up hits bodyguard trainer Ford like a sucker punch. Back when heartbreak made him join the military, her sweet letters kept him sane. Now he can't take his eyes-or his lips-off her. The man who gave up on love has a reason to stay in Fool's Gold forever-if three little words can convince Isabel to do the same....

Why I Read this Book: Fool’s Gold addict here! I love this small town romance series.

What I Liked: My favorite part of Isabel and Ford’s story were the letters she wrote him while he was away serving in the Navy. The novel starts off with her letters, which I loved because it set the foundation for their story. She wrote him for 10 years, from the time she was 14 years old until she was 24. As Ford got the highlights and lowlights from Isabel’s adolescence and early adulthood years, so did the reader. I only wish the letters had been dated. (Minute detail, I know but I like a straightforward timeline.)

I love awkward situations and Isabel standing in front of Ford after not seeing one another for 10 years was an awkward moment. Ford was playful about her letters and her promise to love him forever without making her feel too embarrassed. He was also very insightful when it came to Isabel. And I loved his smug demeanor. He was cocky and arrogant, yet charming at the same time.

I loved the introduction of new characters to the town. With Score, a PR and Marketing business, coming to town, that brings in Train, Jack, Sam, and Kenny. The guys are former NFL players and Train was once married to Jack. Interesting, very interesting indeed.

What I Didn’t Like: There were times I forgot whose book I was reading because there was another couple’s story developing at the same time. So instead of Three Little Words being Isabel and Ford’s story, it was that plus it was the secondary couple’s story as well. And it wasn’t just the introduction of this secondary couple; their HEA happened in this book as well and this overshadowed the main couple at times. Don’t get me wrong, I liked the secondary couple. I just would have preferred that they had gotten their own book or novella. And speaking of HEAs, both HEAs came along too quickly for my taste. I also have to mention that the secondary couple committed a pet peeve of mine – they had intercourse without protection and without discussing it. Tsk tsk.

Memorable Moment:

“What do you know about SPANX?”

Now it was his turn to look startled. “You want me to spank you?”

Overall Impression: Three Little Words was a good read that followed two great couples but I really wish the secondary couple would have gotten their own book. I can’t wait to read Christmas on 4th Street and for the next trio of Fool’s Gold books.

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
Halfway There, Book 9.6
Just One Kiss, Book 10
Two of a Kind, Book 11