Page 49 of Love, Lacey Donovan
2 book boyfriend bow ties
Dear Readers,
My review ofBeneath the Starsby Miranda Lockhart might surprise you. As you all know, I am obsessed with this author. I would read her to-do list if she published it. I’ve been holding my breath waiting for her latest novel, butBeneath the Starskindamakes me wish I would have passed out from lack of oxygen instead. I swear, my air-deprived dreams would have been better than this book.
It rips my heart out to give a book written by the fabulous Miranda Lockhart anything less than four stars. I almost gave it three stars out of pity, but then I remembered my duty as a BLUE RIDGE BOOK CLUB member to give it to you, my devoted fans (Hi, Janice!) straight. I have an obligation to provide my fellow romance novel junkies everywhere with the truth no matter how much it hurts. If I was a superhero, my super power would be brutal honesty, so here it is…
Don’t waste your time or money on this book.Read one of Miranda Lockhart’s earlier works instead. I’m always up for a trip down memory lane, and a re-read ofHeaven on Earthis always worth it.
Beneath the Starswas my biggest disappointment of the year. It being February, that doesn’t say much, but trust me when I say the hype on this book is a scam. Don’t fall for it.
A few chapters into the book, I began to wonder if someone was impersonating Ms. Lockhart. Maybe she left her laptop at Starbucks, and someone else took over the story.
Plot overview:
Eight years ago, Linda Charles was driving the car that killed her best friend and paralyzed her cousin. Even though the accident wasn’t her fault, she can’t forgive herself. A brilliant student, she throws herself into college and graduates top of her class at Harvard Law. Her life is steeped in routine, but one day she goes into a Cuban café on the other side of town and spills coffee on Greg (a.k.a. douchebag). He proceeds to sweep Linda off her feet, showing her a side of Miami she’s never seen before, and then offering her a dream job which includes a month in Europe—with him.
Pros:
Writing: witty banter, crisp dialogue, surprisingly fresh sentence structure
Setting: I could practically see the sunsets on Miami Beach and the twinkling lights of the Eiffel Tower.
Sex: Hot as hell sex scenes—I was fanning myself. NSFW!!
Cons:
Trope: Insta-love. Not. A. Fan.
Formulaic: I’ve read this novel before,haven’t I?
Horror Movie Heroine: Linda would have gone into the basement. I HATED Linda. I rolled my eyes every time she swooned over Greg, who was a total bag of dicks. Couldn’t she see that???
Book Boyfriend: Greg was a total bag of dicks.
The Final Word:
Miranda Lockhart, if you happen to be reading this review, PLEASE get your laptop back from the lost and found at Starbucks and write another masterpiece likeHeaven on Earth.
Chapter 20
As I turned onto my street, I saw a black stretch limousine parked in front of my landlord’s house. I slowed my car as I passed it, trying to look into the back seat, but the windows were too dark to see inside.
My stomach fluttered as I turned into the driveway that wound behind the main house to the matching carriage house with a three-car carport on the ground floor and my studio apartment above. By the time I parked, I trembled with anticipation. I glanced in the rearview mirror.
It couldn’t be Beckett. Could it?
He wasn’t due to pick me up for another two hours; however, he had threatened to ply me with romance. Showing up in a limousine was about as romantic as it got. I’d seenPretty Womanlike the rest of the world.
The back door of the limo opened, and my heart lurched as Beckett emerged. What was even more romantic than arriving in a limo? Your date stepping out of the limo with a bouquet.
Desire thrummed through me as Beckett started down the driveway. His dark hair burning russet under the sun, he was a vision in merino wool and cashmere carrying a bright bouquet of yellow tulips.
My stomach clenched as I watched his long-legged stride eat up the gravel. Evidently Beckett had more than one superpower. Not only could he melt panties with a single glance, but he could also explode ovaries with a flash of his smile.
My hands flew to my hair, pinning hastily. I’d just finished working in the stockroom all day, and I was a bit of a mess.
I hopped out of the car, grabbing my coat and purse. When I straightened, Beckett was only a few feet away. He smiled, and my heart squeezed. Did he have to be so handsome it hurt to look at him?
