laurenjodi's review against another edition
2.0
Before We Kiss
2.5 Stars
Together with his fellow former NFL partners, Sam Ridge has come to Fool's Gold to establish his PR firm. Despite his success on the field and in business, Sam has notoriously bad luck when it comes to women. So, he isn't all that surprised when his initial encounter with local events planner, Dellina Hopkins, ends in disaster due to a misunderstanding. But when his firm hires Dellina to help plan a party for their clients, Sam is forced to admit that there is more to her than meets the eye. Will he be willing to take a chance?
The Fool's Gold series is turning into a hit-and-miss for me. Some of the books are an absolute delight while others fail to live up to their potential. Unfortunately, this installment falls into the latter group.
Dellina and Sam's disastrous one-night stand sets the stage for an excellent second chances romance, However, there is too much focus on the party planning and not enough on the romance. It is exceedingly difficult to engage with them as a couple as they have zero chemistry. Sam's parents are much more compelling despite their shenanigans and provide several moments of hilarity.
The secondary storyline focuses on Dellina's sister, Fayrene's attempts to get her boyfriend to propose. This is exceedingly irritating as she was the one who wanted to wait, but has since changed her mind. She expects him to "prove his continued love and devotion" by guessing that she wants to get married sooner rather than later. Her behavior is childish and petulant, and Ryan could seriously do better.
Nevertheless, the hints at future relationships for Sam's partners, Jack and Kenny, are intriguing and I also want to find out more about Kipling Gilmore and his sister, Shelby. Hopefully, these books will be better.
Finally, I really want to know how Mayor Marsh knows so much about everyone - is she psychic?
2.5 Stars
Together with his fellow former NFL partners, Sam Ridge has come to Fool's Gold to establish his PR firm. Despite his success on the field and in business, Sam has notoriously bad luck when it comes to women. So, he isn't all that surprised when his initial encounter with local events planner, Dellina Hopkins, ends in disaster due to a misunderstanding. But when his firm hires Dellina to help plan a party for their clients, Sam is forced to admit that there is more to her than meets the eye. Will he be willing to take a chance?
The Fool's Gold series is turning into a hit-and-miss for me. Some of the books are an absolute delight while others fail to live up to their potential. Unfortunately, this installment falls into the latter group.
Dellina and Sam's disastrous one-night stand sets the stage for an excellent second chances romance, However, there is too much focus on the party planning and not enough on the romance. It is exceedingly difficult to engage with them as a couple as they have zero chemistry. Sam's parents are much more compelling despite their shenanigans and provide several moments of hilarity.
The secondary storyline focuses on Dellina's sister, Fayrene's attempts to get her boyfriend to propose. This is exceedingly irritating as she was the one who wanted to wait, but has since changed her mind. She expects him to "prove his continued love and devotion" by guessing that she wants to get married sooner rather than later. Her behavior is childish and petulant, and Ryan could seriously do better.
Nevertheless, the hints at future relationships for Sam's partners, Jack and Kenny, are intriguing and I also want to find out more about Kipling Gilmore and his sister, Shelby. Hopefully, these books will be better.
Finally, I really want to know how Mayor Marsh knows so much about everyone - is she psychic?
kbranfield's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars.
In the previous novel in Susan Mallery's captivating Fool's Gold series, Sam Ridge's intriguing avoidance of event planner Dellina Hopkins left me dying to read their story and I am delighted to say Before We Kiss exceeded all of my expectations!
Following her parents' untimely deaths, Dellina gladly took on the responsibility of raising her teenage twin sisters. Both of them are now grown up and Dellina is not looking for a serious or permanent relationship when she meets Sam. She is wildly attracted to the very sexy retired football player, but Dellina maintains a professional distance until their smoldering passion explodes in an unexpected encounter. Sam and Dellina agree to a casual fling, but love has a funny way of sneaking in when least expected, but will Sam's lingering trust issues from his previous disastrous relationships keep them from finding their happily ever after?
Dellina and Sam are wonderful characters and they are very well suited as a couple. At this point in her life, Delinna's primary concern is getting her event planning business on firm financial ground and this event could be just what her struggling company needs. Sam likes Fool's Gold, but unlike his business partners, he has kept his distance from the rest of the town. Sam and Dellina work well together and while they like and respect one another, neither of them is looking for a lasting relationship. A family is the last thing on Dellina's mind and while Sam does dream of having kids one day, a wife does not really fit into the picture.
In addition to Dellina and Sam's burgeoning romance, Before We Kiss has a few secondary storylines as well. A story arc with one of Dellina's sisters provides an unexpected revelation for Dellina. Mayor Marsha is on vacation but she is quite busy maneuvering events behind the scenes and the introduction of two new characters sets the stage for future novels in the series.
Although Before We Kiss is a light-hearted and very entertaining addition to the Fool's Gold series, Susan Mallery does address some a few serious topics as well. Sam's trust issues are realistic and a visit from his family is quite hilarious, but also shows the importance of respecting other people's boundaries and need for privacy.
Before We Kiss is another lovely romance set in the warm and inviting town of Fool's Gold. This sentimental and heartwarming story gives fans a chance to catch up with their favorite characters as Dellina and Sam fall in love. A few tantalizing tidbits about Jack's mysterious past leave me eagerly awaiting, Until We Touch, the next novel in this wonderful series.
In the previous novel in Susan Mallery's captivating Fool's Gold series, Sam Ridge's intriguing avoidance of event planner Dellina Hopkins left me dying to read their story and I am delighted to say Before We Kiss exceeded all of my expectations!
Following her parents' untimely deaths, Dellina gladly took on the responsibility of raising her teenage twin sisters. Both of them are now grown up and Dellina is not looking for a serious or permanent relationship when she meets Sam. She is wildly attracted to the very sexy retired football player, but Dellina maintains a professional distance until their smoldering passion explodes in an unexpected encounter. Sam and Dellina agree to a casual fling, but love has a funny way of sneaking in when least expected, but will Sam's lingering trust issues from his previous disastrous relationships keep them from finding their happily ever after?
Dellina and Sam are wonderful characters and they are very well suited as a couple. At this point in her life, Delinna's primary concern is getting her event planning business on firm financial ground and this event could be just what her struggling company needs. Sam likes Fool's Gold, but unlike his business partners, he has kept his distance from the rest of the town. Sam and Dellina work well together and while they like and respect one another, neither of them is looking for a lasting relationship. A family is the last thing on Dellina's mind and while Sam does dream of having kids one day, a wife does not really fit into the picture.
In addition to Dellina and Sam's burgeoning romance, Before We Kiss has a few secondary storylines as well. A story arc with one of Dellina's sisters provides an unexpected revelation for Dellina. Mayor Marsha is on vacation but she is quite busy maneuvering events behind the scenes and the introduction of two new characters sets the stage for future novels in the series.
Although Before We Kiss is a light-hearted and very entertaining addition to the Fool's Gold series, Susan Mallery does address some a few serious topics as well. Sam's trust issues are realistic and a visit from his family is quite hilarious, but also shows the importance of respecting other people's boundaries and need for privacy.
Before We Kiss is another lovely romance set in the warm and inviting town of Fool's Gold. This sentimental and heartwarming story gives fans a chance to catch up with their favorite characters as Dellina and Sam fall in love. A few tantalizing tidbits about Jack's mysterious past leave me eagerly awaiting, Until We Touch, the next novel in this wonderful series.
dtrumps's review against another edition
4.0
Originally posted on Gone Pecan
Sam is a former professional football player and has moved to Fool’s Gold with his friends and colleagues when their company is relocated to the quiet town in northern California. The book starts off with Sam anxious because he needs to hire Dellina, a Fool’s Gold native and party planner, to plan a huge party for their company. The reason he’s so anxious is because he & Dellina have a history. More specifically, they had a one night stand months before. And he’s done his very best to avoid her ever since.
Dellina loves giving Sam a hard time, but she fondly remembers their night together and wouldn’t mind having another shot. They work well together, and Sam tries to keep her at arm’s length, but it gets more difficult the longer they spend with each other.
This is probably the funniest Fool’s Gold book Susan Mallery’s written. Take one private, stoic guy like Sam, who’s had the worst luck with women, add in his CRAZY family and it was so much fun to read. Dellina is the one here who’s probably more hesitant about a happily ever after because she raised her two sisters after their parents died, but Sam is almost equally as skeptical about it because he has some serious female issues. One being his mother (and she is a doozy).
The moral of the story here is trust, dear readers. Dellina and Sam were a lot of fun and quite cute together, but the best part of this book is the unexpected humor. And some seriously memorable sex scenes. Way to go Ms. Mallery.
4/5
Sam is a former professional football player and has moved to Fool’s Gold with his friends and colleagues when their company is relocated to the quiet town in northern California. The book starts off with Sam anxious because he needs to hire Dellina, a Fool’s Gold native and party planner, to plan a huge party for their company. The reason he’s so anxious is because he & Dellina have a history. More specifically, they had a one night stand months before. And he’s done his very best to avoid her ever since.
Dellina loves giving Sam a hard time, but she fondly remembers their night together and wouldn’t mind having another shot. They work well together, and Sam tries to keep her at arm’s length, but it gets more difficult the longer they spend with each other.
This is probably the funniest Fool’s Gold book Susan Mallery’s written. Take one private, stoic guy like Sam, who’s had the worst luck with women, add in his CRAZY family and it was so much fun to read. Dellina is the one here who’s probably more hesitant about a happily ever after because she raised her two sisters after their parents died, but Sam is almost equally as skeptical about it because he has some serious female issues. One being his mother (and she is a doozy).
The moral of the story here is trust, dear readers. Dellina and Sam were a lot of fun and quite cute together, but the best part of this book is the unexpected humor. And some seriously memorable sex scenes. Way to go Ms. Mallery.
4/5
whitney0498's review against another edition
5.0
Before We Kiss is the fourteenth book in the Fool’s Gold series and this book was hilarious. I absolutely loved getting to see Sam and Dellina fumble their way together. I love this authors books and I can’t wait to read more by her.
deamer26's review against another edition
3.0
A sweet book similar to the ongoing triad in the sense of fears
A vulnerable sweet & love freaked romance
A vulnerable sweet & love freaked romance
nellesnightstand's review against another edition
5.0
I'm going to say it again. There is a REASON Susan Mallery is one of my FAVORITE Authors!! From disastrous relationships in his past to her having raised her sisters there are obstacles in Sam and Delina's relationship. The one night stand they had months prior, when Sam awoke to a room full of wedding gowns and a "How to get him to propose." list on the wall scared him stupid and he ran away in the night. It takes a huge weekend business party to get them together again! The chemistry between these too is sweet to watch develop! Can't wait for Jack and Larissa's story next!
wildflowerz76's review against another edition
2.0
Number 14 in the Fool's Gold series is the story of inept event planner Dellina and retire pro football kicker Sam.
So, my last book was super long and boring. I decided to do a quick, fluffy book next and picked up another in this series, despite the fact that I'd decided to take a break from it because they were annoying me.
So, my last book was super long and boring. I decided to do a quick, fluffy book next and picked up another in this series, despite the fact that I'd decided to take a break from it because they were annoying me.
cdb393's review against another edition
4.0
3 1/2 stars
I liked the characters and humor in this one but I'm getting rather tired of the public announcements of love that this series always seems to have.
I liked the characters and humor in this one but I'm getting rather tired of the public announcements of love that this series always seems to have.
kimmypete1's review against another edition
3.0
I stumbled upon this looking for contemporary romance books and I'm so glad I did. I don't often jump into the middle of a series book, but this one sounded cute and I had an opportunity to review it and no time to read the previous 13 books (though I will be adding them to my TBR list!)
As someone who loves football I loved the little bit of football that was thrown in. Sam is a former NFL player had has some serious bad luck with women. At times it was quite comical, especially the encounter between him and Dellina. I loved watching Sam and Dellina try to avoid and deny their feelings for each other, giving in to both just a little bit each time.
Sam's parents were completely awesome, and quite different from "normal" parents. There was a side story with Dellina's sister that was just ok. It added a little bit in a sense that it showed positive things about Sam and Dellina's character, but I found her to be a bit annoying overall.
As someone who loves football I loved the little bit of football that was thrown in. Sam is a former NFL player had has some serious bad luck with women. At times it was quite comical, especially the encounter between him and Dellina. I loved watching Sam and Dellina try to avoid and deny their feelings for each other, giving in to both just a little bit each time.
Sam's parents were completely awesome, and quite different from "normal" parents. There was a side story with Dellina's sister that was just ok. It added a little bit in a sense that it showed positive things about Sam and Dellina's character, but I found her to be a bit annoying overall.
verityw's review against another edition
3.0
This is a bit bonkers. It was all going ok until the sex therapist mum turned out and then it got a bit... weird. Hey ho. It’s still fools gold so it’s entertaining enough.