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A review by ccgwalt
In affari col capo by Sarah Morgan
3.0
3.5* Overall very enjoyable.
When you pick up a category romance, especially one of the "lines" like Harlequin Presents, you know you're in for stock characters and a formulaic plot. The measure of the book, then, is how well the author succeeds in making the reader care about the characters and the plot. Sarah Morgan succeeded on both counts in Doukakis's Apprentice. With an economy of words, Morgan fleshes out her characters and makes the settings feel realistic. Polly feels real and makes a sympathetic heroine. Damon is more stereotypical, but Morgan successfully hits a balance of arrogance and heart. This is a well-written book, with smooth writing and believable dialog.
An occasional cliche made me roll my eyes, Polly seems a little too good to be true, and Damon's turn around was somewhat abrupt, but these can be forgiven. The 186 pages don't leave enough room for a slower, more detailed development of characters or plot. (I wish the reader had been let in on Damon's thoughts that led to the change of heart.) But Sarah Morgan has proven you can pack a lot in less than 200 pages. She joins Carla Kelly and Sarah Mayberry as category romance authors I admire. I'll definitely look for more of her books.
When you pick up a category romance, especially one of the "lines" like Harlequin Presents, you know you're in for stock characters and a formulaic plot. The measure of the book, then, is how well the author succeeds in making the reader care about the characters and the plot. Sarah Morgan succeeded on both counts in Doukakis's Apprentice. With an economy of words, Morgan fleshes out her characters and makes the settings feel realistic. Polly feels real and makes a sympathetic heroine. Damon is more stereotypical, but Morgan successfully hits a balance of arrogance and heart. This is a well-written book, with smooth writing and believable dialog.
An occasional cliche made me roll my eyes, Polly seems a little too good to be true, and Damon's turn around was somewhat abrupt, but these can be forgiven. The 186 pages don't leave enough room for a slower, more detailed development of characters or plot. (I wish the reader had been let in on Damon's thoughts that led to the change of heart.) But Sarah Morgan has proven you can pack a lot in less than 200 pages. She joins Carla Kelly and Sarah Mayberry as category romance authors I admire. I'll definitely look for more of her books.