Sweet Southern Nights - Rochelle Alers (e-book review)

3 Stars

ABOUT THE BOOK -

The Kentucky clinic where Dr. Levi Eaton is volunteering is worlds away from his wealthy Pennsylvania roots. Still, the South has plenty of attractions—like his colleague's captivating sister. Angela Chase is sexy, charming and looking for fun, not commitment. That combination suits Levi just fine, until he begins to appreciate what lies beneath her Southern belle facade.

Her fiance's betrayal destroyed Angela's faith in men—and inspired a double life that would surprise her prominent family. Hiding her true self from a man as charismatic as Levi isn't so easy, and for once, she isn't sure she wants to try. But without the courage to trust him with her secrets, their sultry Southern nights may soon be just a haunting memory....

ABOUT THE AUTHOR -

 Hailed by readers and booksellers alike as one of today's most popular African-American authors of women's fiction, Ms. Alers is a regular on bestsellers list, and has been a recipient of numerous awards, including the Vivian Stephens Award for Excellence in Romance Writing and a Zora Neale Hurston Literary Award. Visit her Web site rochellealers.com

MY REVIEW -

This story started out with Levi which I wasn't too sure about at first. I started liking it more when she introduced Angela, whom I fell in love with right away. Angela was very sweet, kind, seemed soft spoken, and had been burned before. I did start liking Levi too as I got to know him. There was great character development. I really had a good picture of all the "players" in the story. The problem was that I was picturing them in a "Soap opera".

The whole story, while being sweet and romantic was still very slow going for me. I kept waiting for the big bang and there was none. I guess that's what happens in Romance novels where romance is the main focus. So many ideas could have been built up more in my opinion. Angela was a Romance author but this was only mentioned a couple times until the end when there was an argument about it. Also the fact that she had missed out on a singing career. All the things that I thought would have made it more exciting were only slightly touched upon which left it only an OK sweet story.

I did love Angela's cat - Miss Divine or "Miss Dee" for short. I thought it was great that she talked to her cat (I talk to mine) and that Levi was also a cat person and really took a liking to the cat. I think this was my favorite part of the book.

Still... even though it was slow for me, I did enjoy it enough to keep reading. I loved the characters (and the cat).
This was my very first Harlequin romance! I don't think it was the Author's fault that I did not love the book - I think she did a great job, it was beautifully written. I just think that maybe true romance is not really for me.

Thank you Netgalley and Harlequin for this e-book to read and review.