Review: Only His – Susan Mallery

Only His by Susan Mallery
Series:  Fool’s Gold #6
Release Date:  September 27, 2011
Publisher:   HQN Books
Page Count:  384
Source:  NetGalley

Wedding bells are ringing in Fool’s Gold, but not for Nevada Hendrix. Her triplet sisters are engaged, and even her mother has a more active love life than she does. Determined to make a fresh start, she applies for her dream job, only to discover that her new boss is her first love. Maybe she could overlook the fact that they’ve seen each other naked, but she’ll never forget the way he broke her heart. Tucker Janack agrees to Nevada’s “business only” ground rules. After all, love is a trap that the construction millionaire has avoided his whole life. But when great business partners turn out to be so much more, every rule gets broken. Will either of them be willing to try again…or will their past get in the way?

Nevada Hendrix has been working for her brother, Ethan, since she returned home from college.  Determined to do something on her own, she applies for a construction manager position with Janack Construction.  They’re building a new casino/resort complex and she figures it’s the perfect opportunity to prove to herself that she’s good at what she does.  What she doesn’t expect is to run into the man she felt was her soul mate and the reason for her worst humiliation and heartbreak.

Tucker Janack figures this the job that will prove his worth to run Janack Construction, the multinational corporation his father has built.  Ever the nomad, he plans on putting in a year of his life ensuring the project is on time and under budget before moving onto running the company.  Being in Fool’s Gold would give him the chance to catch up with his friend Ethan and maybe his sister, Nevada.

Their reunion didn’t go well, the both agree to leave the past behind them and move forward as professionals.  But attraction and chemistry have other ideas for these two.

I really, really liked this installment.  Tucker has unseated Josh as my favorite Fool’s Gold character.  He’s charming, funny and at times a bit of smart ass, but someone you fall for.   It was almost as if there wasn’t anything you couldn’t forgive him for.  Even when he was determined to stay single so he didn’t end up that pathetic guy begging for a woman’s love, you still knew you’d give in and welcome him back with open arms.

Nevada fell under Tucker’s spell.  Of course, having that soul mate connection, I think she knew she wasn’t going to be mad at him about anything for long (which she didn’t).  But she was able to stand her ground with him (and the other guys on her construction crew) when she needed to.  Something that proved to both of them that while she may forgive him, he wasn’t going to get away with a lot.

The secondary stories with Will / Jo and Denise / Max were great.  I dare anyone not to sympathize with Nevada and the kitchen scene with Denise and Max.  I believe I’m with Nevada on this one!

If you want a story where you find yourself laughing out loud, cringing or tearing up at a characters heartbreak, then this is one for you.