Review: Heart of Design – Ellen Butler

Sophie Hartland has recently turned 30, and is five years out from a confidence crushing divorce. She’s sworn off men in favor of making her interior design business a success when her best friend introduces her toLA Heat’s hot, new star, Ian O’Connor. He’s one of Hollywood’s beautiful people, with an Irish accent that makes Sophie’s toes curl. Ian hires her to renovate his home, and at their second meeting he initiates a scorching kiss that knocks her socks off. Even though she would love to drop down and go for it on the funky kitchen floor, Sophie sticks to her guns and enforces her “no dating clients” rule.

The tabloids portray flirtations Ian as Hollywood’s latest playboy who has women falling at his feet, and Sophie refuses to be another notch on his bedpost. But Ian isn’t the type to take no for an answer, and he finds Sophie a refreshing change from the actress wannabes trying hop aboard his new gravy train of success. Using his charm, he tries to persuade Sophie to break the rules.

Can Sophie ignore her traitorous libido and hold Ian off for the next five or six weeks until the renovations are finished? Or will she cave in to his pull on her heartstrings, and end up doing the knicky-knacky on the new velvet sofa? More importantly, can she protect her heart in this game of wills?

Series: Love, California Style
Release Date:  July 7, 2014
Publisher:  Crimson Romance
Source: Manic Readers
Reviewer:  Michelle
Rating: 5

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Reviewer’s Thoughts

This author of this contemporary romance moved away from the norm and chose to have a heroine, Sophia Hartland, that wears shapewear and battles to hide her cellulite and generous bust size.  She did a great job of conveying the vulnerabilities of women when interacting romantically with what they perceive as the “perfect man”.  I loved that while the heroine was conscious of her physical flaws she wasn’t neurotic about them.  “Sophie” was loyal, funny, professional, brave, flawed, independent, and loved her family.

Ian O’Connor is the super sexy star of a new action TV series.  He’s handsome, sweet, generous, funny, rich, and has eyes only for Sophia.  Ian and Sophia meet at a party given by Sophia’s best friend, Poppy, and the sparks fly from the first moment.  I loved Ian because he was determined to prove to Sophie that he was the one for her, and he didn’t play games.

Sophia Hartland is an interior designer helping her friend, Poppy, at one of Poppy’s events.  Poppy introduces Sophia to Ian O’Connor because he loved the design ideas at the party.  However, when Ian met Sophia he knew that he wanted to get to know her as more than an interior designer.  Sophia has some insecurities because of a disastrous first marriage.  Living in Hollywood the constant stream of perfect bodies has made her self-conscious about her “real woman” body.  Ian loves her curves and wants a chance to prove to Sophia that all men aren’t the same.  He gets his chance when Sophia’s family is in danger.  Ian proves that he can be her protector and go above and beyond to help her family.  He passes every test and in the end wins Sophia’s heart.

I initially thought it was the strong characters that made me enjoy this story so much, but the author threw in a twist to the storyline that had me hooked.  The story proceeded at a good pace with plenty of drama and background characters to keep it interesting without being too busy.  The characters were relatable and authentic.  It was easy to become quickly and deeply vested in their stories.  This is my first book by this author, but it definitely won’t be my last.  Everything about this story is excellent.