Book Review: Lucien by Elijana Kindel

Title: Lucien (Book 1 in Romantic Comedy Series: Manipulating the Masters)
Author: Elijana Kindel
Publication Date: January 5, 2013



Book Description
All's fair in love when Manipulating a Master...

Five years ago, businessman Lucien Masters made a deal with his grandfather to save his sisters’ inheritances that required he marry by his thirtieth birthday. Ten days before the deadline and his fiancée in the wind, Luc scrambles to find a replacement bride. Fortunately, the solution to his problem is sitting right across the office and struggling with a few issues of her own.

Elise Hamilton has more on her plate than she can handle. Temporarily assigned as Lucien's assistant, she's overworked, over-stimulated, and overwhelmed especially when her brother informs her the tax police are ready to slap the cuffs on their mother.

Fate intervenes in the form of a lightning bolt and induces Elise to accept Luc's last minute proposal, but if he thinks she'll fall headlong into his arms just because of an ‘I do’, he has another thing coming.

Review:  3 out of 5 stars

I found this book through a giveaway the author was having on her website.  She posted an excerpt, and it sounded great. Like the classic "bodice ripper" romances that I used to read before they started getting more explicit.

I immediately had to read it. 

The book was a very quick read, I think I got it done in a day or two max.  The characters were fun, their interactions fun and heated.  The chemistry between the two was very hot as well.

In most books, there's a villain or an obstacle the couple must overcome.  I spent most of the book wondering when that would happen.  It never happened.  The book was just one long tease and romance and then an abrupt ending.  The author had a good set-up for an obstacle, but before the obstacle could even rear it's head, the author dismisses is and leaves it as an ending hanging in mid-air.  

The other problem I had with the book is that in most novels, there's the "happily ever after" ending.  I like them.  But this book was all happily ever after.  The heroine had a problem, but immediately got out of the problem, and got the man of her dreams in the first 50 pages.  

I kept thinking, why does she get everything?  Why does she get bailed out AND the hunk falls for her?  It just bothered me.

If you want teasing, this is a great book.  If you want light-hearted, this is definitely that.  But as for a book and relationship of substance, it was lacking.