REVIEW: The Sweetheart Deal (+$20 Amazon GC Giveaway!)

Title: The Sweetheart Deal 

Author: Allison Morse

Series: N/A

Pages: 249

Date Published: 2015

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press

Format: Kindle

Genre: Romance

Source: Goddess Fish Blog Tours
Buy Me!

Synopsis:
Some people think Ellen Hamilton, the business savvy daughter of the largest employer in town, is too big for her britches. After all it’s the 1950s and women have no place running factories. But when the Hamilton company is threatened with takeover by John Adair, the man who broke her heart and was run out of town years ago, the game is on. Has Ellen met her match? Or, will this time be different and will Ellen win everything—including the handsome and mysterious John.

~My Thoughts!~

This was a super cute read! I admit that I tend to avoid the romance category as of late. Having found my Mr.Right (be jealous ladies) I no longer get a kick out of reading about bad boys who need to be changed, wounded soldiers who need to be saved, and all that melodramatic blah, blah, blah. That being said, The Sweetheart Deal may have just saved the sweet romance genre for me! 

Set in the 1950's, there's a lot of retro throwback stuff that makes it unique and stand out for me. You see some 50's male chauvinist crap, but that's what makes John Adair seem so much better because of how his and Ellen's relationship develops! Ellen was a complex character and I had trouble deciding if I like her or not. I definitely enjoyed her interactions with John, and her sassy attitude about what she wants in life. 

This story was actually pretty relevant to today's historical timeline, and it's references to male-centered culture and the pretty lawless business culture of the 50's really makes you think about what's going on in those arenas today. 

The plot moved quickly and seemed to be even more important than the romance, which I liked, though the romance was cute and spicy and just enough to keep me hooked. Overall a great read! 

~Try an Excerpt!~

“We had a deal.” Her chin lifted high and imperious, for as long as she stayed angry, she could hide how vulnerable she was to him hurting her again. “And part of that deal is I won’t back your plan for my family’s company. So don’t ask me to.”

“Damn it! This has nothing to do with the company.” John leaned in close. “Right, I forgot. I’m just the brute help.”

Ellen turned away so she didn’t have to see his face.

“Sure, good for fun but never trust them.” His fingertips rested on her chin, and he gently turned her head to face him. “Is it so hard to believe I’m capable of real feelings? That I want us together?”

Closing her eyes, she staved off her desire to surrender to him. But that was a foolish teenage dream, the consequences of which she knew from bitter experience.

He released her face, and her cheeks stung for lack of him.

“Fine. Leave.” His words chopped the air.

Nothing was stopping her from going but if she took those steps away from him, something inside her would cut so deeply she might never stop bleeding.

John tilted his head back. “Don’t go.”

The words were so soft she wasn’t sure she had heard them or just hoped for them.

The reporter scuffled up close behind them.

Ellen fled down the stairs.

~Meet Allison!~

 Allison Morse grew up in a family of actors in Los Angeles; before the age of five, she started acting classes, which she adored. She continued in the family business until her early twenties when her curious spirit led her to consider other interests.

After receiving a B.A. from U.C. Berkeley, she went on to earn a M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy, and a J.D. from U.C. Hastings College of the Law.

Although she loved learning from each of her varied careers she always knew that storytelling was as essential to her as breathing. So as she pursued her professional life, she kept to a strict writing schedule, and joined the Romance Writers of America and Sisters in Crime.

She lives with her wonderful husband in a house in the hills that’s filled with books.

 Allison will be awarding a $20 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

a Rafflecopter giveaway