All Summer Long #9

ALL SUMMER LONG                                  SUSAN MALLERY
Posted: June 30, 2013

Former underwear model turned entrepreneur Clay Stryker has loved, tragically lost and vowed that he'll never risk his heart again. After making his fortune, the youngest of the rugged Stryker brothers returns to Fool's Gold, California, to put down roots on a ranch of his own. But he's frustrated to discover that even in his hometown, people see him only for his world-famous…assets.Firefighter Chantal (Charlie) Dixon grew up an ugly duckling beside her delicately beautiful mother, a feeling reinforced long ago by a man who left soul-deep scars. Now she has good friends, a solid job and the itch to start a family—yet she can't move toward the future while she's haunted by painful memories.

Clay finds an unexpected ally, and unexpected temptation, in tomboyish Charlie, the only person who sees beyond his dazzling good looks to the real man beneath. But when Charlie comes to him with an indecent proposal, will they be able to overcome their pasts and find a love that lasts beyond one incredible summer?

MY REVIEW:

Once again Susan does a fantastic job of bringing her characters to life. Her story telling is like a movie unfolding to the point where you can almost see each person. For sure you can feel their emotions. Like Charlie (short for Chantal) who is a Firefighter who has always felt lime they ugly duckling next her famous ballerina mom. Then when she was raped in college those scars have never gone away. When she meets the brother of a good friend who has just moved to town they become good friends...moreOnce again Susan does a fantastic job of bringing her characters to life. Her story telling is like a movie unfolding to the point where you can almost see each person. For sure you can feel their emotions. Like Charlie (short for Chantal) who is a Firefighter who has always felt lime they ugly duckling next her famous ballerina mom. Then when she was raped in college those scars have never gone away. When she meets the brother of a good friend who has just moved to town they become good friends. Which to most seems very odd since Clay used to be a underwear model & she is so tomboyish. Yet, they find common ground & she ask him to help her in an unusual way. With a romance that catches them & everyone else by storm. I like the tenderness that she gave Clay for the research to help Charlie & for the emotion shown and vulnerability shown all through knowing she wanted the bigger picture. Not sure it is realistic but hey its a story.