Review: The Book of Love by Bella Andre

Title: The Book of Love {Sullivans #1}

Author: Bella Andre

Published: Harlequin MIRA Au June 2013

Read a Sample

Status: Read on May 30, 2013 — I own a copy {Courtesy the Publisher}

My Thoughts:

I did hesitate when I was asked to review The Look of Love by Bella Andre, but my curiosity won out. Initially self published, the popularity of Andre’s Sullivan series caught the attention of traditional publishing houses and was eventually picked up by Harlequin for a seven figure amount. The Look of Love is the first to be released in digital and print under the MIRA imprint with eight more to follow over the next 12 months.

The contemporary romance series features a family, the Sullivan’s, which includes 8 genetically blessed siblings (6 boys and twin girls) with extraordinary good looks, various talents and intelligence, aged between twenty four and thirty six. The Look of Love opens as the Sullivan family gathers to celebrate their mother’s 70th birthday, introducing us briefly to all of the characters that will feature in subsequent books.

Chase Sullivan is the focus of The Look of Love. At thirty two, he is the third oldest of the children and, like all of his siblings, successful, gorgeous and single. A photographer, Chase leaves his mother’s house after the party and heads to his brothers winery in Napa Valley where he has a fashion shoot scheduled for the next few days. En route, he rescues a damsel in distress, Chloe Peterson, whose car has slid off the road during a violent storm.

Cue instant attraction where lust overrides all common sense and, within four days, a happy ever after ending for the barely familiar couple.

There isn’t a lot of thought given to creating a believable story here, with the plot simply a way to transition from one sizzling sex scene to another. And the sex is hot, I think the erotic interactions are very well written with the right balance of anticipation and fulfillment.
However the likelihood of Chloe, on the run from an abusive ex husband, placing herself in such a physically and emotionally vulnerable position is slim and I found it difficult to overlook that.
Chase himself is a contradiction. In a certain light his behaviour could said to be sweet, caring and with Chloe’s best interests at heart, but there are instances where he makes choices for Chloe ‘for her own good’ and that doesn’t sit well with me.

The Look of Love is a quick read but lacks any real substance. That’s not necessarily a bad thing but I think it limits its appeal to romance readers who love the fantasy of instant, overwhelming attraction, and I am not one of them.

Click here to read a Q&A with Bella Andre

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