REVIEW: Just Want Somebody to Love by Keri Ford

Just Want Somebody to Love by Keri Ford: When an attractive stranger comes to town, Whitney falls madly and deeply, but just for one night since the next day he stands her up and leaves town.

“Instead of answering, he pointed at the table.
‘That seat taken?’
‘Nope.’ Fine. She could play games too. She focused on her ice cream and stared at him through her peripheral vision all clever like so he wouldn’t know. She didn’t look up from her ice cream and spooned another bite in her mouth.”

A few weeks later, Justin’s back and wanting her in his bed again, and betting for her to fall in love with him so his business partner and brother believes he can handle both a life and running their restaurant chain.

But Whitney isn’t going to give in so easily. She holds a grudge, she just has to resist his charming smile and irresistible flirtations. And just maybe learn how to forgive and open up her life for love.

Just Want Somebody to Love definitely seemed like a cute idea, but the characters just hit me wrong. I really liked the idea of Justin messing up right off the bat and then needing her to like him again, although the bet idea is a bit iffy. And the fact that he respected her so little right off the bat did not exactly endear him to me.

Especially in terms of the bet. Ford didn’t pull it off well, making me dislike Justin more than anything for what he did. By the end, I still don’t forgive him, despite his sob story.

Whitney, too, I feel has no strength. She came across whiny to me and too easily taken in by Justin and his flirtatious demeanor. Although, I did like her family and friends, and all their interactions. Reading about the family, I’m more interested in her brother and friend’s romance from the first in the series than I am in Whitney and Justin’s.

I always appreciate a small town read. The close knit community and gossiping neighbors. And, of course, the small town rivalries. At least Just Want Somebody to Love had all of those, which for me was its winning point. So, if you’re a fan of a small town read you might want to give Just Want Somebody to Love by Keri Ford a try.

Book Info:

Publication: October 13, 2015 | Lyrical Shine | Bella Warren #2

His business is her pleasure…

Swept off her feet by a charming restaurateur, Whitney Chester envisions a delicious happily ever after—until her prince turns into a total toad. There’s no way she’ll agree to another date with Justin Rawlings, despite their unforgettable night together. But when Justin insists on helping out on her family-run farm in exchange for another chance, it’s an offer Whitney can’t refuse… if only to get revenge on her sweet-talking suitor.

Justin needs a girlfriend to prove to his business partner that he isn’t all work and no play. Romancing Whitney should have been pure pleasure, if a work conflict hadn’t caused him to stand her up. Now he’s determined to win her back—and win his partner’s approval of their restaurant expansion. Keeping Whitney by his side until the deal closes should be easy—if he doesn’t do something foolish. Like fall in love with the small town beauty…