The Rebound Guy by Fiona Harper: Kelly Bradford has had more than her fair share of hardships. After a diagnosis of cancer, her husband leaves her to deal with it – along with their two young sons. (I know, there aren’t enough dirty names to throw at this guy). She is coming out the other side, with her cancer in remission and seeing her brother Daniel find the love of his life. It’s enough to give her hope that her life can be more.
Jason Knight has passions. Passions for his groundbreaking shoe design, for the women that surround him like satellites, and for making his father see that he can do something right. He may feel passionate about those things, but he certainly doesn’t show it. Okay, he might show the women a little heat, but only temporary. He can’t help it if they want more than he can offer. It’s a shame that he can’t keep a Personal Assistant. It’s not his fault that he falls into relationships with them and they get hurt. He’s as up-front as he can be, although he knows it’s not exactly the healthiest of patterns.
Jason’s HR lady is at her wit’s end. How can she keep dealing with all of the fallout from his womanizing? Then Kelly’s complaint lands on her desk. She’s a temp at Aspire sports and she’s been shuffled from one position to another. Mostly because she’s too outspoken for her own good, but this last time was different. She was *literally* chased around her desk by her boss, and after saying no several times, she stapled his tie to the desk. Instead of letting her go, it’s decided that she might just be the antidote to the problems that Jason perpetuates.
Kelly is adamant – no men. She’s been burned enough thank you, and Jason is no exception. Even if she *wants* to flirt back, she’s not going to. He’s incessant, and she’s firm – Jason kinda digs that. Then when Kelly gives him the blunt truth that he needs to hear, he realizes there’s more to this PA than he ever expected. The overt flirting stops, and he actually gets the proposal he’s been working on for months submitted to his dream client. It’s a shame that he’s turned down, but Kelly doesn’t think he should give up.
A last-ditch effort is made, but it means taking a trip to New York to meet with the man in person. But Jason can’t do it alone. Kelly keeps him buoyed and hopeful, and she always knows what to say – blunt as it may be. So he convinces her to accompany him, and she knows he needs her to get the job done. Once Jason hears that Kelly has always wanted to see his old home town, he knows how he can repay her. He’ll show her New York in his own unique way.
Kelly’s still reeling from the realization that Jason really isn’t that carefree playboy that reminds her of her ex-husband. He’s amazing with her sons, and when he found out about her dream to visit New York he went above and beyond to make it a trip she’ll never forget. But she’s just not ready for a man in her life. Especially when she has to face her past demons head-on.
I loved “The Guy to be Seen With“, which is a prequel to this book. Daniel from that book is Kelly’s brother, and Daniel and Chloe have a significant part in “The Rebound Guy”. I understood Kelly’s motivations right off the bat. In fact, the bit about her and the man who comes on to her at work is fairly hilarious. (not so much if it were real life, but this is fiction after all). Kelly definitely talks straight, and that’s exactly what Jason needs to get off his ass and do something productive.
So with that, let’s segue into Jason’s story. Like me, you’ll probably find him pretty abhorrent in the beginning. I mean, he’s not any different from the man who chased Kelly around her desk – or so it seems. Turns out there are reasons for Jason’s shallowness that go far beyond a simple semi-malevolent bent. He lets his mask drop in front of Kelly because she’ll tolerate no less – and it becomes more comfortable for him to be who he wants to be.
There are some tear-jerking moments, and not all the components to the main characters are sweetness and light. However, that just makes this book all the better. Jason and Kelly seem more real, more nuanced. Yes, there’s a really great HEA, but the ending leaves you realizing that life is short and it should be lived to the fullest.
Book Info:
HJ Recommends
Published September 1st 2013 by Harlequin KISS (Book 31)
New York, new guy, new Kelly!
After Kelly Bradford’s past few years, all she wants is a steady life. She certainly doesn’t need the hassle of men or dating after everything she’s been through. So she absolutely, categorically should not be fantasizing about Jason Knight, her boss and a man whose very smile screams trouble!
But a business trip to New York pushes her resolutions to the max–the adrenaline of the Big Apple has nothing on the excitement Kelly feels around Jason! Maybe a rebound fling is just what she needs to make her feel alive again….