LeeAnne Jones

I very much enjoyed this novel! While plot-wise it followed the classic sequence of events for both romances and romance-thrillers, it did that so elegantly that I was engaged, even when I know what would happen next for the most part. With romances in general, the plot is known ahead of time anyway! so the difference between a good one and one less good is HOW the inevitable sequence of events plays out, plus the setting and the characters.

I've never been to Vegas and don't especially want to, but it- and especially the Lucky Ace Casino-came alive for me. Exactly the right amount of details to make the atmosphere vivid!

And all the characters involved more than briefly were thoughtfully well-drawn. Alison is a skilled mathematician who adores math jokes- nice details that differentiate her from many romantic heroines. Owen is more typical, but not only doesn't mind that Alison is far better than he at math, but actually seeks to benefit from her expertise... and doesn't mind her math jokes, even though he doesn't understand most of them. These are the kinds of details that turn the main protagonists into vivid characters we're interested in reading about!

The other characters are good, and I am curious about their backstories. Particularly Henry the iguana, who I admit has nothing to do with the plot. An especial shout-out to Peaches the dog, who is not just a gratuitous puppy to make us say "awww", but is relevant to the plot in many ways. The secondary human characters were vivid, too! Faye, for example, needs a story...

All in all, a very fun light read!… (mehr)