New review is now up.

*****

Metal Mouth. Queen Geek. Dr. Payton Pruitt heard it all growing up. But she’s over it, and attending her ten-year high school reunion is the perfect way to prove it to herself. Even if there’s only one person she’s interested in seeing in Bitterthorn, Texas: Wiley Sharpe.

Now a respected lawyer, Wiley didn’t live down to the label Most Likely to Be Slapped with a Paternity Suit. But recent acts of vandalism suggest someone still sees him as a heartbreaker, and the reunion seems a likely place to find the culprit. Instead, Wiley comes face-to-face with his old pal Payton—and is wowed not only by her transformation into a ravishing swan, but by the connection they still share.

Payton is pleased the playboy she used to tutor has grown into an honorable man, but she’s too smart to fall for a guy with roots in a place she couldn’t wait to leave. But while Payton is an academic genius, Wiley is the one with the PhD in pleasure, and he intends to use it to convince her to stay…

Not everyone is going to like this one but I found it really enjoyable.  It was a little cliched and the sex scenes were a little …. ummm, old fashioned bodice ripper, maybe?  I read a lot of romances (obviously), in a lot of genres – some of them are light on the sex, some of them get very, very steamy.  And it seems to me that most of them have a smoother delivery on the sex, even those that get very hot and heavy, whereas this one was a little awkward I think.  It reminded me a couple of times of those comedies where people make fun of romances for their purple language, laughing at the “burgeoning” this and “turgid” that.  It isn’t that bad but if that kind of awkwardness will bother you, or if you are offended by more overt sex scenes, then I’d suggest you give this one a pass.

But if you think you can ignore it, then pick this one up right away because the story itself is fun and I really love these two together.  Wiley is a modern day reformed rake.  He loves women and has for years, but he’s never felt the need for anything long term with any of them.  Then he has his socks knocked off when he sees Payton again at their high school reunion – she’s nothing like the nerdy girl she was then and the all grown up version is extremely hot.  The two of them together, especially with Payton’s too big brain, are funny and sweet and charming.  Having the nerd become the sex kitten could have been a little trite but Gail definitely makes it work.  And in addition to the romance, there is some concern over vandalism that is being targeted at Wiley – a little bit of mystery that adds a nice touch to what could have been a more lighthearted love story.  Although some people might be a little put off by the ending, again due to the old-school cliches, but it worked for me … even as I wanted to thump Wiley on the head for being stupid.

If you are looking to be entertained while seeing these two fall in love, Ugly Ducklings Finish First is a cute and funny fast-read, perfect for those who like those high school romances where the geek girl wins.