The newest Fool’s Gold book by Susan Mallery came out this week and I’m super excited to have the review!

*****

Former pro-football kicker Sam Ridge has notoriously bad luck with women—from cheaters to fame chasers. Still, the gorgeous brunette at the bar in Fool’s Gold looks harmless—until she takes him home and he discovers a room devoted to securing a man, for life.

Dellina Hopkins never guessed that storing gowns from a friend’s bridal boutique would chase away her first and only fling. After her parents died, she skipped her “wild youth” to raise her sisters. She doesn’t want forever from Sam, but one night—all night—would’ve been nice.

His clean getaway gets messy when his firm hires Dellina to plan an event. As long hours lead to late nights, the two succumb to temptation again. Has Sam’s luck finally changed? Or this time, will Dellina be the one to run?

Is anyone going to be surprised when I say that I ABSOLUTELY LOVE Susan Mallery?  I didn’t think so.  Once again, she brings her readers a touching, sweet, romantic, funny, endearing and beautiful love story.  We got a little peek at the two in When We Me, but now we get the rest of their story.

With Sam’s history, it is no wonder that he’s running scared from any kind of commitment.  His marriage ended horribly and he’s not had much better luck with women since.  But he’s got a big heart, he’s just afraid to give it away.

As if his relationship woes aren’t enough, Sam’s family is one of the funniest things ever … even for Fool’s Gold, where quirky is a way of life.  I don’t know how he survived his childhood without being a total basket case, because his parents are an absolutely hoot and one of the best things in the story.  Somehow managed to grow into a well-adjusted, caring man.

Dellina is giving and sweet and sassy.  Fool’s Gold is her home and she epitomizes everything that makes the little town so great.  She’ll be wonderful for Sam if he’ll just let her in.

As always, we’re given updates on previous couples and some hints at future stories.  (I have to say that I’m dying to get to the bottom of what Kenny is hiding.)  It’s one of my favorite parts of the Fool’s Gold stories but it is also one of the most frustrating … because I end up impatient for what comes next.

Full of laugh out loud moments and some steamy interactions between Sam and Dellina, Before We Kiss has Mallery’s unique blend of heart and humor.  The dialogue is snappy, the characters are engaging, and the story is complex.  I loved Sam from the moment he first showed up and I was so happy to see him find his match.