Sorry for the delay, folks!  But how about a review?

*****

Matt Simmons is over Army doctors poking him. But when his sister won’t stop nagging him to see their old babysitter, now a sought-after physical therapist, he gives in just to get some peace.

Penny is finally putting down roots after a lifetime of moving around. She’s got everything she wants, except the settled suburban life she longs for. All she needs is the perfect guy, which means NO military men.

When Matt realizes that his old babysitter is h-o-t, he’s suddenly seeing the benefits of therapy. But Penny still sees him as the bratty kid she used to babysit.

Suddenly he has a new mission in life…

I’ve never read any of Malone’s “Alexander” books so I don’t have anything to compare it to, but this one was definitely a charmer.  I really liked both Matt and Penny – Matt is a friend of the Alexanders and his sister was in the series prequel, Teasing Trent.  I get the feeling that Trent and Mara’s story actually weaves thru all of the books because they seem to have a little bit of trouble in this one and it isn’t really clear what is going on.  Otherwise, though, readers will mostly get just those follow up glimpses of the two Alexander brothers who were the heroes in the first two full-length books (one of my favorite things about reading a series) and a lead in to the Book 4 involving another Alexander brother and his future mate.  I didn’t feel like I was missing out on anything not having read the previous books (even with the Mara and Trent moments) but there is that unresolved storyline involving Eli … which just means I have an excuse to go pick up the next story (and the earlier ones too – just in case, right?)

The main story about Penny and Matt, though, is definitely complete … and thoroughly captivating.  It centers around Matt going to Penny for treatment, their instant attraction, and her deciding whether she is willing to pursue a relationship with a military man.  Growing up in a military family, she craves stability and roots, but Matt’s career choice won’t allow for that.

These two are just adorable together.  Penny tries so hard to resist Matt but he’s charming and funny, full of humor and life.  The nice thing is that we get to watch him woo her and we fall in love with the two of them right along with them.  It’s moving, engaging and romantic.  It’s a real-life look at a couple’s courtship (between two outlandishly sexy, witty, gorgeous, although not perfect, people of course) and I found it quite refreshing. There wasn’t anything fabricated to make them struggle – just real-life issues for two characters that could be as real as you and me.

In He’s The Man, Malone gives her reader a story full of smart dialogue, compelling characters, and a strong story-line.  The Alexanders and their friends will draw you in and keep you coming back for more.