New review is now up

*****.

Ellis Garrett is dumping her critical boyfriend, opening a plus-size clothing store, and starting a blog—all to spread the word that fashion shouldn’t require a size-two body, and happiness should allow for the occasional cupcake. Or two. But is indulging fantasies about her sister’s long-ago ex, the still-hunky Michael Edwards, biting off more than she can chew?

Mike must be losing his detective’s touch. He doesn’t recognize Ellis when he bumps into her at Size Me Up, and he certainly doesn’t remember his ex-girlfriend’s outspoken sister being so irresistible. Her curves are indeed dangerous—and so is her wit. Could it be that Ellis is his Perfect Fit? One thing’s for sure: Mike will make it his sworn duty to find out…

I love a book with a realistic heroine – one that has flaws, isn’t rail thin and who makes mistakes.  But I’m not sure how I feel about the amount of back and forth with the on-again/off-again relationship between them.  I’m good with some strife and difficulty in the relationship, but occasionally it gets a little old to have a couple continue to break-up and then get back together again.  I do think that Jamison does a great job of giving readers a compelling romance between Ellis and Mike … So maybe the reason I had difficulties with it was because I was too involved.

Ellis is deliciously sassy and I got a kick out of her interactions with Mike, a fun mix of cheek and heart.  She has quite a few hang-ups left over from her last boyfriend, as well as her relationship with her sister.  She has trust issues and her self-esteem has taken quite a hit – no matter what Mike says or does, she has problems seeing herself as worthy.  And Mike has his own issues.  He’s never been in a long-term relationship and isn’t sure that it is something that he’ll ever want.  His father left when he was a teenager and he doesn’t want to open himself up to the chance that he could be hurt like his mother was.  His desire to finally attempt a grown-up relationship with Ellis makes him an endearing hero with a charming vulnerability.

Both have a lot to work through which makes them very sympathetic and has you rooting for them to get the happy every after they both need.  Jamison also creates great secondary characters, so hopefully we’ll get some great stories coming up when Mike and Ellis’s friends meet their matches.  If she writes more like this, I’ll be first in line.

Dangerous Curves Ahead is a engaging mix of love, laughter and fun – memorable characters, smart dialogue, and warm emotions make for a compelling read.