Love Me Tender

Love Me Tender

My Rating: Super Cute!

It was love at first sight…

When her Papa loses his job, indomitable Serafina Scott insists it’s her turn to take care of him – meaning landing a well-paying job…and fast. Which is how she ends up working for the Cinderella Project, a high-end matchmaking business, even though she’s certainly no expert on affairs of the heart. Until she meets Murdoch, the gruff builder restoring her extravagant new work place. He’s inscrutable, infuriating, and gorgeous…

Convincing them was a whole other matter.

Murdoch finds Sera confounding…and luminous. But beneath her firecracker exterior, she is dangerously soft-hearted, and the last thing she needs is a broken brute like him.

While Sera does her best to convince Murdoch that they are a match made in heaven, Murdoch makes it his mission to prove her wrong. Will it come down to who’s the most convincing…or who’s most willing to be convinced?

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Love Me Tender, by Ally Blake, is the second book in the Cinderella Project Series. I read and reviewed the first book, Kiss Me Quick, which I enjoyed. I think, however, I enjoyed this title a little more. It had more of a Rom/Com feel to it, which I really liked.

On why Serafina wasn’t invested in finding “The One…”

 

Marcy joke that her ovaries were merely dormant. That one day they’d erupt and the explosion would be so astronomical it would block out the sun.

Serafina and Murdoch were interesting characters. I found them easy to like. Even when Murdoch was surly there was a likability to his character. Both characters were written well. They were damaged in spots, but also strong. They had flaws and hang-ups and there were times when I wanted to smack one or the other of them upside the head for sheer stupidity, but I liked that part of them too because it made them real. They were a couple that was easy to root for.  Sera and Murdoch each have interesting and deep backstories. My only complaint is that their stories could have been developed further.

Secondary characters were done well. For me, Hazel stole the show. I wanted more of her, especially her interaction with Murdoch and their complex relationship. Murdoch’s interaction with Guy was also great, but, again, I was left wanting more.

As far as mechanics go, the pacing was great. The story is on the short side. I finished it in one sitting, just a few hours. So, it moved along well. The author’s writing style is easy to read. However, I will mention to American readers that the author is Australian. If the slight difference in word usage and slang between Aussie and American English is going to bother you… well, just be aware before beginning the book.

“I reckon she’d be downright chuffed.”

And when I read that I thought, “Um, huh?” So I looked it up and supposedly “chuffed” means pleased. Good to know.

Personally, it isn’t something that is an issue for me, but I did notice it more in this book than the first. There were several grammatical errors throughout that were bothersome, however.

Best word: Ignominy

Bottom line: Like the first book in the Cinderella Project Series by Ally Blake, I thoroughly enjoyed Love Me Tender. It had plenty of laugh out loud moments, thanks in part to the sparkly Hazel and Elvis-loving Alf, and sweet and tender moments, too. A great read when you’re looking for feel-good romance with a believable storyline and a perfect HEA. Totally recommend.

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Michelle

I'm an award-winning YA and NA author... but, really? I'm the wife of an amazing man, mom of four awesome kids, a reader of words, and writer of stories. I love candles and books, think garden gnomes are creepy and M&Ms are the perfect food (especially peanut butter). I live and write in Texas, but was raised in Flint, Michigan and will always think of the Great Lakes state as home.

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