The Talented Mr. Maxwell
Author: Julia Harlow
Publisher: Self-Published
Release Date: May 31, 2015
Source: Author for Review
Buy Links: Amazon - B&N - iBooks - Kobo - Smashwords
Add to Goodreads
Dorrie Applegate just stumbled into a career-launching opportunity. The small-town Kentucky girl landed a gem of a position at Omni Publishing in New York City. Her first major assignment—writing a biography of one of the most sought-after male models in the world.
Grant Maxwell is at the apex of his career. Unfortunately the end of his run looms before him. At thirty-four, scores of younger, hungrier models nip at his heels, vying for his spot at the pinnacle of the fashion realm. And he has no earthly idea what to do next.
In the midst of an unlikely and tumultuous love affair with Grant, Dorrie is suddenly forced into making an agonizing decision. It’s a decision that shatters Grant’s heart.
Step onto the volatile runway of fashion modeling packed to the hilt with clashing egos, impossibly gorgeous men, backstabbing, and biting jealousy. And caught in the snare of the dramatic intrigue? Dorrie Applegate and Grant Maxwell.
Confession time... I used to love soap operas. In fact, it was something that was passed down from my grandmother. She used to watch them when my mom was little. Then my mom caught on and she continues to watch her Days of Our Lives religiously. I lost interest after the early 2000's when a lot of the cast changed or left. Why did I love them? Well, there were two reasons. The romance addict in me loved the relationships and the love triangles that were inevitable (Team Mike & Carrie). I also loved the melodrama of it all. When every little event turned into such a scandal. Oh, my gosh... Those were the best! What does this have to do with The Talented Mr. Maxwell? I'd like to think that my love for soap operas fed into my love of Hollywood style romances. It may not take place in Hollywood, but the vibe is still the same and every emotion is magnified by 10.
Julia Harlow's The Talented Mr. Maxwell had the makings of the epic Hollywood romance. The attraction between Grant Maxwell and Dorrie Applegate is fierce and white hot. The chemistry between the two ignited from the moment they met. I was seriously jealous of Dorrie. Where are all the sizzling hot models when I fly? I loved Grant and Dorrie. Although he is an uber successful model, Grant is very humble and well spoken. He knows what he wants and that is Dorrie. Under him, above him, and everywhere around him. Dorrie is an intelligent and hardworking woman. She's flabbergasted as to why a man like Grant would be interested in her, but once she lets herself believe, she opens her heart and soul. I loved her as a character, which was why I was disappointed in some of the decisions she made. One decision in particular made me want to let her have it. Her character and sense of self was above her actions, but she succumbed to pressure and had an epic TSTL (too stupid to live) moment.
Emotions and the chemistry in The Talented Mr. Maxwell were definitely magnified by 10. Jealously, lust, love, anger... This book had it all. It was the intense emotions that led to one element in the book that was so raw and emotional that I was in awe of how well it played out. After Dorrie's TSTL moment, readers get a glimpse into just how dark her life had turned. Julia did not sugar coat that at all and I applaud her for it. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed The Talented Mr. Maxwell. Julia's writing was fun and sexy at times. Her characters were complex and realistic. Once I started this book I could not put it down. My first Julia Harlow book and it left me intrigued about her other works.
From Julia's website...
When she’s not writing her next romance novel, Julia Harlow can be found reading a romance, taking a leisurely walk through the historic village she calls home, baking a batch of oatmeal raisin cookies, or watching the latest Netflix drama series.
Julia is the author of contemporary erotic romances. Her first book, Closed Set, was published in 2014. In 2015, The Talented Mr. Maxwell was published. Her most recent erotic romance, All Tyed Up, will be released on July 26, 2016.
Julia Harlow lives and works in Cincinnati, Ohio with her husband and rescued cat, Fred.
No comments:
Post a Comment