Secret Crush Seduction
by Jayci Lee
The Heirs of Hansol - Book 2
Publisher: Harlequin Desire
Release Date: September 1, 2020
Reviewed by PJ
“If I don’t have you after that kiss, I’ll burn to dust from the inside out…”
Aspiring fashion designer Adelaide Song wants to prove she’s more than just a pampered heiress. All she needs is a little courage—and the help of deliciously sexy Michael Reynolds, her childhood crush and her brother’s best friend. But when her secret crush turns into an illicit liaison, Adelaide realizes mixing business with pleasure spells trouble for all her plans…
PJ's Thoughts:
In the second book of her Heirs of Hansol series, Jayci Lee brings readers an interracial, multi-cultural, friends-to-lovers story filled with sass, sizzle, and a whole lot of heart.
I so enjoyed Adelaide. Yes, she's rich, beautiful, and privileged but life hasn't been all fun and games. There's heartbreak, and mistakes, in her past but at twenty-six she's grown up and put that behind her. Her soul burns to prove her worth to her grandmother and secure her position in the family company. In order to convince her grandmother to give her a chance she'll need the help of Michael, a PR guru who is also her brother's best friend, an unofficial member of the Song family and, oh yeah, one of those heartbreaks from her past.
The chemistry between these two is off the charts. I loved how Adelaide owned her passion, not hesitant to demand what she wanted, and needed, sexually from Michael. It was fun to watch her rock his world. But I also enjoyed the emotional growth and relationship building between the two that occurred before things turned physical. I enjoyed watching deepening feelings evolve between two individuals determined to keep their liaison in the 'temporary' zone. I admit that I grew frustrated with Michael at times and his penchant for treating the woman he's having relations with like the child she was when they first met. An honest conversation would have solved everything. It was very satisfying to watch Adelaide take him to task over the actions he took 'for her own good.' Groveling was involved. I would have been happy with more. ;-)
I enjoyed all of the behind-the-scenes peeks into the planning of the charity fashion show Adelaide takes on to prove her worth to her grandmother. It was an interesting vehicle to showcase Adelaide's growth in confidence and skill. It also spotlighted awareness of the dearth of fashionable, sensory-friendly clothing for individuals with Autism. And it expanded the cast of characters with more diversity, including a teen-age Latinx character with Autism, on the verge of a much-dreaded QuinceaƱera. She, and her father, were two of my favorite secondary characters in the book.
Another aspect of this series that I'm enjoying is the celebration of the Korean-American family at it's center. I'm learning about their heritage and traditions, including some delicious sounding food. Food porn is a thing, and I'm here for it.
Book three, Off Limits Attraction, is scheduled for release in December, 2020. It stars Adelaide and Garrett's (book one:Temporary Wife Temptation) cousin, Colin and the arranged bride Garrett was supposed to have married. I've already pre-ordered the book and am counting down the days.
I get the food porn. I am guilty also. Thank you for the review.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome! There have been a lot of "food porn" romances out lately. I've taken to keeping a drool cloth near me while reading. lol
DeleteGreat review thank you
ReplyDeletePenney
You're welcome, Penney.
DeleteGreat review! I love reading books with different cultures.
ReplyDeleteMe too, Pamela.
DeleteOh!! Korean food porn? Yum!! It's been 14 years since I lived there and I miss the food!!
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds good! Love a Brother's Best Friend!
Hi Nelle! I feel the same about Cuban food. Living in SW Florida, I had easy access to authentic Cuban food and I sure have missed it since leaving that area.
DeleteThanks for a terrific review. Yeah - food porn - real thing - I remember all the pictures with drool stains on them.
ReplyDeleteI would like learning about the Korean culture.
Again, thanks for the review. I hope everyone is taking care and staying safe.
Hope you're staying well too, Annette!
DeleteI agree on all counts PJ.
ReplyDeleteI think we're on the same reading track, Eileen! *grin*
DeleteGreat reviews, I like it.
ReplyDelete