Review: Until We Touch by Susan Mallery

touchTitle: Until We Touch by Susan Mallery
Fool’s Gold Series Book 15
Publisher: Harlequin HQN
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length:384 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

From New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery comes the story of secret desires finally fulfilled…

After a family tragedy, former football hero Jack McGarry keeps the world at arm’s length—a challenge now that his PR firm has moved to neighborly Fool’s Gold, California.

Larissa Owens knows where she stands—Jack sees her as just another one of the guys. No matter what her heart wishes, Jack’s her boss, not her boyfriend. But then Larissa’s big secret is revealed…by her mother!

When Jack discovers the truth about Larissa’s feelings, her touch suddenly becomes tantalizing, and he’s not sure he wants to resist. But if he gives in to desire, heartache is sure to follow. Friendship or true love—will Jack go for the ultimate play?

The Review:

Until We Touch, the newest addition to Susan Mallery’s wildly popular Fool’s Gold series, is a delightful friends to lovers romance between enigmatic Jack McGarry and his personal assistant Larissa Owens.

Larissa and Jack are more than co-workers-they are close friends who spend a lot of time together both in and out of the office. Their feelings for one another have always been platonic but after Larissa’s mom has a heart to heart chat with Jack, he and Larissa become uncomfortably aware of one another in a more than friends capacity. Not wanting to ruin their friendship, Larissa and Jack try ignoring their unexpected passion, but their desire becomes impossible to resist.

In addition to working as Jack’s personal assistant, Larissa is also a massage therapist for the owners of the PR firm. She is big-hearted and generous with her both her time and money when it comes to her numerous causes. Most of her friends have stepped in to help whenever she needs it, but Jack is the person who Larissa turns to most often.

Jack is a retired football player and co-owner of a PR firm that has recently moved to Fool’s Gold. He is very indulgent with Larissa and her numerous causes but he never really becomes involved beyond donating money or a little time.   Jack is quite charming and friendly, but he keeps everyone at arm’s length.

The romance between Jack and Larissa is slow growing and it takes a while for either of them to figure out their feelings run deeper than friendship. They have some very awkward encounters and at different times throughout the novel, they spend a lot of time avoiding one another. Larissa and Jack decide to explore the attraction that is simmering between them, but when emotions enter the picture, a major conflict becomes a huge turning point for both of them personally and professionally.

Until We Touch is another marvelous addition to the Fool’s Gold series. The storyline is fresh and unique and although the plot twist at the end was very unexpected, it is just the push both Larissa and Jack need to make some much need changes in their lives. Susan Mallery brilliantly works her magic and brings the novel to a lovely happily ever after ending (but I think one of those characters needed to grovel just a little bit more 😉 ).

Another fun and emotion-filled stop in Fool’s Gold that old and new fans are going to love!

4 Comments

Filed under Contemporary, Fools Gold Series, Harlequin, HQN Books, Rated B, Review, Romance, Until We Touch

4 Responses to Review: Until We Touch by Susan Mallery

  1. Eileen

    one of my favorite series to read and can’t wait for Jack’s story. thanks for your review.

  2. Timitra

    Thanks for the review Kathy

  3. Cindy DeGraaff

    I love the Fool’s Gold series-and the rest of Susan Mallery’s books as well! Thanks for the review! Happy Anniversary, Kathy, (and Hubby)!