Review: Sleepless in Manhattan by Sarah Morgan

Title: Sleepless in Manhattan by Sarah Morgan
From Manhatten with Love Series Book One
Publisher: HQN Books
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 384 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

USA TODAY bestselling author Sarah Morgan introduces From Manhattan with Love, a sparkling new trilogy about three best friends embracing life—and love—in New York 

Cool, calm and competent, events planner Paige Walker loves a challenge. After a childhood spent in and out of hospitals, she’s now determined to prove herself—and where better to take the world by storm than Manhattan? But when Paige loses the job she loves, she must face her biggest challenge of all—going it alone.

Except launching her own events company is nothing compared to hiding her outrageous crush on Jake Romano—her brother’s best friend, New York’s most in-demand date and the only man to break her heart. When Jake offers Paige’s fledgling company a big chance, their still-sizzling chemistry starts giving her sleepless nights. But can she convince the man who trusts no one to take a chance on forever?

Review:

Sleepless in Manhattan by Sarah Morgan is a beautiful novel of friendship, love and new beginnings.  This first installment in the From Manhattan with Love series stars a feisty yet cautious heroine and a wealthy bachelor who is afraid to risk his heart.  Their relationship begins as a no strings fling but when love sneaks in, will their fears prevent them from taking their romance to the next level?

After Paige Walker and her two best friends, Frankie and Eva, lose their jobs, longtime friend and secret crush Jake Romano challenges her and her friends to start  their own event planning business. Despite both Jake and her brother Matt’s offers to help get their fledgling business off the ground, Paige refuses their assistance. However, when her best efforts to bring in clients fail, she swallows her pride and asks Jake for help. Not only does he hire them to plan an event for him, but he also provides them with office space in his corporate headquarters. Working in such close proximity plays havoc with his libido since he is strongly attracted to her but Jake has no intention of breaking his promise to Matt to stay away from Paige. However, Jake does not count on Paige taking matters into her own hands and they are soon embroiled in a passionate friends with benefits relationship.

Overprotected by her parents and Matt, Paige is fiercely independent and she is determined to live life on her own terms. She has moved on from having her heartbroken by Jake and their once easygoing camaraderie has turned into a mildly antagonistic relationship. While she appreciates his business advice, Paige wants to start her business on her own but her concern for her friends soon overrides her reluctance to accept Jake’s help.  She continues to ignore her attraction to him until they share a passionate kiss. Unable to put thoughts of their encounter out of her mind, Paige works up the courage to confront him and despite his reservations, they give in to their mutual desire.

Sexy and charming, Jake has a well deserved reputation as a ladies’ man and he has no interest in settling down. He is also an incredibly smart, well respected and extremely successful businessman whose talents are highly sought after. Although he is quite caring and extremely loyal, a traumatic event from his childhood left an indelible mark on him and he refuses to let anyone into his heart. Once Jake lets down his guard with Paige, their one night stand slowly turns into a relationship but Jake’s past makes it impossible for him to trust that her feelings for him will last.

A wonderful story of friendship, love and healing, Sleepless in Manhattan by Sarah Morgan is a marvelous beginning to the From Manhattan with Love series. The characters are brilliantly developed with true to life flaws and relatable fears to conquer. One of the best aspects of the story is the longstanding friendship between Paige, Eva and Frankie and while they are incredibly supportive of each other, they do not hesitate to voice their concerns. The romance between Paige and Jake is believable and their longtime acquaintance provides a strong foundation for their burgeoning relationship.  A beautifully rendered, passionate love story with a strong female lead, Sleepless in Manhattan is an engaging, complex love story that I highly recommend to fans of contemporary romances.

2 Comments

Filed under Contemporary, From Manhattan with Love Series, Harlequin, HQN Books, Rated B+, Review, Romance, Sleepless in Manhattan

2 Responses to Review: Sleepless in Manhattan by Sarah Morgan

  1. Timitra

    Thanks for the review Kathy

  2. Relate-able characters are key to a great read for me, and these characters certainly fit the bill!

    Thanks for being a part of the tour.