Lynn
Written on Nov 19, 2016
Richie Perez cut his legal teeth working as an Assistant State Attorney prosecuting gang members and drug pushers but now works alongside two partners in their private legal practice. When he meets Maria and her much younger brother Joey whilst doing voluntary work he takes the young boy under his wing and is attracted to his sister.
Maria Martinez had to relinquish her dream to take care of her younger brother after their mother died and her twin brother Tito ended up in prison. She feels guilty she doesn't have the time to spend caring for Joey as she holds down two jobs. When Joey gets into trouble with the law, the kind lawyer from the soup kitchen they volunteer at steps in to offer assistance, only his idea of a solution isn't what she has in mind!
I enjoyed this novel, but I'm not sure I approve the idea of an adult using a child to get what he wants. I liked Richie, he's kind, considerate and very generous, however, many times I felt he was buying popularity with Joey who is very impressionable. I did like the dynamics between Maria and Richie because he is a bossy and ruthless man underneath his charming and charitable persona and will do anything to get Maria to go along with his plans. Maria was too quick to dismiss some of Richie's gestures, even when they make far greater sense than her own ideas. Many times she was her own worst enemy, by not looking at issues from a broader perspective. The backdrop of Miami and the Bahamas was a lovely escapism for me and I can't resist a gentleman in a suit.
Overall, this was a quick, enjoyable read. This is my first novel by this author and eagerly anticipating Jonathan's story in the third novel in series.
3.5 stars
***arc generously received courtesy of the publisher via NetGalley***