Masked Hearts: Book 1 of the Holiday Cafe Series

by Evelyn Aster

[stacey_is_sassy]

Lucky he talked her into the romance too.

***3.5 Stars***

I started Masked Hearts on Christmas eve thinking I'd read a few pages and read the rest after all the hoopla of Christmas was over. It's amazing how much time you can manage to put together between hoopla. It's Boxing day morning and I finished it already.

Sienna is a kindergarten teacher with a child in her class who has a HOT, RICH and SWEET divorced dad. She's talked to him frequently and really likes him. Mark, the dad, has had the hots for his kid's lovely teacher from the day she started. They run into each other outside of school at the Holiday Cafe and realise they have even more in common. Unfortunately, the timing is all wrong and things go a bit screwy. Their journey to find happiness is fraught with challenges on both sides, and it doesn't help that her job could be compromised too.

I enjoyed this story but found some of the issues they faced a little too over the top. Sienna makes some really quick judgments without going to the source, and trusted people she knew she shouldn't. I also thought that the age gap between Sienna and Mark wasn't as big a deal as what it was made out to be. He was 38 and she, 28...he wasn't ancient and she's hardly a kid. Some of the additional characters made me cranky and I wanted them dealt with way earlier than they were.

This book was very steamy and some of the scenes were HOT! The 'L' word was mentioned very early in their relationship so be warned all you insta love lovers or haters. There is an ex on both sides. Hers wants her back and his doesn't. Mark does go on a blind date before they start a relationship, but we see and hear his thoughts on it, so it's not an issue...but the blind date, Mia, is a pain in the ass.

Masked Hearts was a sweet story with a little angst. Mark was by far the star of the show with his romantic heart and love for his children. Sienna was definitely sweet, but drove me crazy when she let people manipulate and use her. When she eventually stood up for herself, I saw a turning point in her character and it was definitely for the better. I will be reading more from this author in the future.

To buy Masked Hearts from Amazon - http://amzn.to/1SfIi7v