BOOK REVIEW:
Island Fantasy
Now I’m a romance lover, and I think some of the best short
romances out there come from Harlequin. And what I love about Harlequin is the
variety in their short category romances.
Still most of the characters I encounter are not
African/Black (American, Canadian, etc.) But Harlequin has a whole line, Kimani
Romance, dedicated to POC and their (sometimes) multicultural relationships.
Oddly I’ve never read the line, until now… Though I’ve been
meaning to, only the books are available monthly—as with other lines—in a brick
and mortar store.
My first Kimani was Kayla Perrin’s Island Fantasy, which is set in Jamaica for the most part. A little
background then:
Heroine Shanna Kenyon is a romance writer who has no control
of obtaining her HEA when she’s jilted by her groom before their wedding day.
Determined to make use of her would-be honeymoon to Jamaica, Shanna goes on the
trip alone to rejuvenate her broken spirit…
Enter Donovan Deval, another guest at the hotel in Jamaica
who sparks Shanna’s interest only days after her wedding was called off. But
Donovan also attracted to her and he’s doing most of the chasing— When Shanna
finally gives into her desire, she wonders if her island fantasy has a place
outside the island and in the real world.
So Shanna is a romance writer—and she’s actually not as
cynical as you might imagine. I’m a romance writer, and I like to think of
myself as a realist, yet I’m totally open to melodrama and the crazy happening
in the real world… So I’m not a full blown cynic and Shanna isn’t either. And
thankfully so because that would have been clichéd and a little too much for me
to hold my disbelief back…
I enjoyed the chemistry between the two. The teasing and the
chasing, but also the fun—I’ve read one too many alpha males who basically
fight with the heroine all the way into bed. And although I think makeup sex is
probably wondrous—ahem, it is fun to
write—I also preferred the more natural development between Donovan and Shanna.
They both liked each other, and the out-and-out confess the attraction very early on. What I did notice is that this novel is not 50/50 between the hero and heroine’s perspectives. It is mostly written from Shanna’s POV and Donovan makes an appearance on pg. 31… 2 chapters and a bit into chapter 3 before readers can finally sink their teeth into the first sight.
That being said, I didn’t mind so much. When we did get
Donovan’s POV late into the book, it was a nice break from Shanna’s thoughts—mostly
because Donovan was very clear about his feelings. He accepted his attraction
to Shanna and he wanted more of a relationship, or at least a chance to explore
a potential long time union. Shanna, on the other hand, is the one with
commitment/trust issues. It makes sense the story be told from her perspective
mostly because it’s her insecurities that are holding back the full treatment of
Donovan’s affection and her chance at a potential rejection (and more heart
ache) or a HEA.
Sorta like a writer’s life: opening the door to opportunity
also opens the door to both rejection and acceptance. You’d think Shanna the
successful historical romance author would get this…
As far as external conflict goes, nothing too dramatic—the
focus is more on an internal struggle of commitment, and head versus heart type
problem; although something happens near the end. No spoilers, just a warning.
I sort of figured it out and…hahaha…with a, err, racial profiling. Though the
story set me up, and I filled in the blanks too quickly!
Anyways, I liked the story. There’s actually a second story
featuring Shanna’s younger sister, Brianne who I really liked. All I know is
that she’s a bigger girl who recently lost her fiancé/boyfriend? to an accident
(I forgot the accident) and well, if that doesn’t set us up for a companion Book
2.
Make sure to pick up Island
Fantasy and book 2, Freefall to Desire! If you’re new to this subgenre/line of romances then this is as
great a place to start as any.
My verdict:
✮✮✮✮.5
(4.5 stars)
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