Book Review: The Reluctant Bachelorette by Rachael Anderson

This is a lovely, lively, clean romance.

The Reluctant Bachelorette
by Rachel Anderson

• File Size: 690 KB
• Print Length: 316 pages
• Publisher: HEA Publishing, LLC (September 5, 2012)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B0096T6IQQ

Genre: Romantic Comedy
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: September 5, 2012
Unknowingly cast as the bachelorette for her town’s charity event, Taycee Emerson wants out. Especially when she discovers her old teenage crush, Luke Carney, is one of the bachelors and it's up to the viewers--not her--to decide which bachelors stay or go. Coerced into participating, Taycee does what any self-preserving girl would do. She launches a subtle attack on Luke’s good name with the hope of getting him voted off the show. Unfortunately, Luke's an eye-for-an-eye kind of guy, and when he discovers what she's up to, it means revenge.

Review:
Taycee has been struggling with dating as there are many good men but none have helped her overcome the crush she had, at age 14, on her older brother’s best friend, Luke. But Luke broke her heart when he left town without looking back and without staying in touch. Then her brother went away to college and moved away and her parents retired to Florida.  Taycee feels she has been abandoned and she is determined to make a success of the flower business she has opened in her home town.

Taycee lives in a community of small family farms who are struggling to remain alive in a slow economy.  Taycee's best friend, Jessa, calls in an undisclosed favor.  Jessa has cast Taycee as the bachelorette in an online program to raise funds to help the farmers. Taycee isn’t comfortable with the whole idea but once announced she has no way out without letting down the whole town.

To add to Taycee’s dismay, her old crush, Luke, has just moved back to town. Before realizing she is the Bachelorette, Taycee nominates Luke to participate in the bachelor pool. The audience will get to vote on the 21 bachelors, not Taycee. Once she gets Luke included Taycee then schemes to get him voted off before she realizes there may be hope for them after all. She becomes even more conflicted as Jessa insists that the dates “step up the romance.”

The bachelors include some characters that make for fun problems. Among the men are an arrogant, self centered but handsome guy that the audience really likes; a likeable rodeo, good ‘ole boy who is lots of fun; a nice guy who spits when he talks; and a  sweet, warm business man who really clicks with Taycee and the audience. (I really liked Jake and hope that there may be a story for him.) The dates are sometimes awkward but mostly fun. But do any of these eager beaus have a chance with Luke in town?

I loved the fun, clean romance. The characters are nicely developed with very real reactions. Ms. Anderson does a great job of keeping the reader engaged with plenty of romantic conflict and tension without any need for spicy sexual content. There are ethical and emotional dilemmas, joyful moments and heartache.  Jessa uses guilt to get Taycee into the program and to keep her going beyond what is comfortable or fair. I was intrigued to see how everyone would react when the mess was exposed.

The writing flows really well with lots of natural dialogue and humor. Several times I thought how life-like the story was with the misunderstandings, disappointments, ethical and emotion conflicts.  This is a very enjoyable romance that is sure to get you chuckling. Don’t miss it, especially at the current bargain price of $.99!

Word thoughts:
                     Funny, easy read, sweet, conflicted and HEA!  

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Taycee’s dismay:

For six weeks, Taycee would be forced to turn her life upside down, and to prance in front of cameras, acting happy about being made to date guys she had no interest in dating. Location 541.

Taycee’s disappointment:

But no matter how much she wished it, that didn’t mean it would come true. Because that was how life worked. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. And when you lose, you have to get over it and move on. Location 2518.

Thank you to the author and Kathy at BookBlast Tours for providing this eBook for an honest Review. Check out the Guest Post to learn a little about Rachael and for Giveaway links!

This is set in Shelter, Springs, Colorado for my Where Are You Reading Challenge. I will also add it to my ARC and New Author challenge lists.