As I've shared before, I've spent the past few months reacquainting myself with category romances
and for the most part have been pleasantly surprised by how much I've
enjoyed these books. They're longer than novellas so I have a chance to
get to know the characters a bit better, but still short enough to be
enjoyed in just a few hours, making them perfect for those times when I can't get involved in a lengthy story. "A Reunion of Rivals" was one of my favorite ones so far, featuring a slow burn, second-chance romance and mature, likeable lead characters in Quinn Bazemore and Max Abbott.
Quinn and Max found themselves in an awkward situation when they met again thirteen years after a youthful breakup and were forced to work together to launch a new fruit brandy co-produced by their families' companies. They soon discovered that they were still quite attracted to each other even after all of that time apart, but both fought their feelings for as long as they could. I loved the way that Max and Quinn worked through their issues, both past and present, to reconnect and find love again.
The family dynamics in this book were also very interesting, particularly between Max and the other Abbott siblings. For example, there seemed to be a lot of tension between Max and his brother Cole because of the fact that Cole chose not to work in the family business. Cole seemed like a good guy, however, and I hope to learn more about him and the rest of the Abbott family in future books.
Overall, "Reunion of Rivals" was an enjoyable read and I recommend it for all fans of contemporary romance, especially those who enjoy the second-chance or workplace romance tropes. I will definitely be reading more of Ms. Ryan's books in the future!
*ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.
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Check back later this week for my second and final post of the July 2020 Harlequin series blog tour, which will feature a review of "Settling an Old Score" by Delores Fossen.
About "A Reunion of Rivals"
Sparks in the boardroom and the bedroom…
She can’t let anything derail her passion project,
Not even a second chance with the sexiest man alive…
The deal that could bring Quinn Bazemore’s career back from the brink has one catch: she must partner up with her ex-lover Max Abbott. Quinn can’t forget the pleasure-filled summer they shared. But now she’s butting heads over business strategy with the mouthwatering marketing VP, even as their reawakened desire threatens to expose her deepest secrets…
Read an Excerpt from "A Reunion of Rivals"
“Morning, Max.” A wide smile spread across Dixon Bazemore’s face as they both rose to their feet and shook hands. The old man had been the owner of Bazemore Orchards longer than Max had been alive. “Good to see you, young man.”
“You, too, Mr. B.” Molly’s instincts about the reason for the meeting had been right. Why else would Dixon Bazemore be here? Still, he asked, “What brings you to see us today?”
“We’ll go over everything during the meeting,” Max’s father interjected. “We’re waiting for one more person.”
Max glanced around the table. All of the members of the executive committee were present. His grand-father and father. His brothers Blake and Parker, the operations VP and CFO, respectively. Blake’s wife, Savannah—the company’s events manager. Zora, him and his father’s admin, Lianna, who was there to take notes.
“Who are we—”
“I’m sorry. I got a little turned around finding my way back here from the parking lot. But I’ve got your portfolio, Grandad.”
Max snapped his attention in the direction of the familiar voice. He hadn’t heard it in more than a decade, but he would never, ever forget it. His mouth went dry, and his heart thudded so loudly he was sure his sister could hear it.
“Peaches?” He scanned the brown eyes that stared back at him through narrowed slits.
“Quinn.” She was gorgeous, despite the slightly irritated flare of her nostrils and the stiff smile that barely revealed her dimples. “Hello, Max.”
The good to see you was notably absent. But what should he expect? It was his fault they hadn’t parted on the best of terms.
Quinn settled into the empty seat beside her grandfather. She handed the old man a worn leather portfolio, then squeezed his arm. The genuine smile that lit her brown eyes and activated those killer dimples was firmly in place again.
Max had been the cause of that magnificent smile nearly every day that summer between his junior and senior years of college when he’d interned at Bazemore Orchards.
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