I have to admit that this was a very tricky book for me to rate and review. I enjoyed the story itself and thought the writing was good, but I really didn't like either of the main characters, Ella and Ethan. I felt bad for them because they had both suffered so much in the past (Ella especially), but I wouldn't say that either of them handled it particularly well. That said, this book is still worth a read, and I think it is likely to appeal to fans of angsty contemporary romance, especially anyone who happens to be a fan of "Beauty and the Beast" retellings.
About "Look with Your Heart"
When small town enemies are forced to face each other in shared quarters, they just might find there is more than meets the eye between them.
Ethan Scott lost his job. As top chef to an elite resort, he heated the kitchen with more than just the stove ... and got caught. A blow to his ego in more ways than one, he’s forced to move back to his hometown when a position for a personal chef opens. His new boss is a recluse in the woods and he’s heard the stories. Determined to make the best of things, nothing prepares him for the sight of his new employer or her feisty attitude.
Ella Vincent gave up her career without a choice. As a former model, the gruesome scars on her once lovely face won’t sell beauty products. Finding refuge in a secluded home in the woods near Elk Lake City seemed like a good idea until her brother hires someone to look after her. Her new employee is more than handsome in the face; he’s a thorn in her side.
Sometimes it takes a bruised heart to see more than the beauty our eyes can behold.
*Originally published as Taste Test. Now, with 75% more content.
My Review
I had mixed feelings about L.B. Dunbar's "Look with Your Heart," a gender-swapped "Beauty and the Beast" retelling that will likely appeal to fans of angsty contemporary romance. For the most part, I enjoyed the story itself and thought it was well written, but I found it very difficult to like either of the main characters, Ethan and Ella. Ethan had my
head spinning at times, but not in a good way. It was tough for me to figure out
how exactly he went from congratulating himself on scoring with the
"ripe babe" who got him fired from his last job to being head over heels
in love with Ella. He seemed rather disrespectful of women at first, and despite his claims that he didn't want to screw up his current job with Ella's stepbrother, he was often quite inappropriate in the way he spoke
to Ella.
As for Ella, while I think the author's intent may have been for her to come off as sassy/snarky in a lot of her dialogue and mannerisms, she just seemed really bitter and mean to me much of the time. I felt terrible for everything she had suffered, but it didn't give her the right to treat others like dirt. Ella was obviously in need of professional help, and I couldn't understand why her stepbrother, who was so anxious to interfere in almost every other part of her life, never insisted that she see a therapist.
As for Ella, while I think the author's intent may have been for her to come off as sassy/snarky in a lot of her dialogue and mannerisms, she just seemed really bitter and mean to me much of the time. I felt terrible for everything she had suffered, but it didn't give her the right to treat others like dirt. Ella was obviously in need of professional help, and I couldn't understand why her stepbrother, who was so anxious to interfere in almost every other part of her life, never insisted that she see a therapist.
Ethan and Ella's relationship development seemed lacking to me as well. There was definite insta-lust on Ethan's side; all he could think about from the first time he saw Ella was hooking up with her. On Ella's side, the switch flipped from hate to love so fast I didn't even see it happen, and I truly felt like I had missed something. Part of the problem may have been that neither Ethan nor Ella communicated very well, and they both had a tendency to run away at the first sign of trouble.
The main thing that kept me reading this book was that I wanted to know the truth behind what had happened to Ella, and that aspect of the story was well done IMO. I found the characters themselves to be incredibly frustrating at times, however, and that really took away from my enjoyment of the story. I'd still recommend the book, though I can't say it's one I'll be re-reading in the future.
*Review copy provided by the author via Wildfire Marketing Solutions. All opinions expressed are my own.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Comments make my day! While I do not expect everyone to agree with my point of view, please note that I reserve the right to delete any nasty or uncharitable messages, as well as spam. Open discussion is welcome and appreciated, but personal attacks are not. Thanks for understanding and have a nice day. :-)