KISS LONELY
GOODBYE |
Lynn Emery
Harper Torch
August 2003
ISBN: 0060089296
Contemporary Romance |
 |
Nicole Summer Benoit is a spoiled, self-acknowledged
Black American Princess. When her curmudgeonly uncle dies and leaves her in charge of his
family-owned company, she is confronted with the test of her character.
Marcus Reed is the vice president of Summers Security, an outsider who has worked hard to
put his ghetto street life behind him.
The first time Nicole sees Marcus, he becomes an object to be conquered, a reason to give
the job she’s been forced into a try. Marcus, on the other hand, sees Nicole as the
usurper to the business he’s been promised, placing a large chip on his shoulder.
When the two begin to work side by side, the sparks begin to fly.
Kiss Lonely Goodbye is an interesting character study of a spoiled little rich girl forced
to take responsibility for her life. In tandem with her story is the struggle of success
story, Marcus, from the projects being held back by his loyalty to a childhood friend who
hasn’t learned to live his life on the straight and narrow. When a series of thefts
begin to tarnish the reputation of Nicole’s new venture, she and Marcus have to find
a way to overcome the stereotypes of their backgrounds and the biases of friendships to
solve the crimes.
Ms. Emery does a good job with characterization. The first half of this novel is very
light and fluffy, straight romance with the main question being “Will Nicole get her
man?” The author also takes this opportunity to lay the groundwork for the crisis
that will bind her characters together or separate them forever. The second half of the
novel focuses more on the crimes that threaten this couple and the loyalties to their
families and backgrounds. I appreciated Nicole’s character development: the spoiled
little rich girl after a man growing into a determined businesswoman. Nicole’s
personality remains true throughout the transition, never quite leaving the BAP behind
while still becoming a multi-dimensional character. The plot was a little slow to get
rolling, but once it hit full speed, it carried me along right to the end.Reviewed by Karla Lang for The Road to Romance
October 13, 2003 |
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