When his prime
informant has his head bashed in with a blender, special investigator Thomas Tobin
reluctantly and out of guilt, sort of adopts the dead guy’s dog. Trouble is, Thomas
is an Adonis-like tall, very athletic, macho guy, and the dog (which looked more like a
rodent) Hairy, is a tiny, hairless Chinese Crested. The two of them appeared to be the
most mismatched human-canine pair ever! In a short time, the ugly little mutt makes life
hell for Thomas with his constant peeing, shivering, howling and what not, so that Thomas
is forced to take him to an animal behaviorist. And when the luscious and delightfully
curved Dr. Emma Jenkins walks into the room, instant attraction zaps the air! Emma can
hardly keep her eyes off of the hunk of masculinity in her examining room, and Thomas
finds it hard to hide his drooling! And all through, an irate and frightened Hairy keeps
an eye on his Big Alpha (Thomas) and the newcomer Soft Hands (Emma), who soon wins him
over completely.
His profession as well as certain
tragic incidents in his life has left Thomas very cynical, almost unable to believe in
basic human goodness, and this attitude of his applies mainly to women. Having just come
through a traumatic divorce, the last thing Emma wants in her life is a man, especially
one like Thomas who can’t make up his mind whether he likes her or not. Watching all
this and feeling betrayed is Emma’s adopted daughter Leelee, but Hairy doesn’t
share her gloomy feelings. Soon Emma and Thomas get involved both professionally as well
as personally. But danger is stealthily creeping its way towards Emma, and Thomas
doesn’t even know it! What will happen?
Susan Donovan has created a vastly
entertaining romance in her latest book ‘Take a Chance on Me’. The book has an
ideal cast of characters – Emma is the big-hearted, big-figured animal shrink; Thomas
the dashing law enforcement guy, with angst hidden deep in his heart; Hairy, the ugliest
and most adorable dog ever; LeeLee, the whiz kid with deep insecurities – and many
more. They all together make this story a very amusing, pleasurable read. Also the story
has comedy in ample (Thomas has to buy maxi pads for Hairy!), anguish in plenty (each
character has his/her own insecurity), and suspense to the brim (can’t really tell -
that would be giving away something really good!). Also the book is sure to remind its
readers irresistibly of that funny Tom Hanks movie, ‘Turner and Hooch’.
All the right ingredients are there,
and Ms. Donovan has charmingly dished up an absolutely fast, fun and sexy read!
Reviewed by Rashmi Srinivas for The Road to Romance
May 27, 2003 |
