RODEO DRIVE
JENNIFER LOY
ISBN# 9781897445846
April 2009
Champagne Books
www.champagnebooks.com
E book
$6.00
203 pages
Romantic Comedy
Rating: 5 Cups

Tiffany is tired of being a starving artist. Gone are the days where she cannot pay her rent and food bills. She is tired of accepting handouts from her father and best friend, so she decides to start her own business as a Gift Saver. Her job: to buy gifts on behalf of men who have waited until the last minute to surprise the women in their lives, or have no idea what to get. Sure, she still wants to sell her paintings and one day open up her own art gallery, and wishes her life were a bit different so she would be married to the man who left her four years ago. For now, she needs a roof over her head and food in her stomach and will settle for being a single gal making good money.

Nick works for Lauren and Co., a prestigious jewelry store on Rodeo Drive. The confident, well-groomed jeweler has his eyes on a young lady as soon as she walks in the store. He is more than surprised to see the familiar face walk in, being that they had a bit of a run-in not too long ago. Charming her from the moment he opened his mouth, he has his sight set on the beautiful woman with the interesting job.

The last thing Tiffany is looking for is an affair. All she wants is to pay her bills. She sets Nick straight when he pursues her romantically, but he will not accept defeat. Aiming to impress, encourage, and support her, Nick finally persuades Tiffany to let her guard down. He understands her reluctance to fall in love--he too was hurt. Finally things begin to look good. Tiffany’s business is growing, Nick has sold a significant amount of jewelry to her clients, and their love affair is blooming. But their bliss is short lived when the past creeps back into their future.

Once in awhile there comes along a story that utterly excites you and transports you into the world of its characters. Once in a while there comes along a book such as Rodeo Drive. This book followed me everywhere I went: to the store, home, back to the store...Perhaps it is because Tiffany is the uninhibited flower-child that a part of us wishes we could be. Or perhaps it is because Nick is the sophisticated, sharp-dressed, free spirit that we all wish we could marry (or at least fool around with). Either way, this book is a necessity. Buy it, read it, love it, and hope there is a sequel.

Shannon
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance & More