Gabrielle Breedlove believes in karma and spirituality. She wants a man who is - first and foremost - enlightened. Problem is, her past dates may have had fantastic auras, but she hasn't wanted to get any closer to their physical bodies.
Detective Joe Shanahan is a man's man. Built like a calendar pin-up; he is macho, bull-headed and thinks meditation is for flakes.
He also thinks that Gabrielle and her business partner, Kevin, are using their shop as a fence for stolen goods. Gabrielle, in an effort to prove their innocence, signs up as a police informant. Joe and Gabrielle are stuck with each other until Joe solves the case...
This is my first Rachel Gibson and I found lots to like.The writing style is snappy, with lots of witty dialogue and one-liners. I liked Gabrielle's character and the descriptions of her shop, Anomaly, her home, friends and quirky family.
Gibson does a great line in funny details - like Joe's Jerry Springer-loving parrot - which lift the story and raise a smile.
However, I do have a nitpick with the romance between Joe and Gabrielle.
Bear in mind, this could just be me, but Joe was a very Alpha hero. Maybe a little too Alpha for my tastes... He did a lot of bossing Gabrielle around (and not just when it was for his job). We were inside his head for a lot of the book and he thought mainly about his 'Mr Happy' and finding a wife who was 'normal' and a good cook.
Fine, you may think, Gabrielle brings out the other, more senstitive side to this man. Well. Not so much. Right up to their (very long, very passionate), um, coming together at the end, Joe laughs at Gabrielle's beliefs, runs hot and cold (getting her half-naked at one point before racing off) and, most unforgivably, laughing at her private passion - her artwork. Ultimately, I didn't believe they truly were twin souls, which rather spoiled the inevitable outcome for me.
Still, this is a funny, engaging read and I wouldn't hesitate to pick up another Rachel Gibson.
Rating: 4/5
Like this? Try: Bet Me by Jennifer Crusie
