Name: When We Met (A Fool's Gold Novel, Book 13)
ISBN: 9781472094926

Susan Mallery

New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery invites you back to Fool's Gold, where a newcomer to town might finally meet the man she never knew she needed...

When We Met (A Fool's Gold Novel, Book 13)

A former Special Ops agent turned bodyguard trainer, Angel Whittaker sets his sights on a tough-talking PR woman who never backs down from a challenge. Original.

When We Met

Jennifer Eggleston 

Susan Mallery never dissappoints! Great story!!!

Angela Guilherme

*I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

This is my first time visiting Fool’s Gold outside the Christmas season. Which doesn’t mean nothing is happening in town because, as the protagonist mentions at a certain point in the story, there’s always something happening/being celebrated in that town.

Every year the author starts a sort of series inside the series, meaning she introduces a new set of characters that are going to be the protagonists of the books being published that year. And in this sub-series, the protagonists are going to be the partners of a public relations company that has recently moved to Fool’s Gold.

Taryn Crawford is the protagonist and founder of the company. The idea to move the company to Fool’s Gold wasn't hers and she’s still adjusting to it. And her city looks doesn't exactly help her blend in… But maybe that was what caught Angel Whittaker’s eye, who is also relatively new in town (he works at the self-defense academy whose employees were the protagonists of the previous sub-series).

Taryn doesn't believe in love. After all, nothing in her past has proven to her that it exists, and despite remaining friends with her ex-husband (and partner at the firm), her feelings for him are more of the fraternal type. And that’s why she likes to always be in control, which Angel instinctively gets, assuring her he'll wait for her to take the initiative. And that leaves her frustrated because she doesn't want to be the one who takes the first step.

Meanwhile Angel, who grew up in a small town, wants to contribute to the community and, after consulting with Mayor Marsha, he volunteers to be group leader of the Future Warriors of the Máa-zib (a kind of scouts). What he doesn't know, and only finds out at the first group leader meeting, is that contrary to what he assumed, the Future Warriors of the Máa-zib are girls and, in his case, seven year old girls...

Angel knows absolutely nothing about girls and he asks Taryn for help, who then assumes the position of second in command. And this was when the story started to feel unreal to me because, for someone described as a city person and who is always impeccably presented, Taryn adapted to the activities of a group of girl scouts too easily...

Obviously both protagonists have something to overcome, in Taryn’s case a father related trauma that prevents her from fully trusting anyone, and in Angel’s case the fact that he has lost his wife and son in an accident when he was in the army which made him not want to fall in love again for fear of failing those he loves once more. Neither of them is interested in more than a fling but in this town things are never that easy...

I liked the story but I couldn't engage with the romance. Not because they didn't have chemistry, because they do, but because I found Taryn’s personality to be conflicting. I also had trouble understanding Angel’s reaction to the death of his family. I mean, pain and sorrow I get, but guilt?

Seeing as I didn't read the previous, I’m not familiar with the stories of Angel’s colleagues who are also characters in this book, but I liked the preview into the future stories starring Taryn’s partners. Considering the women they are going to pair with, I foresee a lot of funny moments...

Oh, and I’m very curious to know what the town’s new slogan is going to be since the previous, "Fool's Gold. The Land of Happy Endings" originated hilarity between Taryn and her partners.

Linda Quintanilla

I always love reading A Fool's Gold series. It always felt like family since we get to see past characters. We get to read about Angel and Taryn love story. Angel is the typical Alpha man. I just love reading an Alpha man fall in love. They are always the hardest one to fall in love. He definitely becomes interested in Taryn. Taryn is strong and hardballing women in market career, however, she is tired of being the bossed that she wants someone taking care of her. I definitely like Taryn personality because she survive through all that she is strong women. Taryna does have some horrible past that no one knows since she does not let anyone close to her. Everything changes when Taryn and Angel get together. They definitely belong for each other. Plus, we get to read some comedy in story when Angel is in charge of group of little girls. Great story!

When We Met (A Fool's Gold Novel, Book 13)

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