Book: Body Language (R)
Figures, doesn't it? As soon as I rant about friends reluctant to take their relationship to the Next Level, I find a book where this plot device works effectively (for the most part).
In Suzanne Brockmann's Body Language, Clint McCade shows up at his best friend Sandy's house to confess his love, only to find she's got a crush on someone else. Because he truly wants her to be happy, even without him, he agrees to help her catch this guy. He begins by teaching her about flirting and "come hither" body language, but then decides to pretend they are dating to make the other guy jealous; the plan is for him to "dump" her later so she can go crying to the other guy.
Okay, that premise would be completely annoying and just plain dumb in real life, but it actually works here. One of Brockmann's greatest strengths is her ability to write men, and this is really McCade's story. We get to see him and hear his thoughts a lot more than Sandy's, with about an 80/20 split. Another thing that actually works here is that McCade is aware of his feelings for Sandy; he's not struggling with the idea of being in love with his best friend, but instead is already there and is just waiting for a chance to make a move.
Of course, like all romances, this novel includes a Failure to Communicate. Eventually Sandy realizes she loves McCade and not the other guy, but doesn't want to talk about it with him because she's afraid he'll reject her. Still, despite the fact that these plot devices normally drive me nuts, Brockmann makes us really care about these characters and hope for their HEA.
Grade: B+
In Suzanne Brockmann's Body Language, Clint McCade shows up at his best friend Sandy's house to confess his love, only to find she's got a crush on someone else. Because he truly wants her to be happy, even without him, he agrees to help her catch this guy. He begins by teaching her about flirting and "come hither" body language, but then decides to pretend they are dating to make the other guy jealous; the plan is for him to "dump" her later so she can go crying to the other guy.
Okay, that premise would be completely annoying and just plain dumb in real life, but it actually works here. One of Brockmann's greatest strengths is her ability to write men, and this is really McCade's story. We get to see him and hear his thoughts a lot more than Sandy's, with about an 80/20 split. Another thing that actually works here is that McCade is aware of his feelings for Sandy; he's not struggling with the idea of being in love with his best friend, but instead is already there and is just waiting for a chance to make a move.
Of course, like all romances, this novel includes a Failure to Communicate. Eventually Sandy realizes she loves McCade and not the other guy, but doesn't want to talk about it with him because she's afraid he'll reject her. Still, despite the fact that these plot devices normally drive me nuts, Brockmann makes us really care about these characters and hope for their HEA.
Grade: B+
posted by JJ at 8:42 AM
