FOOLING AROUND by Noelle Adams-a review

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 17, 2016

In this steamy novel from New York Times bestselling author Noelle Adams, a notorious tech mogul makes a mild-mannered woman an offer she can’t refuse. What he gets is a battle for control—and a million-dollar affair.

Eric Vincent isn’t in the habit of asking for help. As the founder of a lucrative sports videogame franchise, he’s accustomed to getting his way and enjoying the fruits of his hard-earned success. Then all his illusions of dominance are shattered by a skiing accident that leaves him hobbled, facing a string of surgeries and months of immobility. The only way he’s going to survive is with someone by his side to anticipate his every desire- someone who will devote every waking second to his comfort. Someone like Julie Nelson . . .

Julie’s life revolves around other people: her students, her parents, her sister. But even she has her limits. Julie has zero interest in playing personal assistant to Eric Vincent, a man who’s as arrogant as he is charismatic . . . until he ups the salary to one million dollars for three months’ work. Soon Julie’s struggling to bite her tongue—and resist the chemistry that draws her to Eric. But after one scorching kiss, Julie decides it’s finally her turn to be selfish. And this time, she’s going to get what she wants.

•••••••••••••••

REVIEW: FOOLING AROUND by Noelle Adams is a stand alone, contemporary adult, romance story line focusing on former pro-football player/turned video game entrepreneur Eric Vincent, and Julie Nelson-a woman who has sacrificed her post graduate studies to spend the last several years looking after her ailing parents.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Eric and Julie) FOOLING AROUND focuses on the building relationship between Eric and Julie, one that began in a stalled elevator following the death of Julie’s mother. Eric has been immobilized by a skiing accident that has left our hero dependent upon others to get around, and Julie is ripe for the picking. Attracted to Julie’s compassion and her take no sh*t attitude from Eric, Eric makes Julie an offer she cannot refuse-One Million dollars for three months in his employ. What ensues are Julie’s attempts to break through Eric’s rough and angry exterior; and Eric’s struggle to keep professional his relationship with Julie.

FOOLING AROUND looks at one woman’s struggle to step out of her comfort zone; and one man’s battle with his lack of independence and his inability to fix what is wrong. The world building focuses on recovery, acceptance, and letting go of preconceived notions. Eric is an angry, independent, arrogant, alpha male who fights Julie every step of his recovery; Julie is a woman who knows what she wants but Eric is unwilling to go along.

The relationship between Julie and Eric is slow to develop with an expiry date of three months. There is the initial attraction but that soon gives way to our hero’s hot temper, and lack of patience with the people in his life including the woman with whom he is falling in love. Eric has struggled throughout most of his life to prove himself worthy of family and love, and in this, our hero is facing another battle alongside someone he loves. The limited number of $ex scenes are intimate and steamy but I felt the sexual heat is lacking. I did not ‘feel’ the chemistry and desire between our leading couple-Eric’s hot and cold attitude did nothing to energize the situation. Eric’s attempts to push Julie away are met with Julie’s immediate withdrawal and embattled self esteem.

There are a number of secondary and supporting characters including Eric’s household staff-Tim (Eric’s driver) and Kristin (Eric’s PA). We are also introduced to Julie’s sister Marie-a woman whose dependence upon her own sister leaves something to be desired.; and Maddy-a young child struggling with issues of her own.

FOOLING AROUND is an enjoyable read with interesting characters, and a familiar premise. If you like brooding, billionaire alpha men with attitude to spare, then check out FOOLING AROUND by Noelle Adams.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy