Book Review
Class Reunion by Kenzie Michaels
Publisher: Freya's Bower
Publication Date: February 5, 2013
Format: eBook - 57 pages / Kindle - 211 KB / Nook - 264 KB
ASIN: B00BBQZHRS
Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance
BUY THE BOOK: Class Reunion
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Goddess Fish Promotions.
Book Description:
Natalie Collier thinks she's successfully put Brian Vellinger out of her mind. After harboring a secret crush all through high school and into college, she is both alarmed and thrilled when Brian makes his intentions known at their 25th class reunion. But will she succeed in softening his casual, 'sex only' policy, or will she end up just another notch on his belt?
Book Excerpt:
“Brian, how are you?” A young woman walked up to him, carrying a wine glass.
“Natalie Collier. Oh my God.” Brian smiled and held out his arm to hug her. “How long has it been? You weren’t at the tenth.”
She shook her head, strands of her dark blonde hair catching on the stiff collar of her blouse. “No, I couldn’t make it home for that one. And no one organized a twentieth, so I made sure I was free for this one.” She sipped her red wine and looked around. “What’s this I hear about you and Tracy being divorced?”
Brian showed her his left hand. “She left me with no warning. She was tired of my long hours and took up with a guy she met at a coffee shop.”
Natalie’s dark blue eyes widened. “No.” She gasped. “You two looked so happy together! Did you have any kids?”
“No.” Brian sipped his beer. “So what are you doing now?”
“I’m a pharmacist at our local hospital. I’ve been offered a position with a national chain, but I’m still weighing my options.”
“Pharmacy? I thought for sure you were headed for law school, as much as we argued our senior year.”
“No; you whipped my ass on the debate team that one time we ended up on opposite sides. That showed me you were better in front of people than I was. I could tackle you one-on-one, but not in front of an audience.” She took another drink of her wine. “I hear you’re in finance?”
“Natalie Collier. Oh my God.” Brian smiled and held out his arm to hug her. “How long has it been? You weren’t at the tenth.”
She shook her head, strands of her dark blonde hair catching on the stiff collar of her blouse. “No, I couldn’t make it home for that one. And no one organized a twentieth, so I made sure I was free for this one.” She sipped her red wine and looked around. “What’s this I hear about you and Tracy being divorced?”
Brian showed her his left hand. “She left me with no warning. She was tired of my long hours and took up with a guy she met at a coffee shop.”
Natalie’s dark blue eyes widened. “No.” She gasped. “You two looked so happy together! Did you have any kids?”
“No.” Brian sipped his beer. “So what are you doing now?”
“I’m a pharmacist at our local hospital. I’ve been offered a position with a national chain, but I’m still weighing my options.”
“Pharmacy? I thought for sure you were headed for law school, as much as we argued our senior year.”
“No; you whipped my ass on the debate team that one time we ended up on opposite sides. That showed me you were better in front of people than I was. I could tackle you one-on-one, but not in front of an audience.” She took another drink of her wine. “I hear you’re in finance?”
My Book Review:
What's the chance that an unrequited love can be fulfilled at a class reunion?
Brian Vellinger has organized the Class of '84 twenty-fifth class reunion at a local country club in their hometown of Anderson, Indiana.
Brian is a divorced owner of a Credit Union, who has sworn off romance after two failed relationships. He prefers casual sex with no ties and isn't looking for a long-term relationship.
Natalie Collier is a single hospital pharmacist who resides in Boise, Idaho. After being away for twenty-five years, she's coming back to her hometown for her high school class reunion. A recent break up with a controlling jealous man named Paul Wynsdale has Natalie looking forward to seeing her family and friends, especially Brian Vellinger, who she has harbored an unrequited crush since high school. She is also considering a new position with CVS drug stores that could require her to relocate.
When Natalie and Brian see each other at the class reunion there is a mutual instant attraction. Can a casual weekend of sex and hanging out with no strings attached be enough for Natalie? Or could being with Natalie change Brian's reluctance for a long-term relationship?
Class Reunion is a sassy short story about two former classmates who rediscover each other after twenty-five years. Author Kenzie Michaels weaves a fast paced fun tale set in Anderson, Indiana and Boise, Idaho, written in the third person narrative that follows the reunion and relationship development of Natalie and Brian.
This story was very entertaining from the start, it immediately drew me in with the class reunion, who doesn't have good memories of attending their own class reunion? I really enjoyed the walk down the 1980s memory lane with the mentioning of some of my old favorite rock, dance and love songs; and a blast from the past mentioning of the atari video games Centipede and Ms. Pac Man.
Then we have the main focus of story, the sexy reunion of Brian and Natalie. I loved how the author provides the reader with a multi-layered storyline in a short story that consisted of the reunion weekend, Brian and Natalie's past histories, and their current relationship dramas that builds up to a predictable but satisfying conclusion. The story has a nice balance of light funny moments, intriguing drama, and steamy sexual scenes. Did I mention that I really enjoyed Brian and Natalie's steamy sex scenes ... wink, wink?!
With a fun cast of characters, quirky dialogue and interactions, and a quick storyline that leaves you wanting more; Class Reunion is a thoroughly enjoyable short and sexy read!
RATING: 4 STARS ****
About The Author
Kenzie is the 'wild child' of author Molly Daniels. They cohabitate nicely inside the brain of a woman in Indiana who's the mother of three and 'Aunt Molly' to the entire neighborhood. A devout chocoholic, her hubby has learned to watch out when the characters in her head take over and not get too upset when the words are flowing and all concept of time is lost. (LOL)
AUTHOR WEBSITE
AUTHOR BLOG
ROMANCE BOOKS 4 US
GOODREADS
Class Reunion by Kenzie Michaels ~ Virtual Book Tour Page: Goddess Fish Promotions
Virtual Book Tour Contest Giveaway
Win An eBook Copy of All She Ever Wanted
or
A $10 Freya's Bower Gift Certificate
Author Kenzie Michaels will be awarding one eBook copy of All She Ever Wanted to one randomly drawn commenter and a $10 Freya's Bower GC to another randomly drawn commenter during the tour.
Follow the tour and comment on each blog stop; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning.
The tour dates can be found here:
http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2013/02/virtual-review-tour-class-reunion-by.html
April 8: Long and Short Reviews
April 9: Musings From An Addicted Reader
April 10: Jersey Girl Book Reviews
April 11: Straight from the Library
April 12: Harlie's Books
Thank you for hosting
ReplyDeleteThank you for the opportunity to host the virtual book tour event.
DeleteI cannot tell you enough how you just made my day! Thank you for reviewing my book and for your kind comments:)
ReplyDeleteHi Kenzie! This was such a fun quick read, I really enjoyed it! Thank you for the opportunity to host your virtual book tour event. :)
DeleteI'm so glad you enjoyed it:) All She Ever Wanted is the first book in this trilogy, with Off The Clock being released either later this month or next.
DeleteGreat review! This book deserves the accolades!
ReplyDeleteThank you Melissa:)
DeleteHi Melissa! Thank you for stopping by and visiting with Kenzie! Thank you for your kind comment about the book review, I appreciate it. :)
DeleteI just won a copy of Class Reunion this week so I'm really looking forward to reading it. Been LOVING the reviews.
ReplyDeletecatherinelee100 at gmail dot com
Thanks for stopping by Catherine:) I'm loving the good reviews also! Hope you enjoy it!
DeleteHi Catherine! Thanks for stopping by and visiting with Kenzie! Hope you enjoy the book! :)
DeleteCongratulations to Melissa K, who wins the copy of All She Ever Wanted, and ELF, who wins the $10 Freya's Bower GC!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for hosting me this week!
Congrats to the winners! :)
Delete