Brown-Eyed Girl

April 13, 2015
Kleypas satisfyingly concludes her Texas-based Travis Brothers quartet (after Smooth Talking Stranger) with this sweet contemporary. Avery Crosslin may be a wedding planner, but she certainly doesn’t believe in happily ever after; having been jilted at the altar, she’s glad to simply oversee others’ nuptials and keep her own heart locked safely away. When she mistakenly thinks wealthy Joe Travis is the photographer, rather than a guest, at one of the weddings she’s working on, she tries to resist falling for the handsome man. But Joe isn’t prone to giving up anything he wants, and he most definitely wants Avery. She’s a lovably flawed heroine and he’s a complex, appealing, and forthright hero. While this fun tale stands on its own, the author also provides satisfying glimpses of the happily paired-off protagonists of the earlier books in the series. Agent: Mel Berger, William Morris Endeavor.

Starred review from May 15, 2015
Wedding planner Avery Crosslin meets Joe Travis-of the Houston Travises-at a society event and convinces herself that he's good for business but a bad romantic bet; rebel Joe has other plans, however, and he usually gets what he wants. When Avery confuses Houston society favorite Joe for a wedding photographer, she catches his attention, and they have a one-night stand. Avery never expects to hear from him again, but he follows up, genuinely interested. She resolves to keep the popular bachelor at arm's length, convinced that he's way out of her league and only intrigued because he doesn't like rejection. Meanwhile, Avery's company is on the rise, and when Joe's family hires her team for some event planning, she sees his down-to-earth nature and sincerity. Avery falls for him, but she mistrusts love. She tells herself she's focused on her career and keeps people at arm's length, but Joe wants her to acknowledge that she's both worthy of his affection and more connected to people than she will admit. After some unexpected professional opportunities arise and family secrets are revealed, Avery must decide what really matters and take a stand for her own happiness, jeopardizing her career and risking her heart in order to win the life she can't quite believe she deserves. To a skeptic, the plots of romance novels might sound formulaic, and that's true to a degree. But, really, it's the journey more than the destination that makes each book unique. Kleypas is among the creme de la creme of romance authors, and this novel illustrates why. Avery's complex reasons for resisting Joe falter against the trademark Travis combination of hardscrabble Texan and urbane playboy, to which Joe adds his own artistic sensibility. Kleypas' characters manage to be both larger-than-life and friend-next-door accessible, and it's hard not to be seduced by her breathtaking romance, believable yet wrenching plot twists, and pitch-perfect worldbuilding. Fans have been waiting a long time for Joe Travis' story, and they will celebrate this book.

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Starred review from July 1, 2015
Fortunately for her business, Avery Crosslin's own wedding-day experienceher fiance broke up with her right before the ceremonyhasn't kept her from delivering plenty of romantic wedding days to other couples. But while Avery is more than happy to help others tie the knot, she has no intention of ever getting hitched. When Joe Travis bumps into Avery at a friend's wedding, he falls for her hard and fast. Unfortunately, she wants nothing to do with Joe, not only because of her own past but also because she thinks he is way out of her league socially and economically. In spite of her best intentions, however, Avery finds herself spending one unforgettable night with Joe, then promises herself it will never happen again. He, of course, has a slightly different idea about Avery's future. When it comes to delivering a pair of perfectly matched protagonists whose heart-melting romance is fueled by an abundance of smoldering sexual chemistry, RITA awardwinning Kleypas (Blue-Eyed Devil, 2015) is a class by herself, and the conclusion to her Travis Brothers quartet deserves an A+.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)

August 1, 2015

Totally focused on making a success of her fledgling wedding and event-planning business, Avery Crosslin isn't letting anything or anyone distract her--especially not someone as lethally attractive as freelance photographer Joe Travis, the kind of wealthy guy Avery plans to avoid. But Avery has good reason for shunning romance, and while Joe is persistent, it's not going to be easy getting past her guard. Likable characters, a cadre of spot-on secondary folk (e.g., an astonishingly shallow socialite and the entitled culture she embodies), and a straight-ahead plot with an excellent twist and agonizing fallout will have fans wishing this weren't the last book in the series. VERDICT Sexy and breezy, this engaging romance adds another refreshing chapter to Kleypas's popular "Travis" titles; a perfect summertime treat. Kleypas (Lightning Bay) lives in Washington State.

Copyright 2015 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 1, 2015

In the final book in the series begun with Sugar Daddy, beloved character Joe Travis comes to the fore. Hardheaded Avery Crosslin may be one of Houston's rising-star wedding planners, but she's not interested in tying the knot herself. But Joe, the guy she mistook for a photographer at a recent wedding, has other plans. Need you ask who will win this cute tug of war?

Copyright 2015 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.