Handle With Care

July 15, 2019
An independent PR consultant hired to fix the image of a highly dysfunctional family that runs a media conglomerate meets her match when a long-lost son reluctantly returns to the fold in Hunting's (Making Up, 2019, etc.) latest romance. Lincoln Moorehead would rather use his Ivy League education to build sustainable communities in developing countries than work for his family's media company, but when his father dies unexpectedly, he returns to New York, where he's talked into taking over as CEO. Only Wren, the PR consultant hired by Lincoln's mother to keep his miscreant brother in line, keeps Linc's interest. Wren is a straight shooter, witty, and very good at her job. In no time, Lincoln succumbs to a makeover and wardrobe refresh, as Wren drags him through the transition from building houses in the mountains of Guatemala to running meetings in the boardrooms of Manhattan. Wren has had it with the Moorehead family but hopes this gig will open doors to the funding she needs to start her own foundation. As Wren and Lincoln spend time together, their attraction grows undeniable. But family issues plague them, as Lincoln uncovers secrets about his parents that threaten to turn his family legacy into a pile of lies. Smart writing and snappy dialogue shine when Lincoln and Wren spar and circle around each other. Lincoln's growing understanding of his family and his place within it is well done, but Wren's troubled relationship with her mother is built on a simple misunderstanding that could have been solved with one quick conversation. The main problem is Armstrong, Wren's charge and Lincoln's "barbaric, vile, and demented" brother. This character is a "narcissistic egomaniac who abuses any shred of power he has," especially over women, whom he serially harasses, demeans, and insults. It's difficult to root for Wren's success when it requires shielding men from the just consequences of their actions. A sexy story is undercut by a side character whose abusive behavior toward women is tolerated by both protagonists.

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July 1, 2019
Just when Wren Starling thought she was out, they pulled her back in. As a favor to her mother, Wren agreed to help Moorehead Media by acting as PR consultant (and hands-on wrangler) for Armstrong Moorehead for six months. Now that Wren has finally gotten Armstrong to act like some entity approximating a functioning human being, she discovers her work is not done. Penelope and Gwendolyn Moorehead want Wren to help Lincoln Moorehead, Armstrong's older brother, adapt to his role as the new heir to the company. It is just for another six months and the money is insanely good, so Wren agrees to become Linc's business shadow. The only problem is that Wren is experiencing feelings for Linc that she never had while working for Armstrong. Hunting (Meet Cute, 2019) packs her latest hot and sexy contemporary romance with plenty of intimately detailed love scenes and lots of profanity, language that may have even the earthiest of readers blushing. Hunting's romances have an irresistibly hip vibe.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)