Melt Into You

March 5, 2012
Modern women will struggle to believe that administrative assistant Natasha Jennings spends even an ounce of emotional energy on her boss of 10 years, chocolate marketing executive Damon Torrance. The cliché playboy, who relies on charm and Natasha’s deft maneuvering to keep him out of trouble, flounders when his latest public debacle finally drives her away. Realizing he actually needs and wants Natasha, Damon seeks her out and is stunned to discover her home life includes a son and a divorce. (That he was unaware of her pregnancy and maternity leave is glossed over as unimportant.) Incredibly, Natasha invites him into her home and bed, vowing to fix his life as if Damon’s self-destruction is her fault. Damon’s character lacks the dignity to fit the “reformed rake” formula and Natasha’s absence of personal drive is disappointing. Plumley’s attempt at humorous contemporary romance is a complete miss. Agent: Karen Solem, Spencerhill Associates.

Starred review from April 1, 2012
The first time Natasha Jennings meets her new boss, chocolatier Damon Torrance, he's doing the horizontal tango on his desk, so she knows right away that being his personal assistant won't be an easy job. Determined to ignore his unquestionably sexy charm, she spends the next 10 years keeping him out of trouble. Natasha marries, has a son, and gets a divorce, while Damon remains happily ignorant about her personal life. Now, against Natasha's will, she's finally falling for her self-centered, charismatic, playboy boss. However, during a spectacular, drunken, televised meltdown, Natasha decides she can't take it any more, and quits. Suddenly Damon realizes that he can't live without the person he's taken for granted so long, and he vows to be a better person. But will Natasha believe he's a changed man? Plumley (Holiday Affair, 2010) has written another delightful story filled with everything her fans expectlikable characters, a great romance, humorous situations, witty dialogue, and a heartwarming story.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2012, American Library Association.)