Only Mine

June 13, 2011
Mallery follows her Perfect contemporary trilogy with another gimmicky tale of Fool's Gold, Calif. The town's severe man shortage attracts a reality dating show, and Dakota Hendrix, a child psychologist, is roped into helping. Alaskan pilot Finn Andersson has twin brothers who are prospective contestants, and he wants them back home. For eight years he raised his siblingsânow it's time they finish college, join the family business, and allow him to hang up his hero hat. But once he gets to Fool's Gold, he's drawn into Dakota's life. Finn's caring nature is on view as he helps Dakota navigate adopting a baby, but his hatred of being "the responsible guy" presents readers with an overwhelming disconnect. Attractive, sympathetic leads and smooth writing are no match for the hero's single-minded selfishness, which limits his appeal at a late, critical juncture.

Starred review from July 1, 2011
Pilot Finn Anderssen is furious when he discovers his twin brothers, Stephen and Sasha, whom he's raised since the death of their parents eight years earlier, have dropped out of college in their final semester to be in a reality television show, True Love or Fool's Gold. Finn leaves his transport business in South Salmon, Alaska, with his partner and turns up unannounced on the set of the show. Unfortunately, since the twins are over 18, there's not much Finn can do but sit on the sidelines and glower. Dakota Hendrix, child-development specialist, has been recruited by the mayor of Fool's Gold to watch out for the interests of the town during the taping. Although Dakota finds herself drawn to Finn, she knows that as soon as the show wraps up, he'll be gone. Once again, Mallery (Finding Perfect, 2010; Chasing Perfect, 2010; Almost Perfect, 2010) excels at creating varied, well-developed characters and an emotion-packed story gently infused with her trademark wit and humor. Fans of reality television are going to love this one.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2011, American Library Association.)