Love in a Nutshell

March 26, 2012
In Evanovich and Kelly’s romantic comedy, Kate Appleton returns home to Keene’s Harbor, Mich., to reclaim her family fortune and—more immediately—find a job. There, she allies herself with microbrewery owner Matt Culhane, who suspects an employee is sabotaging his beer. Matt hires Kate as a spy, but complications arise due to Kate’s allergies and because of her emerging romance with Matt. Lorelei King narrates in a clear, clean voice, and her rendition of Kate is cute, spunky, and enthusiastic. While King’s delivery is at times stiff, particularly during Kate’s conversation in early chapters, her rendering of Matt is looser; he sounds world-weary and wry. And as the romance peaks and Matt and Kate share adventures, King hits her stride, ably handling the snappy dialogue between Matt and Kate in a way that distinguishes both characters and is absolutely fun to listen to. A St. Martin’s hardcover.

November 1, 2011
A nice gal tries to solve a mystery in the microbrewery owned by a hometown boy in this classic cross-genre read. Kate Appleton has moved to her family's summer home with dreams of turning the lake house, affectionately known as The Nutshell, into a bed-and-breakfast. Unfortunately, a bachelor's degree in drama doesn't open many doors to employment in Keene's Harbor, and what Kate needs more than anything else is a large sum of money to pay off the mortgage before the house goes into foreclosure. Enter Matt Culhane, local hottie and owner of Depot Brewing Company, a small-time tap house in the process of making it big. Not only is Matt willing to give Kate the job she demands, soon he wants to be more than just her boss. But Kate, who's recently been burned by her ex Richard's affair with Shayla the Homewrecker, isn't ready to give in to Matt's charms. She's more interested in Matt's promise as the key to her future, since her job with him isn't limited to brewery work but extends to the role of full-time snoop. Matt's been having problems of his own with someone who seems to be sabotaging his whole operation. Ever-curious Kate hopes she can find out who has turned traitor and claim the $20,000 bonus Matt's promised her for finding the culprit before the Nutshell's reclaimed by the mortgage's new holder. Blending classic romance archetypes with an edge of mystery, the duo of Evanovich (Sizzling Sixteen, 2010, etc.) and Kelly is sure to appeal to fans of both genres with reader-friendly writing that mirrors its characters' all-American appeal.

(COPYRIGHT (2011) KIRKUS REVIEWS/NIELSEN BUSINESS MEDIA, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.)

September 1, 2011

Plummy best seller Evanovich and Kelly, president of Romance Writers of America, have joined forces to write this romantic suspense novel, featuring out-of-work, just-separated Kate Appleton. Kate has gone to Keen Harbor, MI, with dreams of turning her parents' summer cottage, the Nutshell, into a bed-and-breakfast. To get the funds she needs, she's agreed to help Matt Culhane discover who has been sabotaging his brewery. Alas, she hates beer, and she's also getting sweet on Matt. This will draw readers of both authors; here's hoping they'll stay after the one-day laydown on January 3.

Copyright 2011 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.