J.A. Armstrong

This book felt like a jelly filled donut with the jelly missing. It started out great (they meet, life circumstances push them into friendship) and then the next two months of their relationship are summarized with a "They spent time talking and spending time together." Wait... that's where they fall in love! I missed it!

This left me feeling like I couldn't connect with their relationship. The small touches, almost-kisses or moments of lust were also missing, filled instead with nothing but angst about why they can't. Honestly I think the book should have just ended with their first kiss, because it took so long to happen. Then the rational we're-too-tired-we'll-wait-to-connsumate killed whatever emotional build-up I did have. Had the book been any longer, I wouldn't have finished it.… (meer)

The pairing of a senator and an architect is a welcomed change from the previous books I've read. This is a lazy day, sweet romance type of story. I really like Candy and JD's chemistry even though they fell for each other rather quickly. I wish the author could have stretched the beginning of Candy and JD's romance with a little more angst, jealousy, and family drama. For me, their journey would have been more fulfilling despite this being a short story. Perhaps that's what's installed in the other books of the By Design series, which I plan on reading.… (meer)