ARC Review: Thrown for a Curve by Sugar Jamison

Thrown for a Curve
Author: Sugar Jamison
Series: A Perfect Fit Novel (Book 2)
Publication: St. Martin's Paperbacks (February 25, 2014)

Description: WHEN YOU’RE A big girl

Cherri has often wished she were thin and graceful like a ballerina instead of being a six-foot-tall blonde with curves that require serious caution. Surely a charming Irishman like her new boss Colin, with his throaty brogue and to-die-for bod, would never go for someone like Cherri. Unless maybe he’s looking for the exact opposite of a delicate lass?

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When Colin hired Cherri to work in his furniture-restoration shop, he had his eyes, first and foremost, on her artistic talents. But now he can’t help but see Cherri for the lush, spirited beauty that she is…and, soon enough, he finds himself mixing business with pleasure. But Cherri turns out to be more vulnerable than she appears. Is she in need of more than Colin can give? Or could it be that a feeling stronger than lust has him thrown for a curve?

My Thoughts: Cherri Rudy is twenty-two. She was raised by her grandparents since her mother abandoned her as an infant. Now widowed, her Baba is the first person in her life. But Baba is developing dementia which makes caring for her a huge responsibility for such a young person.

Luckily, Cherri has some really good friends at the plus size store where she works. Ellis and Belinda are co-owners of the store. They, and Ellis' husband Mike, are the extended family she doesn't have. Mike's best friend Colin is around too.

Colin O'Connell is also the victim of a dysfunctional family. His mother left him with his dad who is a first class womanizer who never seemed to put Colin first. In fact, he slept with one of Colin's girlfriends. To say that their relationship is strained would be an understatement. Colin has moved from Ireland and opened a business repairing and restoring things.

Colin is very attracted to Cherri but feels that he is too old - or that she is too young - and he doesn't know how to love and form a family. However, he is always there to help Cherri with her problems as she deals with her ailing Baba. Cherri wants more than just a friendship but things are conspiring against her.

Cherri and Colin make love and Cherri becomes pregnant. Even before she finds that out, her beloved Baba passes away leaving Cherri in a state of grief and depression. Colin asks Cherri to marry him but Cherri feels that he is only asking because he pities her. She finally accepts but then the two of them need to learn to make a marriage when neither of them has any idea how to do that.

This was one of those romances with a tortured and emotionally stunted male lead who doesn't seem at all capable of communicating. He and Cherri are at cross purposes for a good part of the story. Both are in love with the other but neither can say the words or figure out how to convince the other. He keeps saying he needs her when she wants to hear that he loves her.

I liked the story a lot. Baba added quite a bit of humor with her heavy Ukranian accent and penchant for giving her own interpretations of current slang. And then, just as I was falling in love with her, she dies. I could feel how hurt Cherri was and how isolated she felt with her last family member gone.

Fans of strongly emotional romances will enjoy this story.

Favorite Quote:

"Don't be fresh." She swatted Cherri. "You know only fast girls stay out late."

"Yes, Baba."

"And the only things open past eleven o'clock are legs and liquor stores."

"Baba!"

I got this eARC at NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.