Book & Audio Review: Three Little Words by Susan Mallery

Three Little Words
Author: Susan Mallery
Narrator: Tanya Eby
Series: Fool's Gold (Book 12)
Publication: HQN; Original edition (July 30, 2013); Brilliance Audio (July 30, 2013)
Length: 332 p,; 9 hours and 10 minutes

Description: Can first love turn into the real deal? Anything can happen in a sizzling Fool’s Gold story from New York Times best-selling author Susan Mallery.

Isabel Beebe thinks she’s cursed in the romance department. Her teenage crush, Ford Hendrix, ignored all her letters. Her husband left her for another...man. So Isabel has come home to dust off her passion for fashion and run the family bridal shop until her parents are ready to sell it. Then she’ll pursue her real dreams. At least, that’s the plan, until sexy, charming Ford returns and leaves her feeling 14 all over again…

Seeing Isabel all grown-up hits bodyguard trainer Ford like a sucker punch. Back when heartbreak made him join the military, her sweet letters kept him sane. Now he can’t take his eyes - or his lips - off her. The man who gave up on love has a reason to stay in Fool’s Gold forever - if three little words can convince Isabel to do the same.

My Thoughts: Isabel Beebe has a plan; she's back in Fool's Gold running her parents' wedding shop and saving enough money to return to New York City to open a business with her friend Sonya. She's also getting over the fact that her husband left her for another man. 

Ford Hendrix is back home in Fool's Gold too. After a successful career as a Navy SEAl, he and some partners have opened a business providing security and protection. 

Ford and Isabel have a long history. He was once engaged to her older sister Maeve. When Maeve dumped him for his best friend, Isabel was heartbroken. Once Ford went off to join the service, Isabel, then fourteen, began writing him letters. She faithfully wrote to him for ten years despite the fact that he never once answered her letters. 

When Ford needs a fake girlfriend to stop his mother from trying to marry him off, his first thought is Isabel. Isabel is okay with the idea since she knows she has one foot out the door heading to New York City. Ford is sure that he is unable to love. After all, he hasn't fallen in love since Maeve and he got over that relationship suspiciously fast.

While their relationship is growing and deepening, Consuelo, one of Ford's partners is beginning her own relationship with Ford's brother Kent. He's a mild-mannered and divorced math teacher; she's a former undercover operative who did many difficult things for her country. He's a hometown boy with a strong secure family and she's from a much harsher background. 

This was a great story with two great relationships. I love the whole Fool's Gold series because of the small town vibe and the many friendships among the people in the town. Now, I want to keep reading to watch some of the other characters find their own happy endings. 

Favorite Quote:

She found that she and exercise had a much better relationship if they avoided each other. 

I bought this one. You can buy your copy here.