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3.5 stars
Synopsis:
Rachel Collins is praying. And not for world peace. Thirty six years old and single, her prayer is self-centered. "Kill me now, Lord," she pleads during her latest attempt to meet Mr. Right via the internet.
She’s not hoping for a billionaire or even a millionaire, just a guy who can strike a spark to her tinder! Is she asking too much? She's a great gal! Just ask her parents! She might be a bit naive about some things, but capable enough- she's a correspondent for a major magazine, after all. So there!
On assignment she meets Michael, 42 years old, also a writer. The attraction is immediate and intense. Rachel, who sees vanilla as only a baking ingredient, enchants him. Michael can whip up some pretty hot delights himself, outside of the kitchen. He introduces a curious Rachel to powerful experiences of sensuality. Her Ladylike sense of propriety engages in a running battle with her now sparked Tinderbox desires.
Michael is an excellent cook and knows how to turn up the heat. Sampling the flavors offered, Rachel experiences humorous hiccups. On a date, Michael ramps up the risqué, resulting in a memorable skirt swirling salsa dance. Rachel's "What the hell, I ain't getting any younger" attitude spurs Michael to take her to the exclusive, adults only club Pandora's. Here, Rachel witnesses even more variations of earthly delights, and begins a lifelong friendship with another guest.
Michael is a realist, convinced that within 90 days, his affair with Rachel will be but another painful memory of loss. He is neither willing nor able to yell 'Geronimo' and fall for her. He can't, and that's that.
Maybe he should just get a damn dog.
This modern, urban, grown up love story is a recipe –three cups romance and one cup of slapdash humor. Blend in spices of eroticism, and beat until smooth.
My Review:
The Story of Rachel was a quick, fun read with everything a good read needs--humor, sex, arguments, swearing, and tears. Rachel's a divorced arts and entertainment reporter who's been on one too many internet dates. Michael's also a divorcee, as well as a former poly-sci professor, author, and freelancer for the Times. The TIMES!! Rachel manages to pick up Michael at an art gallery while on assignment for work, her interest piqued after a rather intriguing, not to mention risque, discussion of the erotic paintings in the exhibition.
As they begin to spend more time together, Michael teaches Rachel some of the finer points of his BDSM lifestyle, illuminating some of the less vanilla possibilities of intimacy, and even takes Rachel to an exclusive BDSM club, Pandora's. It's a regular rollercoaster ride of love, regret, anxiety, and friendship that ends in an ultimatum that will make or break their relationship.
It took me a while to get into The Story of Rachel, but I couldn't help falling in love with sweet, optimistic Rachel (including the Ladylike angel and Tinderbox devil on her shoulders) and sexy, broken Michael. The characters were lovable and realistic, especially Michael, and I'm more than a little curious about Annik.
The lack of editing was distracting, but the quintessentially Canadian jokes almost made up for it--"I don't TAP women, they're not maple trees!" I most definitely spit my Tim Hortons coffee all over the kitchen. I think that it would've been a great story even without the trendy BDSM angle; it really was a heartfelt love story that made me cry for both parties--I didn't know who to side with! I'm curious to see how KD continues the series...perhaps we'll get to see Rachel and Michael in the future.
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