Love: Undercover

Counterfeiters and romance in a small southern town:
Jenifer is suffering from empty nest syndrome. Her fatherless twins have just gone off to college, and she thinks maybe she is ready to plunge into the dating pool. Enter undercover agent Eric Hamilton. He is investigating Jenifer because she happened to be photographed with two known counterfeiters. He is there to find out what she knows and how deep her involvement is. Soon, he realizes that she is a victim of circumstance, and he is soon sucked into fiber of the small town, as well as a romance with Jenifer. The interactions are hysterical; especially the family gatherings when Jenifer feels compelled to tell Eric that she does not need a man, only for her entire family to recite that part, as if it has been said many times before. The only thing that I did not like about the story is that Eric was her first partner since the conception of her twins. Enough of the born again virgin plot lines - it is so overused. The secondary romance with the uncle and her mother is also very sweet. I like that she showed a lot of emotion in how she dealt with the fact that her widowed mother was willing and able to take a chance at romance again. It is a good light suspense romantic novel.

Hailey has really surpassed herself this time.:
Everyone in Doolittle, Arkansas knew Jennifer Janey Wright didn't need a man. She'd said it herself many times. She'd raised her twins as a single mom and is now experiencing empty nest syndrome as her twins have gone off to college. Jenifer didn't need a man but she sure wanted to meet one "who'd be willing to explore the naughty and the unknown with her...." Just as she finished that thought, she glanced up from behind the check out counter of the Doolittle Public Library where she worked ever since high school summers and met eye to eye with Eric Hamilton. Eric is handsome, expressive, has a chiseled chin, deep-set dark eyes, strong nose, and full lips. He has a wicked gleam in his eyes and speaks with a low-pitched baritone voice. Eric is actually an undercover agent investigating a counterfeit money ring in which he believes Jenifer may be involved. Along the way to cracking the case, Eric and Jenifer manage to fall in love. Hailey has created characters that are believable and loveable. The love story is great and the ingenious undercover plot is intriguing. Both of these story elements run neck to neck in excitement and suspense. Hailey generously sprinkled Love: Undercover with humor that had me laughing out loud many times. Hailey has really surpassed herself with Love: Undercover. I highly recommend that you read Hailey North's Love: Undercover. You won't regret it and you'll feel better after reading it.

Not thrilling, but solid -- 3.6 stars:
With its terrific evocation of a small Southern town where everybody knows everything about everybody else, North has created a setting that is almost like one of the characters. Jenifer and Eric are solid leads. Their romance is not super hot, but it feels realistic (much more so than many romances). Jenifer is undestandably hesitant to embark upon an affair, and her journey into love is beautifully rendered. There's also a lovely thread about Eric finally coming to feel like he fits in. The mystery is woven seamlessly into the romance, and there are plenty of little details that add to the book's charm and realism. A warm, highly enjoyable read.

Decent Read w/ a Real Romance:
Love Undercover was a decent read. The author really took the time developing the characters and building a story around them. Though I could not really tell which was the main story or plot of the book. Was it the romance or the mystery? That really is all that made this book non-rereadable for. It was slow at times and I think with a better mystery aspect I would have personally liked it more. If you are looking for a real world romance though, then get this book. A lot of books don't actually give the main characters time to get to know each other before sleeping with each other, this one does. It was nice but a bit dragged out for me. LOL Over all though it was good.

A SWEET AND SIMPLE ROMANCE:
Jenifer Janey Wright and Eric Hamilton begin the story pretending to be everything they aren't. He a simple investor just looking to invest in a run down old hotel, and she a librarian who insists time and time again she "doesn't need a man." Once the romance is sparked, the story really comes together- from the cute family dialogues to the bb gun escapade that includes little old Mrs. Kirtley and her ear trumpet. All in all the book was a very sweet and simple romance. My reason for the 4 stars instead of 5 is because after finding out all he'd hidden from her throughout the course of the relatinoship, all it takes is a little explanation over the phone from him (which the reader does not get to hear) to get Jenifer to patiently wait for him to return to fetch her. I don't know about everyone else, but I like a little more grit in my main characters- It would've been nice to see her make him beg and plead a little bit before she forgave him. But all in all I think this one's well worth reading!