Review: Trouble in High Heels by Leanne Banks

Lori Jean Granger is in a bit of a pickle. Until now, Lori Jean’s multi-millionaire father had always showered her with gifts and attention, ever since a riding accident almost took her life. But her beloved father has died, leaving her heartbroken…and strapped for cash. He’d always told her to help the less fortunate and she could never say no. But his Will contains conditions for access to her inheritance. Her father’s accountant now needs a new financial advisor who can resist the spendthrift Lori Jean and teach her how to say no. And he finds the perfect man in Jackson James…Jackson thinks Lori Jean’s excess is ridiculous.

If anyone can slash her budget, it’s Jackson–a man from a working class background who’s determined to succeed. But Lori Jean has a new plan and it isn’t budget slashing. Her father’s Will states that if she weds and agrees to remain wed until the age of 30, she may access her entire inheritance. Attempting to ignore the passion mounting between Jackson and herself, she enlists Jackson’s reluctant help to find a husband. But as men come out of the woodwork, proposing marriage left and right, Jackson can’t help but feel jealous. She is infuriating, but he can’t seem to get her out of his mind…

I’ve read several Leanne Banks novels and for the most part I find them to be fun, light contemporary reads. Trouble in High Heels is more of the same. A sweet, light love story. I swear I read somewhere that this is a reprint, but now I can’t find any information to support that. Does anyone know? Also, I’m going to assume this book is part of a series that features Lori Jean’s sisters, because they were talked about and their stories alluded to. I say assume because I can’t find any information on her website. (Side Note: This was what prompted me to finally write this post.End Side Note)

At first glance, Lori Jean seems like your average spoiled rich girl with a daddy complex. Even from the grave, her overly controlling father is holding the purse strings and she’s gone through all the money set aside for her living expenses for, oh, about the next 5 years.

Enter Jackson James. Jackson has just been made the youngest partner at his accounting firm, contingent on his taking over the Granger account and getting Lori Jean to control her spending – something the former senior partner in charge of the acct wasn’t able to do.

The problem? Lori Jean isn’t really a spoiled heiress. She’s actually a bleeding heart who has gone through what’s available of her inheritance by giving it all to charities. That makes it harder to turn her down when she asking for money. Although Jackson doesn’t have much of an issue because she isn’t selective in her charities. If someone shows up asking for money, she gives it. There’s an out-clause in her father’s will that says if she gets married she can have full control of her inheritance. She decides she wants to be in control for once and enlists Jackson to help her find an husband.

This was a cute story. I liked that Lori Jean had hidden depths that we saw slowly as the story went on. We realize right away that she isn’t a frivolous spendthrift, but she’s much more than just a woman who gives carelessly to charity. She’s also sweet and kind and willing to stand up for those in need.

Jackson seemed like a stuffed shirt in the beginning, but I really came to admire his strength and character. He was a stand-up kind of guy who just wanted to make something of himself on his own merit. I had to admire that.

The story didn’t have much depth, and I did have problems with some of it. Mostly the “baggage” both main characters carried around seemed..not contrived, but not played out as well as they should have been. They either needed to be explored – and dealt with – further, or taken out of the story.

But I took the issues with a grain of salt and enjoyed the story for what it was – A light, fluffy, fun contemporary read.

3.5 out of 5

This book is available from Forever. You can buy it here or here in e-format.

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