Holly’s review of The Care and Feeding of Unmarried Men (Caruso Family, Book 2) by Christie Ridgway
Page Four asks: Which Palm Springs party girl has been caught canoodling with an out-of-town “Adam”?Eve Caruso keeps her finger on the pulse of Palm Springs and reports every spicy celebrity tidbit to her loyal readers. She knows everyone in this town—except that mysterious hunk who just strolled into the exclusive spa where she’s conferring with hot new starlet Jemima Cargill.
Nash Cargill—nicknamed “The Preacher” by all his rowdy friends—is here to protect his flighty sister from a stalker, not fall for a sexy society columnist. But Eve has the perfect name—she’s wildly tempting. Nash should resist; after all, her luscious lips speak trouble, her two sisters are too interested in their affair, and the rest of her family defines “notorious.” But Eve is more vulnerable than she seems, and Nash has never said “no” to a lady in distress . . .
Christie Ridgway has become a go-to for excellent contemporary romances. When I saw this in the UBS the last time I was there I decided to pick it up. I’m glad I did.
Don’t let the blurb fool you. Like many of Ridgway’s other contemporary romances, this isn’t a light story. Though the subject matter isn’t dark and depressing, it isn’t fluff either.
Eve Caruso is the daughter of a mafia giant, and though she isn’t wrapped up in that side of the family business, she isn’t without problems of her own. She took a hot tip from an ex and now finds herself totally flat broke and possibly in trouble with the SEC. Plus, it seems someone is out to hurt one of the guests of the spa she runs, and she’s very concerned.
Nash Cagrill is worried about his baby sister Jemima. Although she doesn’t take it seriously enough for his tastes, she has a stalker who was recently let out of the psych ward and disappeared from his mama’s house. Though it doesn’t seem like he followed Jemima to Palm Springs, Nash isn’t taking any chances. But when he shows up it isn’t Jemima he can’t get off his mind. It’s Eve. It isn’t long before things heat up…both outside the bedroom and in it.
At first I wasn’t sure about Eve’s character. It’s obvious she’s shallow and is used to using her looks to get her what she wants. But I was never turned off by her, I guess because I recognized her actions for what they were – defense mechanisms.
Nash I liked right from the beginning. He was the perfect counterbalance for Eve. Although he was described as the type to rescue a woman in need, he didn’t read that way to me. Though he’s concerned about Eve, he didn’t feel like he had to solve her problems for her. He was just there when she needed him to lean on.
They worked really well together. Nash didn’t let her get away with anything. He constantly called her on her behavior and teased her about her sexual escapades. Eve leaned on him and played into his chivalrous side, but she kept him from trying too hard to take care of her. I especially loved both their actions at the end. I won’t spoil it, but I will say Eve’s actions and Nash’s reaction were perfect.
I didn’t love the secondary romance between Nash’s younger sister and her neighbor. I was really enjoying it, but it wrapped up too quickly. It was building to a great crescendo..then fell flat. I really wish Ridgway had spent just a bit more time with them.
My biggest issue with the book was the ending. Although the issues between Nash and Eve were resolved, nothing else was. I really wanted just one more chapter to clear everything up, such as Eve’s problems with the SEC and her crazy ex.
As always Ridgway managed to suck me in and wrap me up in her world. I’m really looking forward to reading the other two connected stories.
4 out of 5
I just realized only two of the sisters (Tea and Eve) have books out. I hope Ridgway is planning to write one for the third, Joey.
This book is available from Avon. You can buy it here or here in e-format.
I just finished reading Ms. Ridgway’s “knitting” trilogy – and I loved it. She has become my go to author for contemporaries too.
I really like how she can write a funny sexy romance which touches on serious issues without either trivialising them or taking the fun out of the story.
I’ll be picking this one up for sure. Thx for the review.
I’ve not read her…maybe I will now. Thanks for the review. 🙂