Review: Smart Girls Think Twice by Cathie Linz

Where dangerously sexy men are concerned….SMART GIRLS THINK TWICE

With her job hanging in the balance, sociologist Emma Riley is back in her hometown of Rock Creek, Pennsylvania, for both her sisters’ weddings. As if that isn’t depressing enough, Emma also needs to stay focused on the research project that could save her job and launch her career. Her success hinges on sexy Rock Creek newcomer Jake Slayter.

Unfortunately, Jake wants nothing to do with Emma — or her big project. He has his own motives for being in Rock Creek, and if there’s one thing he can’t afford, it’s a distraction in the form of a brainy beauty like Emma. Too bad Emma has made it perfectly clear that she’s way too smart to let him stand in her way. Too bad Jake has made it perfectly clear that he’s way too smart to take no for an answer!

I’ve really enjoyed Cathie Linz’s books and Smart Girls Think Twice was almost as good as I expected. Emma Riley returns to Rock Creek for both her sisters’ weddings. She’s also there to do a research project that will save her career. All she needs is to get bartender Jake Slayter to agree to talk to her about his time as an extreme adventure sports athlete.

Jake Slayter has his own reasons for being in Rock Creek and being a part of Emma’s research project isn’t one of them. After watching his best friend die and almost dying himself, Jake’s priorities have changed. Number one on his list is finding his birth mother. He has several candidates, all from Rock Creek, but needs to narrow it down.

Jake and Emma are complete opposites which is what makes their relationship so good. Jake is a risk taker, Emma is a scholar. Jake is a doer, Emma is a thinker. There’s a variety of different things that makes them different, but attractive to each other at the same time. Jake has never been as attracted to someone as he is to Emma and he knows that Emma is just as attracted to him.

One thing that I didn’t like about this book was Sue Ellen, Emma’s sister. In the last book, Big Girls Don’t Cry, Sue Ellen finally got her happily ever after (after being the secondary character in a few other books). She always seemed to be misunderstood and it was just sad b/c she deserved to be happy. I couldn’t stand her in this book. What was sweet in prior books grated in this book. She was a whining harpy who wanted the attention on herself. Maybe I wouldn’t have noticed if she had been like that in the beginning, but I did and I hated it.

Emma’s family doesn’t really know her, which is one thing that is abundantly clear. Jake is the only one that sees Emma for who she really is. While the BIG MISUNDERSTANDING at the end is a little overdone, I was happy with Emma and Jake.

4 out of 5.

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

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