Warning: This review contains spoilers
Peppa Grant’s fellow employees may call their new CEO Mr. McSexy, but she’s also heard that he’s aloof and distant. Cameron McCormac certainly seems cold toward Christmas when she meets him at the company’s annual party…but he’s also the sexiest man Peppa has ever seen. And when he offers to forgive the damage she accidentally caused to his expensive car in exchange for accompanying him to his family’s holiday get-together, she agrees.
Cameron needs a date to the family party to get his matchmaking relatives off his back. Their chemistry is instant and undeniable, leading to an incredible one-night stand. But Peppa wants love and family, while Cameron’s only interested in temporary pleasure. When their relationship takes an unexpectedly serious turn, will he run the other way—or will he give love a second chance?
Penelope Grant is standing in the for the “entertainment” at the company Christmas party when she first meets the new boss. He has no idea that she works for him and he takes advantage of that and asks that she step in and play fake girlfriend to his family on Christmas Eve. Peppa (as she’s known to her friends) doesn’t quite understand Cameron’s stand-offish nature with his family as she thinks their charming but seeing them with them gives her another look into the man that everyone says is made of ice. One thing leads to another and they end up back at Peppa’s and have a great time together. Cameron however has no desire to stick around as he’s a one night stand kinda guy.
Peppa is hurt by Cameron’s attitude but she moves on…until they end up together again after Peppa helps him from another tight spot with his family. Cameron and Peppa end up starting a relationship and as much as either tells themselves that they’re not looking for love and they’re only in it for the sex and companionship, they each get completely emotionally involved. That is until Peppa comes up pregnant and Cameron pretty much kicks her to the curb. Sure, he’s got his reasons, but Peppa has her reasons for keeping the baby and she wants nothing to do with Cameron from that point forward.
When I first started this book I didn’t like Cameron AT ALL. He annoyed me and was basically what he was supposed to be portrayed as and that was a man who was just after fun, excitement, and sex when he wanted it. Even when he and Peppa spent their first night together I wanted them separated as I just didn’t like the man! I honestly thought about not finishing the book. But then I kept reading and I saw an actual person come out of the skin of the outside Cameron. He was a kind, loving, caring person who loved his family but was afraid of life. Sure he lived, but after 2 different tragedies in his life he had decided that he wasn’t going to love again – anyone – because whoever he loved died. I have to admit my heart broke a little bit for him during the course of the book.
Then there was Peppa’s back story which was a bit cruel in its reality as well. She’s been dumped by her man because there became a chance that she may not be able to conceive a child and he wasn’t about to wait around and possibly be disappointed. OMG what a bastard! Shows you (and Peppa) that he truly didn’t love her he just viewed her as a baby maker. Yuk – good riddance to him. But yet….we knew as the reader that he really did love Peppa so how would it all work out?
Cameron and Peppa together were quite cute. I loved that Cameron came to appreciate romantic comedy movies and that they talked so much. When Cameron found out about Peppa’s pregnancy and acted the fool I wanted to crawl through the ereader and beat the man. Seriously, what a jerk. But he did see the error of his ways and (I think) made up for it all in the end.
The story ended up being pretty good and I’m glad that I kept reading – it was worth it.
Rating: 3.75 out of 5
Rachael Johns
Carina Press
Lovely review Tracy. I'm having a skeptical moment though…
That is until Peppa comes up pregnant…
This is a contemporary, yes? I'm guessing the condom broke or something? 'Cause the whole 'I'm on the pill and neither you or I have STDs and would never cheat'…well, that old dog just ain't gonna hunt! *grin*
Well…how she got pregnant was not mentioned all that much. They did wear condoms every time they had sex but there was one time when they were first together when he started without one. He wasn't too far in when they remembered but apparently that did the trick. She almost had the thought in passing and frankly I don't remember him asking HOW. He might have though.
Was interested in your take on this book as I read and reviewed it and thought it quite good. I often get weary of the protracted conflict over not wanting a committed relationship, but I do think there are times as in Cameron's case, where the life trauma was very significant. Good review.
Thank you for clarifying Tracy 🙂
Dr. J. – Yes, Cameron took it a bit far, I thought but his past trauma's were significant. Good point, thanks.
Orannia – You're very welcome. 🙂