Vanessa Jared's Got a Man

June 20, 2022
LaQuette (the Devereaux Inc. series) centers this cookie cutter small-town rom-com on a pair of 40-something protagonists both recovering from derailed early adulthoods filled with grief and regret. Two years post-divorce, Vanessa Jared celebrates her freedom from a toxic marriage with the friends who helped her along the way: the Savvy, Sexy, and Single Club. But her past comes back to haunt her when Monroe Hills, Pa., Sheriff Michael Park requests her help to convince his 25-year-old sister not to marry Vanessa’s ex-husband, Karl. Vanessa’s reluctant to get involved, but she agrees when she sees a photo of the engaged pair and recognizes her grandmother’s stolen engagement ring on the bride-to-be’s finger. With years of therapy under her belt and the support of the Savvy, Sexy, and Single Club, Vanessa is more than ready to face Karl—but she’s unprepared to wind up stuck in Monroe Hills and unexpectedly falling in love with Michael. The mature, strong-willed main characters’ steamy romance generates some genuine heat, but the rushed plotline is predictable and LaQuette leaves little room to develop her cast, making the secondary characters blend together. This is best suited for the author’s diehard fans.

Starred review from July 1, 2022

Two years after her divorce from the controlling and unfaithful Karl, wealthy Vanessa Jared remains unsure about what she wants to do with the rest of her life. While therapy and the support of her two best friends have helped, she still feels unmoored. An unexpected visit from Sheriff Michael Park reveals that his younger sister is engaged to Karl, who is pretending to be a widower. Vanessa agrees to visit Michael's hometown in Pennsylvania and speak with his sister. When the weather strands Vanessa in town, she and Michael decide to explore their explosive attraction. Their growing closeness teaches them the importance of trusting themselves and those they love. It also allows Vanessa to experience a way of life she never knew she craved and Michael to relax in a way he has never before permitted himself. The eccentric townspeople they encounter provide the novel with depth and levity and also offer tantalizing hints about the next entry in the series. VERDICT This romantic comedy from LaQuette (Lies You Tell; Jackson) is a sexy and hilarious gem, recommended for all general romance collections.--Nicole Williams

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August 1, 2022
Two years after her divorce, a woman finds love with a small-town sheriff. Vanessa Jared spent 20 years married to Karl Scott, a controlling and emotionally abusive man. Vanessa has moved on--made new friends, spent years in therapy, invested her divorce settlement wisely--but she still isn't ready to dip her toe into the dating pool. One day, she's approached by Michael Park, a handsome man with a big ask. His sister Cindy is newly engaged to Karl, and Michael can tell Karl is trouble. Michael asks Vanessa to share the story of her marriage with Cindy. He is aware his meddling might cause a rift with his sister, but he'll do anything to save her from an unhappy future. Vanessa agrees to help only if Michael will recover her grandmother's engagement ring, which Karl stole from her after their divorce was final. A confluence of mishaps leaves Vanessa stranded in town with literally no room at the inn, so Michael offers his spare room while they wait for his sister to return from a business trip. The complicated setup then goes on hiatus while the story focuses on Vanessa's journey of self-renewal as she discovers the joys of small-town life while falling in love with Michael. This is a novel that promotes empowerment for women: Vanessa is a likable character who has learned to take care of herself, while Michael has to learn to let go and let his sister be in charge of her own life. Even though the external emotional stakes are high for both Vanessa and Michael, the novel is warm and comforting with very little conflict between them. Smooth and competent.

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September 15, 2022
LaQuette pairs a wealthy and fashionable African American divorcee from the big city with a strong, dependable Korean American sheriff from the Poconos in this seductive romantic comedy. Two years ago, fortysomething Vanessa Jared left her unfaithful husband and got a hefty divorce settlement, but she's still working to regain her lost trust and absent libido. At a support group for divorcees, Vanessa meets her new besties, Janae and Cree, and together they form a club of savvy, sexy, and single found sisters. Unexpectedly, Sheriff Michael Park shows up at Vanessa's New Jersey mansion, begging her to help him prevent his sister's upcoming wedding to Vanessa's ex, who had the audacity to propose with Vanessa's family ring. Incensed, she makes the trip to the Poconos to get her ring back, but when a series of setbacks puts Michael and Vanessa in very close quarters, it's hard for them to ignore their simmering chemistry. Fans of Farrah Rochon's Boyfriend Project series will love this mature, diverse romance and the best-friend trio of powerful queens at its center.

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