Met Her Match

Met Her Match is a slow burn romance with a love triangle of sorts. Not exactly a triangle in the usual sense, but Nate is being pulled in two different directions even when he doesn't realize it. The story moves a bit slow at first, which would normally turn me off in a romance, but I had forgotten how truly talented Jude Deveraux is when it comes to pulling a reader into the story. It didn't take long before I was hooked on these characters and their lives. They're all wonderfully developed, and the author has given us a whole town full of them. From our romantic couple to the visitors at the lake to the town gossip, they all add something to this story that is at its core a story about the differences between the haves and the have nots. The chemistry between Terri and Nate is darn near perfect. They fit together even when they're butting heads, and I don't want to give spoilers, so I'll just say that I absolutely loved the dance scene. From start to finish, it's sexy and about as romantic as it gets. I hesitate to say it, but if anything, Nate is a little bit too perfect. He knows how to do everything, and he fits in with any crowd. Part of that can be attributed to his past, but I kind of wanted to see him mess up a little. Regardless, I still liked him and spent a good portion of this book wanting him to make the right decision. Terri is just as likable if too concerned about what others think. It is understandable given her past, which also gives a mystery. And that mystery leads to a fair amount of mayhem for the conclusion. It's been quite some time since I've read a Jude Devereaux book, and after reading this one, I'm wondering why. Met Her Match made for a great weekend read and I'll certainly be checking out whatever she does next.

Met Her Match (Summer Hill #2) is full of small-town gossip, devilishly crafted characters, lots of secrets, and romance. There is mystery, and twists that round this book out and keeps the reader wondering what is going on in the seeming near-perfect fictional town of Summer Hill. I say near-perfect because there is lots of angst and tension between the three groups of people in the town, the wealthy townspeople, the summer lake people and the working-class people who run the resort of Kissel Lake. Met Her Match is my first book by Jude Deveraux, and I am looking forward to reading more from this author. I did not have the pleasure to read the first book in this series, but I do plan to go back and fix that little misstep. I don't feel that you have to read the first book as the author did an excellent job in explaining the history of Summer Hill. Jude Deveraux's writing style is spot-on; she made me feel as if I was part of this small town, and I could be best friends with the main character, Terri Rayburn. Terri has had to deal with the cruel gossip about her missing mother her whole life. This gossip has in turn been put upon her. In spite of this, Terri has become a strong, self-reliant woman who held fast to her beliefs and morals. Terri returns from a short business trip to find the very handsome Nate Taggert living in her home. Together they figure out that Nate's uncle Kit was the one that arranged for Nate to live in Terri's house. Nate is the total package. He is a good looking, strong, intelligent man, with principles. After some very heated back and forth banter between the two Terri decides to let Nate stay in her house. There is an immediate attraction, but Nate being the great guy that he is tells Terri he is engaged. His fiancé happens to have gone to high school with Terri. But she is just not just any girl; she is the perfect, sweet, beautiful Stacy Hartman, who happens to be in Italy for two weeks. Over two weeks, Terri and Nate fall into an easy friendship that is full of sexual tension. Ahh, but don't be fooled, this book is so much more than a simple taboo romance. There are decades-old secrets, and twists and turns I didn't see coming. The supporting cast of "characters" were excellent, and I want to know more about them. The balance of tone is perfect in the book. At times the book had me smiling and laughing, and other times there was some intense darkness that had me wanting to give Terri a big mom hug. I look forward to catching up with the first book in this series, The Girl from Summer Hill, and looking forward to reading future books in the series. *** I kindly received this galley by way of NetGalley/publisher/author. I was not contacted, asked, or required to leave a review. I received no compensation, financial or otherwise. I have voluntarily read this book, and this review is my honest opinion. ***

In Met Her Match by Jude Deveraux, we visit the small town of Summer Hill, VA. Terrie Rayburn has been treated as an outcast because of actions by mother. While spending her days taking care of the summer resort on Lake Kissel, she keeps busy so she can avoid the small town gossip. When she returns home she finds Nate Taggert, a handsome stranger, living in her house. Nate came to Summer Hill to spend time with his fiancé, but she left for Italy for a few weeks. Terrie thought she had finally met her match only to learn Nate is engaged to the mayor's daughter and strictly off-limits. Nate starts to throw himself into life at the lake and he and Terrie become fast friends. As Nate starts to hear the rumors about Terri, he’s determined to discover the source of the gossip. Terri doesn’t want to revisit her painful past, but Nate will stop at nothing to uncover the truth; even if the truth might be more than either of them can handle. Ms. Deveraux wrote a truly interesting tale, part slow burn romance tied in with a mystery that is not to be missed. Met Her Match is book two in the Summer Hill series, although it is a stand alone story. I loved the development of the characters as well as the banter between Terri and Nate and how perfect they were for each other. I just wished he wasn't engaged. Technically he didn't cheat on his fiancé but the situation he put himself in made me a bit uncomfortable. I definitely recommend Met Her Match to other readers. I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.