The Wedding Deal

Charlotte James is the HR manager for the San Antonio Mustangs NFL team. Her job just got a whole lot harder when her old boss died and left the team to his grandson, former quarterback for the Tennessee Titans Lance Quaid, her peaceful existence was over. Lance can't believe how his grandfather allowed so many of his employees to slack at their jobs and he's not going to tolerate it on his watch, he starts by firing half the staff and using inflammatory language. As the two of them work together to fill the vacancies with the right staff, and make sure they have legally terminated everyone that Lance sacked, Lance learns that Charlotte has a encyclopedic knowledge of NFL stats and Charlotte learns that her hot boss is also a secret geek. Then, when all the work isn't enough pressure, Lance's family are on his back about his brother's wedding and his plus one. Cunning idea ... why not get Charlotte to act as his fake date, they can work when not involved in wedding activities and he'll get some respite from the family pressure. This was fun, lighthearted chick-lit romance. Well-written and easy to read, but nothing memorable. I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

3.5 stars — This book gave me some mixed feelings…there was so much I loved about it and that made me giggle and swoon! But I also totally saw the misunderstanding conflict coming from a mile away, and was kinda bummed that it played out how I anticipated. BUT! Then the ending just pulled me back in!! The star of this book for me was the banter between Lance and Charlotte. They had such amazing witty chemistry, and I loved the way they pushed at each other and didn’t back down…particularly Charlotte with Lance. She gave as good as she got, and I LOVED that about her. She could be really fierce and sassy, and I loved that most of the time she was very sure of her opinions and her smarts…she deserved to be, and it was nice to see that confidence there. I didn’t always connect with the whole rule thing she had going on…I mean, we get some explanation about how her past shaped her, but I think I needed more to really buy in on it for as much as it played into the plot. Then we have Lance…he had my feelings all jumbled up as well!! I LOVED how easily he saw what an asset Charlotte was, and how he didn’t let any gender biases get in the way of appreciating her for what she was worth…it was really refreshing actually! In general he was a good guy…just one who had been hurt in the past and had trust issues. Just like with Charlotte, we’re told about his trust issues and what happened in the past, but I wish I’d understood that part of him better. As I said above, their friendship/banter chemistry was ALL OF THE THINGS. I loved the way they worked together, listened to one another, just balanced one another. And the steamy chemistry was definitely there as well, though I always have a disconnect with how focused Ms. Madsen often makes her heroines on the physical characteristics that they are attracted to on the hero. Just a personal taste thing, I can only hear how amazing their butt is, or how awesome their muscles are and how they make Charlotte drool before I’m losing interest. I will always inevitably be more interested in the hero’s inner character. I loved being introduced to Lance’s adorable family, and seeing the dynamics at work there, and how easily Charlotte fit in. I also appreciated the glimpses of the other major players for the Mustangs, whom I’m assuming will become heroes in future books in this series. The coach in particular has me intrigued. So yeah. Ms. Madsen writes flirty banter like no other, and the climax during the draft saved this book and has me rounding up. Plus, you can’t go wrong with a Sam and Frodo reference. 😉

3.5 stars--THE WEDDING DEAL is the first instalment in Cindi Madsen’s contemporary, adult HEART IN THE GAME romance series. This is former NFL quarterback and team owner Lance Quaid, and HR manager Charlotte James’ story line. Told from dual third person perspectives (Lance and Charlotte) THE WEDDING DEAL follows the building but forbidden relationship between the former NFL quarterback and San Antonio Mustangs’ owner Lance Quaid, and the team’s HR manager Charlotte James. Upon the recent death of his beloved grandfather Lance Quaid inherited the struggling NFL San Antonio Mustangs. Already at the end of his rope Lance fires the majority of the team executive and coaches but retains his feisty HR manager Charlotte James. Lance and Charlotte must pull together in an effort to reorganize and recruit for the upcoming season but Lance’s brother’s wedding throws a kink into their tight schedule. Needing a plus one to keep his mother off his back, Lance invites Charlotte to Nag’s Head, North Carolina where their search for a new executive and quarterback continues. What ensues is the building relationship and romance between Lance and Charlotte, and the potential fall-out as Lance’s issues of trust come to a head with the reveal of team secrets and Charlotte’s past. Charlotte James has a head for statistics; a mind for numbers and in this she is a stickler for rules and regulations, so much so that her relationship with Lance is directly affected by her need to recite and follow the rules. Lance Quaid struggles between head and heart knowing to get involved with a member of his staff could bring about another round of publicity that will affect negatively against himself and the team. The relationship between Lance and Charlotte begins acrimoniously as Charlotte continues to speak her mind. A case of instant attraction tempered by Charlotte’s almost obsessive-like quality to quote and obey the rules, Lance battles his need for a woman whose secrets are about to be revealed. The $ex scenes are passionate but limited, without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text. We are introduced to Charlotte’s friend and roommate Shannon, and Lance’s large extended family including his parents Maribelle and Chuck, brother Mitch and fiancee Stacey, and her bridesmaids Grace and Bridget; sister Taylor and husband Scott, nephews Aaron and Austin, as well as an assortment of prospective team members and executive. The world building focuses on the game of football- behind the scenes as our leading couple struggle to rebuild a team that has fallen below expectations. There is plenty of rules and regulations, legalese and statistics as Charlotte is not above laying down the law and offering her opinion. THE WEDDING DEAL is a story of family, friendship, betrayal and trust. The premise is engaging; the romance is flirty and fun; the characters are sexy and sassy but I did have an issue with the frenetic change in third person perspectives so much so that I had to re-read several passages in order to clarify which point of view was presented.