cover image He Could Be the One

He Could Be the One

Elizabeth Bevarly. Avon Books, $5.99 (384pp) ISBN 978-0-380-81049-9

In this frankly frothy tale, Bevarly (Monahan's Gamble) spins two sexy and sassy romances that stretch the bounds of the believable. In high school, Wyatt Culver had a crush on Eve van Dormer, a crush she secretly reciprocated. But a tryst on prom night went horribly awry, and Eve's family mysteriously fled town before the two could reconcile. Twenty years later, eccentric California businessman Luther van Dormer, concerned that a jilted old business partner may harm his daughters, hires private investigator Wyatt to act as Eve's bodyguard and escort her to their high school reunion. Eve refuses Wyatt's assistance, however, leaving him no choice but to kidnap her and drive her cross-country to the reunion. While the two enjoy midnight swims and passionate caresses, Wyatt's partner, Julian, plays bodyguard to Eve's cool and collected twin sister, Simone, as she too heads for the reunion. Both couples seem poised to find the true love they've all been seeking when an actual abduction throws a last-minute monkey wrench into their plans. Wyatt and Julian are quirkily appealing romantic heroes, and Bevarly's voice is fresh and funny. Still, even the narrative's near-manic energy isn't always enough to mask an insubstantial, and sometimes downright silly, plot. (Apr. 10)