Lexie: Triple X, Book 1

Dean’s second contemporary (Blade of Moonlight) falters under the weight of unnecessary ambiguity. Attractive but modest Lexie Underhill puts tremendous effort into working for her adoptive family’s failing corporation, hoping to prove that her marketing department can survive the latest round of layoffs by corporate restructurer Cameron Rowe. She’s shocked to be accused of sabotaging her own efforts when someone who looks just like her appears on an alluring billboard advertising a honky-tonk on the other side of the river that divides the otherwise minimally described Cobalt City, U.S.A. Lexie quickly discovers the truth behind the billboard, which she and Cameron pursue together. Readers should not be deceived by the series title as “Triple X” refers to a plot point rather than sex scenes, although there are plenty of heated moments throughout. Plagued by a paper-thin setting and lack of humor, this conspiracy romance comes up short. (Oct.)