The Millionaire Affair

Lemmon offers a surprisingly frumpy romance between Landon Downey, a man comfortable only when he’s in control, and Kimber Reynolds, a live-in-the-moment woman, in the third Love in the Balance contemporary (after Hard to Handle). They become friends after meeting on vacation, and reunite when Landon needs an emergency nanny for his nephew. Kimber couldn’t be less qualified or Landon more desperate. A premise suited for hijinks and hilarity is overwhelmed by a tepid arrangement between the two, hinging on the notion of completing a list of sexual activities. Instead of a delightful romp with these personable characters, Lemmon delivers a series of clichés while avoiding erotic interactions. When the relationship becomes complicated, the author takes a scolding and disapproving tone while describing normal frictions in a budding romance. This would be forgivable with the couple’s potential for passion, but the intimacies and strength of affection are skipped over, inadequately replaced with fond recollections of happier days. (July)