cover image Take a Risk on Him

Take a Risk on Him

Kianna Alexander. Sourcebooks Casablanca, $7.99 mass market (320p) ISBN 978-1-4926-7073-5

In this disappointing romance set in Raleigh, N.C., a fake engagement goes predictably awry. Aspiring fashion designer Alexis Devers needs a handsome, wealthy fake fiancé for a PR stunt, and her overprotective big brother’s good friend is the perfect candidate for the role. When Bryan James approaches Alexis about manufacturing her new fashion line, he’s shocked at her condition for doing business with him: he must pretend to be engaged to her. But he’s up to the challenge, especially since closing the business deal will be a snub to his cousin, who’s trying to take Bryan’s position in their family business. Bryan and Alexis’s physical attraction is enough to get the playboy to settle down and the workaholic to finally take some time off. A series of bland television interviews sets up the foreseeable climax, the excessive narration of unimportant events is just as bothersome as the lackluster dialogue, and the secondary plot regarding Alexis’s sister does nothing for the story or character development. This uninspired effort falls flat. [em]Agent: Sha-Shana Crichton, Crichton & Assoc. (Oct.) [/em]