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Tuesday, September 10, 2019

You Can Have Manhattan by P. Dangelico


A Review by Wendy
4.5 Just What They Needed Stars
* * * * 1/2  
Spoiler Free
P. Dangelico has been a strong favorite for me for quite some time now. She has the ability to create characters who are equal in abilities, charm and internal strength. This is huge...for not all characters in books are created equally. It is very easy to have one or the other not be up to snuff with an imbalance of power. This can happen unintentionally so it is a pleasure to read when we are given a couple who can give as good as it gets.

Sydney Evans is a woman who has risen to a level of career solely on her determination, focus, and talent.
With the childhood and family life she experienced, she could have developed another way. Instead, she forged a steel core, an ability to rise to any difficulty or occasion, and was now the general legal counsel for Blackstone Holdings. This was not an easy task as her mentor and CEO was a man who was a master manipulator. Oh, he could be loving but he also could be ruthless in his need to control everything.

So when he walked into Sydney's office and told her he needed to do something for him, Sydney said yes before asking what. She loved this man and had gone to the wall for him many times. It was his support and guidance over the years which felt the most like a father to her. When he presented the reality check he was going through...Sydney was stunned.

Mr. Blackstone wanted her to marry his son...the one who had the reputation and social media to prove him being the most irresponsible person ever. Oh, and the fact she may have shared a toe-curling kiss at a long ago wedding had nothing to do with her dislike of him...She did not want to have anything to do with him but when she is presented the goal she had worked for all these years at Blackstone and an emotional plea for the big man himself...Sydney sucked it up and said she would do what he asked.

Scott Blackstone had a love/hate relationship with his father. He loved him as he was his dad but at the same time, they were both strong men and Scott did not want to have anything to do with the family business. Scott had taken those feelings of conflict and partied hardy for many years. It took a life experience to give him a wake-up call to realize he was being a spoiled brat with lots of money. With that attitude adjustment, Scott discovered what mattered to him and changed greatly.

The passion which made Scott realign his priorities was having a cattle ranch and land in Wyoming. It also kept vast acres from those who wanted to develop housing tracts. This land would remain natural and free. This endeavor became profitable and strong. He became responsible and respected by the small group who worked with him. He still was the essence of him...but a better version.

Scott had been ducking his father's calls for a while now and finally, he had to take them. When his father demands he marry Sydney so that Blackstone International can remain in the hands he wants when he retires, Scott is not on board. Nope, not happening...except then his father does what he does best, blackmail his son as he is the one who had helped to keep the section of the lands clear and away from developing. Scott could not let that happen, so fine...He will marry the Ice Princess Sydney.

Both of these people are not wanting to be in a marriage of convenience. Sydney remembers Scott as the spoiled, handsome brat. He has the memory of Sydney being the uptight, button downed Ice Princess with a spine made of steel. Both, though, remembered the smoldering kiss that happened back at a wedding...

This tale has depth and care besides humor, smart banter and storytelling. Each person had a very intense backstory which gave us an understanding of exactly who they were and how they got there. Sydney was so compelling. She had this life where a turning point early in her childhood caused her to become one of the most incredible characters. She took these experiences and still was able to be a positive person. She did have issues but the way she was able to move forward and not dwell in the past was commendable. I felt for her.

Scott had become a better man but still had a streak which caused him to behave in this situation which harkened to his past...making decisions which would come to bite him in the a$$ later. Watching these two steam up the room, the chemistry, and unrequited desire both having was so much fun.

This read so fast and I had a very hard time walking away from it and going to work. Sneak reading was required. There was a point when I wanted to throw my kindle, but then the author gave a reason as to why...So I swallowed hard and accepted it.

P. Dangelico gives her readers more than they expect every time she publishes. I will be looking to see what is next so I can mark my calendar.






P. Dangelico loves romance in all forms, furry creatures, the NY Jets (although she’s reconsidering after this season), and to while away the day at the barn (apparently she does her best thinking shoveling horse poop). What she’s not enamored with is referring to herself in the third person and social media. Although she was born in Milan Italy, she’s been Jersey Strong since she turned six.

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