Review: Just Like That

Just Like That by Margo Candela

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I got an electronic copy of Just Like That for free from the author. If I'd known how much I'd enjoy it, though, I would've bought it, anyway.

Just Like That is the story of Leslie, who works in high-end retail hell and whose boss takes advantage of her ambition and ability to solve problems. She breaks up with her milquetoast boyfriend of four years (it would be five, except for their year-long break), and her best friend then goes on a mission to match her up with the right guy.

This is a novella-length story, and apparently it's on an imprint that takes emphasis away from the explicit rendition of sex acts. There's plenty of naughtiness within these pages, but the majority of it is left to the reader's imagination.

What's left is a strong, compelling story about an ambitious woman and a friendship that's important to both women in it. Even when Paige, her best friend, is fretting about her upcoming wedding, she makes time for Leslie and makes it a priority to answer her calls. It was nice to read a romance story where the relationship between two women is just as important as, or even more important than, finding love and a happily ever after.

The pacing on this story is excellent. I meant to read perhaps half, or just the first couple of sections, when I first picked it up. Fashion isn't my area of interest, either, so, by all accounts, it should've been easy to put down. Instead, I wound up finishing it all in one sitting. I kept flipping forward to find out if Leslie ever finds the happiness she deserves.

That isn't to say the book is perfect. The story is so short, there isn't much time to develop the love interest, and I wondered what went through his head. Clearly, he's enamored of Leslie, but I know there has to be more to him than money, charm, and good looks.

The initial story has some rocky dialogue, too, with a little too much, "As you know, so-and-so" delivery. Two characters recap something of which they're perfectly aware for the benefit of the reader, when it would've been better handled through exposition.

Last, the version I read had some typos. They weren't too distracting; I was able to figure out what they were supposed to be. It was a blip on my radar.

Overall, though, I enjoyed this, and would've considered it money well spent if I'd purchased instead of receiving a copy for review. I would recommend this to romance readers who have time for something short and sweet. This is an enjoyable page-turner of a romance story.



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