Review: Sold on Love by Kathleen Fuller

 

Sold on Love

by Kathleen Fuller

About the Book

She’s a high-fashion realtor; he’s a low maintenance mechanic. What on earth could they have in common?

Dressed in designer labels and cruising around town in her red Mercedes, workaholic realtor Harper Wilson presents the picture of success in charming Maple Falls. But Harper’s carefully cultivated image is resting on a shaky foundation. With a sudden drought on sales, she’s starting to see her professional dreams–along with her posh lifestyle–slipping away.

Car trouble brings her to mechanic Rusty Jenkins, and their unlikely friendship is taken to the next level when the laid-back Rusty allows her to give him a makeover for a charity bachelor auction. Harper soon discovers that beneath the town mechanic’s wild beard and grease-stained clothing lies a true Southern gentleman–someone with a kind heart and dreams of his own. Their chemistry is undeniable, but as they get closer, past fears and relationships start to creep in, reminding them of just how much is at stake when carefully constructed facades fall apart.

Maybe their worlds aren’t so separate after all. And maybe covering up who you really are keeps you from discovering what was always meant to be.

My Thoughts

A lighthearted rom com with a My Fair Lady twist.

I was drawn to the Maple Falls series because it is set in my home state, Arkansas, and there aren’t a ton of books set here. I also love small town settings. So while contemporary romance isn’t really my cup of tea, I’ve given these books a try. Overall, I thought it was a nice book, even if it wasn’t the perfect read for me.

Rusty will definitely steal the show for a lot of readers. He is very gentlemanly and is always polite to not only Harper, but to everyone that he comes into contact with. I liked this about him. What I didn’t care for was the way in which he was sometimes portrayed. The southern drawl is laid on very thick and it sometimes felt like he was being cast as…not very smart. I get that he’s supposed to be Harper’s opposite, but I wished he hadn’t come across as such a bumpkin. For instance, there is a scene in which he and Harper are star gazing and he points out different constellations to her, showing that he is a thoughtful person. If there had been more of this, I think I would have liked the character more.

Harper was a little difficult for me to like, as well. As the synopsis suggests, she is very superficial. There are moments when she is vulnerable and we see a different side to her; one that likes to bake and hang out at home in her pajamas. But there didn’t seem to be enough depth to this character and I just couldn’t connect with her.

There is a subplot to this book referring to Harper’s parents’ shaky marriage. I really didn’t care for this; neither her mom or her dad were likable enough for me to really care about their story and it didn’t add anything to the book in my opinion.

I did like the setting of the book. It’s cozy and sweet, even if it is a bit idealized. Maple Falls sounds like a charming place to visit, especially in the fall, which is the time of year in which this book takes place.

I think those who love a good rom com with small town settings will definitely want to read Sold on Love.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.