GOING TOE TO TOE - Yahrah St. John
Six Gems (Book #5)
Harlequin Afterglow
BUY
Cheryl McNeil (B+)
CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE
REVIEW: The next installment of the Six Gems Series, GOING TOE TO TOE, is an enjoyable read. Ballerina Lyric Taylor goes on a fun get away in advance of opening her dance studio, thanks to her best friends. Through her friend Wynter’s Aunt Helaine, she is able to see her dream come to fruition. Lyric was adopted and has loving parents, however, she is grappling with whether or not to contact her birth mother. Divorced single Dad Devon Masters is hoping to decompress and relax in Aruba. Unfortunately, due to a mix up, the resort has placed Lyric and Devon in the same suite.
The pair find themselves in a luxury suite with a beautiful and romantic backdrop. They are two attractive people with chemistry and that leads to unbridled passion without thinking about tomorrow. They escape from their respective issues and what happens in Aruba, stays in Aruba. Back home, Lyric and Devon realize they have a shared interest in Devon’s adorable daughter, who loves to dance.
Devon is jaded by his previous failed marriage and never wants to get married again, to avoid making the same mistakes. Lyric’s goal is to protect her heart, but she came off as cold at the end of the trip. As soon as I started thinking the story was predictable, something happened that I wasn’t expecting. Ms. St. John shows what happens when there is a lack of communication, even with romantic feelings. She explores how the pair navigates their feelings and the wall they’ve put up. She also focuses on the important topic of adoption.
A recurring motif of the Six Gems Series is the fun scenes with the friend group. They remain supportive of each other’s personal lives and business endeavors. They also add comic relief to the story. The title was fitting as Lyric and Devon go “toe to toe” with each other over their feelings. Overall, this is an enjoyable read and I recommend it.
23rd September 2024 | romcol@gmail.com
(B+)