The 2 books I've read in this series are super cute. I liked [b:Playing Dirty|10319829|Playing Dirty (Sisterhood Diaries, #3)|Susan Andersen|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1305319689s/10319829.jpg|15222193] more than I liked this one but I am a sucker for friends-to-lovers stories in all of their many variations. I have a few caveats, however. 1) Not a fan of the villains' p.o.v. If there is supposed to be an element of suspense in the story, using the villain's p.o.v. ruins it. It can work, I guess, but I've yet to see a successful example of it. 2) I feel like the resolution happens a little quickly. The emotional issues get resolved in an A Ha! moment, but life-long issues take more than 3 seconds to get over. 3) In this book particularly, there is a whiff of homophobia that made me unhappy. It's not overt but Jane wonders about a dude's sexual orientation because he happens to wear nice clothes and moisturize and then having him be the villain is a subtle stereotype reinforcement, i.e. grooming is gay->dude is well-groomed->dude is bad->gay is bad. I'll probably read the middle book eventually. ( )

"Cutting Loose" is the 1st novel of the Sisterhood Diaries Trilogy that is a sizzling example of everything I equate to an author writing Harlequin® romance novels. I haven't read a Harlequin® romance for a long, long time but favorite authors that come to mind are Barbara Delinsky, Jude Deveraux, Judith McNaught, Linda Lael Miller, and Kathleen E. Woodiwiss. Some might call this type of romance novel light and fluffy or predictable but in some cases that is exactly why a reader might initially make the selection. However, it is not the reason why I still select one even if not as often. The women have often been underestimated by some of the populace but their true friends always know each other's strengths and complement each other's weaknesses so they can help each other to find laughter in the midst of tears or encouragement to try something new or give support when confidence needs to be refreshed. The man who becomes their "one and only" sees the incredible person that others have misjudged and is able to look at their own behavior (sometimes with the help of a loving relative or friend) and takes responsibility for their part in any misdirect of the relationship to become a positive. Any individual can write a sentence with descriptive adjectives but only a talented author can create sizzling settings throughout the entire novel that as you read the chapters it feels like the body heat of the couple you know are in love (even before they know) is steaming from each page as each sentence adds to the electricity and the steam is seemingly rising off each page from the newest developments of the storyline.

In this 1st book of the trilogy, the man is Devlin Kavanagh who has come back to his hometown of Seattle to be the lead on one of the construction projects as his brother Bren continues cancer treatments. The brothers Kavanagh are a formidable group of men individually and together and that doesn't even begin to take into account their sisters, parents, and extended family. The woman is Jane Kaplinski who with friends Poppy Calloway and Ava Spencer have inherited the Wolcott mansion stemming from a special friendship with Miss Agnes Wolcott that the girls had enjoyed since they were young adults.

I easily guessed that the 2nd novel in the trilogy would highlight Poppy Calloway. I'll let you determine if you can guess why when you read "Cutting Loose." We'll all have to read "Bending the Rules" to delight in Poppy's story which would then naturally lead to Ava's story being the highlight of "Playing Dirty." ( )

No noteworthy plot or characters, but a quick and fun read. ( )

Amazon preorder,Aug 08,headless woman cover

Excellent book, part of the Sisterhood series. Read this one first and had to immediately download the other two and read them. A really good diversion over the holidays. I recommend this author. ( )