Irresistible by Susan Mallery

Susan Mallery
Pub. Date: February 2010
Publisher: Harlequin
Format: Mass Market Paperback, 384pp
ISBN-13: 9780373775101
ISBN: 0373775105

It wasn't just her homemade brownies that made Walker find Elissa irresistible...

When ex-Marine Walker Buchanan stops to help Elissa Towers change a tire, he tells himself it's just the neighborly thing to do. And when Elissa find herself baking him a thank-you pie, she's just returning the favor...right?

Both of them have sworn off dating--Elissa's determined to protect her little girl, and that means ditching her taste for dangerous men...especially former Marines with dark secrets. Walker knows that he's not cut out for hearth and home...his own crazy family made sure of that. But the sparks won't stop flying between them.

Now the two are struggling to keep their relationship "just friends," but with every kiss, their rules fly out the window...

When Elissa had a flat tires and Walker offer to take the tires to get it fix, she refused. She didn't like to owe him money, knowing she won't be able to pay him back. But Walker finally got her to agree to let him take it and get it fix, only if he take the earring she want to give to the owner of the car shop for his daughter birthday. She agree only if they don't replace the old tires with the new one and just only get it fixed. But when Walker come back with a new tires, she knew they had trick her. Now she felt she owe Walker back his money for the new tires, which she couldn't afford. But she promise him she would, even in the situation she is in. But Walker refused to let her and tell her he can only accepted offer of her baking foods instead...

Than Elissa got use to have Walker around, and finally accepted that asking for help is okay. It took her awhile to because her stubborn pride get in the way. She has had a difficult life that causes her living arrangement trouble. She ran off with two boyfriends, one who she hope would make it big in musics industry but turn out he have no talent. The second one, Neil who did had talent but loves drugs more. When she got pregnant, she left Neil and moved to Seattle to raised her daughter, Zoe. The many bad choices she made, had causes her to become distance with her family whose she is now trying to reconcile. She also has been having trouble with her ex-boyfriend Neil who is blackmailing her by threatening her with Zoe. And now she is currently waitress in a small cafe and making jewelry on the side. She used to be on her own, just her and Zoe. But her attraction with Walker is too hard resist.

Walker was expected to work in family business, but instead he joined the marines. It was what he wanted to do. But when his friend was killed, he quit and came home to Seattle. Maybe it is a good thing, because it will give him time to think about what he want to do with his life. Unfortunately his snobbish and mean grandmother had heart attack and now it up to Walker to keep the business running. But he also discover that the people who been working for his grandmother seem nervous and uncomfortable having him around but yet they follow on his every demand.

I got to admit it took me longer to finish this book. I read this in the summer, but usually the summer always kept me busy. Sometime I could only read a couple of pages in and sometime I don't read at all. But I try to read as much as I can.

I also have to admit, it took me even longer to like and warm up to Elissa. Her attitude was bit too much at the beginning and it rub me wrong. Especially the attitude she bring when she around Walker. But later when she went soft, she changed. But for the most part, I understood the reason for her behavior but I don't have to like it. I really love her daughter, Zoe. And their elder neighbor who watch Zoe when Elissa is busy with work or going out. The connection between the two were sweet and heartwarming. The elder lady love Zoe like a 'grandkid' and you can tell.

I love meeting up with Buchanan family again, seeing what they are doing. It's always fun to take a peek at what their life is like after HEA. This is why I love series books. We get to see the family/gang again while the series are still going. Looking forward to read more Buchanan family in the next installments.

I read this in May 2010, and is just now post the review on the book. But I hope I remember correctly about this book. More depending reviews coming soon. Happy reading!

Grade: 4 stars

drafted: 5-10-10
edited: 10-21-10
edited: 10-22-10