I liked this book. I had read it before from the library and when it was reissued I bought myself a copy. A nice story of involving a masquerade and a rich unfeeling man falling in love and becoming more human. The heroine was super sweet and everyone loved her. This is part of a series and I have read all the books. Just be aware that the situation with begins the book is not resolved in this one. Really the only thing that I find real fault with is the rather ludicrous ending. The rest of the book was good enough to overlook that part though. ( )

Excellent

First, I hate billionaire novels, but this one worked for me. A Cinderella story, with a gutsy heroine and a repressed hero. Loved it. ( )

Hope Prescott is 16 years old when she loses everything – her parents dead in a car crash, her siblings taken from her and her comfortable life gone in an instant. The story takes place 7 years later as we find Hope working at an answering service while taking classes with the intent of earning a degree in computer science (because “that’s where the money is”) so she can continue the search for her lost siblings.

Enter Zachariah Givens, a corporate raider, who keeps all but his family and one best friend at a distance. Zack’s longtime assistant is going on vacation and has set up an account at an answering service for the time she is gone since her boss is a technophobe (fax machines eat the papers, phone buttons flash confusingly…). The first time Givens calls the service and speaks to Hope, he is hooked – drawn in by her sultry voice, her friendly manner and her obvious caring for all of her clients. Only one thing – Hope thinks she’s speaking with Givens’ butler – Griswald. Oops. When Hope makes her thoughts clear regarding wealthy, uncaring employers – and Givens in particular – Givens decides to let the deception continue.

The story was entertaining, if a bit improbable. Hope’s a smart woman and yet she falls for Zack’s deception without hesitation. Moreover, she is more than a little gullible in other instances making for a frustrating read. Additionally, there’s a crisis that is completely unbelievable, unrealistic and unreasonable – also adding to the frustration.

The best part of the story is Aunt Cecily, Zack’s outspoken and outrageous aunt, as well as a scene in which Cecily and Zack’s parents discuss his problems as if he’s not even in the room (definitely a good chuckle). This is the first in the Lost Hearts trilogy. I may read the next in the series as I generally like books by Christina Dodd, but I’m not going to rush as there are more – and better – books on Mt. TBR waiting for me.

Rating: 3 stars ( )

Hope Prescott
Zachariah Givens

I liked Zach, even though he was a huge liar though most of the book, he came back and made good in a big way. Hope is totally good for him and they are going to have a long an happy future and I would really like to see a peak at what happens after the epilogue.

3.5 Stars
( )

Hot romance and good audio tho the guy voices are a little lame. Hope is looking for her family and Zachary is ich but pretending to be a butler ( )