Friendly Prsuasion

I really enjoyed this book. The characters were refreshingly fleshed out and believable, the dialogue was natural and flowing. The only thing I didn't quite like was that Ross, the "hero" of the story, ultimately conforms to the heroine's ideas of the type of man he should be. True, he comes around to her way of thinking "on his own," but nonetheless I didn't appreciate that he had to in the first place. Other than that it was a good read, particularly comparatively speaking.

Dawn Atkins' strengths are her deep characterization and vivid voice. I particularly adored Ross, the loveable, colorful hero of Friendly Persuasion. The fantasy scenarios he creates with the heroine as two good friends become lovers are as varied as they are hot. The secondary romance was also involving as the heroine's best friend goes through an emotional transformation; even though we all know how romance novels end, I wasn't sure how the subplot would turn out. Kudos to Dawn Atkins for another fun yet believable romance between "real" people.