Leslie Kelly – Blazing Midsummer Nights – Requested review

A stand alone novel, published May 2012.
Genre: contemporary romance



Anything can happen on a magical midsummer's eve
Marketing director/workaholic Mimi Burdette has The Plan-work for her father and date his right-hand man. Problem is, there's no heat in the relationship. Not even a spark. And worse still, Mimi is having some seriously sexy, panties-ablaze dreams-and the star looks a lot like Xander McKinley, the hunky firefighter next door.
Mimi's dreams might be due to the strange tea she drank. Or the predictions from the fortune cookie she ate. Or they could be due to Xander's smokin' hotness. But whether it's magic or just old-fashioned fireworks, Mimi is about to break all of the rules-including her own!


I don’t read much Harlequin books, but I have reviewed one of Leslie Kelly’s books before, and really liked it. So when I saw her asking on Twitter if someone wanted to review this book, and I saw the gorgeous cover, I leaped at the chance. And I really am happy I did that, as I liked this book very much.
It is a Harlequin Blaze, meaning there are some pretty hot love scenes in there. But it are the characters and the story, and especially the humor in this book that drew me in and did not let go anymore.

Mimi is a hardworking girl, trying to convince her old fashioned father that even though she is not the son he always wanted, she can take over his job of CEO at the food imperium company her grandfather founded. She is even dating Dimitri, because her father approves of him. But Dimitri, even though he is very handsome and everything she should fall for, is kind of boring, and there are no sparks whatsoever.
So when she sees her new neighbour, the hot firefighter Xander, her imagination takes a flight. The attraction is there between them, immediately. But Mimi has sworn of the “bad boys” and tries to stay away from him. Which of course will not happen thanks to her matchmaking landlady.

And then Xander, who is trying to build a new life for himself here in Athens, Georgia, after loosing both his parents in the last year. He was close to them, and even took care of his father in his last months. So now he is ready for a new life, but falling for his neighbour was not his intention. Especially not a spoiled rich girl, that can only mean trouble for him. But when he literally falls at her feet just as she is undressing herself, there is no going back. What a view!
And when he leaves her room with a kiss that shakes her to her bones, there is no thought in her head anymore of seducing the bland Dimitri as she really wants some hot sex. The only man in her mind now is Xander.

The relationship develops fast from there, but not too fast, it takes a couple more meetings before they finally land in bed together, but when they do, they won’t come out for hours! Of course there is more to the book than just love scenes. Mimi really wants to take over her father’s job when he retires, but if he doesn’t start appreciating her more, and accept her ideas as good ones, she might just walk out. After all, she has lots of ideas and she just knows they will work for the company.

The story also has some great secondary characters who provide a nice background, like Anna and her husband Obi-Wan, the owners of the house. And do not feel sorry for Dimitri, as he is not all that interested in Mimi either, he has someone else he meets again …

Conclusion: Leslie Kelly has a writing style that I really enjoy. The story was not totally predictable, I really liked both Mimi and Xander a lot, and the humor was just right. And yes, hot hot lovescenes but very well written!

9 stars.

© 2012 Reviews by Aurian