The Deal by Sabrina Blaum is a very slow burn, angsty fake relationship between two women who have been scarred by past relationships. They learn, accidentally, that love isn’t about finding the perfect person, but the person who is perfect for you.
At 50 E is rebuilding after an arsonist burned down her barn the year before. It’s been a struggle but now she has a place to make the soaps, lotions and salsas she sells to make a living. Her dream of a moonshine distillery will remain a dream until she can afford the equipment she needs. One night at a bar in far off Austin, she meets a cute woman who might be able to make that happen.
Most days a workaholic schedule keeps Nicole out of the bars, but tonight she’s drowning her sorrows and actually talking to the pretty woman sitting next to her at the bar. They agree most people overly obsess about romantic relationships, especially Nicole’s family. She’s been trying to hire a woman to do the holidays with her so her family would stop the pity party.
The amount Nicole is willing to pay would go a long way toward setting up a new distillery in E’s new barn, so they strike a deal. They will be a cute couple for a few months and then go their separate ways. Their getting to know you period works a little too well, and they fear the end of the deal will be the end of their friendship.
Pros And My Favourite Parts
Friendship is the key for E and Nicole. Both of them have suffered loss romantically and are anxious about committing to someone. The author spends a very large amount of time up front letting the reader get to know Nicole and E and they are both really nice people. It’s fun that there is no antagonism between them to work through; they’re fast friends.
Then when they of course fall in love, as one must while faking a romance, they talk themselves out of it time and time, and time again. These two are real fighters. They go 18 heavyweight rounds against their feelings, past the point of annoyance at their love blindness to a sort of open mouthed amazement at how punch drunk two people can be. I found it amusing, in an eye rolling sort of way.
By the time they work through the tire spikes, red lights, steel gates, and traffic barrels of love, I was tired but happy with the conclusion. E and Nicole, and Nicole’s family are people I know I would like and their love story is very satisfying.
This is the second book in a series but it absolutely stands alone. E has had some adventures that I feel I want to read about sometime in the first book.
Cons And Heads Up
None.
The Conclusion
Two women who are not perfect, but are perfect for each other fake date and fall in love. Afraid of losing the deep friendship they have developed along the way, they battle their romantic feelings.
The characters are both likeable and the protective sweetness E bestows on Nicole is oh so romantic. Nicole’s family is a hoot and a lot more supportive of her than she realizes.
Excerpt from The Deal by Sabrina Blaum
E grinned, then sobered. “Are you a trustworthy person?”
Nicole leaned back in her chair. “I’d say yes, but so would an untrustworthy one.”
E nodded. “I got a good feeling about you, so I’ll believe you.”
Heat crept up Nicole’s neck. Business. They were working to hammer out a business deal.
“The equipment I lost for my hobby, well, I brew alcohol, and I had plans, or a dream, to open my own distillery one day.”
“Oh, wow. Brew alcohol, like beer or…moonshine?” Nicole’s eyes widened. E didn’t fit the type of person she thought of when picturing a bootlegger.
“The latter.”
“That’s intriguing.”
“It’s expensive. At least what I have in mind is.”
“Yes, and we’re doing something about that.”
“If we’re compatible.”
“Yes, of course. On to the next question, then. What sort of physical contact would you be comfortable engaging in around my family to sell our relationship?”
“I’m not a super tactile person, unless I’m close to someone, but I’d be fine with holding hands or…” E shrugged. “You mentioned kissing cheeks? But isn’t that kinda more what friends do?”
“I don’t know. I can’t say I’ve had many friends who routinely kissed my cheek.”
“And your girlfriends did?”
Nicole smirked. “No. Their lips usually went elsewhere.” Had she really just said that? She couldn’t even blame it on the alcohol now.
E’s eyebrows rose. “In public?”
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Series
Constellation
The Chase
The Deal
Bits and Bobs
ISBN number: 978-1-7376851-6-6
Publisher: Babette B. Publishing
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