Hands On by Christina Crooks
Contemporary Romance
November 16, 2010
E-Book
Samhain

Reviewed by Tori

Favorite Quote:”He’d like to warm her with a hug. A big naked hug.”

Ginnie Anderson, a down on her luck puppeteer, is convinced that her life is falling down around her-literally. When her home collapses in a heavy rainstorm, she is put out by having to accept her sexy landlord’s offer of temporary shelter and her attraction to him.
Harry Barrett is a multi millionaire who’s success is largely based on his motto of never making the same mistake twice. When he comes to the aid of Ginnie Andersen he is shocked to finds himself wanting to make the same mistake over and over-preferably with her.

Ginnie has left her controlling abusive boyfriend and has come to Oregon to start a new life. But fate has other plans when she loses her job due to lack of funding and her house collapses on her. Ginnie is sweet, humorous, somewhat flaky, puppeteer who’s life has always been controlled by someone. When she breaks free to live her life on her terms, she develops some controlling issues of her own. When Harry, her landlord, arrives to save the day and offers her a place to stay, Ginnie is amazed by the intense attraction she feels for him.

Harry Barrett is a gorgeous multi millionaire who went into seclusion when a past affair almost ruined his life. He is determined to never allow emotion to cloud his judgment again. When the property manager he hires rents out an unstable home he races to get the tenant out. Almost too late, he arrives just in time and much to his surprise…he wants Ginnie. Now. So he invites her to his home to recuperate and one thing leads to another. But Harry isn’t ready for anything long term and tells this to Ginnie from day one.

For a short novella-125 pages-Ms. Crooks produces an engaging and sweet romance. In a fairy tale-esque setting we given a light erotic read featuring two controlling people who’s pasts have tainted their prospective on life and love. The very beginning read somewhat forced and awkward for me. As we get to know Ginnie and Harry I found their story to be sweet though a bit underdeveloped in places.

Ginnie and Harry are both enjoyable in their personalities and Ms. Crooks fleshes them out nicely-though I felt more of a connection with Harry then Ginnie. Both are set on controlling their own lives but Harry comes across more believable while Ginnie seems lost one moment then really pushy the next. As we read into their backgrounds you are able to understand why they are the way they are and it makes more sense and I began to enjoy Ginnie more.

The love scenes between them are short but steamy and insightful.
The secondary characters add depth and help move the story along at a smooth pace.

Harry’s obeisance and paranoia became an issue with me towards the end. While I understand his reasons, he exhibits some cruel and callous behavior that hurts Ginnie a lot and it seemed rather unnecessary. My heart hurt for her. I’m not sure I would have been as forgiving as her; but the emotions you feel coming from him when he realizes just what he’s done are pretty intense. He does make it up to her and the ending is sweet and fulfilling.

Rating: C

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