Made the Grade: Made for Marriage by Helen Lacey

Format: Paperback | Pages: 216 | Release Date: January 2012 | Publisher: Harlequin Special Edition | Obtained: Elizabeth City Area Convention & Visitors Bureau's Book Exchange

"Made for Marriage" by Helen Lacey

My Book Summary : Calliope (Callie) has moved to Australia (the country her father was from) in hopes of escaping her past. She has started an equestrian riding school, something she has wanted to do for a long time, and settles into her new life. A life she is very happy with until a new riding student, Lily (a girl who is trying to sort out some problems of her own), and Lily's father, Noah, come barreling into it. They both make her feel things she'd rather not think about and makes her deal with her past that she really doesn't want to deal with. Can Noah, with the help of his children, breakthrough the barriers that Callie keeps around herself so they all might be able to be together for the long haul or will Callie decide that giving up what she could have be better than letting others get close?

My Book Review : 3.5 out of 5 stars, this dynamic book was one I didn't want to put down!! Callie and Noah's pasts are what keeps them from getting into any type of new relationship, but once they meet each other their chemistry flies off the page and even though Callie really doesn't want to get over her past mistakes/grievances Noah makes her do so without even trying. I really loved them as a couple! Plus, this story has such fun secondary characters! From Lily (a thirteen-year-old girl who still can't get over the mother who abandoned her four years ago) to Evie (Noah's sister who acts like a mother hen when it comes to Noah and his children) and the rest of Noah's family to their friends (Fiona and Cameron), I just couldn't get enough of everyone. Therefore, I cannot WAIT for the next books to come out by this author (Evie's story "Marriage Under The Mistletoe" in November 2012 & Fiona's story in early 2013).

I recommend this book to everyone who likes contemporary romance novels!!

Book Teaser(s) :

"Who is that?" Cameron asked.
"Fiona."
Cameron raised his eyebrows. "I meant her friend with the great legs."
"Callie Jones," Noah replied quietly.
Cameron chuckled. "The horse lady? Very nice. No wonder you've been keeping her to yourself."
"That's not what I've been doing."
"Sure it is." Cameron smiled. "Shall we go over so you can introduce me?"
"No."
"I just wanna talk to her."
Noah stood perfectly still. "Hard to talk without teeth."
Cameron laughed loudly and began walking toward them. "Okay, I get the message," he said once Noah caught up. "But introduce me anyway."
He did so begrudgingly. ~ within Chapter 4

"I'm so sorry, Fee."
Fiona managed a brittle smile. "I guess what I'm saying is that we all have things in our past that can stop us from looking for happiness or make us blind to it when it comes along. The trick is having the courage to take the chance." ~ within Chapter 7

For more information on this book, series, and/or any other books by Helen, then please check out her website.