Under His Spell [Large Print]

Under His Spell by Kristin Hardy Silhouette Special Edition # 1786 - October 2006 Holiday Hearts - Book 4 JJ Cooper's a hot shot ski pro on the World Cup circuit. But he's now in his 30's, and even though he's still getting the medals and was ranked second in the World's overall the previous year, the younger skiers are ready to take his place. He has a couple of months left to his rehab from a dislocated shoulder before he can return to his training for the new World Cup season, and puts him in Lainie Trask's vicinity. Lainie had a huge crush on JJ when they were growing up and she used to tag after him and her cousin, Gabe. But as JJ got older and gained celebrity with his skiing, Lainie soon came to realize that she was so far out of JJ's league. Cousin Gabe is getting married and this brings JJ and Lainie back together. JJ finds this all grown up Lainie very interesting and decides to pursue her while he finishes his rehab. Only Lainie thinks that JJ isn't one to stick around for any length of time and she doesn't want to get involved. To her JJ is just a playboy who'll only disappoint her. To JJ's credit, he knows it's time to find direction and perhaps decide on the next career move. Taking up residence near Lainie and getting involved with her neighbours and coworkers, JJ starts to prove to Lainie that he's more than just a pretty boy playboy. And he finds Lainie's life and her friends very appealing. We were first introduced to Lainie and JJ in Gabe's story, Under the Mistletoe and I've been eagerly waiting for their story to be told. . I love the banter between JJ and Lainie. It's witty and sharp and full of chemistry :) I adore Ms. Hardy's characters, esp. her heroes. JJ has always worked very hard to be where he is but he's played hard too. There's alot of positive things to say about a hero who realizes that there's more to life and that contributing to a community has huge rewards. Both JJ and Lainie seem to grow up in this story. JJ's learns to be grounded and Lainie learns that it's okay to let go sometimes and just believe without the proof in front of her.

Lainie Trask has been attracted to JJ Cooper since she was a kid. JJ was older and an amazing skier when he was a teen, so he never paid any attention to Lainie just because she was younger than him. Lainie has always resented him ignoring her and now when JJ is around, which isn't often because he is a world-class skier traveling all over the world now, they bicker and taunt each other. JJ is back in their New Hampshire hometown where Lainie still lives. The sparks fly as soon as they see each other, but this time things are different. There is a sexual tension that was never there before. They lead very different lives and an affair seems impossible. Or is it? Lainie never lost her attraction to JJ, but she is determined to ignore it rather than be another girl lined up to vie for his attention. JJ's persistence pays off and Lainie decides to give their relationship a shot. The more time they spend together, the more her heart gets involved and soon Lainie has to decide if she can live with JJ's wild lifestyle. JJ thinks he knows what he wants, but when Lainie pulls back, he wonders if they'll have what it takes to make it work after all. Under His Spell has exactly what it takes to make the perfect story. JJ is to die for, Lainie is a sweetheart, the storyline is entertaining and the romance is touching. By the end of chapter three I was completely charmed. JJ and Lainie are amazing together. I just adore them. Under His Spell is a moving, romantic, and witty story that had me under its spell from beginning to end! Nannette Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed