Marked with Thompson’s characteristic humor and sensuality, Mr. Valentine is a romance treat for anyone looking for something fun to read for Valentine’s Day.
Rating:
Published: 1997
Illustrator: TBD
Imprint or Line: Harlequin Temptation #624
Published by: Harlequin
Genres: Category Romance, Contemporary Romance
Pages: 224
Format: Paperback
Buy on: Amazon, AbeBooks
Reviewed by: Introvert Reader
MILD SPOILERS 😉
The Book
Mr. Valentine by Vicki Lewis Thompson is a Harlequin Temptation series romance, #624. Published in February 1997, it was Thompson’s 25th book.
Marked with Thompson’s characteristic humor and sensuality, Mr. Valentine is a romance treat for anyone looking for something fun to read for Valentine’s Day.
The Hero
Our Mr. Valentine is Jack Killigan, who is an honest-to-goodness nice guy–and by nice guy, I don’t mean “nice guy,” but a genuinely decent human being. I can’t stand how the term has been co-opted to mean its opposite because I really adore nice-guy heroes.
Jack’s a sweet man whom most women would love to introduce to their girlfriends but maybe wouldn’t exactly think of dating themselves. While he isn’t a wimpy guy, he (OMG) wears glasses. Jack works out and has a manual labor job that requires him to be fit, but he doesn’t have a high financial or social status. He is kind and respectful to women but lacks the lucre many ladies are drawn to.
Certainly not the woman he secretly desires: his best buddy, Krysta Luekenhoff. She has him placed as an orbiter in the dreaded “friend-zone.”
The Plot
Jack is a regular guy with a regular job. On a whim, Jack had written a romance novel for a writing contest and submitted it under the pen name Candy Valentine. (Come on, the days of romance novelists using those porn star names are long gone. It’s the heroes and heroines with those types of names!)
He is elated when he discovers his book is the winner and will be printed by a big publisher. Then Jack realizes the publishers want him to promote the book on a national tour, and instantly deflates because he can’t possibly market a romance novel as a male romance writer!
o he turns to Krysta, his BFF, tells her the truth, and convinces her to pose as Candy for the week.
Along the way, Krysta wonders about Jack and his steamy novel. She’s shocked by what she reads on the pages. Is it possible that Jack is as good in bed in real life as he is in his writings?
On the other hand, Jack is still in love with Krysta–why? I don’t know. She is a complainer, nagger, and big old Miss Know it All. Yet Jack looks at her through love goggles.
Krysta’s curiosity turns into desire; over time, they fall into bed and then into love.
There are obstacles along the way. There always are! But rest assured, Krysta realizes the treasure of a man she has. She intends to keep him around for life while giving him plenty of ideas for sexy love scenes for his new books.
Steam Factor
Like any standard Temptation, Mr. Valentine has a nice level of heat, not too euphemistic, with the right amount of romance.
Final Analysis of Mr. Valentine
Vicki Lewis Thompson’s Mr. Valentine is a delightful mix of humor and romance. The unique aspect of a regular working guy who happens to write romance novels is a nice change of pace “from the millionaire/ billionaire/ royalty/ businessmen heroes in Harlequins.
Jack is a fusion of a “Beta” with just a touch of “Alpha” male who is both relatable and sweet. The chemistry between Jack and Krysta is electric, and their transition from friends to lovers is a journey worth taking. Despite some of Krysta’s annoyingly bossy nature, their relationship still makes for a delightful and heartwarming read.
Mr. Valentine is a hilarious romance that engages readers with its endearing character–well, Jack, at least. Overall, this Harlequin Temptation is a great Valentine’s Day romance, full of humor, romance, and heart.
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Synopsis
Romance author Candy Valentine is actually the very rugged, very masculine Jack Killigan. But nobody knows that—including his publisher! So when Jack discovers he’s just been signed up to do a book tour, he’s stuck…until he convinces his best friend, Krysta Luekenhoff, to be “Candy” for the week. Only, between sharing hotel rooms and reading Jack’s steamy novel, Krysta’s curiosity is at a fever pitch. Can Jack make love as well as he writes it? There’s only one way to find out…
Mr. Valentine by Vicki Lewis Thompson