Book Review: The Critic by Dyanne Davis

First let me start by saying how much I have enjoyed reading Mrs. Davis books though out the years. One thing you can always count on with a Dyanne Davis novel, it’s never the same as the one before. Mrs. Davis consistently delivers stories that are compelling, insightful, and bring to life real character with real issues. Warts and all, no two stories are alike. Which is refreshing, in an age of cookie cutter, by the book romance novels.

Second, I didn’t just sit down and devour this book in one sitting. No, I took the time to read every word. Some times out loud. Now you may ask yourself, what kind nut case takes three month to read a 229 page book? Well I did and I enjoyed every word, phrase and paragraph. Down to the last punctuation mark.

Now on to the review:

Toreas Rose is an aspiring writer who has fallen in lust with local talk show host and book critic, Jared Stone. And who wouldn’t, Jared Stone is one fine brother. Every day she tunes in to his show just to watch him on her small screen. The one sided relationship is blissful, that is until one day Toreas turns the sound up and gets an earful of Jared bashing romance writers and the books they write.

Outraged Toreas goes with a group of her book club member to appear on Jared’s show. But instead of giving him a piece of her mind, she punches him in the gut with an unexpected result.

Turns out Jared blames romance writers for ruining his life. So as a way of getting revenge or venting his anger, he begins taking potshots at romance writers on his show. But after his encounter with Toreas Rose, Jared finds he can’t stop thinking about her and can’t figure for the life him why he’s so drawn to her, a romance writer of all things. Toreas appearance on his show not only fuels his ratings, but his desire for her as well.

Toreas has had to live with critics all her life, seen and unseen. It’s the reason she moved three states away from her parents. She’s given herself to two years to prove herself as a writer with the finical backing and blessing of her father. But her time is nearing an end and Toreas is no closer to fulfilling her dream. That is until Jared places himself squarely in her life and brings out not only her writing muse, but Jared also brings out her awareness of herself as a woman. Even their constant arguing is a form of foreplay.

I found myself laughing out loud at the subtle humor in this book and the way it took on the notion of how true romance should be written.

If you’re looking for a book filled with passion, lust, skin, sin, and heaving bosoms. Keep looking.

If you want to read a story about two real people who take you along on their journey of discovering true love. With romance, lots of laughs, some sighs, and a few tears thrown in. Then read this book and savor each page. I promise you it’s worth the trip.

Well done, Mrs. Davis, very well done indeed.

A.M. Wells