The Trouble with Valentines Day [Large Print] (Hardcover)

Gibson chose to stick with the typical stereotypes associated with small towns, small town stores and small town people. Unfortunately, in this novel, it did not work. In fact, it may have been refreshing if she played against the stereotype. It was hard to find the humour in the three "crazed" Worsley brothers who lived alone (and probably always would) or the extremely lame poetry night (the town's biggest source of entertainment). Gibson chose to point out that this was an NRA-positive town, everyone owned guns -- but didn't have to use them. And it went on and on and on with any other small town stereotype that you can think of. There may have been ways to make the situation amusing, but she did not find any of them.

As for the lead characters, Kate and Rob, their relationship was very confusing. Rob said that his previous relationship with his ex-wife did not work out because, although the sex was always great, they couldn't get along outside of the bedroom. Did no one else see the same parallels with his and Kate's relationship? Only in the last 100 pages did they attempt to go on a date (fly fishing, that's how they do it in the small towns?), but Gibson never really showed them interacting on any level other than sex.

Kate, unfortunately, also fell into the "stereotype" trap of the women who could "do it all" for herself and never allowed anyone to help her with anything. This, of course, makes her a "non-people" person because capable people are unfriendly. And, although she initially came to Gospel to help her grandfather out, you never really got the impression from him that she did.

The one thing that Gibson can always deliver on are the sex scenes, which are frequent and steamy. I do find it unrealistic that they would go at it on Rob's front counter in his store, but hey, maybe nobody walks by a window in a small town anymore?

Overall, this book was disappointing. I am only giving it three stars based on Rachel Gibson's past performance. If I had never read any of her books before, I would have probably given it two stars.

If you have never read a Rachel Gibson book, skip this one and read "See Jane Score". It is funny, briskly paced, romantic ... everything that you want from one of her books!

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