After the Party, or How to Balance a Protective Hero with a Sassy Heoine

You’re cordially invited to...

Ella Sanborn loves a good party. Back in her socialite days she used to be the life and soul of them! Now, however, Ella’s on the other side of the invitation – organising parties rather than attending them. But Ella’s no quitter. She’ll become New York’s premier events planner even if it kills her! Which working with strait-laced new client Chase Trumbull might well do...

Chase has been too busy saving his family’s business to find much to laugh about recently. He might have agreed to throw a themed party, but that doesn’t mean he’s off duty just yet! Until he meets Ella. Something about her tempts him to loosen his tie, take off his suit jacket and finally have some fun...

It’s always interesting when you meet a side-character who tugs at your heart strings just as much as the main characters.  Chase’s grandfather has a form of dementia which means that as Ella and Chase’s relationship develops we see his memory disintegrating.  Heart-breaking.  Braun creates a thought-provoking portrayal of the effects of dementia on families as well as on the patients themselves.

At the same time, the chemistry between the two main characters builds and builds, culminating in sex on a sideboard and any number of sizzling scenes.

I think what really touched me about this was Chase’s protective streak.  Before he even realises that he’s falling for Ella, he comes to her defense when faced with the stepmother-from-hell and almost has a coronary over the fact that the entrance to her building seems to permanently be prompted open with a brick.

Chase’s protectiveness stems more from his burgeoning feelings, and is more about caring for Ella than trying to control what she does.  The one time he oversteps the line – hiring someone to make sure that she doesn’t mess up planning his grandfather’s party – she puts him firmly in his place.

I love my women sassy, strong and overcoming the past, and Ella’s the epitome of this.  A fantastically strong woman who doesn’t need a man to define herself, it just so happens that Chase is so lovely she can’t help herself.

Our Mills & Boon Boy Tony seemed just as impressed...