Book Review: Start With Me by Kara Isaac

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What is this book about?

Lacey O’Connor is finally a sure thing for the promotion she’s spent ten years working for. But when a scandal rocks her firm she finds herself on a collision course with the one person she has spent six years trying to forget. Only to discover he doesn’t even remember her…

Victor Carlisle has spent the last three years trying to convince his family he’s no longer the playboy alcoholic who tore their life apart. When a company merger is announced with a US sister firm, he’s presented with the perfect opportunity to prove he’s changed. Only to find himself falling for his competition and the one woman his family will never accept.

As the competition intensifies the choice looms between the professional and the personal. Can they find a way beyond their past decisions and present aspirations to take a chance on the one thing they’re not looking for?

My review:

A strong ambitious businesswoman and a former playboy now reformed? That sounds like it packs quite a punch, doesn’t it? I’m happy to say that the author delivers very nicely on that promise. Sparks were flying from the moment Victor and Lacey were on the same page together. Probably should have been wearing oven mitts to read this story. 😉

Yes, Victor was a playboy. Very much so from the way everyone looked down on him. And yes, he was an alcoholic who selfishly tore apart his family’s lives. He was a cad, no doubt about it. But when we meet him, he had been working for several years to reform his ways and make amends. The man he had become by the time he stepped into this story was one that I admired and rooted for. I loved the redemptive thread for him.

Now Lacey was a little harder for me to warm up to. She was a very tough, no-nonsense, ‘didn’t need anyone’, kind of person. But getting to know what drove her and watching her dysfunctional relationships gave me a good understanding for the shell she retreated into.

The best part? That Lacey and Victor, with all of their faults, still brought out the best in each other. I also loved the inspirational thread that was woven through with two people who didn’t know much about God but managed to find the message of His grace and forgiveness.

What I enjoyed most about this book:

Victor’s flawed, but humble fight to do the right thing for all of his loved ones.

What I didn’t like about this book:

The end was just a little too fast for me. It was a happy one, but I guess I just wasn’t ready to let go of Lacey and Victor. Will they show up in another story perhaps?

Would I recommend this book to others? Yes. These were definitely flawed characters but their romance had loads of chemistry and the inspirational thread was nicely done. This book is not listed as part of a series per se, but it is the third book written about a related group of people. It can be read as a standalone, although now I need to go back and read the other two books about Lacey and Victor’s friends.

Where can I learn more about this author and their books?

Kara Isaac, author website

Note: I received this book complimentary as a participant in the JustReads reviewer tour. I was not required to give a positive review. All of the opinions I have expressed here are honest and my own.

-Loraine Nunley

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