Of all of the fiction genres, probably none takes as hard of a hit from critics as romance, which is kind of unfortunate since some writers are very talented, capable of making their readers laugh and cry and escape into a world where the greatest angst is whether he’ll call or not. Also, if you’ve ever tried to write a full-length novel, regardless of genre, and failed, you immediately admire anyone who succeeds and writes a book that is enjoyed and that perhaps helps you escape for just a little while some of life’s harder realities.

Barbie Bohrman’s Something More Than This reminds me of Harlequin’s category romances that I used to read with an almost formulaic (not a bad thing) combination of romance, humor, plot and sex.

Katy is a sports reporter for a small Florida-based newspaper. She’s chosen a profession in which men excel and has had to prove herself along the way. Her editor-in-chief, Dylan, was the editor of her college newspaper, which she started working on as a Freshman. So, not only has she had to demonstrate her capabilities as a female sports reporter, but she’s also had to deal with colleagues believing that she has her current job and their perceived special perks because Dylan is her best friend.

According to Katy’s other best friend since high school and roommate, Mimi, Dylan is more than just her best friend and boss; he’s also in love with her. This Katy doesn’t believe.

Enter Connor, Katy’s best friend in junior high and a bit beyond, the boy she had a crush on and who ultimately rejected her before he went off to college. Now it seems like Katy can turn back the clock and have something with Connor, but what are her feelings for Dylan?

Something More Than This is well-written and charming, with a nice rapport between the characters. There are several fun scenes and some heat; and while the reader probably knows what is going to happen, Bohrman makes the journey fun. By the end, you’ll be rooting for Katy and her romance.

I was provided with an ARC from NetGalley for an honest review.

Something More Than This was published today!

From Amazon: Something More Than This

Rating:  (4 out of 5 butterflies)