Yours for the Taking

There’s only one way for Ben Walsh to inherit the ranch from his grandfather – get married, something he has no interest in doing. So he proposes to a woman who’s even more commitment-phobic. Gina Reyez is also willing to do whatever it takes to secure her future, money-wise, and ten million dollars buys her cooperation in what’s going to be strictly a business deal.

Plus, she thinks he’s gay.

The marriage-of-convenience trope still works, even in contemporary novels like Robin Kaye’s Yours for the Taking
, and I liked the fact that Ben and Gina were clear from the start about their expectations in their marriage. Well, clear other than Ben not correcting her impression of which team he plays for, though that’s sorted out quickly after they inadvertently share a bed. But Gina also has to deal with Ben’s family, cope with an increasingly intimate relationship and hide the real reason she married him – the reason she needs his money.

The family contributed to the sheer number of characters, which could be confusing, especially since some have similar names. Ben’s cousins are Hunter, Trapper and Fisher, while Gina’s sister is Tina. Ben and Gina are also a little bit too perfect. Ben, as well as being filthy rich, is handsome, accomplished and a marvelous cook. The blurb on the back starts with “He might be too good to be true”, and he was indeed.

As for Gina, she was a bit too uber-hot. I like heroines to be attractive, but when the narrative as well as every male character comments on this, it becomes difficult to sympathize with them. She’s had a rough past, though, and it was easy to see why she would keep Ben at arm’s length – which she does until that secrecy backfires.

So in conclusion, this is an easy read that makes up in pacing and style what it lacks in characterization. I’d probably pick up another Robin Kaye novel – especially if it was about Rafael, Gina’s brother.

This novel was sent to me for a review by Sourcebooks and is a mass market paperback, $7.99 for 384 pages.