Dear Ms. Kilby,
I know I’m not alone in dreading the thought of getting that first line of the book blurb delivered to me. Years ago in an episode of “Roseanne,” she and her husband Dan were trying to get their taxes done and every time the IRS was mentioned, there was this ominous Da Da DUUUUUM! music played in the background. But on the other hand, I love to see accountants made sexy so the same blurb made me want to dive right into this one.
From your author bio, I noticed that you’re Canadian yet the book, the last in a trilogy that I want to go back and read the first two at some point, is set in Australia. What? Are there no hot accountants in Canada? There must be. Show of hands- who knows an accountant from Canada they’d jump in a heartbeat? All right, enough joking and playful banter. I’ll get to the review.
I’ve been reading romances for years and there are few tropes I’ve not come across nor ways into or out of conflict. Usually I see the resolution coming from a mile away and can almost write it myself. I’m used to characters being presented with potentially awful outcomes yet somehow things miraculously come about. Here, I honestly didn’t know what you were going to do and how things would turn out. The twists and turns actually surprised me and made me amazed at the risks you’ve taken in a romance book. I’ll bet that some people aren’t going to like the reality that you slap the characters with but I found it refreshing. I will issue a warning that people who have had trouble conceiving might want to think hard about reading this book. That’s all I’ll say.
One of the main conflicts in the book is that he’s a practical accountant while she’s a new age artist. So it was important to me that we see Lexie and Rafe at work and that this is an integral part of the story. For Lexie it’s ‘being blocked,’ sketching to clear her mind, dreaming of the inspiration for the background of her current painting, and how much effort she puts into not only the actual art work but also getting it ready for show.
Rafe has his spreadsheets, receipts and computing. There isn’t as much of him as fisherman but you do include his methodical hunt for the perfect boat. I like the
interesting twist about Rafe and his job – the guy has a heart about audits and it costs him. His dream comes at a price and the dream isn’t springing into being full fledged and perfect from the start. It’s another reality check but so different from usual “character takes a chance and everything works out instantly.”
Another conflict in the story is the age difference. It’s a big one – twelve years. You have some fun with it though. I love that Lexie is sexually secure and willing to go for it and tell Rafe what she wants and when. And even though Rafe initially sees it as her offering favors for a better audit, they have fun in bed as well as great sex.
Rafe doesn’t act all noble about the sudden pregnancy entering his life. He acts trapped – like a 26 year old single man with dreams might. He says some awful things to Lexie which they’ll have to get over yet he’s honest with her about how he feels instead of lying about it. And then he does come through with the child ceremony which I thought was touching.
The book has a lot of humor too but it’s the low key, natural style I adore. The scenes of Lexie’s mother Hetty asking Rafe for a man’s advice about her marriage and how to spice it up are hilarious. And while I don’t think Rafe’s ever going to go for peppermint tea, he likes the crystals in Lexie’s windows. I love her cats, Yin and Yang.
I love the sexiness, love the humor, love the fact that the characters don’t just fall into the prescribed romance patterns. Rafe really isn’t ready to be a parent yet and no amazing sonogram is going to change that. There are no instant parental bonding moments here where nature takes over. Let me just say “wow” about that. Lexie wants to be a parent but the timing is off for her too with her career demands. Will these two make it work? Who knows but as they say, the odds are 50/50 anyway and they could be in love, could still be together despite age difference. I also love that they are realistic about the odds and things stacked against their long term survival. Though those are a bit sobering the fact that they’re still trying despite everything says something. They are attracted but do want more than just the great sex that they have.
The story has bittersweet accents – Rafe’s parents and his father losing his dream while his mother got her’s in a different way. Lexie just might never be able to have children at her age. The fishing charter business will need a lot of effort to work out. Hetty and Steve are still working on their marriage. But last page seems very optimistic to me. B for a book I’m very glad I took a chance on.
Reviewed by juliemt at Cataromance:
Rafe Ellersley hates his job as a tax inspector. He’s grown weary of the stress and pressure of his soul-destroying job and is saving up to get enough money together to open up a small fishing business. When his boss sends him to the coastal town of Summerside to audit Lexie Thatcher, Rafe is delighted. Not that he’s got to yet again destroy somebody else’s life, but that he’s going to have the chance to indulge in his passion for fishing. Rafe has never met Lexie, but judging by her file, she is a flighty artist who is unable to manage her finances – and who is probably about to get a hefty fine. Rafe is determined to keep his emotions at bay whilst doing this audit – until he knocks on Lexie’s door… Having the Australian tax office on her case is the last thing Lexie needs. With an important painting to finish and her parents’ marriage breaking down in front of her very eyes, being told that she owes the government thousands and thousands of dollars– or else risk going to jail – is hardly music to her ears. But even more disconcerting is the fact that thirty-eight year old Lexie is falling for her twenty-six year old tax inspector! When Rafe had come to Summerside to audit Lexie, romance was the last thing on his mind, but despite his better judgment, he has found himself falling for scatty, absent-minded and capricious Lexie. When sizzling attraction gives way to undeniable passion, Lexie and Rafe quickly tumble into bed. But what neither of them realize is that their night of love is going to have irrevocable consequences… Do Lexie and Rafe stand a chance of going the distance? Or are the odds stacked against them? Two Against the Odds is an outstanding contemporary romance from this immensely talented writer. Believable, beautifully rendered and thought-provoking, Two Against the Odds is a captivating page-turner full of hope, warmth, humour, and heart that will keep readers engrossed until the very last page. Joan Kilby is an amazing writer who really gets under the skin of her characters. She doesn’t write about perfect people, but about humane, three-dimensional and richly drawn protagonists who leap off the pages and who come vividly to life. Lexie is a wonderful heroine who is very easy to relate to; whereas Rafe is a kind-hearted, believable and adorable hero readers will just love. Fall under the magical spell of Summerside and Joan Kilby with Two Against the Odds, a heartwarming, uplifting and inspirational love story you will never forget!
Lexie Thatcher had given up a safe, boring but very well-paid job as a teacher in order to indulge her passion for painting by becoming an artist. Although this change of career was fulfilling and satisfying on a personal level, financially Lexie soon realized that life as an artist was no bed of roses. Money is tight, expenses are high and problems are constant, yet Lexie is determined not to give up on her dream of making her living as a freelance artist. However, Lexie is adamant that she will not spend the rest of her working life scrimping and saving. For the past few months, she’s been working on a portrait of her sister in law which she plans to enter in a prestigious arts competition. If Lexie wins, she could win a substantial amount of money that could put an end to her financial worries. Lexie had planned to spend the coming weeks concentrating wholly on her painting. But, little does she realize that she’s about to get a visit from the Australian Tax Office that could land her in a whole heap of trouble.