Project and content management for Contemporary Authors volumes
WORK TITLE: Acting on Impulse
WORK NOTES:
PSEUDONYM(S):
BIRTHDATE:
WEBSITE: https://www.miasosa.com/
CITY:
STATE: MD
COUNTRY: United States
NATIONALITY: American
Married with 2 daughters.
RESEARCHER NOTES:
LC control no.: no2016001416
LCCN Permalink: https://lccn.loc.gov/no2016001416
HEADING: Sosa, Mia
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370 __ |a New York (State) |e Maryland |2 naf
374 __ |a Authors |a Lawyers |2 lcsh
375 __ |a female
377 __ |a eng
670 __ |a Sosa, Mia. Unbuttoning the CEO, 2015: |b title page (Mia Sosa) page 243 (About the author. Mia Sosa was born and raised in New York. She attended the University of Pennsylvania, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in communications; graduate of Yale Law School, Mia practiced First Amendment and media law in Washington, D.C. for ten years; now, she spends most of her days writing contemporary romances; lives in Maryland)
PERSONAL
Born in New York, NY; married; two daughters.
EDUCATION:University of Pennsylvnia, bachelor’s degree; Yale Law School, law degree.
ADDRESS
CAREER
Writer. Practiced media and First Amendment law in Washington, DC, for ten years.
WRITINGS
SIDELIGHTS
Mia Sosa practiced law for a decade before becoming an author of contemporary romance novels. She had long been a fan of the genre. “I can’t pinpoint the year when I read my first romance novel, but I know I had a stash of Harlequin romances during my middle school years,” she wrote on her home page, adding: “Neither college nor law school could deter me from reading romances.” Her books include the “Suits Undone” series, about love with high-ranking executives, and the “Love on Cue” series, set in the world of show business. “My first book was published in December 2015, so I am by no means a seasoned pro, but today, I’m more comfortable with my place in the romance industry because I’ve finally accepted that I’ll never be able to please everyone,” she told John Charles in an online interview at Booklist Reader. “My focus is on finding the readers who will love my stories as much as I do. Some readers will enjoy my writing and some won’t, and either outcome is okay. After all, I’m a romance reader too, so I’m on board with people falling in love with books even if those books aren’t mine.” She does, however, often get positive feedback. A particularly rewarding moment, she told Joyce Lamb at USA Today‘s Happy Ever After blog, came when a reviewer said one of Sosa’s books had inspired her “to get out of her comfort zone and chase her own dream.” Sosa explained: “I love that people get a few hours of enjoyment when they read my books, but to touch someone on a personal level like that? I’m touched beyond words.”
Acting on Impulse
Acting on Impulse, the first book in the “Love on Cue” series tells the story of a Hollywood actor and a fitness trainer who fall in love while vacationing in Aruba. The actor, Carter Stone, lost forty pounds and grew a beard for his most recent film role, so the trainer, Tori Alvarez, does not recognize him, and he gives her his real name, Carter Williamson, not the name he uses as an actor. Tori has just been through a bad breakup with an ambitious politician back home in Philadelphia; he announced on a radio show that he was single. She has vowed not to seek romance on her vacation, but she finds she cannot help flirting with Carter. He is instantly attracted to her, and they become involved, first as trainer and client, as she agrees to help him rebuild his physique, and then as friends taking steps toward love. When Carter’s true identity is revealed, however, Tori feels betrayed–plus the last thing she wanted, after her experience with the politician, was another relationship with a public figure. She calls off the romance, and returns to Philadelphia, but Carter fortuitously has a career-related reason to be there, and he is determined to win Tori back. The story is told from the alternating viewpoints of the couple.
Several reviewers deemed the book engaging and enjoyable. “Acting on Impulse is an entertaining slow burn romance,” remarked a contributor to the Harlequin Junkie website. “Mia Sosa provided conflict, humor, heat, and banter while building the anticipation.” This critic also praised the secondary characters–friends, relatives, and colleagues of the protagonists. So did an online commentator at Smexy Books, who noted: “Tori and Carter both have interesting families and I enjoyed the time we got with them. Additionally the cast is diverse and that makes me happy.” Tori, for instance is from a Puerto Rican family, and the novel explores aspects of her culture; she is also dedicated to making her exercise programs accessible to all, regardless of age, body type, or ability. The Smexy Books reviewer further commended Sosa’s writing style and the chemistry between Tori and Carter. A Kirkus Reviews contributor described Acting on Impulse as a “charming, witty, and consistently funny” novel that “will get readers invested in the sharply etched secondary characters.” The critic added: “Sosa hits all the right notes by weaving a uniformly entertaining story that effortlessly unpacks several socially relevant themes.” A reviewer at the All About Romance website concluded: “The story moves along at an enjoyable pace, with lots of laughs and a few emotional scenes. … Acting on Impulse is a genuinely delightful and sexy romance and I’m excited to continue the series!”
Pretending He's Mine
Pretending He’s Mine focuses on Carter’s sister, Ashley Williamson, and his agent and best friend, Julian Hart. Carter and Ashley have been friends with Julian since high school, and Ashley has had a crush on Julian for years. Julian is hyper-focused on business, though, especially on representing Carter, who has become a major star, and advocating for racial diversity in Hollywood productions. When Ashley is kicked out of her apartment because of problems with her roommate’s boyfriend, Julian reluctantly allows her to stay with him; he regards the vivacious, free-spirited flight attendant as something of a distraction, although he is attracted to her as well. Carter and Tori are planning to get married during a Williamson family reunion in Connecticut, and Ashley and Julian decide that at the event, they should pretend they are a couple, as Ashley is tired of her family nagging her about finding someone. They start to acknowledge their mutual attraction, but their different approaches to life pose obstacles.
Some reviewers considered Pretending He’s Mine another winning romance from Sosa. It “puts a refreshingly modern and funny spin on the traditional idea that opposites attract,” remarked a Kirkus Reviews contributor, who further praised the novel for its “socially relevant threads, like whitewashing in the entertainment industry.” A critic at the Scandalicious Book Reviews website also said these threads enhanced her enjoyment of the book, along with the characters’ diversity–Julian, for instance, is African American–and the fact that they are fully fleshed out. “They are all ordinary but dignified people with normal joys and conflicts and no crazy stereotypes that make my eyes roll,” the reviewer explained. The Kirkus Reviews commentator added that Pretending He’s Mine succeeds in conventional romance novel terms as well: “Witty banter and sexual chemistry blend together to concoct a compelling romance story.”
BIOCRIT
PERIODICALS
Kirkus Reviews, September 15, 2017, review of Acting on Impulse; March 15, 2018, review of Pretending He’s Mine.
ONLINE
All About Romance, https://allaboutromance.com/ (December 18, 2017), review of Acting on Impulse.
Avon Romance website, http://www.avonromance.com/ (June 13, 2018), brief biography.
Booklist Reader, https://www.booklistreader.com/ (September 19, 2017), John Charles, “Acting on Impulse: 10 Questions for Mia Sosa.”
Dear Author, http://dearauthor.com/ (June 11, 2018), review of Acting on Impulse.
Happy Ever After, https://happyeverafter.usatoday.com/ (April 13, 2018), Joyce Lamb, interview with Mia Sosa.
Harlequin Junkie, http://harlequinjunkie.com/ (September 19, 2017), review of Acting on Impulse.
Mia Sosa website, http://www.miasosa.com (June 13, 2018).
Scandalicious Book Reviews, http://www.scandaliciousbookreviews.com/ (June 13, 2018), review of Pretending He’s Mine
Smart Bitches Trashy Books, http://smartbitchestrashybooks.com/ (September 27, 2017), review of Acting on Impulse.
Smexy Books, http://smexybooks.com/ (September 27, 2017), review of Acting on Impulse.
Quoted in Sidelights: “I can’t pinpoint the year when I read my first romance novel, but I know I had a stash of Harlequin romances during my middle school years,” “Neither college nor law school could deter me from reading romances.”
About Me
Author photo - resized
I’m a contemporary romance author.
Not descriptive enough? Yeah, I figured as much.
To be honest, I can’t pinpoint the year when I read my first romance novel, but I know I had a stash of Harlequin romances during my middle school years. And I remember hiding said romances behind the covers of my Menudo magazines (if you’re not familiar with the boy band Menudo, picture young Ricky Martin in spandex—lots of spandex).
Neither college nor law school could deter me from reading romances, and I’m certain my voracious reading negatively affected how much I absorbed from my classes. In fact, for years, I thought the phrase “talk softly and carry a big stick” was dating advice. Ahem.
In my former life, I practiced law in the nation’s capital. Now that I no longer brave the treacherous commute to D.C., I have ample time to hone my craft and plot stories about smart women and the complicated men who love them. Okay, I’ll be real here: I wear PJs all day and watch more reality television than a network television censor—all in the name of research, of course.
Official Bio
Mia Sosa is an award-winning contemporary romance writer and 2015 Romance Writers of America® Golden Heart® Finalist. Her books have received praise and recognition from Kirkus Reviews, Booklist, Library Journal (starred reviews), The Washington Post, Bustle, and more.
Book Riot listed her debut, Unbuttoning the CEO, on its list of 100 Must-Read Romantic Comedies, and Booklist recently called her “the new go-to author for fans of sassy and sexy contemporary romances.”
A former First Amendment and media lawyer, Mia practiced for more than a decade before trading her suits for loungewear (okay, okay, they’re sweatpants). Now she strives to write fun and flirty stories about imperfect characters finding their perfect match.
Mia lives in Maryland with her husband, their two daughters, and an adorable puppy that finally sleeps through the night. For more information about Mia and her books, visit www.miasosa.com.
Mia Sosa
Biography
Mia Sosa
was born and raised in New York City. She attended the University of Pennsylvania, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Communications and met her own romance hero (spoiler alert: she married him). Mia once dreamed of being a professional singer, but practical considerations (read: the need to generate income) led her to take the law school admissions test instead.
A graduate of Yale Law School, Mia practiced First Amendment and media law in the nation’s capital for ten years before returning to her creative roots. Now she spends most of her days writing contemporary romances about imperfect characters finding their perfect match. Mia lives in Maryland with her husband and two daughters and will forever be on the hunt for the perfect karaoke bar.
Quoted in Sidelights: “to get out of her comfort zone and chase her own dream.” Sosa added: “I love that people get a few hours of enjoyment when they read my books, but to touch someone on a personal level like that? I’m touched beyond words.”
Joyce: Welcome to HEA, Mia! Please tell us a bit about your new release, Pretending He’s Mine.
Mia: My latest book is Pretending He’s Mine, the second stand-alone book in my Love on Cue series. It’s a fun, flirty romance about a by-the-books Hollywood agent, Julian, who falls for his best friend’s younger sister, Ashley, a free-spirited woman who enjoys ruffling Julian’s feathers. The real complication is that Julian’s best friend is also his most prominent client, and Julian doesn’t want to jeopardize his career. But when Julian agrees to pretend to be Ashley’s boyfriend for a hometown wedding, he struggles to remember their relationship isn’t real. It’s a bunch of tropey goodness: best friend’s sibling, forced proximity and a pretend relationship. I’ll tell you this: Expect shenanigans.
Joyce: Do you write by the seat of your pants, or do you carefully plot your stories?
Mia: When I first started writing, I had all the time in the world to meander through the creative process. I was a “pantser,” as opposed to a plotter, so I wrote pages and pages before the story would reveal itself to me. Now my process is driven by deadlines, so I can’t pick lint out of my navel and eat M&M’s all day (sad, I know). If I did, I’d never finish a book. Now I begin with the basic premise and a rough outline of the major plot points, and I devote part of the process to figuring out my characters’ histories and motivations. I don’t plan the book from A to Z, but I don’t wing it anymore, either. I still eat M&M’s, of course.
Joyce: Would you like to share a favorite moment from your writing career?
Mia: One of my favorite moments in my writing career happened this week, actually. A reviewer reached out to me to tell me how much she loved Pretending He’s Mine, and in the course of that exchange, she told me that reading about the heroine’s journey gave her the extra push she needed to get out of her comfort zone and chase her own dream. I love that people get a few hours of enjoyment when they read my books, but to touch someone on a personal level like that? I’m touched beyond words.
Joyce: Do you have a pet that hangs out with you while you’re working?
Zoe’s sending a message — it’s time to nap.
Mia: Yes, I have a devoted writing buddy named Zoe. She’s an adorable puppy that sleeps whenever I write. If I’m tired, I know I can count on Zoe to show me what I’m missing.
Joyce: Awww!!!
What are three romance novels on your to-be-read list?
Mia: Just three? But there are so many. OK, I’ll start with my to-be-listened-to list. I’m currently listening to Priscilla Oliveras’ His Perfect Partner. The narrator is soooo good, and the dialogue and descriptions are so vivid that I just want to dive into this world and live in it. I’ll be picking up the second book in Oliveras’ series, Her Perfect Partner, when I’m done with this one. I’m also excited to read Kelly Siskind’s Licks. A sexy second-chance romance that promises heat, humor and a 36-hour scavenger hunt? Yes, please! And I can’t wait to get my eyes on Phyllis Bourne’s Feud, in which a woman learns that her inherited house comes with a catch — and a feud with her sexy neighbor. People have been squeeing about this book on social media, and I’m sure I, too, will be squeeing about it soon.
Joyce: What’s coming next?
Mia: Next up in the Love on Cue series is Eva and Anthony’s story. Eva is a reader favorite, and I can’t wait to share her journey with everyone. She’s paired with Anthony, a Hollywood stunt coordinator who’s going to make her fall in more ways than one. See what I did there? OK, moving on. Theirs is a frenemies-to-lovers story with lots of banter and heat, and I have no doubt the cover will be gorgeous.
Joyce: Thanks, Mia!
About Pretending He’s Mine:
Mia Sosa returns with another fun, flirty romance in her critically acclaimed Love on Cue series!
For Hollywood agent Julian Hart, representing his best friend—megastar Carter Williamson—means it’s nearly impossible to keep his personal life and career separate. To make matters worse, Carter’s younger sister has been starring in Julian’s wildest fantasies more often than he’d care to admit. He knows she’s off-limits, but when Ashley shows up on his doorstep, needing a place to crash… suddenly his greatest temptation is sleeping down the hall.
Free-spirited Ashley Williamson doesn’t do commitment. Jobs, apartments, men… why let herself be tied down? But she’s had a crush on her older brother’s best friend for years and she’s committed to making Julian want her, one towel-clad midnight encounter at a time. But just as things start heating up, their steamy flirtation is interrupted by Carter’s east coast wedding. Ashley has no desire to go home and face her reputation as the family disappointment. But living with—dare she say dating?—a successful, sexy film agent could give them something else to talk about.
Julian can’t believe he agreed to fake a relationship with the one woman he can never have. And it’s going to take more than a little willpower to remember it’s all pretend. Or is it?
About Mia
Mia Sosa was born and raised in New York City. She attended the University of Pennsylvania, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in communications and met her own romance hero (spoiler alert: she married him). Mia once dreamed of being a professional singer, but practical considerations (read: the need to generate income) led her to take the law school admissions test instead.
Quoted in SidelightsL “My first book was published in December 2015, so I am by no means a seasoned pro, but today, I’m more comfortable with my place in the romance industry because I’ve finally accepted that I’ll never be able to please everyone,” she told John Charles in an online interview at Booklist Reader. “My focus is on finding the readers who will love my stories as much as I do. Some readers will enjoy my writing and some won’t, and either outcome is okay. After all, I’m a romance reader too, so I’m on board with people falling in love with books even if those books aren’t mine.”
ACTING ON IMPULSE: 10 Questions for Mia Sosa
Mia Sosa doesn’t exactly remember when she first read a romance novel, but she does remember hiding a stash of Harlequin romances behind the covers of 16 magazine in middle school. After finishing college and law school, Mia spent a decade practicing law as a First Amendment and media attorney in our nation’s capital before she decided she wanted to be a writer. A 2015 Romance Writer’s of America Golden Heart finalist, Mia now happily spends her days (sometimes in pajamas) playing literary matchmaker in her home in Maryland, but she was delighted to take some time out to talk to us about Puerto Rican cooking, one of her favorite romance novels, and the best piece of advice she has ever received.
JOHN CHARLES: Who is Mia Sosa?
MIA SOSA: I’m a contemporary romance writer who drinks too much coffee, watches too much reality television, and can’t ever spell recommended correctly on the first try (thank you, spell check). I’m a wife, a mom, and a recovering lawyer. I’m also a new dog owner, and I’ll confess to experiencing the biggest thrill when I revised my author bio to add that titillating fact. Don’t judge.
Tell us about your latest book.
Acting on Impulse is a fun, flirty romance about an unassuming guy who travels to Aruba on vacation and meets a wonderful woman, but neglects to tell her that he’s a Hollywood actor traveling incognito. Our media-shy heroine, Tori Alvarez, wants nothing to do with him when she learns who he really is, but our hero, Carter Stone, tracks down Tori in the States and hires her to get him in shape for his next film role. Essentially, he puts himself at her mercy, and that’s when the fun begins.
Puerto Rican cuisine plays a role in Acting on Impulse. What are your own favorite Puerto Rican dishes?
Oh, there are so many, and I left a few clues about my favorites in the book. I’m a carnivore, so I’d have to say carne guisada hands down. It’s a yummy stew consisting of beef cooked in traditional Caribbean spices, tons of carrots and potatoes, and a delectable tomato-based sauce. It’s Puerto Rican comfort food, and I’d eat it every day if I could. Seriously. And I can never get enough cuchifritos, the morsels of fried goodness you can find at Puerto Rican luncheonettes in big cities like New York or Philadelphia. I’m obsessed with rellenos de papa, which are potato balls filled with seasoned ground beef. Gah. Now I’m hungry.
Your heroine Tori in Acting on Impulse is a physical trainer. Are you an exercise junkie yourself, and if so, do you have a favorite routine?
I’m not an exercise junkie, but I do enjoy exercising, and I LOVE Zumba, which not only gets my body moving but also helps me celebrate my Afro-Latinx roots. One of my favorite scenes in Acting on Impulse is Carter’s first attempt at participating in a Zumba class. It reminds me of the first (and only) time my husband joined me for a group exercise class. In truth, my affinity for exercise depends on the weather, my mood, and writing deadlines. I once trained for a 5k and placed third in my age division. That experience convinced me that if I ever cross paths with a bear, I might be able to outrun it. Again, don’t judge.
Carter, your hero in Acting on Impulse, is a star on the rise. Why do you think so many of us are fascinated by Hollywood and celebrity gossip?
When we see actors on TV or on the big screen, it’s almost always the case that they’re pretending to be someone else, so by definition, we’re not getting to know the “real them.” I think we love the idea of going behind the curtain, so to speak, and finding out celebrities are “regular” people just like us (or not).
What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?
When I was a kid, my mother often told me to always be proud of the person I see in the mirror, and that advice has stuck with me through adulthood. I apply it to my life in a few ways. First, it’s a reminder not to rely on my physical appearance as a measure of my self-worth. It also reminds me to make choices I can be proud of; when you stand up for what you believe in and make good choices, you’ll stare back at the person in the mirror with pride. And finally, it reminds me that in any moment, the person I am is enough.
What is one romance novel everyone should read and why?
For me, this is easy: Jennifer Crusie’s Bet Me. In my mind, when it comes to love, there are two types of people in this world: people who believe in the fairy tale and people who don’t. Crusie herself notes that she crafted a love story between two people who didn’t believe in the fairy tale but got one anyway. I challenge anyone not to believe in the fairy tale after reading Cal and Min’s story in Bet Me; it can’t be done.
What do you know now as a writer that you wish you knew when you were first starting out?
My first book was published in December 2015, so I am by no means a seasoned pro, but today, I’m more comfortable with my place in the romance industry because I’ve finally accepted that I’ll never be able to please everyone. My focus is on finding the readers who will love my stories as much as I do. Some readers will enjoy my writing and some won’t, and either outcome is okay. After all, I’m a romance reader too, so I’m on board with people falling in love with books even if those books aren’t mine.
What is next for you as an author?
I’m working on Pretending He’s Mine, the second book in my Love on Cue series, which features Carter’s sister, Ashley, and his best friend, Julian. The book includes a few of my favorite romance tropes: a heroine who falls in love with her older brother’s best friend; a pretend relationship; and a couple in forced proximity. Expects lots of shenanigans.
How can readers best connect with you and find out more about your books?
I’m always on social media, so readers can easily find me on Twitter (www.twitter.com/miasosaromance) or Facebook (www.facebook.com/miasosa.author). Readers can also visit my website (www.miasosa.com), where they can find the latest news about my writing endeavors, sign up for my infrequent newsletter, or find a link to my email should they want to tell me how much they love me and my books. I’m kidding about that last one (sort of).
Quoted in Sidelights: “puts a refreshingly modern and funny spin on the traditional idea that opposites attract,” remarked a Kirkus Reviews contributor, who further praised the novel for its “socially relevant threads, like whitewashing in the entertainment industry.”
“Witty banter and sexual chemistry blend together to concoct a compelling romance story.”
Print Marked Items
Sosa, Mia: PRETENDING HE'S MINE
Kirkus Reviews.
(Mar. 15, 2018):
COPYRIGHT 2018 Kirkus Media LLC
http://www.kirkusreviews.com/
Full Text:
Sosa, Mia PRETENDING HE'S MINE Avon/HarperCollins (Adult Fiction) $3.99 4, 10 ISBN: 978-0-06-
269040-1
A sober, no-nonsense workaholic welcomes an entirely new worldview when he invites his best friend's
free-wheeling and energetic sister to live with him.
Dedicated Hollywood agent Julian Hart is caught in a deep conflict. Even as his entire career revolves
around the success of his top-billing client and best friend, Carter Williamson, he nurses an inconvenient
attraction to Carter's sister, Ashley. When he bails her out of a tough spot by letting her stay in his home, he
doesn't realize he's bitten off more than he can chew. Ashley has had an effervescent crush on her brother's
friend since she was a teenager, which bubbles up when she begins to share Julian's living space. When the
two find themselves pretending to be a couple at a family reunion because Ashley is tired of the censure she
faces from her family due to her singlehood, they finally acknowledge their mutual attraction. But Julian's
preoccupation with Carter's career complicates their equation, especially since Ashley has consistently lived
in the shadow of a brother she loves and respects. The second installment in the Love on Cue series puts a
refreshingly modern and funny spin on the traditional idea that opposites attract. Ashley and Julian are
opposites in almost every way: He is deeply committed to his career, while flight attendant Ashley has a gift
for music that she's too afraid to pursue. Her sparkling energy electrifies Julian into acknowledging his
internal conflicts while Julian's steadfastness inspires Ashley to take herself more seriously. The journey of
the characters seems more real because Sosa deftly weaves several socially relevant threads, like
whitewashing in the entertainment industry, into the fabric of her story.
Witty banter and sexual chemistry blend together to concoct a compelling romance story.
Source Citation (MLA 8th
Edition)
"Sosa, Mia: PRETENDING HE'S MINE." Kirkus Reviews, 15 Mar. 2018. General OneFile,
http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A530650881/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=7927c117.
Accessed 20 May 2018.
Quoted in Sidelights: “charming, witty, and consistently funny” novel that “will get readers invested in the sharply etched secondary characters.” The critic added: “Sosa hits all the right notes by weaving a uniformly entertaining story that effortlessly unpacks several socially relevant themes.”
Gale Document Number: GALE|A530650881
Sosa, Mia: ACTING ON IMPULSE
Kirkus Reviews.
(Sept. 15, 2017):
COPYRIGHT 2017 Kirkus Media LLC
http://www.kirkusreviews.com/
Full Text:
Sosa, Mia ACTING ON IMPULSE Avon/HarperCollins (Adult Fiction) $2.99 9, 19 ISBN: 978-0-06-
269033-3
A popular Hollywood actor who's putting his body through drastic transformations to establish himself as a
versatile performer finds himself enamored by a sassy fitness trainer, learning that there's more to life than a
job.Fitness expert and trainer Tori Alvarez decides to go to Aruba to escape the gossip and speculation
surrounding her rocky relationship with a publicity-hungry politician. She meets up-and-coming sitcom star
Carter Stone on her flight to Aruba, but since he's fresh from the set of a film which required him to shed
several pounds and grow a beard, she doesn't recognize him. Tori is still sore from her previous relationship,
but she finds herself reluctantly charmed by Carter's impishness, and they spend a couple of idyllic days
laughing and bantering. Then, when a nosy paparazzo descends on Carter, Tori discovers the truth about his
identity and feels tremendously betrayed. Hoping to thaw Tori's anger, Carter approaches her for assistance
when he realizes that he will have to gain back his robust physique quickly to bag a role in a big-budget
Hollywood film. Before she can let Carter back into her life, though, Tori is forced to decide if she can
overcome her reluctance to live a life in the public eye. The first installment in the Love on Cue series is
charming, witty, and consistently funny and will get readers invested in the sharply etched secondary
characters. Although the final resolution of Tori's personal troubles seems too pat to ring true, Sosa hits all
the right notes by weaving a uniformly entertaining story that effortlessly unpacks several socially relevant
themes, such as the relationship between fitness and traditional cuisine and the nature of show business.
Spicy sexual chemistry and a generous dash of authentic Puerto Rican flavor blend together in a sharp
romance that begs to be savored.
Source Citation (MLA 8th
Edition)
"Sosa, Mia: ACTING ON IMPULSE." Kirkus Reviews, 15 Sept. 2017. General OneFile,
http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A504217715/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=405fe61d.
Accessed 20 May 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A504217715
BOOK REVIEW
Acting on Impulse by Mia Sosa
by SB Sarah · Sep 27, 2017 at 4:00 am · View all 19 comments
Acting on Impulse by Mia Sosa
Acting on Impulse
by Mia Sosa
SEPTEMBER 19, 2017 · AVON IMPULSE
Order →
VIEW SBTB MEDIA PAGE
DNF
GENRE: Romance, Contemporary Romance
ARCHETYPE: Diverse Protagonists, Actor/Actress/Celebrity
I really, really-really, really wanted to like this book, but the time spent in the hero’s point of view and his way of viewing the heroine irritated me at first, then grew to full-on dislike. Plus the heroine made some terrible comments and even worse decisions regarding the hero, and I came to dislike her, too. I do think that the problem is partly me, however, and that contemporary romance and I need a lengthy timeout, especially when the contemporary is alternating first person present point of view. So take this DNF with a large grain of salt.
I’m pretty comfortable blaming myself here because ordinarily, first person point of view, even alternating point of view, doesn’t bother me much, and I’m usually okay with heroes who clearly need to extract their heads from their asses because I trust that they’ll get there eventually. As RedHeadedGirl pointed out in a recent movie review for The Big Sick, “It’s a romcom. He spends some time with his head up his ass. It’s one of the conventions.” My problem here is that the hero starts off being possessive of the heroine and stunningly un-self-aware, and his improvement, if there is any, didn’t appear within the first 25%, which is where I had to stop. I also disliked some of the things the heroine said. Every time I picked up my device to read, I’d be excited about the concept, and then find myself increasingly annoyed by the characters.
I thought premise was pretty spiffy: Tori Alvarez, a personal trainer, has just gone through a embarrassing, public breakup with a somewhat prominent politician and decides to take a solo vacation to Aruba. She has no plans to hook up with anyone or have any kind of fling. She ends up seated next to a famous actor, Carter Stone, but he’s very underweight and sporting a beard from his last role, so she doesn’t recognize him – nor does anyone else on the flight. He introduces himself using his real name, and they sort of hit it off.
According to the cover copy, Tori is going to end up training Carter to get his physique back, but he won’t tell her who he really is until a “pesky paparazzo” spills the beans – and understandably, Tori’s mad. But I didn’t get that far.
I stopped reading because the narration made me dislike the characters. For example, this is Tori on her first morning at the hotel:
I take in a deep breath of the salty air. Then my stomach growls, jockeying for my attention, as if to say, Beyotch, forget the view and feed me.
Breakfast is my favorite meal, but I can’t whip up an omelet in my room. And I’d never order room service this early in the day because I’m convinced those calls annoy the staff and they put “special sauce” in your scrambled eggs to spite you.
Wait, what? Hold on, here. It’s only 6am. Having worked in a hotel on several morning shifts, I can say with a comfortable amount of anecdata, 6 is not really all that early. But more importantly, Tori’s offhand comment about the hotel staff contaminating her food made me think very poorly of her.
The reason she’s up at 6 on her vacation is somewhat convoluted, but I let that rather uncomfortable moment go. Her choices later on didn’t bolster my confidence in her opinion or judgment, alas. Carter ends up at the same resort she’s at, and she’s alone at the bar. She challenges him to a drinking competition of straight vodka shots, and though she’s got the bartender watching out for her, I was very confused by that decision. On the flight, she didn’t want to tell him where she was staying out of self-preservation (he asked, trying to make polite but clueless conversation), but she will potentially get seriously drunk with him at the pool? A guy she doesn’t know at all?
Then the stakes: if he is the first to “beg for mercy or fall flat on his face,” he agrees to be her running partner at 6am. If she loses, she’ll help set him up with someone at the resort.
Again, still confused: why? Why have a stranger you don’t know, one that you’re challenging to get falling-down drunk with you, run in a strange place with you alone? She says it’s not for protection, but for company and keeping pace, but then, I’m still confused: she’s already figured out that he’s underweight and that she has the advantage, drinking wise. And she even calls him on it later when he is, surprise surprise, unable to handle several shots of vodka in a row. So why in the world would he be an ideal running partner?
Especially when, after all those shots, he passes out and is snoring on the beach, and she leaves him there, asking the bartender to make sure he gets back to his room. Seriously, are you kidding me?! Forget waking up at 6 to go run; leaving him passed out alone on a beach is just as uncool as assuming that hotel staff spit in your food.
Then there’s Carter. His opening paragraph gave me a few eyebrow raises, wherein he boards the plane to Aruba, and announces he’s certain he’s going to marry her:
I don’t know her name, nationality, age, or occupation, but I know this: Someday I’m going to marry the woman sitting in 12D.
Okay, maybe that’s an exaggeration-for all I know she could be someone else’s wife, or a serial killer-but hey, I’m an optimistic guy. Plus, she’s in my row, so I know fate is in play.
Don’t roll your eyes. It’s not polite.
Dude, I double dare you to stop me from rolling my eyes at you. You’re half the reason I don’t want to keep reading.
I know there are many readers who love an alpha hero, one who is decisive and confident and goes after what he wants, but this incarnation did not work for me. First, the idea that “she’s not interested” didn’t even enter his mind. She might be married (i.e. someone else’s property) or she might be a serial killer (i.e. a threat to his life). But “Not interested in me” is clearly not a consideration because…something about fate.
Even after assuming this was semi-facetious narration, which I did because I kept going while thinking maybe he’d get a clue that he’s ridiculous, I never warmed to Carter.
Look, before you decide I’m a shallow jerk for choosing my life partner based on appearance alone, consider this: Sexual compatibility is a strong indicator of long-term wedded bliss. I’m not saying that I’d marry this woman if she were as engaging as my dad’s proctologist – yes I’ve heard stories – and I’d never be able to marry someone who didn’t at least feel comfortable around children or puppies – but this instant lust is promising. The truth is, I’m excited, and I haven’t been eager about anything other than acting in years.
Carter, repeat after me: NOBODY CARES ABOUT YOUR STUPID BONER.
Carter makes a fool of himself a little, and decides the best course of action is to take a nap since Tori has communicated that she’s not available (she told him her “boyfriend” is picking her up , after all).
Then they end up at the same hotel, drinking shots on the first night – after which Tori leaves his snoring, drunken self on the beach until she sees him in the morning at 6 for their run.
A run which she decides should be eight miles because…I have no idea. I mean, ok, if that’s how she wants to bring him down to earth and help him realize he is not, in fact, everything he thinks he is, I get it. But she’ll be without a running partner because he is not in shape, and she knows it – not to mention that she told him so to his face.
As I kept reading up to the point where I stopped, I found Tori’s decisions and arguments to herself silly and often contradictory. I found Carter’s narration increasingly sexist to the point of repulsive. Even when he thinks he isn’t sexist, he is:
I’m hardly averse to admiring a woman’s body in my head, but talking with him about Tori like she’s a piece of ass for the taking is a hard limit for me. He probably thinks he’s earning points per the Bro Code, but I don’t subscribe to such bullshit, especially not with two sisters of my own.
*headdesk* Oh, dude. Let’s review. Women aren’t valuable or worthy of being treated with respect solely because you are interested in them or related to them.
Like I said, I really wanted to like this book, and as I’ve mentioned in other reviews, I am always curious about romances wherein the conflict rests partially on public vs. private selves, or on image vs. reality. The influence of celebrity and persona can make for fascinating conflict. But I wasn’t that interested in either character, and the longer I read, the more I disliked Carter and grew angrier with Tori.
I think that this might be an ideal book for a reader who is in the mood for something playful, especially since it starts out as a very summery, vacation-romp kind of contemporary romance. But I couldn’t get on board with the tone and tenor of the story. I wish it had been a book for me.
Quoted in Sidelights: “Acting on Impulse is an entertaining slow burn romance,” remarked a contributor to the Harlequin Junkie website. “Mia Sosa provided conflict, humor, heat, and banter while building the anticipation.”
REVIEW: Acting on Impulse by Mia Sosa
Posted September 19th, 2017 by Sara @HarlequinJunkie in Blog, Contemporary Romance, Review / 3 comments
Acting on Impulse by Mia Sosa: Carter is a Hollywood star known for his good looks, great body, and comedies. He desperately wants to get out of the rom-com typecast, so he’s been looking for and taking more serious roles. After being betrayed by yet one more person to make money off of him, he takes a much needed break to the sun and sand of Aruba. He is lucky to come from a close-knit family and has a PA and agent who aren’t afraid to give him a hard time.
Tori is a smart, sassy, independent, and kickass physical trainer. She’s passionate about helping people of all shapes and sizes live a healthier life, including her Puerto Rican family where food is an integral part of their culture. Tori has no need for the limelight and hated that aspect of dating a councilman who sought out the spotlight every chance he could. After their very public break-up, she hightails it to Aruba for some much needed time away from attention.
Carter is immediately entranced by the sexy and feisty Tori when he sees her on their plane. It’s lust at first sight, but he tries too hard to get her attention for all the right reasons. When they end up at the same hotel, he sees it as a chance to redeem himself.
“Did you know the phrase ‘The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog’ uses every letter in the English language?”
He narrows his eyes. “What are you doing?”
Without an ounce of embarrassment, I say, “Changing the subject.”
“In that case, did you know only female mosquitoes sting humans?”
They do begin to hit it off and both feel the attraction after spending more time together until she figures out exactly who he is. Tori definitely challenges him and she seems to appreciate the man instead of the famous actor, which is why he wants her to train him. Working together every day to get Carter in shape tests both of them and her vow to remain strictly professional. Carter is charming, thoughtful, and persistent when it comes to Tori.
Carter pants by my side. “Never again. I’m never running with you again.”
“Hey, at least I got you to run,” I say with a smile.
He narrows his eyes. “I’m not amused.”
I pat him on the shoulder. “Let’s walk the rest of the way to the lighthouse. I think this run was doomed from the start.”
Acting on Impulse is an entertaining slow burn romance. Mia Sosa provided conflict, humor, heat, and banter while building the anticipation. Ms. Sosa created an engaging cast of characters in friends, family, and Carter’s team. Fans of A.M. Madden and T.J. Kline will enjoy Acting on Impulse.
Book Info:
Publication: September 19th 2017 | Avon Impulse | Love on Cue #1
After a very public breakup with a media-hungry politician, fitness trainer Tori Alvarez escapes to Aruba for rest, relaxation, and copious amounts of sex on the beach—the cocktail, that is. She vows to keep her vacation a man-free zone but when a cute guy is seated next to her on the plane, Tori can’t resist a little harmless flirting.
Hollywood heartthrob Carter Stone underwent a dramatic physical transformation for his latest role and it’s clear his stunning seat mate doesn’t recognize the man beneath the shaggy beard and extra lean frame. Now Carter needs help rebuilding his buff physique and Tori is perfect for the job. It doesn’t hurt that she makes his pulse pound in more ways than one.
Sparks are flying, until a pesky paparazzo reveals Carter’s identity. Tori is hurt and pissed. She wants nothing to do with another man in the limelight, but she’s still got to whip him into shape. Can Carter convince Tori he’s worth the threat to her privacy that comes with dating a famous actor, or will Tori chisel him down to nothing before he even gets the chance?
Grab the popcorn…
Quoted in Sidelights: “Tori and Carter both have interesting families and I enjoyed the time we got with them. Additionally the cast is diverse and that makes me happy.”
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Review: Acting On Impulse by Mia Sosa
September 27, 2017 By Kini Leave a Comment
Acting On Impulse by Mia Sosa
Love on Cue #1
Contemporary Romance
August 19, 2017
Avon Impulse
Reviewed by Kini
Favorite Quotes:
I’M STANDING IN the middle of an airplane aisle, inching my way to row 12, when I spot her. I don’t know her name, nationality, age, or occupation, but I know this: Someday I’m going to marry the woman sitting in 12D.
AND
I need to regroup before I can speak to her. And I refuse to listen to the preflight safety demonstration unless the attendant can teach me how to save me from myself. So now I know another thing: Whatever I tell my kids about how I met their mother, it’s going to be a lie. A big, fat fucking lie.
I have been seeing this book being talking about on Twitter for months and I was really looking forward to reading it and being able to review it. I went in with high expectations. For the most part, my expectations were met but I did have a few issues.
The first quote I mentioned above is also the first sentence of the book. I was immediately drawn in and wanted to know how exactly the hero, Carter, would make his very bold statement come true. Carter is an actor of moderate fame status. He is traveling to Aruba to get away and relax. On the plane he meets Tori when they are seated in the same aisle. Tori is a personal trainer and is going to Aruba to get space from her douchey boyfriend. Carter is fresh off a movie role for which he lost 40 pounds and Tori does not recognize him.
This book is a take on famous person meets regular person and famous person lies by omission about who he is. Of course, we know that never ends well. And luckily it doesn’t last too long. Tori finds out pretty quickly who Carter is. She feels a little betrayed and leaves Aruba and goes back to Philly. Carter is staying in Philly after his most recent role and when he gets back, he wants Tori to train him and thus begins their relationship while knowing the truth about each other.
This book includes dual POV and is in first person present. Some readers may not enjoy that, but I had no issue with it. I like the parts where the characters talk directly to the reader. It was cute and fun. The main conflict centers around Tori not being comfortable with Carter’s life in the public eye. I thought it was handled well and although it was an issue for her, it wasn’t blown out of proportion. There were even some things that came up, like a photo of Carter dancing with another women and instead of Tori jumping to conclusions, she asked him about it. That was refreshing. There is a side plot point of some distress is Tori’s family, I would have liked to have seen that explored a little more. Additionally, I thought it was resolved too quickly and easily.
There were a few other things that didn’t work for me. Once Tori’s hesitancy to be involved with Carter does away, they almost immediately go from “enemies” to boyfriend/girlfriend, I was expecting there to be a little bit more progression to that stage. The resolution of the main conflict, I didn’t like it. It felt too cutesy for me and I felt like it didn’t quite fit and for a book that included a lot of thoughts decisions on page, the ending had too much off page.
Overall I enjoyed this book. I like the author’s voice and look forward to seeing more of the main and secondary characters. Tori and Carter both have interesting families and I enjoyed the time we got with them. Additionally the cast is diverse and that makes me happy. The author definitely piqued my interest for the next story and couple- Carter’s sister Ashley and Carter’s manager Julian. There is a short sample of that story and I am really looking forward to that. There is also another couple that we see the a tiny bit of their connection and I am interested in that. I had an irrational fear that the sex would be less than I wanted it to be, but I was wrong and Carter and Tori have some great chemistry and sexy times. The issues that I did have were not enough to take away from me enjoying this book on the whole.
Quoted in Side;ogjts: “They are all ordinary but dignified people with normal joys and conflicts and no crazy stereotypes that make my eyes roll,”
Mia Sosa REVIEW
Pretending He's Mine by Mia Sosa
“...this book is full of meat and goodness inside the seemingly simple shell of brother’s best friend/best friend’s little sister taboo-ish trope. ”
by Carmela
THE DEETS
Genre: contemporary romance | Series: Love On Cue #2 | Publisher: Avon | Source: ARC | GoodReads
PURCHASE
US
This is my first Mia Sosa book and the second book in her Love on Cue series. Ashley Williamson, the heroine, is the little sister of Carter, the hero in the series’ first book, Acting on Impulse. The hero of this book, Julian, is Carter’s best friend. Their friendship goes way, way back, as in since they were students in the fancy private high school they both attended. Julian is also a friend of the whole Williamson clan as they played host family to Julian during his time studying at the school away from his own family. When Carter’s acting career started taking off, Julian was there to save him from double-crossing ex agent. So, adding to the ties that bind them as friends, Julian became Carter’s agent as well. When the book opens, Ashley has just temporarily moved in with Julian in his apartment after she was kicked out by her roommate. Not Ashley’s fault but that of said roommate’s douche boyfriend.
Now, Ashley and Julian have this long running attraction to each other amplified by this new living arrangement but made impossible by the personal and professional relationships between Julian and Carter. If they give in to the attraction and becomes a couple, it seems the outcomes for both personal and professional relationships are not good, whether or not Ashley and Julian’s romantic relationship survive. Adding to the tension are Ashley’s and Julian’s individual struggles in what they ultimately want and need for their personal and professional growths. So as you can see, this book is full of meat and goodness inside the seemingly simple shell of brother’s best friend/best friend’s little sister taboo-ish trope. There’s a lot of internal and external conflict goings on that make me think about certain issues that are relevant today. By way of example, Julian’s advocacy on diversity and equality in terms of casting in Hollywood. He runs the danger of getting fired by his boss for speaking up, his representation of the mega star that is Carter, the only thing saving his ass. I think this is one of the little things that made me enjoy this book, along with the witty banter between the characters, the friendships and the fact that these characters are themselves diverse.
Julian is a sexy black man who is intelligent, professional and out-of-the-box straight laced individual. I think the author did a good job in portraying the dynamics of his relationship with his high achieving family as well. Tori, Carter’s fiancée is Puerto Rican and her best friend Eva, who will be the heroine in the next book of the series, is a fun and loveable black woman. I love the portrayal of these characters. They are all ordinary but dignified people with normal joys and conflicts and no crazy stereotypes that make my eyes roll.
The road that Julian took to achieve what he ultimately wants in his career and in his HEA with Ashley is one of courage and selflessness that I honestly did not see coming. Needless to say, what he did endeared him more to me and I wish to read more of the kind of hero like him. It doesn’t hurt that I envision Julian to look like the sexy Thierry Henry (ex-Arsenal player, google him for visuals) because of that adorable book cover. Va-va-voom!
Hugs,
Carmela
June 11, 2018
REVIEW: Acting on Impulse by Mia Sosa
KaetrinB REVIEWSactor / Aruba / Contemporary / Philadelphia5 Comments
Dark-haired and bearded man in a blue shirt kissing a Latina woman with long curly brown hair in a gray tee. He is holding her in his arms and leaning back.Dear Mia Sosa,
I was hooked from the very first paragraph:
I’M STANDING IN the middle of an airplane aisle, inching my way to row 12, when I spot her. I don’t know her name, nationality, age, or occupation, but I know this: Someday I’m going to marry the woman sitting in 12D.
By the end of the first page, I knew I was in good hands and settled in to enjoy my read. I always liked the characters and the humour of the book but the story veered just a little off course for me toward the end. There’s definitely a satisfying HEA which I believed in but the conflict felt a little manufactured. There was so much to love about the book however and your writing style really worked for me so I foresee many more Mia Sosa books in my future.
Carter Stone is a B-list semi-famous actor trying to crack the A-list with more serious movie roles. After a doctor he was consulting in relation to weight loss for a role as a drug addict sells private pictures of him to the tabloids, he and the doctor get into a fight. He flys to Aruba for a break to cool off and let the heat die down. The lady in 12D is Tori Alvarez, a personal trainer and gym manager who has just been broken up with via a radio interview. She’s more angry and embarrassed than heartbroken, but she too, wants to get away and consider what’s next with a cool head.
Carter and Tori don’t hit it off immediately. But he is attracted and fairly desperate to make a good impression. As it happens, they both end up at the same resort and meet again in the bar.
Tori doesn’t make it easy for Carter (who she knows by his real name, Carter Williamson – he is trying to be inconspicuous on his vacation). I loved the way she kicked his ass in so many ways.
“Tori, you might want to—”
“Oh no!” I say as I shrink away from him.
He flinches. “What?”
“You have the telltale posture of a mansplainer. Body leaning forward. An elbow on the bar. The pointed finger. You were going to say something about my alcohol tolerance, weren’t you?”
She doesn’t let him get away with anything, requiring him to treat her as an equal and setting the standard from the get. I loved how confident and forthright Tori was with Carter.
Carter is not actually a jerk – he just sometimes falls into the trap of masculinity he has learned in pop culture, but he learns fast. He is deeply smitten by Tori from the start and everything he learns about her only makes him fall deeper under her spell. He is troubled by his lack of disclosure. She has reason to want to shy away from publicity after her disastrous experience with her now ex-boyfriend and Carter knows Tori is unlikely to want a relationship with a movie/TV star which will only put her in more of a spotlight. He vows to keep to the friend-zone until he can tell her the truth about him. I understood why Carter wasn’t immediately forthcoming. It made a lot of sense.
You know what they say about best laid plans though Carter.
After Carter and Tori return to Philadelphia, he tries to win his way back into her good graces. And, he does actually need to regain weight and muscle he lost for his previous role as he has an important audition coming up. I liked that Carter wasn’t super pushy about this. The way it panned out, he wasn’t the aggressive pursuer not taking no for an answer. A fortuitous misunderstanding and a couple of gym owners who like the idea of the publicity Tori training Carter could bring, results in Carter and Tori spending time together and working out their issues.
Tori still does not want a relationship in the spotlight however and Carter has to convince her he’s worth the risk.
There is an interesting subplot involving Tori’s passion for an accessible fitness program for all body types and abilities. I liked that Tori was inclusive about her passion and keen to explore options that were affordable for people on low incomes and exercises for people of different skills and that she included disabled people in her classes. I stumbled over the use of the phrase “differently abled” in the book. A year or more ago when I first saw the phrase I thought it was okay but I have since learned that it is not a term generally appreciated by the disabled community. I’ve seen a lot of Twitter threads on the topic. In fact, while writing this review I Googled “Is it okay to say “differently abled”? and the top answers were all in the negative.
Tori’s family lives in Philadelphia. Her mother and sister run a Puerto Rican restaurant. Food is such an important part of their culture and this causes conflict for Tori with her parents and sister, Bianca, as Tori’s dad has had two strokes and needs to lower his cholesterol and protect his heart and blood circulation better. Eating a lot of the Puerto Rican food he loves so much is unhealthy for him. But when Tori tries to raise it, it is seen as a rejection of her culture and a criticism of the way her mother shows her love. In the end, I thought the issue was resolved more simply than the setup seemed to suggest it could be. I doubted that Bianca could do such a fast turnaround given the way she treats Tori for most of the book.
Carter is insecure and a little suspicious about new people in his life. He has been betrayed and ripped off by a series of people, the most recent of which was the doctor who sold photos of him. While he believes Tori is not like that, he does struggle with fear from time to time. I understood why that was but I still didn’t understand why Carter did what he did. It didn’t really make sense to me and felt inorganic.
Carter’s sister, Ashley and his best friend and agent, Julian, are the romantic pairing in the next book of the series (which is on my TBR), Pretending He’s Mine. For the most part, Ashley’s and Julian’s appearances in Acting on Impulse make sense and are relevant to the story but there was one bit where Julian and Tori are talking after everything turns to custard between she and Carter. And the conversation was really unexpected. It seemed to me to be a reference to Julian’s story arc to come and nothing to do with what was actually going on. It felt shoe-horned into the book and I was a little baffled by it.
Still, those few things were not issues that ruined my enjoyment of the book. In a lesser book, they might have but there were so many great things about Acting On Impulse that I still count my reading experience as a win. I liked Tori and Carter so much and I liked the way the words flowed together on the page.
Tori rolls her shoulders forward and back, drawing my eyes to that irresistible expanse of skin on a woman’s body: the area between her collarbones. It’s a magical place. The center of a compass rose. Whether you head east, west, north, or south, you simply cannot go wrong.
I’d have liked a little more information about Carter’s career but I did believe he was in a far more settled place professionally by the end of the book and I was confident Tori belonged together. I’m also confident that I’ll be enjoying more books from you in the near future.
Grade: B
Regards,
Kaetrin
Quoted in Sidelghts: “The story moves along at an enjoyable pace, with lots of laughs and a few emotional scenes. … Acting on Impulse is a genuinely delightful and sexy romance and I’m excited to continue the series!”
Desert Isle Keeper
Acting on Impulse
Mia Sosa
Buy This Book
In my quest to read more new to me authors this year, with an emphasis on diverse/own voices, I found a real winner in Mia Sosa’s Acting on Impulse, the first story in her Love on Cue series. I usually stay clear of the ‘rich Hollywood movie star falls for ordinary citizen’ type of story but the synopsis for this one makes it clear that the heroine isn’t going be swayed by stardom. From the meet-cute (which doesn’t end well for the hero) to the finale it’s a delight all the way through.
Carter Stone went through a difficult physical regimen to get himself in the right shape to portray a struggling drug addict. The unauthorized release of tabloid fodder pictures taken by an unscrupulous doctor have him heading to Aruba to escape the press. His seat mate catches his eye immediately, though in his haste to impress the beautiful woman next to him he forgets that his current image is far from a catch. Awkward! Once landed, they strike up an honest friendship – with the exception of his not revealing his true identity. It’s refreshing for him to be seen as a man and not as an actor, but his secret is revealed just in time to wreck what they’ve been building.
Personal trainer Tori Alvarez may be able to get anyone’s body into shape, but her heart took a beating after her politician ‘boyfriend’ proclaimed himself publicly proclaimed himself single, providing a rude awakening for Tori and instant end to their two year relationship. On the flight to Aruba to regroup, the somewhat scrawny, exhausted man on her flight is no threat to her libido, at least not until they get to know each other better once it turns out they are staying at the same resort. But finding out he’s actually a famous actor? No thanks! She’s had enough of being in the public eye during her relationship with a politician, and has no interest in pursuing anything further with Carter, no matter that he had been an amusing and charming companion.
Back in Philadelphia, Carter’s next acting role needs him to return to his more normal physical form – a feat impossible to accomplish without the dedication and haranguing of a physical trainer. He ends up at Tori’s gym and despite her misgivings Tori agrees to help him get his physique back. His sincere apology goes a long way to restoring their friendship, and eventually all that simmering physical attraction leads to more. But with Tori’s firm stance on staying out of the public eye, is there really a chance that they can make it to the final cut?
If you’re a fan of romantic comedies, then you know you’re in for a treat when you start laughing on the first page. Told from both points of view, Carter’s voice is cocky and self-assured while still being on the right side of decent, and his instant attraction to Tori determines his next move. Far from being put out by his failure to impress her on the plane, he shows a single minded determination to prove to Tori that it’s what’s beneath the surface that counts and his true character is by far more appealing than his Hollywood persona. I am pleased that the author chose not to keep his real identity a secret for long. It’s the initial source of conflict for the couple when back in the United States but Carter’s apology is sincere, and his reasons for keeping his identity secret in the first place are sound. And Tori is honest with herself that her reaction to his betrayal is in proportion to how much she’d come to like him on the island.
Tori is a strong woman, not just physically but in all aspects of her life. She can hold her own in any situation and when her partners at the gym need her to step up, she does. In this case, it’s to take Carter on as a client. Initially she works him harder than necessary, but is quick to correct herself when she realizes he’s sincerely going to follow all her instructions and how dedicated he is to his craft. She’s a really likable character who is friendly, kind, and generous with her time, teaching a community center class in her spare hours. When she and Carter move past friendship to a more intimate relationship, their sex scenes are ones of equal partnership, a true give and take, nurturing a more emotional bond than either expects.
Family relationships make up a sizable portion of the story. Tori’s Puerto Rican family runs a traditional restaurant, and because Tori has chosen a different path for herself, her relationship with her sister – who still works at the restaurant – is strained. And the fact that Tori’s father recently had a stroke and is supposed to be eating a modified diet is a source of conflict between her and her mother. Some of the food served by her mother in the restaurant is deep fried and not low in fat and calories. But her mother views Tori’s rejection of her cooking as a rejection of her, and Tori struggles to balance how to make her fears known without insulting her family. It’s an interesting dynamic, and one that Tori is able to confide to Carter, further cementing his presence in her life.
As for Carter’s family, they are a close bunch and his decisions are often made with them in mind. His mother is a hoot! His close friendship with his agent, Julian, means they can discuss his career and his love life equally. Because of his career in the limelight, he values his close friends and family and this is yet another aspect that draws Tori to him.
There are some cute chapter openings with articles from the Hollywood Observer and the Philly Water Cooler with little gossip tidbits to show what the ‘world’ sees versus what’s really happening behind the scenes with Carter and Tori. The story moves along at an enjoyable pace, with lots of laughs and a few emotional scenes. Tori eventually has to choose whether her feelings for Carter are strong enough to consider the consequences of a real and lasting relationship with him. Acting on Impulse is a genuinely delightful and sexy romance and I’m excited to continue the series!