Just Around the Corner (Harlequin Superromance, No. 1027)

Rating:
Summary: Something good is Just Around the Corner
Review: Psychologist Phyllis Langford takes care of everyone, but allows no one to take care of her. She keeps everyone at an affectionate distance until a powerful, dangerous kiss beckons her into an illicit afternoon with sexy Matt Sheffield in the theater's sound-booth at Montford University. They had been working on a presentation she would give later that month until passion distracted them. The condom must have been damaged, and by October Phyllis discovers that she is pregnant. Fiercely independent, Phyllis plans to raise this child alone, although she does the right thing by informing Matt of his impending fatherhood.

Phyllis has been divorced for four years, and does not seek a proposal. She had wanted sex, not involvement, and declines Matt's offer of assistance until complications from the pregnancy force her acceptance. He insists on assuming financial responsibility, because the one thing he does have to give is money. Although her friends suggest that Matt is incapable of caring for anyone, Phyllis soon suspects this wounded man feels deeply. But Matt conceals a painful past, both as a child and unfortunate circumstance when taught theater at a high school, and does not feel worthy of Phyllis or is impending fatherhood, despite his growing feelings for both.

Pregnancy draws these two wounded people together in JUST AROUND THE CORNER, proving love and acceptance are closer than either suspected. Matt's background is unexpected, startling, and will strike a chord with empathetic readers. Phyllis reveals a less traumatic past, but one no less painful. Their growth is grudging and convincingly slow as they learn to trust themselves and each other. Quinn's use of dialogue, self-questioning, and complex situation results a highly believable tale. In addition, characters from other Shelter Valley stories move fluidly through the narrative, adding updates and connecting Phyllis to the small town without detracting from this book as a stand-alone. Once again Tara Taylor Quinn proves her gift for weaving a tale of complexity and healing, proving there's always something good coming from JUST AROUND THE CORNER very highly recommended.