The things we do for our family…

Synopsis

Some mistakes are worth making

Beatrice Donovan would do anything for her identical twin sister. Including stepping into her hotel management job temporarily and pretending to be her – she’s desperate. What could go wrong? A lot apparently! Because her sister Delilah has hugely understated her role – the hotel is at risk of closureand she’s promised she can turn it around. Now Bea has to find a way to fly under the radar, get the job done before anyone notices their switch up.

Sounds easy, all Bea has to do is avoid her temporary new boss Jonah. However, that’s a lot harder than she thought. Not only does he have impossibly high standards, he’s also out of this world gorgeous, an ex-rockstar with a chip on his shoulder and he’s watching her like a hawk! So Bea uses her charm to keep him focussed on the job and not her. But by trying to put up boundaries and keep things professional, Bea finds herself seeing the real man beneath the grumpy façade . Yet with so much at stake, she knows she shouldn’t fall for her sisters boss…but then again, it may just be the best unintentional mistake she’s ever made!

My review

Beatrice and Delilah Donovan are twins. But while twins are often very alike, as for several reasons and a different upbringing, Bea and Dee couldn’t be more different. Where Bea is on top of things, and order rules, with Dee it’s more go with the flow, and she’ll see where she gets. But now it seems that Dee finally secured an important job as hotel management. However, when an injury occurs, Dee needs Bea to take over and to pretend to be Dee. Because not all is going well and Dee understated what the job entailed and not only her job but also the hotel is at risk. And now it’s up to Bea to try to save her sister’s job, to save the hotel but also not be found out about their switch up. Yet that is easier said than done, because Bea/Dee’s boss Jonah is not easily fooled.
Being an ex – rockstar made Jonah wary of everything and everyone. And when Dee suddenly seemed to have changed drastically overnight, he doesn’t know what to think. But suddenly he finds himself attracted to this woman and he cannot understand why.
And Bea for sure also starts to feel an attraction towards her sister’s boss, but everything must stay professional, right? But for how long can the both of them resist?

While reading the blurb, it seemed to me that Dee’s scheme would come out way too quickly, as the differences between the twins were so easy to detect. So with a great sense of curiosity, I started reading this book, as I just wanted to know how Bea would (or at least try) to fool Jonah.

My first thought that it was perhaps a bit childish, Dee’s request to switch places. Because it’s things that we rather see such things happening while characters are still in school (or at least, that is my perception).

On the other hand, it also shows the love that there is between the siblings, as Bea, even reluctant, agrees to help her twin out.
And of course, I was very curious to see how things would work out, as Bea and Dee are absolutely different characters.

That made me wonder, how could it be that the sisters could be so different from each other. And I am not only talking about character, but also in the way of handling things. While Bea is focused, determined, with great ideas, it seems that Dee just does as she pleases, doesn’t really think about what her actions may cause. I am not saying that Dee is a bad person, but just the contrast is very big. And that was something I couldn’t comprehend initially, until was explained that while they are twins indeed, they grew up with separated parents and thus had a complete different upbringing.

What I liked about Bea, is how hands – on she is. Even if she is thrown in the deep, she is full of ideas of how the hotel can turn into a success. And more important, she is full of the *right* ideas.
She takes initiative, and she even keeps her professionalism, despite the attraction she feels towards Jonah, no matter his odd behaviour.

Although I must say, I don’t know if I could have Bea’s patience, as for sure some “demands” that Jonah asks from her are for sure ridiculous. But on the other hand, is also allows Bea to step outside her comfort zone.

I also have to say, despite Jonah not always being the happiest character of the book, he also shows a patience I didn’t expect. Because it’s clear that Dee hasn’t been behaving as the professional she proclaimed to be. If I were in his shoes, with all the mistakes Dee already made, I don’t think she would be getting another chance.

I felt sad for Jonah too. Because he had a dream, only to see it all fall apart, and also have his heart broken in the process. Getting to know him better, I could understand his wariness, how he doesn’t trust just anyone around him. But I could also understand his desire to show the people his real worth, that he isn’t a failure.

But what I liked the most in this book, was seeing how attraction grows despite the deceit. Because Jonah finds himself suddenly attracted to Bea, not knowing that she is Bea… It shows that even subconscious, a connection can be made. And that was truly lovely to see.

Both characters in the story are not without fault, and sometimes strange actions are taking place. But when angry, hurt, we don’t always act in the right way.

I enjoyed reading this book, as it shows that sometimes the heart knows better and more than we may think. And that sometimes a position switch, trading places, can make us rethink about choices and perhaps let life take us a different direction and let us meet people that will match with us perfectly. And also that sometimes, letting go isn’t so bad at all.