Make You Mine. Niobia Bryant. 2009. 352 pages. Dafina. [Source: Personal copy]
First — I read this book in less than a day, it is THAT engaging. I absolutely could not put it down. This was my first time reading Ms. Bryant, and I was thoroughly pleased.
Make You Mine follows Julius and Caress, who truly define the phrase “opposites attract.” She’s an unemployed slob; he’s a successful photographer who borders on OCD. When they go on a blind date with mutual friends, what should have been a one-night stand turns the pair into unlikely roommates.
The idea of “one night stand gone wrong” isn’t too far-fetched, especially for contemporary romance. I can actually think of people I know personally who have lived through the situation Caress and Julius find themselves in. That being said, I appreciate the author’s ability to convey the anguish of the situation and paint a story that is realistic in how the characters cope with it, not just a fairy tale for the readers. The emotional tug-of-war each character goes through are expressed in ways that are true to each character’s personality.
The characters are, for the most part, well-developed. Bryant spends a great deal of time showing the inner turmoil Julius and Caress experience as they face their present circumstances. I could have used more background on some peripheral characters (although I realize that Jordan and Mia are recurring characters), but don’t mistake that to say that any of the characters are so underdeveloped that you cannot get through the book without wondering who they are.
I would absolutely recommend Make You Mine. It’s a solid, interesting book and I look forward to reading more of her works.
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