Bette Ford, Unforgettable Review

Overall Rating

Unforgettable
Bette Ford
HarperTorch, Dec 2003, $6.50, 416 pp.
ISBN: 0060533072

In Detroit, partners Anna Prescott and Janet Raye Matthews run Prescott-Raye Catering that provides wholesome meals to bachelor members of the Detroit Lions football team. Among the clients is superstar receiver Gavin Mathis, who actually was the impetus for starting the program. Gavin asks Anna to help him with his teenage half-brother Kyle, whom his father just dumped on him. Neither Kyle nor Gavin knew of one another until addicted gambler George Reynolds left the kid with his older sibling. Anna agrees to help Gavin with Kyle.

As Kyle adapts to being wanted by his brother and Anna and her family, Gavin and Anna, though long time friends, fall in love. However, Gavin must first deal with George, who tries to "sell" him Kyle before he can declare his forever love to Anna.

UNFORGETTABLE is an interesting relationship drama that plays out on several levels besides the obvious romance between the lead couple. George is a poor man's version of the wastrel younger brother in the movie Parenthood. Any dealings with him are negative because he is so possessed by gambling he cannot see anyone else's needs. The Lions and their spouses and Anna's immediate family and her partner provide security and warmth that also enables the audience to see deep inside the two stars. Still, it is the nurturing Anna and the All-Pro Gavin who score the winning touchdown for contemporary romance readers.

Harriet Klausner