In His Good Hands
Joan Kilby
Harlequin SuperRomance, Feb 1 2011, $5.50
ISBN: 9780373716876

Retired pro Australian football player Brett O'Connor returns to his hometown Summerside accompanied by his teenage daughter Tegan with plans to open a gym there. He goes to the Community Bank for a loan. The bank's loans manager is someone he went to high school with, Renita Thatcher. She had a crush on him back then when she was his math tutor and to her chagrin still does. He admits he is obtaining a divorce from gorgeous Amber.

Renita approves part of what he asks for. Still he persuades the overweight bank officer to join his gym. She and her dad do. Renita quickly knows she always loved Brett and still does, but believes he can choose any woman he wants so why settle on a chub like her; yet he seems always be around her.

Renita makes this Australian second chance at love work as her insecurities about her looks makes for a fascinating character study of a unique (that is for romance novels) protagonist. Brett remains as resolute as when he banged heads playing football. The support cast enhances a terrific tale as readers will know they are in good hands when Joan Kilby is the author.

Harriet Klausner