Dorie Graham, Eye Candy

Eye Candy

Dorie Graham

Harlequin Blaze, Apr 2004, $4.50, 249 pp.

ISBN: 0373791348

In Atlanta, Crystal Peterson and Sam Schaffer have been friends since first grade. Sam knows he cherishes Crystal as the only woman for him though he dates a bevy of beauties because he fears the loss of their friendship as she has shown no indication that she loves him like that plus the tomboy prefers Ron Kincaid.

After scoring the winning touchdown in their Piedmont Park football game, Crystal is disappointed that the other team's star Ron congratulates her like one of the guys. She asks Sam to help her with an extreme makeover from wide receiver to sex siren. As he reluctantly performs his magic, Crystal realizes that she loves good neighbor Sam and wonders how he feels, but plans to find out if he feels the same way too not realizing the joy and hurt that is coming her way.

Though the theme has been often used, EYE CANDY is an entertaining friends and lovers romance that stars two fine lead characters. Their relationship undergoes an extreme makeover that could either become permanent or end everything they have shared for over two decades. The story line cleverly uses Atlanta as a solid backdrop to a blazing tale that love embedded with a strong friendship is the best type of relationship of all.

Harriet Klausner