Jill Shalvis Natural Blond Instincts

Natural Blond Instincts

Jill Shalvis

Harlequin Flipside, Dec 2003, $4.50

ISBN: 0373441797

Kenna Mallory is the poster adult of the tall, gorgeous, California golden girl. Most people who meet Kenna assume her brain consists of one icon that of a dumb blond. Even her family treats her as a beautiful moron though she is quite intelligent. She is so bone wary of being ignored for anything that requires thinking, Kenna accepts the job of vice president at her family's newest hotel in the Mallory hotel chain. However, her father is wary to allow Kenna too much freedom so he assigns her to work closely with Wes Roth.

Wes assumes that Kenna is a dumb blond who got her current position due to nepotism. On the other hand Kenna is a bit shocked that Wes is not an ancient know-it-all baby boomer, but instead is a hunk her age. Neither wants to share responsibility or the position. However, Wes reconsiders his first assessment of Kenna as she works hard, pulls her weight and more, and provides intelligent assessments and decisions. Likewise Kenna realizes that Wes is a sharp, hard working individual who carries more than his load. As they work closely together they fall in love, but each ignores the attraction that grows with every admiring moment together.

NATURAL BLOND INSTINCTS is an amusing contemporary romance. Though the tale is based on dumb blond jokes and doesn't avoid stereotyping. it clearly pays homage to the two recent legal movies. The story line is cleverly written though Wes' reactions to his attraction to Kenna, who he knows is beautiful and smart, seem off kilter. Still fans will appreciate this solid humorous story that pokes fun at pigeonholing individuals based on a physical trait.

Harriet Klausner