Tangled Sheets, Tangled Lies

by Julie Hogan

Leaving behind her celebrity career, Lauren Simpson had settled in the small town of Valle Verde, California, to pursue simpler dreams as the kind of mother her adopted son, Jem, deserved. After her last heartbreak, Lauren didn't need another man complicating her life. At least, she didn't think so....Posing as a handyman, Cole Travis had come to town in search of the son he'd never known-who just might be Jem Simpson. But the closer he grew to Lauren, the more troubled Cole's heart became. Could this secret father find a way to untangle the lies...and gain both his son and the love of a lifetime?

174 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2003

Reviews

[Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 ½ Stars! ~ Imagine discovering one day that your ex-wife has confessed on her deathbed that she’d had your child and abandoned him at the hospital where she gave birth, and you hadn’t had any clue that she’d even been pregnant. That’s the shock that catapulted Colt Travers on a frantic search for his son. But it’s been almost four years since his son was born and there had been no record anywhere of what name his ex-wife had used at the hospital. Thanks to a brilliant private investigator, Cole has some concrete leads. He’d learnt with the first few couples that it wasn’t a good idea to indicate that he might be the biological father of their adopted son. So he was thrilled to read an ad that said his next lead, Lauren Simpson was looking for a handyman-carpenter. Lauren loved her knew home and looked forward to building a quiet life for herself and her son. She’d come off a bad relationship almost a year ago, and she’d sworn off men. So hiring gorgeous sexy Cole went against her better judgment. Falling in love with him was entirely out of the question.

Julie Hogan’s debut with Silhouette is an intriguing read. Cole deliberately kept his identity hidden from Lauren. He had reasons, but when the deception continues on, the story losses something. Although it’s obvious Cole struggles with how to fix his lies, he keeps taking the road of silence. As a hero, he lost some of his appeal, though he did earn his forgiveness. Lauren is scarred by a horrible childhood in the foster care system. It’s obvious that she’s devoted to her son and she’s smart enough to know her own weaknesses, like the sexy Cole. I really liked Lauren who had a quirky habit of seeking out the sign at the Frosty King where tidbits of advise were offered. The "sign" was almost a character in the book, doling out just the right wisdom as Lauren and even Cole needed it. A very charming touch. The chemistry is delicious, and it’s inevitable that they will be together. I would have liked their big black moment to be a little more intense. I’m glad they found their HEA. Ms. Hogan wrote only two books for Silhouette; I’m looking forward to reading her other one, and hope that some day she publishes again.

[Tia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have to say I found this book a little too crazy. A man searching for his lost son goes through three other possible kids before he finally finds him, then marries his adoptive mother and finally when all the truth and lies come out, things are in chaos and she listens to a sign.. wtf? Yeah it was sweet and all but totally unrealistic and very fricken odd!

[Jan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked Cole and Lauren a lot. I liked how their relationship developed. I even liked the kid, which seldom happens. I didn't really like the situation between them though, and while I understood everyone's motivations, I didn't really liked how they acted on them.