It was a good story with good characters, but I didn't feel a connection to the hero/heroine, and I didn't feel the connection between the two of them. This ISN'T an author problem, because I LOVE Maryann's books. It's the hazard of the novella. When an author is strictly limited on word count it's hard to fully flesh out characters and scenes, especially when one writes as detailed stories as Maryann does. My favorite part of any romance is the build-up and tension between that "first look" and the "first time," but that requires time and space, which one doesn't have in this shortened format. There was also a large cast of characters and sometimes I was confused and unsure who was who.
It's very difficult to have characters meet, fall in love, and work through the plot in 80 or so pages. Maryann sure packed a lot into a novella, however, and I applaud her! It's a short read, and very well worth the time. I simply prefer her full-length novels, which have "more meat on the bone" so to speak, but you will not be disappointed when you spend time with Jude and Sabrina.