Tea & Read: A Case for Love

Title: A Case for Love
Author: Kaye Dacus
Rating: Spend the Day Sleepy

Blurb: The Alaine Delacroix that all of Bonneterre knows is the carefully polished image she puts forth every day on her noontime news-magazine program. When her parents’ home and small business is threatened by the biggest corporation in town, Alaine is forced to choose between her image and fighting for the life her family has built.

Lawyer Forbes Guidry is used to making things go his way. But when he’s asked to take on a pro bono case for a colleague, he’ll learn that he can’t control everything—including his feelings for his new client: Alaine Delacroix.

Alaine’s only option to help her family is hiring Forbes, but can she bring herself to trust the handsome, disarmingly charming lawyer? And will Forbes Guidry be able to make a case for love before losing his job and family? Can both trust that God will present a solution before it’s too late?

This is the third book in the Brides of Bonneterre series and it is as great as the first book. It is Forbes Guidry’s turn to shine. He makes appearances in the first two books as a likeable but domineering family protector. Forbes (who in my head looks like Robert Downing Jr. as Tony Stark) always seemed more three-dimensional character than other secondary characters. I guess I connected with him since I’m a bit of a control freak myself. Alaine appeared in the second book of the series and it was nice to see her make a return, even though I didn’t like her very much at the beginning.

As usual, Dacus weaves an intricate story with lots of memorable characters. I’m always amazed how she is able to juggle so many characters but not leave you feeling overwhelmed. She already had a full cast with the Guidry and extended family but she manages to fit more wonderful characters in this book. I connected with each character and all the work Dacus puts into character development shines through each person.

The plot moves a long and again, Dacus shows her skill in weaving multiple subplots together and tying up them nicely. Even though the plot may seem familiar, big business vs. mom and pop, I still enjoyed the way the novel brings to life the people involved in that struggle. The book is well paced with no slow spots.

I also think the themes in the book are timely ones. I loved Alain and Forbes struggle with appearing to be one way but dealing with the truth of who they are. The idea of a big time lawyer standing up for the little people and the importance of integrity kept me hooked. And of course, Dacus has a way with dealing with being single with a realistic flare.

Kaye Dacus has written another great book and I hope there are more books to this series.