Customer Reviews

A Mutual Favor

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

By TT reviewer Patricia McGrew

Orthopedic surgeon Kurt Silverman and Physical therapist Shelly Ware had been best friends since Kurt moved to San Antonio to start a new life. Ever since his bitter divorce his ex-wife has been fighting him for his son's visitation. This time she wants to stop visits because he didn't have a stability home life. With his job he worked long hours and needed someone to be there with his son while he was working. He needs a wife that will understand his dedication to his job. The problem, he just didn't want to fall in love again.

Shelly had always thought of Kurt as the perfect man. She has been secretly in love with him, but realizes that if he knew it would destroy their friendship. When Shelly's sister is diagnosed with cervical cancer, she starts reviewing her life. She feels her biological clock is running out. She wants a baby before it's too late. Having no boyfriend, she decides to ask Kurt to be a sperm donator.

After Kurt gets over the shock, he decides that this might be the answer to both of their problems. This could be the perfect Mutual Favor. Kurt would have a wife, so he could get his son back and he wouldn't have to worry about emotional entanglements. Shelly would get a child, and experience the passion of conception instead of clinical application.

Throw two best friends and one rebellious teenage boy together, then try to make a happy family. Only time will tell if they will both get what they want. Will being best friends be enough or will love come their way? Will the lies the ex-wife told their son stop him from giving Shelly a chance?

A Mutual Favor is a modern marriage of convenience story. It's a delightful well written story that will pull at her emotions. I loved the growth of their relationship, it was handled in such a way that the reader is involved with Kurt and Shelly each step of the way. I like the fact that Shelly's character was strong enough to help Kurt when he needs it. I recommend this truly great story and look forward to reading more from Ms. Jacobs.

She wants a baby. He needs to prove he has a stable home so that he can have joint custody of his son. A MUTUAL FAVOR is a story of two best friends who realize that they can each do something amazing for each other.

Shelly Ware begins to realize, at age 32, that her biological clock is running out. Then, after discovering that her sister has cervical cancer, she decides she wants to have a baby. Who else would she ask to father that baby other than her best friend, Dr. Kurt Silverman. Add to the fact that Shelly's been in love with Kurt almost since they met, and he is the perfect candidate.

Kurt is shocked when his best friend Shelly asks him to father her child. He doesn't give it a second thought. In the meantime, Kurt has been battling his ex-wife Adrianna for shared custody of their son, Jason. The judge deems Kurt's hectic surgical schedule, and the lack of a stable home reason enough to cut Jason's visitation severely. When Kurt hears this, he realizes that he can make Shelly happy by giving her a baby, if she'll return the 'favor' and marry him, so that he will be able to spend more time with his son.

Shelly agrees with the mutual favor, as Kurt's the only man she's ever wanted, but she secretly wishes he could come to love her as much as she loves him. Kurt is just glad his best friend didn't laugh in his face and agreed to become his wife.

A MUTUAL FAVOR gives us real characters that we can identify with. Shelly is considered 'too good to be true' by Kurt, as she goes above and beyond to provide the home Kurt needs for his son. She is completely selfless, and endures what she thinks is a one-sided abiding love for Kurt. Kurt is a caring, sensitive man, whose love for his son shines brightly in A MUTUAL FAVOR. But, what Kurt can't figure out is why he is so attracted to his best friend all of a sudden. The passion and ecstasy they share is beyond anything he could have ever dreamed. The feelings of friendship, attraction and lust keep escalating. Jason is a typical pre-teen. He's been poisoned by his mother against his father, and resents his father's busy schedule. His character was done well in a story that is just as hot as we expect most Ellora's Cave stories to be.

A MUTUAL FAVOR was an excellent read. I was caught up by the passion and the emotions this story evoked. It was impossible to not be affected by Shelly's deepening emotions, especially while watching Kurt's fear of becoming too deeply involved, which causes him to draw further away. Jason affected me deeply as well. Ms. Jacobs delivered again. I look forward to reading more and more of her books.

Robin Taylor
In the Library Reviews

Physical therapist Shelly Ware desperately wants a child. Workaholic orthopedic surgeon Kurt Silverman has lost custody of his son in a bitter divorce. After relocating to San Antonio from Atlanta, he's lucky to see Jason two weeks a year. When his lawyer suggests he settle down and get remarried, Kurt wants nothing to do with another high maintenance woman in his life. When Shelly suggests that they help each other out, he at first balks then figures if he has to get married, at least they will be friends. But Kurt didn't count on his intense attraction to Shelly, nor his enjoyment of fulfilling his part of the bargain. When Jason comes for an unannounced visit, Kurt is back to his old tricks, and is unavailable, forcing Jason to spend time with his new stepmother instead. Shelly's high risk pregnancy further complicates custody arrangements, putting strain on the union. Can their friendship and newfound lust sustain the relationship?

Jacobs has written a surprisingly deep love story considering the usual EC fare, complete with character development. Though there are some sensual passages, it's tame in comparison to other novels in the line; with the exception of some graphic language describing body parts and sexual acts, it reads like any other spicy romance novel. At just over 200 pages, it's overpriced, but is one of the better stories I've read in the line.

A marriage of convenience with a twist! Workaholic surgeon Kurt Silverman needs a stable home for his son to visit; his good friend Shelly Ware wants a baby before her clock runs out. Can friendship--and the lust that flares between them once they decide to join forces--grow into a love that lasts a lifetime?

Ann Jacobs' contemporary romantica combines steam heat with heartwarming romance and characters to die for. A MUTUAL FAVOR's a keeper!

Shelly Ware and Kurt Silverman have been friends since Kurt moved to San Antonio. Now both of then are at a crossroads to get move visitation with his son Kurt must have a stable home for him. Shelly has been hearing her biological clock ticking and now with the news that her sister has cancer she wants to have a baby. They both realize that the can help each other with marriage.
"A Mutual Favor" is the first book that I have read by Ann Jacobs but it will not be the last. Ms. Jacobs give the reader a great story with some steamy scenes. This is a book that you will want to keep on your bookshelf

I loved this book, I've read it twice already but it could have used more sex and passion. That's the only reason I gave it a 4 instead of 5. This is my first review and first Ellora's cave book. But I really enjoyed it! Definitely recommend. Have already ordered many more Ellora's cave books and appreciate the other reviews, Helps me find the right books for me.

Kurt Silverman and Shelly Ware are best friends, but all of that changed when she asked him to father a child with her. She had been harboring deep feelings for Kurt, but never let that affect their friendship because it was too important to her. She had no illusions about raising the child herself, but she wanted a child now, and didn't want to wait for the happily ever after that may not happen. When her sister was given a cancer diagnosis, she realized that she might not have all the time in the world to have the family she always wanted.

When Kurt was given the bad news about his custody arrangement with his ex, he knew something had to change in his life. His visitation was being decreased because his life as a doctor wasn't conducive to raising a child. His attorney suggested getting married, and he thought of Shelly. He could give her what she needed in return she could help provide a stable environment for his son. Shelly agreed to Kurt's proposal even though he made sure she knew love wasn't included ever. He wanted his son, and she wanted a child. He thought it was a win/win situation for both of them.

Kurt was amazed by Shelly, and frightened by his growing feelings for her. In a short amount of time, she had created the perfect home for him, and even managed to put up with his very obviously unhappy son when he came to visit. She gave everything, but her pregnancy put his custody requests on hold because the judge thought her to fragile to care for Kurt's son. Shelly felt like a failure. Kurt had given her what she most desired, but she had put his chances of custody in jeopardy.

Kurt and Shelly make a wonderful couple! As we are taken on their journey putting together a new family, it is an emotional and very sensual ride. This story has it all. There are well written characters with a superb story, and several steamy scenes to make you melt. Highly recommended read!

This book did it for me! I enjoy romance novels very much, and read them on an almost daily basis. This was a great book, full of passion and descriptive writing that had me imagining every scene as if I was there. Another romance book, that I read recently which I also loved and highly recommend is Cameron Banks The Reality Show. It's quite different from your normal romance novel. It's written from a guy's perspective. If you're looking for a good read, these two rank up in my top ten for sure!

This was Ellora's Cave? Really? I couldn't believe it. It read like a Silhouette Limited Edition story. I mean I loved that it was so sweet, but it was NOT hot enough to be called erotica. The cover makes you think it's going to be super steamy, but it was more sweet than that. But yes it was sometimes passionate and sensual.

The story had so much potential, but after I finished it, I was left feeling let down, thinking- Is that it? It's not a horrible read exactly, but it's definitely one I wish I had borrowed instead of having bought.

I was disappointed in how the author explains the heroine's sudden need for a child. The heroine Shelly, who is only 32, is very one-dimensional. As a reader, I never see any real internal dialogue explaining this desire for a baby. It's only mentioned that she hears a faint tick-tock of her biological clock. There's no mention of how maybe she very much longs for a baby, how she might have medical issues which would prevent pregnancy, how she might have trouble with boyfriends/potential fathers- all of these could be factors but none are used to explain her overwhelming urge to have a baby. Instead, her sister Donna is mentioned (a sister we never meet; she is only mentioned). Donna has cervical cancer and this obviously kicks Shelly's baby-making plans into high gear. You'd think Shelly would go get a physical and a Pap smear; she goes to dinner with the H Kurt, her friend, and asks him to father a baby. I just felt like this was a little hurried and and her motivations not explained sufficiently. Also Donna seems to be only a catalyst to move this plot device along. Donna's illness and it's effect on Shelly could have been developed a lot more.

As for Kurt, he was very annoying to me. He's surly, selfish, egocentric, Me Me Me; one of those men who is consumed by his powerful job and who likes to throw money at her instead of his time. Kurt is still bitter about his ex-wife and we see this all through the book. Yet right before the book ends, he suddenly has an epiphany: he lets the bitterness go, he realizes he loves Shelly and should treat her better, and that he needs to be a more present father to his children. All this was just too tidily and easily resolved right at the end of the book, way too rushed and underdeveloped.

I didn't really get to know Shelly or Kurt. It's like, I'll do you this favor and you do this me this favor, and we'll fall in love along the way somehow, someway, and then we'll have a HEA in the epilogue. It's a lackluster romance with two banal people who have boring sex. Nothing exciting at all.

And Kurt's problematic child Jason? He arrives a sarcastic, hurt pre-teen, and suddenly by the end of the book, he is more mature and not needy or not angry at his dad at all. I just feel as if a lot of book is missing and that there needs to be some connecting of the dots.

This story and characters were just disappointing to me all the way around. Would not recommend at all. There are better books to spend $11 on.