Alex Logan is New York City’s number one bachelor with a playboy reputation. He owns an exclusive nightclub, The White Orchid (named for his mother’s favorite flower) and is estranged from his father after a traumatic event in their family drives a wedge between the two of them.Aubrey Ryan is a journalism graduate who dreams of writing the perfect romance novel. There’s just ONE problem, she doesn’t know anything about romance. Her best friend, Julie, works for a marketing agency and convinces her to come to a speed dating event being held at The White Orchid to find a muse for her book, and maybe a real leading man for herself.Aubrey is having a horrible time at the event and when it’s over, Alex walks up and sits down. She is immediately taken away with how gorgeous he is and how easily she finds herself being able to communicate with him. He is also smitten with her and asks her on a date.Aubrey’s plan of finding a muse for her book doesn't turn out as planned. She realizes she has developed deep feelings for him. She loves him, but she’s scared of the proverbial shoe dropping any minute. She feels so strongly about Alex, that she turns her research journal into a diary and gives up the idea of a book. She’s happy to just be with him and the book no longer matters. However, she fails to tell him that she initially wanted to use him for a book (you can imagine that’s going to bite her later). Alex has the reputation of a player, but as soon as he states his intentions towards Aubrey, we see that is not the case at all. He is completely devoted to her.This story encompasses a vast amount of feelings. You experience the highs of a new love and the lows of heartbreak. There are insecurities on both of their parts and you find yourself rooting for them to overcome. There is a tragic event that takes place and what follows is heartbreaking for the both the main characters. Do they care enough to fight for what they feel in their hearts is forever? You’ll have to read and see.Joanne gives us characters that are very believable. I felt at certain times, the storyline was a little predictable, but enjoyed it overall. I can’t say the story ends in an actual CH, and I did imagine the ending before I read it, but there is a question posed by Aubrey on the last page that makes you wonder. I had previously downloaded the second book and immediately began reading it to finish Audrey & Alex’s story. Great debut novel Joanne. *ARC provided by author in exchange for an HONEST review*What do you do when you decide it's time to stop being frumpy, it's time to do what you've always wanted to do, and put yourself out there? You end up speed dating at the push of your bestie. What do you do when you're bored out of your mind, secretly making fun of the losers at the speed dating, then out of nowhere, this uber sexy man sits down? Aubrey needs a muse for her romance novel. Little does she know that her own romance is sitting right in front of her. Keeping her guard up, Alex slowly tears it down. From first glance at Aubrey, Alex has this innate need to know her. In his courtship, he prays his reputation doesn't stand in his way. Just when we think HEA is on the horizon, tragedy strikes and Aubrey is left to pick up the pieces of her broken heart, her broken life. On her journey, she makes a new friend who helps her pick up the pieces. When Joanne Schwehm asked me to read and review her book for her. I was excited to do so. I'd seen the teasers, and her muse and couldn't wait to place him inside with his character. I really loved this book. And O.M.G. the twist. NEVER. SAW. IT. COMING. When it happened, I jumped on FB and immediately messaged her. I was in shock and had no words. THAT never happens to me. There are very few writers who can render me speechless, and bam, she did. Don't miss this book. It has a little bit of everything in it, and then some. That ending... it still renders me speechless when I think about it. Hankering for book 2.... gotta go harass her a little more. :)
