Review: The Best Man by Ana Blaze

The Best Man
by Ana Blaze
Publisher: Entranced Publishing
Publication date: April 29, 2013
Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance
Source: Publisher in exchange for unbiased review
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Beth Chase is too busy planning perfect weddings to worry about the lack of action in her own love life. But if she was looking for a man, she wouldn’t be looking at Colin Pratt. Her boss swears that Best Man Colin is a quiet scholar and science fiction writer who couldn’t possibly cause a fuss at his own brother’s wedding. He’s clearly never met the man in question. Snarky, sexy and more than a little inebriated, Colin is the final obstacle between Beth and the last perfect wedding she needs to make partner. Of course, when she helps him into a taxi at the end of the night she has no idea that he’s only just begun to poke holes in her professional exterior. Colin might have the skills to seduce a romance professional, but can he convince her that he’s the best man to share her happy ever after?

I am going to be totally honest here; I am a sucker for this type of synopsis. Predictable? Yes, but the ride to my HEA is usually a fun one. So when the publisher dangled The Best Man in front of me, I jumped at the chance to review this novella. I am so glad I did. Ana Blaze gave me a yummy hero and a smart, commitment shy romantic. I consumed this in a single sitting and it was delightful. Three word review: funny, sexy and romantic.

Beth Chase is a wedding planner and has her sights set on making partner at the company she works for. Today’s wedding hinges on that promotion, so when she sees the best man Colin Pratt arrive disheveled  and obviously drunk, she will do whatever it takes to make the wedding go off without a hitch. The tale that unfolds was filled with a mix of hot and romantic moments with characters that quickly drew me in.

Beth Chase is successful, and as she states she“dates” but never really moves into the relationship department. Her career takes up too much of her time for anything. Colin Pratt is a jilted, smexy scholar and writer with the most delicious British accent. *swoons* The chemistry between them is hot from the start, and it was fun watching the tango these two performed. The banter was funny, and watching him unnerve her was delicious. While there is some one-sided insta-love, I totally bought it and loved watching this romance develop.

The Best Man is the type of book that you easily slide into. The author engages you from the beginning and allows you to connect with the characters. While the plot is predictable, Blaze added her own blend of humor, heat and lovable characters to make it all work. This is a novella but I appreciated that it didn’t feel rushed, things unfolded naturally and gave me exactly what I wanted; a delightful afternoon escape. 

Fans of Happily-Ever-After, heat and world-wind romances will love slipping into the pages of The Best Man. I will definitely be trying this author again! Mr. Right is currently available and A Late Thaw will release later this year.

Four coffee cups out of five