FRISKY INTENTIONS

In Mars’ romance series starter, two Californians make a connection over baked goods.

Jason Winter is a Hollywood agent and a man who knows how to provide for people. When he meets Summer Palmer, a sensual cafe owner, they hit it off immediately, and providing for her becomes his all-consuming passion. Summer owns The Frisky Bean with her best friend Kevin Johnson, and they fill it with delicious, mouthwatering baked goods, all with humorous sexual innuendo such as Rock Your Socks Blueberry Scone and Bondage Banana Bread. Summer wants sex and romance with a special someone who will adore her voluptuous body, engage her mind, and connect with her soul. Her Goddess oracle cards tell her that she’s on the cusp of love and change. Can Jason be all she’s desired? Over the course of Mars’ novel, the alternating first-person narration from both main characters gives complexity to the character development as it proceeds from initial intense attraction to emotional connection. However, the novel’s brisk pace and short timeline give it a straightforward simplicity. The work sometimes struggles to maintain a tone of playful sexiness while also providing exposition: “After making sure that everyone scheduled to cover the café wouldn’t need my intervention, I’d met Jason at his home and from there, well, from there we’d had the most amazing few days.” However, the story becomes more nuanced as it goes on, and the quirky, passionate, and humorous storytelling ultimately makes for a fun and romantic read.

A sassy, sweet, and gently provocative love story.