The Look of Love by Bella Andre

June 11th, 2013 Kimberly Review 54 Comments

11th Jun
The Look of Love by Bella Andre
The Look of Love
by Bella Andre
Series: The Sullivans #1
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Source: Publisher, Tour
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
Goodreads
Rating: One StarOne StarOne StarOne Star

Sometimes one look is all it takes- Chloe Peterson has vowed never to make the mistake of trusting a man again. Her reasons are as vivid as the bruises on her cheek. So when her car skids off a wet country road straight into a ditch, she's convinced the gorgeous guy who rescues her must be too good to be true. As a successful international photographer, Chase Sullivan has his pick of beautiful women. He's satisfied with his life—until he finds Chloe and her totaled car on the side of the road in Napa Valley. With every loving look—and every sinfully sweet caress—the attraction between them sizzles, and Chloe can't help but wonder if she's met the man who may be the exception to her rule…. (Expanded Edition! More Story! More Sullivans!Fans of Bella Andre's Sullivan Series will love this long-awaited print edition of THE LOOK OF LOVE. It features a longer, more-detailed story with all the emotion and sensuality that readers love. Not to be missed!

Have you ever opened a book and slipped into the story letting the author’s voice and characters transport you only to discover you’ve spent hours lost within its pages? The Look of Love by Bella Andre did this to me. I consumed this in a single afternoon and cannot wait for the next book. If I had to summarize the book in three words: sexy, sweet and hot!

The tale begins at the seventieth birthday for the Sullivan mother. The siblings have all gathered to celebrate and it offers us an intro to this tight-knit family. We see the family through the eyes of Chase Sullivan and I enjoyed the telling. Chase leaves early for a photo shoot scheduled at his brother’s winery in Napa Valley. The weather has turned bad making navigation difficult and right before reaching his brother’s ranch he discovers a car stuck in an embankment and a woman walking in the hail and rain. Chloe Peterson has a nasty bruise on her check and Chase is pretty sure the accident didn’t cause it. The tale that unfolds was sweet, filled with discovery, character growth and a romance that set the pages on fire.

Chase is a successful photographer, drop dead, and six-foot of well toned, take your breath away muscle. He has a smile that will turn your legs to jelly. One of the good guys whose mama raised him right I immediately fell in love. He’s played the field and enjoyed the perks of his profession but Chloe hits him like a semi. Chloe has tried to pick up the pieces of soul and the events leading up to the accident have left her shaken. She is fearful of Chase and has vowed to never trust a man again. I really connected with Chloe she was complicated and genuine. She is brave, scared, confident, and insecure. She is also bright, sweet and funny. I enjoyed watching her reassess, deal with Chase and face her own demons. We get to know a little more about Chase’s older brother Marcus and I am anxious for his story. Secondary characters including Chase’s photography staff had me giggling and enjoying the tale.

The Look of Love was delightful and the tale flowed wonderfully with just the right amount of twists. The physical attraction was hot and you could feel the heat coming off the pages. I loved the slow build of tension and finally the release. The romance felt genuine and despite the short time period Andre made me believe. Chloe is complex and slowly reveals her inner self as Chase carefully peels back her layers allowing her to make decisions and feel confident and in control. There are steamy scenes folks and Andre gave us a delightful mix of sweet, hot and naughty. The Sullivan family consists of eight children and their widowed mother. All of them single. There are six smexy, successful brothers and then the babies (at 24) twin girls. Both are gorgeous and totally different in personality. I am looking forward to reading all of their stories.

I recommend The Look of Love to fans of the Kowalski Family by Shannon Stacey who are looking for more heat. This was the perfect afternoon escape and I have found another author to love. From this Moment On is the next book in the series. Look for my review in July.

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About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

54 Responses to “The Look of Love by Bella Andre”

  1. Aoede

    I read this book when it first came out in 2011, and contemplating buying the new version. What is the difference between the original and this one, is it worth it? Thanks.

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Aoede, sadly I did not read the original version, all I can tell you is that there are more scenes and it’s been edited and revamped.

  2. Sharon - Obsession with Books

    A Wonderful review! I am a big Bella Andre fan so I really need to play catch-up with her books, these characters sound great!

  3. Jennifer Bielman

    I love slipping into a book and not coming out till the end. authors who can do that are my kind of authors. I am all over this one.

  4. Naomi Hop

    The Look of Love sounds like a sweet book. Where do we find a Chase? He sounds delish! And the Sullivan family sounds like they will be fun!! Whoop whoop!

  5. Pnrurbfantasyreviews

    Since I just won this from oh, I dunno an amazing blog ;D –YOURS!! I cannot wait to pick this series up, the books sound like great summer reads! PS. The bag is fantastic, totally made my day, and I looked at it as an early B-Day present with all the wrapped goodies!! Thanks for hosting a great giveaway!! *smooches* cupcake

  6. Jenea Whittington

    This sounds wonderful. Chase, well he sounds the full package and in a setting of Napa Valley, sounds like a fantastic book. Don’t you love when an author can pull you into a story like that?

  7. thegeekyblogger

    I enjoyed this one too! It was such a good introduction into the series and I can’t wait to read book 2~

  8. Debbie Haupt

    Ooh Kim, I’ve been hearing a lot about this digital phenom gone paper 🙂 she’s in fact on my list of want to interview and I’m just waiting on HQN to tell me yay or nay 🙂
    thanks for the great review 4 out of 5 ain’t bad
    deb

  9. Anna

    Oh yeah! Glad you loved it too 🙂 It really was a hot read and I loved that she convinced me of the fast pace of the relationship too. I was really impressed by that. And how easy it was to get lost in the story. So fun when that happens. Great review Kimberly!! I’m dying for Marcus’ story too. It’s in my pile for next week. Woot!

  10. kindlemom1

    I read the sample of this and was hooked! I bought it immediately and then had to put it on hold because of other commitments. But, I did buy all the others in the series because of it, which I hardly ever do but I liked it that much. It is nice to hear that the whole book was just as good as the sample I read. Now I really need to get back to this one!
    Great review Kim!

  11. Nick

    I’ve heard nothing but praise for this book. Now that you loved it too, I know I’m going to have to try it out. I’ll definitely keep the book in mind when I’m in the mood for a cute adult contemporary. I’m actually looking forward to reading more on the family dynamics than the romance!
    Great review, Kim!

  12. GRgenius

    Couldn’t read too closely as this one is actually on my to-read list (surprising, no?)…but I did gather it was hot, good, and a great way to while away an afternoon. Can’t wait ^_^

  13. Aurian

    I am just skimming your review, as I am reading this one at the moment. Glad you enjoyed it.

  14. Mariana_BookTravels

    I loved this first book and Chase is a pretty nice guy. Romantic and very sweet. Nice review!!

  15. Erin F

    Thanks for the great review and spotlight!!! I’m dying to read this book! It looks and sounds fantastic 🙂

  16. Kristin Clifton

    I remember hearing the synopsis of this one and liking it! I love the switch of the POV being the guy’s AND you say it’s a little bit hot? Hmmmmm, I’m adding this for sure!!!!!!!! Awesome review, girlie!!! Looking foward to next month 🙂

  17. Heidi

    I love books like this. Sweet Summery escapes. Just what we need, I especially am enjoying them before I hit my Apocalypse reads next month!

  18. Maja (The Nocturnal Library)

    I actually adore Harlequin Mira romancesecause they tend to be fun, sweet, sexy and not angsty at all. Angst and I are not friends. This is exactly the type of read I generally enjoy, I love these family stories, community stories and romances mixed together.

  19. kimbacaffeinate

    I hope you do, I am on the tour and will share the first three books this summer. It was a wonderful, smexy read and I have already read book two..it was wonderful as well.

  20. Melissa (Books and Things)

    Oh sweet!! I have just won this book and now I know I can get lost in it! I do love that! I also love that Chase sounds so hot. I also love that you laughed with the book. MUST READ SOON! 😀

  21. Andrea

    I am so thrilled that you liked The Look of Love, Kim! The Sullivans is one of my very favorite series, and I promise you, the books only get better!

  22. kimbacaffeinate

    Already devoured book two but my tour stop isn’t until July 30th. *taps foot impatiently* waiting for tour group to send me third book for August stop..LOL

  23. candacerobinson

    Oh I’m so glad you reviewed this one! I have a copy to read but hadn’t heard much about it (or seen reviews, I guess) and now I’m actually really excited to read it! And I don’t know what it is about photographers, but I love them in books!

  24. Kimberly

    Ya know I’ve been meaning to read Bella Andre for ages but other books get in the way. I have loads of friends that love them though 🙂