Book review: Three Little Words (Fool's Gold #12) by Susan Mallery

Available July 30th 2013
Can first love turn into the real deal in a sizzling new Fool's Gold story from New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery? Isabel Carlisle thinks she's cursed in the romance department. Her teenage crush, Ford Hendrix, ignored all her letters. Her husband left her for another...man. So Isabel has come home to dust off her passion for fashion and run the family bridal shop until her parents are ready to sell it. Then she'll pursue her real dreams. At least, that's the plan, until sexy, charming Ford returns and leaves her feeling fourteen all over again.... 

Seeing Isabel all grown up hits bodyguard trainer Ford like a sucker punch. Back when heartbreak made him join the military, her sweet letters kept him sane. Now he can't take his eyes-or his lips-off her. The man who gave up on love has a reason to stay in Fool's Gold forever-if three little words can convince Isabel to do the same..


This book has a little back story. Isabel is the younger sister of Maeve who Ford was supposed to marry about 14 years ago. Maeve cheated on Ford with is best friend Leonard and broke off the engagement shortly before the wedding. Isabel was in love as much as you can when your only 14 with Ford. She cried and cried when he left town for the military right after this. Fast forward 14 years. Ford's finally out of the military and working with friends at CDS a security business. Isabel is back too. She running her parents bridal business while they are on a world wide vacation. When they return she's supposed to help them sell the Bridal salon and then move back to New York to start a fashion business with a friend. Ford says he isn't marriage material. That something must be wrong for him in in 14 years he's never had a serious relationship since Maeve. Even now though he realizes he never really loved her then.  Isabel is nervous about seeing Ford and talking to him. Ever since he left she's written him letters.  He never wrote back. She doesn't want to him to think she's a stalker. Ford for his part read every one. Over and over again. They helped him get through some pretty rough spots in his military career when he needed a dose of good and normal.  Ford big problem now is his mother. She wants him and his divorced brother Kent married and will do almost anything to make it happen.  When ford moves into the garage apartment of Isabel's' parents home he asks Isabel to be his pretend girlfriend to get his mother off his back.  Things get crazy from there. There is a double romance going on here. Ford and Isabel think they are faking it until Isabel figures out she's in love and her plans have changed. Then you have Ford's older brother Kent who has been around in the series for a little while now. He's divorced with a son. He falls for Consuelo Ford's friend and fellow coworker/owner of CDS. Their story is a little smaller but packs a big punch too. Kent is figuring his way into dating again and Consuelo has no idea how to date with her background and history. Lots of internal conflicts of course in this book but like all HEA they get worked out by the last page. Ford was a little to full of himself for my taste and i wanted to kick him in the shins a time or two for that.  What i love most about this series is even though each books highlights a new couple you get to see what's going on with previous couples and possible set up for future couple.  You feel like you could be there. I  have no idea how Susan Mallery keeps track but i am glad she does such an amazing job. 4 out of 5 stars for Three Little Words by Susan Mallery.

Find out more about Susan Mallery and the Fools Gold series in her website here. www.susanmallery.com