Review: Stone Kissed

Reviewed by Jen
 

What an odd story this was. It focused on Delia, a woman who can communicate with stone statues. She's been called back to her hometown, because the family manor has burned with her father inside. Her dad survived, but was badly injured and requires costly care. Grant Wolverton, a successful businessman and childhood crush, offers to buy the ancestral home. And though Delia doesn't want to let it go, she has to accept, in order to pay the medical bills. She stays on with the estate, though, to help renovate the house and she and Grant grow closer.

It took me awhile to get into the story. Delia's relationship with her dad has always been rocky, so the statues are really her only family. I know her communication with them is supposed to be charming, but it was really kind of hokey. Delia comes across as awkward and kind of naive. The very best thing this book has going for it are the sex scenes, which are pretty darn hot and fortunately plentiful. Sadly, the actual relationship between Delia and Grant is frustrating. She is clearly crazy about the guy, but every time he tries to initiate more than a roll in the hay, she pulls away from him. A relationship with Grant is what her dreams are made of, but she keeps a wall between them. And she blames him because he doesn't believe the statues talk to her. (Well, duh!)

Obviously, Delia and Grant have enough problems between them. But there is the additional foil of Delia's succubus cousin. She wants Grant and the old house. But I never really saw her as much of a threat, since Grant barely looked at her twice.

It was kind of hard for me to keep all the statue characters straight. And I didn't entirely get the epilogue. (Who the hell are the Hardcastles?) I give the author credit for trying to find a unique theme, but it just didn't work for me. 2 1/2 stars. 

*ARC Provided by NetGalley