Review: "Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off" by Cara North

Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off by Cara North

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


First off, let me say that I love the title of this book: it's funny, catchy and lets you know right away that you aren't supposed to take the story too seriously. Just relax and enjoy, that's what it says.

Bethany Dodson is the classic poor rich girl. As the only child of a wealthy business, she's had everything money can buy - as long as she doesn't bother her parents with silly demands for attention or love. But she's had enough of that. She's 30 years old, still a virgin - because no man has ever had the courage to defy her father - and about to be married to a man - chosen by her father, of course - in what is nothing more than a business transaction. It's time she gave her life a new direction - and Vegas is the place to ditch her old self and become a new woman. The first thing to do? Trick some innocent guy into marrying her, so she can change her last name and get a new ID. Now, where can she find a nice and gullible guy to marry?

Jack Jonhson and his siblings (Heath, Rafe and Jan) want to get the neglected family ranch they've inherited back to business, but they don't have the necessary funds to do it because their grandfather's will estipulates that they have to be over 25 years old and married for more than 3 months in order to receive any inheritance money. Jack goes to Vegas, hoping to convince a former girlfriend to marry and stay married to him for 3 months. When she asks for half of his inheritance to agree to the sham marriage, Jack refuses - he needs all the money to invest on the ranch - and is back to the beginning. Where can he find a woman to marry at short notice? A woman who doesn't have any interest in his money?

By fate, Bethany and Jack meet - in Vegas, of course -, down some several tequila shots, make out in the elevator and decide to get married - all the while, one thinking he/she is oh-so-smart and is tricking the other into marriage. The morning after, the truth is revealed - and without temper tantrums or accusations, they decide to head to Jack's ranch in Montana and fulfill the terms of his grandfather's will, agreeing that both of them benefit from their sham marriage. Will that be enough to "unlock" Jack's inheritance money? As for Bethany, will her father and her fiancé let her "escape" that easily? What about the unexpected feelings that Jack and Bethany start developing for each other? Will all be over after their 3-month marriage?

This was "just" an okay read to me. Jack and Bethany were nice, Jack's siblings were well-drawn but not particularly unforgettable, Bethany's fiancé was unpleasant but not hateful, Jack and Bethany's interactions were sometimes funny, sometimes sweet and sometimes downright steamy hot and kinky, but there was something missing. There was no real conflict in the story and although some readers might find that refreshing, I found myself wishing for an earthquake to shake things up. Considering their temporary arrangement, Jack and Bethany were wary of falling in love, of course, but the whole thing felt a bit bland to me. Maybe they were just the kind of people who aren't prone to outbursts of emotion, I don't know.

Last but not least, I have to comment on Ms. North's writing. English isn't my native language so I'm not the best person to correct anyone's English writing, but there were several grammatical and spelling errors in this book. Each time I found an error, I had to stop and think if my first impression was wrong or that was actually an error. Very annoying. :(

This was only my 1st read by Ms. North, so I can't say if the things that bothered me in this book are common or just a fluke. I'm willing to give her the benefit of the doubt and I'll have no problem giving her another try in the future.




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