Prince Joe by Suzanne Brockmann

Veronica St. John is facing the challenge of a lifetime. The media consultant has two days to teach a rugged Navy SEAL to impersonate a European prince who has been targeted by terrorists. It's a tough assignment, but Veronica is sure she's up to the task -- until she actually meets Joe.

Despite his physical resemblance to the handsome prince, Lieutenant Joe Catalanofto is nothing like the stuffy aristocrat. Everything about the combat-hardened Navy SEAL -- from the arrogant gleam in his eyes and streetwise attitude to the New York accent -- says regular guy, not royalty. One conversation and Veronica knows nothing could turn this military man into nobility. Joe, on the other hand, is confident he's got what it takes to complete his duty.

But neither of them expects their assignment to include falling in love . . .

The first book of SB's Tall, Dark and Dangerous series--and an absolute winner. SB is, of course, known for creating wonderful characters but I dunno what she was eating when she was writing this one because the chemistry between Joe and Ronnie was wonderful. There goes that word again. It was wonderful to read, wonderful to "experience," wonderful to reflect on.

Joe Cat had a great sense of humor that the only way to go was fall in love with him. I couldn't blame him for his prejudice about social classes because, admit it, they do exist. This "inferiority" thing he had when it came to Ronnie actually made him more adorable--because we hardly ever see our (SB) SEALs this vulnerable. Just because he was CO of an elite team of SEALs, he didn't didn't automatically think he was good enough for the "likes" of Ronnie. But because he knew she loved him, too, then he was ready to be with her no matter the cost. Pride be damned!

The British accent was a nice touch--I have a weakness for the brogue myself. I admit, I was pretty disappointed when Ronnie refused Joe Cat's proposal. I mean, it was she who said that "some things were worth the risk" (check page 140!). This was definitely one of those things and yet she was afraid to do it. But in the end, I was proud of her for overcoming that fear. Unlike soldiers who go to war with their eyes wide open, husbands and wives of servicewomen and -men, respectively, don't have the option to fall out of love because their loved ones have a higher risk of dying early than the average person. And asking Blue to promise to take care of Joe when they are away kinda nice, too. Although there's comfort when you know that your loved one is doing his best to stay safe, it's always an additional assurance to know that the people he or she is with will do their best to keep their company safe as well.

And their first kiss! It's the best as far as novel first kisses go. It was not the "I want you, You want me. Let's go to bed" kind which I had expected from Joe. He was alpha male, aight? It was their chemistry at work.

And if you want to unclog your tear glands, the scene with Cindy, the girl dying from cancer, would be the way to go. And I haven't quite reconciled Joe (or any other SEAL) and hair extensions. Victoria "Queen of Hair Extensions" Beckham, yes. Joe, no. That was good one.

Final verdict: 9.5/10. Must read, must have.