ALL I WANT IS YOU by Sherrill Bodine

Publisher: Forever/Hachette Book Group
Date published: January 1, 2012
ISBN 9780446584357
Contemporary Romance
Mass Market Paperback
Reviewed by Lynne
Obtained via publisher


Venus Smith, a vintage boutique owner, is bent on clearing her father’s good name when his career with John Clayworth and Company, Chicago’s most iconic department store, is ruined due to questionable circumstances. Believing him innocent, she decides to lay aside her anger at Connor Clayworth O’Flynn, the sexy department store heir who betrayed her father and ruined his reputation, and draw closer to him in order to make him reconsider what has been done to her father. Never mind that she has had an unrequited crush on him since childhood.

Meanwhile, Venus comes into possession of an antique mermaid brooch that once belonged to the Clayworth family. She proposes a deal with Connor, agreeing to return the brooch if he helps her clear her father’s name. He reluctantly agrees, but soon finds himself enamored with her as old memories resurface between them.

Mystery and mayhem continue, and Venus and Connor soon find themselves more attracted to one another than either believe possible. When Venus’s shop is burglarized, only then do they begin to realize how powerful their attraction, and both soon do whatever it takes to see each other again, often using the brooch as a reason to be together. Still, suspense and intrigues as to the larcenous legend of the brooch, of how Clayworths came into possession of it, soon help unravel the mysterious legend of the Saint of Taylor Street, an anonymous person or persons who for decades has done good deeds for strangers without asking for anything in return.

Later, when Venus discovers the lengths Connor is willing to go through to prove his love for her, only then do they both realize their need is only for one another, regardless of anything else.

ALL I WANT IS YOU by Sherrill Bodine is a lighthearted read that will curl your toes and make you want to lay aside everything you’re doing for one afternoon. This third book involving Chicago high society is a stand-alone book that will quickly draw you in and keep you safely nestled in its warmth until the very end.

With the many twists and turns of its suspenseful plot and fast-paced action, ALL I WANT IS YOU is sure to delight every reader. Although I haven’t read any of Bodine’s previous work, I found this book a lot of fun. Serious on one end, it is fun to see inside Venus’s mind, especially when she discovers she still has strong feelings for Connor, despite her anger at him and his family for what they did to her father.

I love all the characters in ALL I WANT IS YOU. It doesn’t take long to fall in love with our hero and heroine, Venus and Connor. You so want them to get together, despite all obstacles.

Venus’s sister, Diana, is a treasure. I thought it was really interesting when Connor asks her to accompany him to a black-tie affair, just so Venus would know that it is clearly her that he is interested in, and not someone else. The addition of Brad into this episode was a good strategy, adding some interesting tension and conflict between not only him and Connor, but also between Venus and Brad as well.

Bodine’s talents shine in ALL I WANT IS YOU. The suspense, the mystery, yet sensual and action-filled scenes, give the readers a lot of spice to entertain and keep them riveted in order to see what happens next.

I love the Saint of Taylor Street legend that was brought into ALL I WANT IS YOU. Just when you think all mysteries are revealed, then along comes a unique character you weren’t expecting to poke more suspicion into you.

ALL I WANT IS YOU is a pleasant story to while away an afternoon. I would recommend it to anyone interested in a good romantic, suspenseful romp through Chicago.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.