Bed of Roses by Nora Robert.

Not as good as the first book in the series.

We are told Emma and Jack are friends. Right at the beginning of this book they discover they are sexually attracted to each other. Soon they act on it. As the book goes on we learn Emma has had a crush on Jack on and off, but never acted on it, considering him off limits.

The problem was were are told they were such good friends, but never shown their friendship. They didn't have interactions establishing their friendship in the first book. What we are shown now is a relationship that is all about sex.

Jack had one scene in the prior book showing he has commitment issues. In this book his commitment issues are shown in Emma's actions and thoughts, not his.

For me there was too much about their sexual relationship, not enough about their friendship.

Emma gets points for being a Alan Rickman in Truly, Madly, Deeply.

But over all the book was a big disappointment.

The Girl with the Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier

Possibly one of those cases where the movie is better than the book.

It was clear to me why Griet felt she had to hide that she was helping Vermeer. It wasn't explained why she felt she had to hide it from the family. There was nothing wrong with him having her grind and mix colors for him.

Why hid the fact that he was painting her? Especially at a rich patron's request? He had painted the other maid.

Why did Catharina care so much if she wore her pearl earrings? He had taken his wife's things before to put on other models in other paintings.