Shadow Play (Harlequin Presents, No 1738)

Rating:
Summary: Their Simple Arrangement Quickly Became Complicated
Review: Twenty-three year old Nell Masters has adapted novels for radio, but never television, so when she finds the perfect novel, one that is year sold and by an unknown author, that would make a wonderful teleplay, her boss wants to hire a professional to write it. Nell insists that it's her project and her boss lets her co-write the teleplay with the professional, who turns out to be a handsome writer named Benet Rigby. But Nell is determined to resist his charms, because she had been hurt when she was unwed and only seventeen and her child had been given up for adoption

So when she finds herself attracted to Ben and learns the feeling is mutual, she tells him she is only interested in sex with no strings, no relationship. Then she finds out his wife had been killed in an auto accident a year ago and that he has an adopted son, Mark, born about the same day as the son she'd never seen. Nell is obsessed. Could Mark be her son?

Meanwhile Ben starts pressing her for more than they'd agreed to in their original arrangement. He wants it all, love, commitment, marriage. But Nell's head is full of doubts. In addition to wondering about Mark, she wonders if Ben is in love with the ghostly memories of his first wife.

Ms. Wentworth has written a satisfying romance that will keep you guessing and wondering right up to the very last page. The characters seemed real, though perhaps Nell was a little too reluctant at times and maybe just a bit pushy at others. Still, I liked the outcome of this well written story and am glad that I read it.