Review - 'Trouble in High Heels' by Christina Dodd

Blurb 

When Brandi Michaels discovers her fianceé hopping a flight to Vegas to marry his girlfriend, she pawns her engagement ring, buys herself a fabulous outfit, and spends one sultry night in the arms of a gorgeous Italian stranger named Roberto Bartolini. When Brandi becomes the mark for a killer, she has no choice but to turn to Roberto—a man who’s destined to be either her savior or her downfall. But one thing's for sure: She’s not going down without a fight....

 

Review 

Brandi is an up-and-coming lawyer with great grades at law school but she’s very naïve. After her fiancé dumps her, she spends seven grand on clothes/makeovers and has hot sex with a total stranger, Roberto. Turns out, Roberto is a suspected jewel thief and she’s the new lawyer assigned to his case.

Brandi has a bad history of men controlling her life, but she doesn’t see any problem with what they do to her. Her emotionally abusive and estranged father often calls her stupid. I hate to agree with him. She has so many chances to act like a strong, smart woman, but she continues to trust those she shouldn’t.

Even Roberto doesn’t treat her with respect. He forces her into dangerous situations without telling her why and she doesn’t ask why. Since a judge remanded him into her care, she’s his babysitter and responsible for every little wrong thing he does (like planning a jewelry heist). Roberto promises he wouldn’t do anything to get her in trouble, but then he does it anyway. Brandi’s not upset over the lies and she nearly gets them both killed and almost ruins an FBI operation when she tries to rescue him.

I couldn’t relate to Roberto. He admits to Brandi that he’s a jewel thief and seduces her into not going to the police. He also states she can’t say anything because of the lawyer/client confidentiality. Her law firm is trying to prove his innocence, after all, and she doesn’t want to ruin the case.

At first I liked her boss. He’s a family friend and she thinks of him as her uncle. When she tells him Roberto is taking her to meet dangerous criminals which could affect his defense in court, her boss tells her to dress pretty because it’s her job to stay on Roberto’s arm like eye-candy. So she does. After that, I just couldn’t like her boss anymore.

I never saw any real romance between them. Hot sex and a lot of adventure? Yes. The whole stereotype about big-breasted blondes being brainless toys played a big role in the book. I don’t like to see women objectified and I really felt bad for Brandi. Roberto never even apologized to her for all the lies and for endangering her life.

I usually love Christina Dodd books, but I found the writing repetitive. There were lots of POV shifts and half the time I didn’t know who was talking. The jewel heist plotline was fun and interesting, but I wish Brandi would’ve been a willing participant.

2 Stars

Disclaimer – I found this book at the library. I am a reader. I am not paid or compensated in any way, shape or form for this honest review. I will not change or alter this review for any reason.