Shanahan's Revenge - Julie Mac

Publisher: Escape Publishing

Published: May 2016

ISBN: 9781760370398

What happens when you fall in love with your worst enemy?
When the CEO of one of New Zealand’s biggest companies steps down, heir apparent Kate McPherson and Australian outsider Sam Shanahan are left fighting for control of McPherson & Co.
But Sam hasn’t just travelled to New Zealand for business. He’s there to avenge the wrongs done to his mother three decades ago, and he’s determined that no one—especially not his beautiful arch rival—will get in his way.

Poised to take over the company from her father, Kate has fought hard for her success and will do anything to defeat the stranger who’s after her job—no matter how strong the chemistry between them.

Sam and Kate are driven apart by ambition and drawn together by fiery attraction. And between them sizzles a family secret that threatens to blow Kate’s world apart.

My review
The blurb of this book made me think of the movie "You've got mail" (with The Shop Around The Corner, as you can imagine I'm a fan...) . The story of this book is not exactly the same of course. First off, the location is totally different. Instead of the busy streets of New York, this story takes place at the quiet inland of New Zealand. And whereas Kathleen doesn't know she is falling in love with her biggest business rival Joe, Kate knows exactly who she is falling for. But Sam has secrets and when he kisses Kate passionately and then gives her the cold shoulder the next minute, Kate is confused. And scared. Since she lost her mother at a very young age, Kate is afraid to lose a loved one again. So, because she doubts Sam intentions, she tries to block him out. 

But fate (with a little help from her stubborn grandfather) just keeps bringing them back together. And while the sparks are flying, Sam starts to doubt his initial reasons for coming to New Zealand. And Kate tries to deny the feelings that are developing between the both of them. When a family secret seems to tear apart Kate's world, who can she turn to? Can Sam be trusted? Or is he just using Kate to take over her family's company?

Of course, I won't tell you the ending, but beware of sudden changes in the story. They keep you on edge. Wonderfull written, with a lot of speed in the story. Not surprisingly, since the book is only 150 pages. Maybe next time Julie Mac can use some extra pages to ensure a more fluent evolution in the story. In Shanahan's revenge there are some sudden changes in the story (as well in the behaviour of the characters), which could have been more developed if you take some more time to describe the scenarios. But overall a nice and light reading. Four stars for Julie Mac and. And thank you Netgalley and Escape Publishing for this ARC.