Review – I Can Handle Him by Debbie K. Lum @Debbie_K_Lum #ICanHandleHim #RomanticSuspense #4paws
Synopsis
Quinn Corbin’s got nothing to lose – except her life.
She’s finally got the attention of the man she’s always loved, Nick Allen. But Nick has a reputation for trouble. And after a car explosion killed his last girlfriend, many people in San Antonio, Texas think Nick got away with murder.
But Quinn, a 24-year-old elementary school teacher and bubbly optimist, believes Nick is innocent. So does her best friend Tory, a law student and sarcastic realist. Soon Quinn and Nick find their relationship growing when suddenly their world upends. Now Nick is in major trouble again and Quinn may have made the biggest mistake of her life.
With incriminating evidence mounting against Nick, Tory works to prove his innocence. But Nick finds himself in a bigger battle when he must fight to protect, and win, his true love.
Review
If you are looking for a romantic suspense book that is set in San Antonio, this might be the book you want to check out! There were twists and turns that surprised even me.
The characters in this book are a good mix of crazy, good, evil, strong, caring, and smart. I could probably throw in a few extra adjectives but this about covers it, I think! The one character that tends to steal the spotlight is Daniel. He is Tory’s best guy friend, is funny, and has an obsession with tacos. But who can blame him there, tacos are quite tasty! Perhaps the author will give him his own book.
Nick has had the cards stacked against him and several incidents have put an X on his back. It seems like many are out to get him and blame him for things that are not his fault. As the story unfolds, and especially at the end, you understand the reasoning for the actions of others. But it is based on emotion and not fact. It isn’t surprising considering the events that occur during the first half of the book between Nick, Quinn, and Tory. No, it isn’t a love triangle! Quinn and Tory are best friends and Nick is one good looking man that Quinn has crushed on for years. True love does win out in the end, but not without some consequences.
The suspense portion of the book pointed me down many different avenues but not to the truth until it was revealed. I’m still not 100% sure how Tory made the connection but once all is revealed it makes sense. I don’t want to reveal too much because that would ruin the story for you! This is one of the twists and turns I never expected to be revealed.
While this story has romance and suspense, there is also some Christian/faith moments that lead one to wonder if there really is a spiritual plane.
I know there is a spin-off from this book that involves Nick’s brother Frank. Frank is an FBI agent and happens to be in town and comes to Nick’s rescue when he needs it the most. I enjoyed getting to know Frank and will have to check out the Plebian Trilogy.
We give this 4 paws up.
Trailer
About the Author
DEBBIE K. LUM is an unlikely author, a non-reader who was inspired by a self-esteem ad campaign encouraging little girls to dream big. Her romantic suspense novels feature fun, flawed characters with steamy and complicated relationships (and plenty of surprises!) In 2018, Lum released I CAN HANDLE HIM, which was called “A fresh, enjoyable tale.” by BlueInk Reviews. Reviews for the book have been published in Booklist Magazine and Kirkus Review Magazine. Her 2017 novel, THE DOCTOR, THE CHEF OR THE FIREMAN, was called “A quick, satisfying romantic mystery.” by Kirkus Reviews. In 2016 she debuted PLEBEIAN REVEALED, PLEBEIAN IN DANGER and PLEBEIAN REBORN, a series about a married woman who finds sudden fame with her ex-boyfriend.
Debbie splits her time between Florida and Texas and drinks more unsweetened iced-tea than she probably should.
