Book Review - Just For Now by Rosalind James

Just For Now(Escape to New Zealand #3)
by Rosalind James
Date Published: 8/30/2012

Contemporary Romance

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There’s no place like home . . .

For teacher Jenna McKnight, nothing spells “heartbreak” like finding her husband with somebody else–in her bed. Clearly, it’s time to reinvent herself. A new body, a new city, and a new job later, she’s done just that. This isn’t really her home, though. Or her family, however much she wishes it were. And playing house can be a dangerous game.

New Zealand rugby star Finn Douglas is just looking for a temporary nanny. Not a girlfriend, and definitely not a wife. He can’t resist Jenna’s cooking, it’s true. Who knew that he’d have so much trouble resisting her? He wants to do what’s right for his kids. But waiting is so hard . . .

My Review 

A transplanted American starting her life over, a professional rugby player who wants to be loved for himself and two precious children are the main characters in Rosalind James contemporary romance, Just for Now.  The third book in the Escape to New Zealand series, I found myself able to enjoy this book on it's own.  With likable characters, good dialogue and the beauty of her native country, Ms. James grabbed my attention from the first page and never let go.

Recovering from a divorce, primary teacher Jenna McKnight has been touring parts of New Zealand while trying to decide about her future.  Deciding on a course of action, Jenna applies for a job as a temporary nanny for the time being, while also putting in an application to teach full time when the new school term begins.  Not realizing the position she's applying for is at the home of a famous NZ athlete, Jenna finds herself making it clear she's only interested in a job to a man whose clearly full of himself.

Needing a temporary nanny for his children, professional Rugby player Finn Douglass, finds himself fending off women more interested in becoming his girlfriend.  When he meets Jenna McKnight for the first time he's under the assumption she's just like the rest and proceeds to make it abundantly clear he's not interested in a girlfriend - he realizes  too late she really was looking for a job and was his best candidate.  When circumstances give him a chance to beg her to reconsider, he finds himself having to remember she's not interested in a boyfriend.

The scenes between Jenna and Finn are well done;  they have great physical and verbal chemistry.  While Finn tends to jump to conclusions a bit faster than he should, he's a good father and a decent human being. For her part, Jenna is an excellent caretaker who has always wanted a family of her own and this opportunity gives her a chance to bond with Finn's children, Harry and Sophie.  Ms. James did an excellent job letting us get to know all four characters before they really got emotionally involved and became something more than just a nanny and her employers.   

The secondary characters in this book, from Finn's children Harry and Sophie, to Jenna's friends and Finn's teammates, helped move the story along and provide emotional support.  I especially liked Jenna's friends Natalie and Siobhan, and Finn's older sister Sarah; who not only befriends Jenna when she needs a friend the most, but who has no problems telling her younger brother when he's made a huge mistake.

Will Finn and Jenna be able to let go of their experiences in the past and have a real future together?  Will Harry and Sophie want Jenna to be more than just a temporary nanny? I encourage you to read Just for Now to find out.  While a part of a series, this book stands perfectly well on its own, the books are tied together through the Rugby team.  I just picked up the other books in the series and can't wait to read them.  

My Rating:  5 out of 5 Stars 

FTC Disclosure:  I received a complimentary copy of this book as a part of a book tour in exchange for a fair and honest review.