Playing with Destiny by Diana Escalera

Title: Playing with Destiny

Series: Latin Heat #3

Author: Diane Escalera

Genre:  Contemporary Romance

Blurb:  Fate brought them together. Will Destiny keep them apart?

Destiny Quinn lives for her job. She loves being an IT Recruiter, traveling nationwide. But all work and no play has left her feeling restless. It’s been a year since she’s gone out on a date – or slept with a man. Suddenly, Destiny can’t think about anything else. She’s not looking for a relationship, just a good time and a sexy diversion.  One steamy night of mind-blowing pleasure, then maybe she can get back to business.

 Christian LaCosta wants to prove to his family – and himself – that he is relationship material. Lately, it seems like everyone around him is in love.  Maybe it’s time to give up the fast life and fast women, quit being the odd man out. Christian decides to take the plunge and join an online dating service. When he’s unwittingly hooked up with a luscious neighbor named Destiny, the coincidence is too much. Christian doesn’t believe in fate, but one look at Destiny, and he’s seeing a whole newfuture. Now he must convince this career-driven beauty that work isn’t everything. Take a chance on them, and she can have it all. WARNING: Food Play, Hot Sex, Latin Hunk

Thoughts:  I haven’t read the others in the Latin Heat series, but that didn’t detract from the story at all.  This was a very cute novella length book.  This was a quick and easy read that left me satisfied at the end.

Destiny’s last relationship ended very badly and it pushed her into a job that required more travel.  She even moved into her new condo, because her ex isn’t good about accepting that their relationship is over.  It’s been a year and she’s been missing the feeling of being with a man.  Christian has watched his cousins find love and he realizes he’s bored with his playboy ways.  They both turn to an online dating service that has a meet-and-greet sushi class.  The sparks fly between Christian and Destiny and they partner up in class.  They have a fantastic time together learning how to make sushi and decide they aren’t ready for the date to be over.  While deciding what to do next, they figure out that the live in the same building.  Regardless of how she feels with Christian, Destiny is determined to keep Christian at an arm’s length, but Christian is determined.

The passion between Christian and Destiny is intense and Christian is a gentleman.  This latin hunk is very good at saving the day.  He’s the guy we all wish would live in our building or be enrolled in an online dating service.  Christian cooks, is good with his hands and is an all around handy guy.  Destiny has to decide how much she is willing to trust Christian and her feelings.

Grade:  A-/B+