After Chloe Peterson’s car skids off the road in the Napa Valley wine country, she’s ready to throw in the towel on a horrendous day. But when a gorgeous guy rescues her, though she’s immediately drawn to him, she knows better than to let her walls down with any man ever again.

Chase Sullivan is a successful photographer whose charm and charisma—along with his large and close-knit family—make him San Francisco’s most eligible bachelor. Intent on helping Chloe through this rough patch in her life, Chase soon realizes that she is not only lovely, inside and out, she’s also intelligent, talented, and extremely brave. He has never felt like this about anyone before, never knew love could be so powerful, or so true…until she came into his life.

Though Chloe tries to resist Chase, with every loving look he gives her—and every sinfully sweet caress—the attraction between them sparks and sizzles. But after everything she’s been through, can Chase convince Chloe that he will always be there for her…and that their love will last forever? 

Series – The Sullivans = #1 The Look of Love – #2 From This Moment On – #3 Can’t Help Falling in Love – #4 I Only Have Eyes for You – #5 If You Were Mine – #6 Let Me Be the One – #7 Come A Little Bit Closer – #8 Always On My Mind – #9 The Way You Look Tonight – #10 Kissing Under the Mistletoe – #11 It Must Be Your Love – #12 Just to Be With You – #13 I Love How You Love Me – #14 All I Ever Need is You – #15 Now That I’ve Found You – #16 Since I Fell For You – #17 You Do Something To Me – #18 Every Time We Fall in Love – #19 Your Love is Mine – #20 There Goes My Heart -#21 When You Kiss Me –

Connecting Series- Seattle Sullivans = #1 The Way You Look Tonight – #2 It Must Be Your Love – #3 Just to Be With You – #4 I Love How You Love Me – #5 All I Ever Need is You –

Connecting Series – New York  Sullivans = #1 Now That I’ve Found You – #2 Since I Fell For You – #3 You Do Something To Me – #4 Every Time We Fall in Love –

Connecting Series – Maine Sullivans = #1 Your Love is Mine – #2 There Goes My Heart – #3 When You Kiss Me –

Title:  The Look of Love
Series:  The Sullivans #1
Author:  Bella Andre
Romance Genre:  Contemporary Romance
Publication Date:  November 25, 2013 (there have been re-issues & new covers)
Star Rating:  5

The Look of Love begins The Sullivans series that over time has grown into 21 (and counting) titles in the original and the connecting spin-off series.  I love this world and decided to bring them all here, in one place.  (some reviews were on a blog that no longer exists due to hacking issues…grrr)

The Look of Love started off the series exactly as I expected it to – with some world-building, the introduction of the cast of characters that will be a part of most books in one way or another, and a romance to capture my heart and attention from the start.

Chase has an amazing family, with quirks and issues like all families, but this one is his and it’s pretty amazing. After their father’s death, his older brother Marcus and his mother stepped up and pulled them all through some tough times. Now they’re all adults, each finding their place in their chosen professions. Maybe love has passed them by so far but that’s for the future. Until Chase meets his future on the side of the road in a wrecked car with troubles he never expected.

When Chase first encounters Chloe there is that sense that this person is going to be important. The more he tries to help the more she tries to pull away. It’s obvious that she’s running from someone, the bruise on her face didn’t come from the car accident. But Chloe has learned to keep her thoughts to herself.

I liked Chloe very much. She’s learned lessons the hard way, she’s been through hell and comes out the other side. Unfortunately, the man who abused her, the man she’s escaped through a divorce isn’t about to let her go – so she’s running. But it feels good to settle for a night, a day, or maybe a few. Just to heal and perhaps learn to trust again.

Chase and Chloe definitely have chemistry, but also tenderness as well. As a couple, they fit, but there are issues to get through. I found their romance to be intriguing and realistic. I relate to characters if I can believe in what they’re facing when it’s presented in a believable way. Oh, there is most definitely steam between them, but underneath there is also love… a love that can be patient enough to let Chloe make the choices, steady enough to be there even when her choices are not what Chase wants at the time.

So, yeah, I fell in love with this couple and found their story to be an excellent way to meet the Sullivans. I’d recommend The Look of Love to any Romance reader who likes their love stories steamy, realistic, with a couple worth fighting for – add in a unique, close-knit family and you’ll have a treasure on your hands. (If you don’t like the steamy part try Ms. Andre’s alter-ego clean ‘n sweet Lucy Kevin – same author minus the steam and language)

I own a Kindle edition of The Look of Love.