Read an excerpt from English Ivy by Betsy Talbot
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English Ivy Synopsis
Finally, contemporary romance for women over forty!
After a solid career as an economist working at the US Embassy in London, forty-two-year-old American Ivy Cross is ready to jump to the bigger paycheck of the private sector and finally make time for a relationship.
Madrid-based tech superstar Ruben Alegre both infuriates and intoxicates her, and if he only lived closer she'd consider risking her heart.
When the opportunity for an incredible new job in Berlin arrives in the form of sexy Christof Brandt, she wonders if the offer is too good to be true. Her Late Bloomer friends are split down the middle, offering support but no clear decision.
Will she find a future with Ruben? Start a new life in hip and gritty Berlin?
There are no easy answers, but Ivy can't deny that her life is about to change in a very big way.
Excerpt
“Ivy, you keep bringing up the location as the one reason we shouldn’t see where this leads. But what about all the reasons we should?” Ruben scooted closer to her on the couch and picked up her hand. “Number one is that I have yet to kiss a single freckle on your body. A tragedy.” He kissed the small grouping of freckles on her wrist. “Number two is that we are the most fascinating people we know. There is no one who occupies my thoughts as much as you, and even though you might not admit it, you feel the same way as me. If you don’t have me, you’ll drive yourself crazy. And I can’t allow that to happen.” Ruben grinned, moving closer.
“You’re forgetting about our conversation today, my job interview with Christof, and the fact that I’m probably leaving London.”
For such a fiery woman, Ivy was surprisingly good at cooling things down.
Ruben forged ahead. “You’ve made a pro-and-con list about us, I can tell. But all I’ve heard so far are the cons. Let’s make tonight an exploration of the pros.”
Ivy’s face softened.
“This is only going to end badly for you,” she said in a hoarse whisper. “I will break your heart.” Ivy’s words were harsh, but the challenge only excited him. “And we won’t live happily ever after. At least not together.” Ivy leaned her forehead against his, closing her eyes as she gave her final warning. “You know this going in, and you still want to move forward?”
Ruben curled his fingers through her thick ponytail. “I can’t wait to prove you wrong.”
About Betsy Talbot
Betsy Talbot is a forty-something traveler and author. When she’s not on the road or penning books about love, adventure, and self-discovery, she is hiking, learning flamenco dancing, and drinking wine in a tiny whitewashed village in Spain with her handsome, long-haired husband Warren. (Watch out, Fabio!)
She is the host of The Quickie Romance Podcast, a weekly show highlighting excerpts from the best romance books in every genre. She’s been told she gives good audio.
Her latest project is The Late Bloomers Series, a five-book romance series about women in their forties. Because women with experience make the best characters—in life and on the page. Download a free Late Bloomers adventure right now at BetsyTalbot.com.
