Harriet Klausner's Review Archive
His beloved grandfather Patrick decides that Aaron McKade has had life too easy and needs to get his hands dirty. He arranges for Aaron to work as a laborer at a construction site in South Central Los Angeles, but he must not reveal his identity to anyone. Site foreman Jennifer Alvarado knows immediately that the newcomer Aaron Smith has never worked construction, but instead of firing him she gives him a chance to prove his worth with a wall. Aaron needs to prove to the beautiful doubter that he is no quitter so he stays all night doing the job. In the morning Jennifer is pleased to see his tenacity though the wall needed improvements.
As he works for her, the duo initially hides from their mutual attraction. However, as respect grows, they begin to fall in love. Still Aaron knows he must tell the truth to the woman he loves that he is part of the McKade Import-Export company, but fears what will happen as Jennifer detests duplicity.
This McKade Brother contemporary romance is a fun tale due to Aaron's efforts to adapt to the barrio and the somewhat gender bending of having a female run the construction site. Obviously the story line is character driven by the lead pair, but enhanced by a strong support cast that includes Santa Angelita barrio. Though everyone ties together too easily, even inner city issues, Marin Thomas provides an interesting tale of romance in the barrio.