Hard Candy-5* Craig Mullins

Stunning and gripping. Wow- what a read! Sophie knocks at the door of a house in the woods after falling down and hurting herself, running away from being pursued. What the millionaire owner doesn’t know is that she has planned this in order to get some of his money from him. Her mother and secret lover made the plan and Sophie only knows a part of it- her part although she thinks the plan was her own.  When she gets there the owner of the house Aaron,  is far from what she imagined and she is treated as never before- with tender loving care. Sophie finds herself being unable and unwanting to go through with things- however others may disagree. This is a clever plot that draws you in, wondering where it could possibly go. I took to Sophie and Aaron, her being his breath of fresh air drawing the recluse out and exploring the small world around them as never before. Excellent descriptions put you in the heart of the plot and seeing the scenes in your mind's’ eye. A highly recommended read.