Title: Moody
Author: Penelope Ward
Genre: Standalone Contemporary Romance
Release Date: August 22, 2022
BLURB
From New York Times bestselling author Penelope Ward, comes a new standalone novel.
The day I showed up to Dax Moody’s sprawling home, I had no idea what was coming.
As a traveling massage therapist, I was used to entering the houses of strangers.
But this assignment was different from any before it.
From the outside, I’d correctly assumed the owner was rich. What I didn’t realize was that he would be younger than I’d imagined, single, stunningly gorgeous, and mysterious.
Despite the fact that Dax had booked a massage, it never actually happened, since our first appointment was unexpectedly cut short by a comedy of errors.
Certain I’d never see him again after that day, I’d done nothing but think about the captivating man.
To my surprise, he called a second time. That appointment, we talked a lot, developing a stronger connection. But once again, there was no actual massage.
The man I now affectionately called “Moody” kept calling me to come back.
It took three times before I finally gave him the massage he’d ordered. Let’s just say it was challenging to keep things professional. I was extremely attracted to Dax, and by that time, I was falling hard.
Eventually, I’d find out why he’d been so aloof, the reason why he and I could never be together.
Our story was supposed to end there, but it didn’t.
Instead, I was left perpetually longing for a forbidden man.
GOODREADS LINK: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61440501
BOOKBUB LINK: https://www.bookbub.com/books/moody-by-penelope-ward
PURCHASE LINKS – Limited time release price $3.99!
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AUTHOR BIO
Penelope Ward is a New York Times, USA Today and #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author of contemporary romance.
She grew up in Boston with five older brothers and spent most of her twenties as a television news anchor. Penelope resides in Rhode Island with her husband, son, and beautiful daughter with autism.
With over two million books sold, she is a 21-time New York Times bestseller and the author of over thirty books. Her novels have been translated into over a dozen languages and can be found in bookstores around the world.
AUTHOR LINKS
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/penelopewardauthor
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/PenelopesPeeps
Instagram: http://instagram.com/PenelopeWardAuthor
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@penelopewardofficial
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PenelopeAuthor
OTHER BOOKS BY PENELOPE WARD
The Assignment
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AU: https://amzn.to/3cnJwkk
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Kobo: https://bit.ly/3p4M3mO
Apple Books: https://apple.co/3ntne3e
Google Play: https://bit.ly/3IdIAd5
Audio: https://amzn.to/3uLX2Ft
The Aristocrat
US: https://amzn.to/3yoPp65
UK: https://amzn.to/3js1bYR
CA: https://amzn.to/3kIPGMq
AU: https://amzn.to/3mPEkZt
B&N: https://bit.ly/3D3qKHK
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Apple Books: https://apple.co/3iigYYL
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Audio: https://adbl.co/3g9L7Jh
The Anti-Boyfriend
B&N: https://bit.ly/3jbsTX7
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Apple Books: https://apple.co/3j9rGQC
Google Books: https://bit.ly/2EpJYgX
Audio: https://adbl.co/3l3jjr6
See more books here: http://penelopewardauthor.com/books
Lisa Kane's 4 Star Review
Moody is an age gap/slow burn romance. Dax Moody has employed Wren for a massage. One that seems to get cancelled over and over. Dax is a widower, with a challenged stepson. Dax and Wren enjoy witty banter and she seems to be able to crack the wall of ice he has erected around himself. Wren is a bit of a free spirit, she is a talented musician and a skilled masseuse. She helps offer some insight into Dax's stepson Rafe's refusal to speak. Dax is at his wit's end-since the death of his wife, Rafe blocks out everything and everyone around him.
Things heat up between Dax and Wren but there are consequences. Decisions involving the head and not the heart are made and both must deal with the fall out. When they finally see each other again, there is a huge gap between them. Cue the angst. The spark is still there, but should they just let it die out?
There were times that the story dragged a bit for me. As with most stories from Ms. Ward, there is a conflict that often provides the shock for the story. Sometimes that shock is enough to explain the rifts that alienate the characters from each other. I just didn't feel this one. It felt like drama for drama's sake.
But the characters are likable and the secondary characters, particularly Chuck, Wren's dad and Rafe, Dax's stepson provide lots of color and define the borders of the story. Even the nemesis, Morgan, isn't really an enemy as much as a bit clueless about the main characters. While this wasn't my favorite Penelope Ward story, it's certainly worth reading.