Places in My Heart

In Lister’s unsatisfying second Grays of Los Angeles contemporary (after Tender Kisses), attorney Morgan Gray finally gets a chance at her dream career of being a sports agent, putting her at odds with the original plan of her staying in the family business. Morgan knows football as well as the players do; however, being a woman makes it difficult for her to break into the business. Then football star Omar Drummond hires Morgan to replace his agent, whom he suspected of embezzlement. She proves to be a fierce negotiator who doesn’t indulge in league politics, and Omar feels her physical beauty only enhances her intelligence. His gentlemanly nature soon thwarts Morgan’s plans to keep their relationship strictly professional, but the tabloids are eager to portray him as a philanderer, and Morgan doesn’t want her career to be tainted by gossip of sexual favors, so they attempt to keep the relationship secret until after he signs his contract. The emotional conflict is based on a double standard—Morgan demands unquestioning trust from Omar but refuses to give him the same—and lacks any real depth, and it’s difficult for readers to empathize with the cranky, unyielding heroine. (Oct.)