Worth the Challenge by Karen Erickson
Worth It, Book 3
Samhain Publishing
Contemporary
ISBN: 978-1-60928-858-7
Reviewed by Vanessa




The youngest of the Worth brothers, Rhett Worth, is determined to prove to his older brothers that he can be responsible.  Assigned with the task of developing the perfume side of Worth Luxury’s business, Rhett is to deal with the eccentric Michel Durand.  The problem is that Michel is so eccentric and hard to pin down.  Refusing to admit failure, Rhett is saved when Gabriella Durand walks into his offices.

Gabriella is looking for a second chance for her father, but it wouldn’t hurt to find her own way into the business.  She longs to prove that she is more than the failure her father claims she is.  Both Rhett and Gabriella have a lot to prove to their families, and they seek to do just that on Maui.  Looking for the perfect unique scent, they embark on a sizzling affair that may be the catalyst for Worth It perfume.  However, just when they believe it is all wrapped up, someone tosses in a wrench, and they are left to sort out some feelings, or just walk away.

Worth the Challenge was a wonderful conclusion to the Worth It trilogy and nice beginning for additional books by Karen Erickson.  Gabriella and Rhett were evenly matched in all areas, and yet they still managed to emerge valiant in Worth the Challenge.  It was rather amusing that Rhett, who was a former rogue, couldn’t seem to get things vocalized properly to Gabriella, but she understood what he meant and didn’t hold it against him too much.  It provided some humorous moments in Worth the Challenge.

It was nice checking in with the other characters from the previous books in the series and seeing how they were in their lives.  They still seemed to maintain their identities from their own stories and some still had a few problems with Rhett in Worth the Challenge.  Given that the difficulties were not completely resolved in Worth the Challenge, it made it seem more realistic than some books when everything has to be completely resolved by the end of the book.  Worth the Risk was a lovely romance with the right mixture of sweetness overlaid by a hint of dominance, but not too much to cross the line.