I have read Ms. Mallery’s books on and off for at least ten years. The on and off is because sometimes I really enjoy her books, and she jumps onto my autobuy list, and the off occurs when I encounter a series that just doesn’t work for me. My love for the Fool’s Gold books is definitely waning. For those readers who haven’t read the series before it is based around the lack of men in Fool’s Gold, California. Although the town’s shortfall is centuries old, it only recently became a media sensation after a graduate student wrote her thesis on the subject and publicized the fact.

As a psychologist, Dakota Hendrix is capable of handling almost anything. She will need this attribute since her boss volunteered her services to the mayor of Fool’s Gold. Normally she would be working with disadvantaged children but the camp is closed, and the facilities are being used as a school. Now her job is to act as a liaison between Geoff Spielberg, the director of a new reality show, True Love or Fool’s Gold, and protecting the town’s interest.

Finn Anderssen is livid with his twin brothers, Sasha and Stephen. After their parents died in a plane crash eight years ago, Finn assumed the responsibility of raising his thirteen year old brothers. With freedom from that responsibility in sight, Finn discovers that his brothers have quit school with only one semester left until they graduate. Sasha has dreams of Hollywood and fame and Stephen doesn’t want to move back to Salmon, Alaska, population 80. Ineffective at convincing his brothers that they are ruining their life with this ill-advised exploit, he storms into Dakota’s office demanding that she kick his brothers off the show. As a psychologist, Dakota attempts to be the voice of reason, pointing out that Finn’s brothers’ are twenty-one. However, Finn is convinced that he has right on his side and then approaches Geoff, who of course has only one goal – ratings. Stymied at every turn, Finn decides that his only option is to accept Geoff’s offer of employment and stay in Fool’s Gold.

After finding out that she has polycystic ovarian syndrome and pelvic endometriosis, and that her chances of having children are one in a million, Dakota spent the fall and winter grieving. Now her life is back on track. She wants to adopt, and has applied to an international agency specializing in placing children from Kazakhstan. Along with hope about her future, Dakota feels sexually alive around Finn. Why not grab at the chance to feel like a woman again? She knows that Finn will be leaving once the show is over or once he has convinced his brothers to return home. That’s fine with Dakota and she knows how to set boundaries. Finn isn’t looking for love, picket fence and the 2.5 kids, so he is relieved when Dakota says she is just looking for a good time.

There is no doubt that Ms. Mallery is a talented author. The book is technically well written. The problem is that I didn’t care for about the characters. Finn from the very beginning acts like a total cretin. Why it is so difficult for him to understand that he can’t live his brothers’ lives for them. Dakota is his poplar opposite with plenty of psychobabble. However her insight waxes and wanes. In the opening scene, Finn bursts into her office full of demands, and all Dakota can do is observe that it’s hard to be intimidated by men wearing plaid. This is how a psychologist defuses a potentially volatile situation? Later in the story, Dakota has encounters a situation out of her comfort zone involving a child and she completely loses it. I would expect more from an individual with a Ph.D. in child development.

The secondary plot around the reality show didn’t do anything for me. Stephen’s assigned love interest is a browbeaten, meek young woman nine years his senior. Sasha is not attracted to his love interest but they initiate a scheme to win thus advancing their quest for fortune and fame.

The love affair between the two major characters develops as a no-strings relationship, a very common plot these days; still the love scenes are well done. Although I not sure that I believe in the happily ever after, since both the heroine and hero experience major changes in their life over a short period of time.

Since the town is a character, the book shines when showcasing the small town philosophy of pitching in and assisting a neighbor in need, although at times it seems more like Shangri-La than the U.S.A. Still, I know that these kinds of scenarios actually can happen in real life.

For those readers who haven’t read any books in the series, you can read this book as a standalone. Although, I think there are books that better showcase Ms. Mallery’s talent than Only Mine.