Beth Curtis does not look forward to going home, even if it is for her brothers wedding. She has avoided returning home for seven years, since her long held dreams blew up in her face. Indeed, she decided to become an entertainment lawyer simply because the best place to practice entertainment law was on the opposite side of the country, thus providing an excuse for few home visits. As much as she would like to see more of her family, contact with them would also mean contact with Connor Riordan, the man she grew up with, the man her family considered one of their own, her brother's best friend, and the man she had wanted to marry and start a family with. Seven years previous, it had seemed that her dream was coming true when she lost her virginity to Connor in the front seat of his truck. When she didn't hear from him afterward, she was broken hearted and avoidance became her coping mechanism. But now she cannot avoid him. Now they will come face to face. With a heavy secret weighing down her heart, she must find a way to live with Connor until her weather-delayed flight can take off. But with their attraction going strong, will Beth get away without further damage to her heart? And what has she kept from Connor, from her family, for so long?

Connor has long been in love with his best friend's little sister, but fearful of loosing his close relationship with the family he had kept his distance, until one night seven years ago when he gave in to temptation. He regretted not contacting her after. He is well aware that he is the reason why she rarely comes home. Their once close friendship is no more; on her few visits home she goes out of her way to avoid him, the complete antithesis to her eagerness to be close to him all those years ago. Now they are to partner one another in Mark's wedding. She cannot avoid him, just as he cannot ignore the attraction and deep feelings that still lie between them. When bad weather grounds her plane and they end up staying under the same roof, Connor sees his chance to right his wrong, if only he can work out how. Can either put aside their past to forge a better future? Or will the last seven years remain as a wall between them?

Seven-Year Seduction is a wonderful feel good story, if a little clichéd and slightly predictable. But no matter, this will not take away from your overall enjoyment. Beth and Connor are both people who feel deeply, though they have each masked their feelings for each other for many years. Avoidance has been the name of the game. Avoidance of acknowledging their feelings - either to themselves, each other or their family and friends. Avoidance of coming into contact with one another. Avoidance of discussing their feelings and what happened between them. At long last, they are to have little choice but to communicate, and maybe, just maybe, they will at long last overcome the obstacles and negative feelings between them to find out whether they could have a future as more than former friends.

Though this is my first Heidi Betts, I doubt it will be my last, for her style of writing and the way her characters and their emotions seem so very real make her an appealing author. There are intimate interludes, which are described though not in overly graphic detail and certainly not containing any of the more taboo acts. Seven-Year Seduction is a love story to the core. If romance is your genre, then this would be a great read for you.

Reviewed by: Elizabeth