Cat Johnson’s trilogy focuses on three friends and their love lives, or lack thereof. Things really heat up for the women when they each find that one perfect man. Be prepared to have a cool drink and a fan nearby as this fun trilogy will steam up the reader.

Private Investigations is about Donna and her devotion to help those she cares about when they need something. On a mission to catch her friend Jade’s cheating boyfriend, they are caught with their ears to his door by Daniel’s neighbor, Sam Smith. When that fails, Donna suggests a private investigator and does some on-line research, which leads her back to Sam Smith, former cop turned P.I. When he busts the pair of would-be spies, he is instantly attracted to luscious Donna, even though Jade has the “Barbie” body type and is usually the first one guys look at.

Between Love and Hate finds Jade heartbroken because the love of her life, Daniel, has been secretly meeting someone. When her friends keep pushing her to confront him about her fears, she finally caves in to do just that, but it seems Daniel is with another woman when Jade was supposed to be meeting him.

Daniel is in love with Jade and has been planning a huge surprise for her. It has taken a lot of secret planning and time to pull it off, and he is almost ready. But will he lose her before he can spring his surprise on her?

In Saving Grace, Grace has a hard time getting men to see beneath the surface and see the “real” Grace Cerone. With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, she is the only one of her group who doesn’t have a boyfriend; how depressing is that? All she wants is a man for her very own: someone to spend the abundance of love in her heart on. When Grace suddenly begins getting “secret” gifts and messages, she is intrigued and more than a little excited.

Jordan Washington has been in love with Grace since he first laid eyes on her. He has vowed that Valentine’s Day is the day he will reveal all to her, so begins with a campaign of flirty messages and gifts to whet her appetite. But when Guy, an office Lothario, steps up to take credit for the messages and gifts, Grace and Jordan will teach the dishonest “so-and-so” a lesson he won’t soon forget.

This trilogy is a fast and fun read from beginning to end. Author, Cat Johnson has penned a winner and made another fan of this reader. Her characters are realistically portrayed, likeable, and well matched. The brilliant cast enhances the stories, never upstaging one another. From the opening scenes, the stories caught my attention, flowing easily from one woman’s story to the next. These are all women I cared about and they felt remarkably like good friends. With a focus on friendship and support for one another, the stories are emotionally charged, heartwarming and passionate. The heroes are intelligent (though sometimes technology-challenged), good natured, endearing and approachable; men women would love to call their own. A fun way to spend the afternoon, Just Desserts is a book I will revisit again.

Reviewed by: Scarlet