Late in the ‘Dynasty: Seven Sins’ series of books, which I had not read, comes this romance between two people in the fashion industry. UNTAMED PASSION flares between Oliver Lowell, once model, now photographer, and Filipina model Sammi Guzman, when they meet between shoots.

Black Crescent Investment firm was at the centre of a scandal running through this series of linked books by different authors. Vernon Lowell stole millions of dollars from the hedge fund and disappeared. His family took the brunt of society’s disapproval although they had neither involvement nor money. Oliver Lowell has made his own way as a photographer in Manhattan, but still feels bitter resentment towards his heartless dad. Unexpectedly Vernon resurfaces during this story, but plays only a minor role compared to the much bigger shadow he has left over his son’s heart.

Sammi Guzman has supported her Filipina mother for years, as the woman pushed her little daughter into the modelling career that paid their bills. Now they just can’t relate to each other and when Sammi turns out to have an unexpected pregnancy she gets a less than happy response. All she can do, while cancelling her appointments, is to go and tell Oliver what’s happened. She fancies him tremendously but doesn’t trust that his demons would let them be a good couple.

A few factors I didn’t think were well realised. Photographer, model, Philippines, were all just namechecks. Sammi and Oliver exchange a couple of wry remarks about the industry and promptly stop doing what they did for a living. Oliver doesn’t mention a make of camera or type of lens, never mind tell us how he is lighting the one subject he photographs. We don’t even get to see the photo, which was a central theme at the start. Sammi doesn’t show us what work models like her get to do, if the industry stereotypes, or where her work has appeared. There isn’t any reference to her mom’s culture, beyond wanting to escape poverty, so she seems generic. These days I believe a book has to be well researched to feel authentic for the reader, but the author doesn’t even seem interested in the careers.

The romance revolves around the two who had not intended a relationship of any duration, feeling respect and affection strengthen as they come to terms with the fact that there is a baby on the way. And they keep jumping into bed, because, of course, they’re mad about each other. We hopeless romantics wouldn’t have it any other way. I like the multicultural and independent woman aspects in UNTAMED PASSION by Cat Schield and I hope we will get to see more of Oliver and Sammi in the final book of the series, which will resolve the issues and running storyline.

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