Love, Passion, And Forever Take The Triple Crown In Nacho Figueras' "High Season"

27110147Title:  Nacho Figueras Presents: High Season
Series:  (The Polo Season #1)
Author:  Jessica Whitman
Review Format:  Print
Length:  351 pages
Publisher:  Forever Romance
Rating: 5 Stars 

World-renowned polo player and global face of Ralph Lauren, Nacho Figueras dives into the world of scandal and seduction with a new fiction series set in the glamorous, treacherous world of high-stakes polo competition.

Georgia never wanted to be a jetsetter. A plain old country vet was fine for her. But one distress call from her best friend and the next thing she knows she's neck deep in the world of polo's most elite international players--complete with designer dresses, fine champagne and some of the most gorgeous thoroughbreds she's ever seen. Some of the most gorgeous men too...

Alejandro Del Campo needs his team to win the season's biggest polo tournament or else he's not sure how much longer they're going to be in business. What he doesn't need is some sassy new vet telling him how to run his business--and distracting him at every turn. But as they come closer and closer to the championship match, it soon becomes clear that Alejandro wants to win Georgia just as much as the tourney trophy. But can he ever convince her his world is where she truly belongs?


Alejandro glanced across the room at the sound of his brother laughing and tried to see whoever he was talking to. He got a glimpse of a pretty face, animated by conversation, before Rory moved to loom over her and obscure the view.
He realized his audience were waiting for a reaction and smiled and nodded at the ring of people around him, trying to concentrate on the story that the socialite in the tight turquoise dress was telling and hoping he was hiding how claustrophobic he felt.
He hated these press events. Every which way he turned, someone waited to talk to him, touch him, demanding his attention. He knew it was part of the job – and he tried his best to satisfy – but the longer he stood, grinning like a fool and saying the same polite and predictable things over and over, the more horrifically restless he became.  The mandatory mingling was bad enough when his team had won; but forced jollity after a loss like today’s added serious insult to injury.
Sebastian laughed even louder, and Alejandro turned his head again. He saw Sebastian break away to get a refill on his drink.  Fantastic – just what he needed – Sebastian on the rampage.
Alejandro took that as his cue, quickly excusing himself before he was caught up in another round of unbearably inane conversation.
He wound his way through the crowd, past women sporting spray-on dresses and customer service smiles and sought out his teammates.
He strode over toward his brother, laid one hand on his shoulder, and took the champagne from his hand. He spoke to him in quick, low Spanish. “Che, hermano, I thought we agreed not to drink during the season?”
Sebastian shrugged, then smiled and answered him in English.  “I’d never let free champagne go to waste.”  He plucked the drink back from Alejandro’s hand and drained it.
Alejandro shook his head.  Sebastian had more natural talent than any player he knew but sometimes seemed ready to piss it away with partying. But after another defeat, with all eyes on them, someone had to set a standard.
Apparently Sebastian recognized the look in his brother’s eyes and cut off the lecture before it began. “Before you start in on family honor, big brother, let me introduce you to some friends.” Sebastian turned toward the group. “You know Beau, of course, and this is Billy.”
Alejandro nodded as the sleek, dark-skinned man on Beau’s arm shook his hand.
“And this is Billy’s friend Georgia.”
Alejandro felt his breath catch in his chest. The woman smiling up at him was not Sebastian or Rory’s typical stick chick. In fact, Alejandro had never seen anyone like her in Wellington before. In a room full of women working their surgically enhanced assets to the max, she stood out in her simplicity.  Tawny, golden brown hair was pinned up in messy curls, warm, hazel eyes met his with intelligent curiosity. Her skin appeared to be free of makeup, except for a faint hint of red on her full lips. She wore a simple tank and wide-legged trousers. He almost smiled to see that, instead of the expensive wedge sandal or designer riding boots, she wore a pair of little red sneakers on her feet.
“Pleased to meet you, Georgia.” He said the word with the Spanish inflection, “I am Alejandro Del Campo.” He took her small hand in his and felt his whole body tighten in response to her fingers against his own.
Her pale cheeks flushed a delicate, petal pink. He looked at her eyes, trying to decide if they were dark green or hazel.  They seemed to change with the light.
“I know,” she said, and blushed even deeper.



My Thoughts
International polo sensation and the face of Ralph Lauren, Nacho Figueras, ushers readers into a world where polo reigns and money rains.  A place where fortunes are won or lost to the beat of horse hooves, and refined manners give way to untamed hearts.

For Georgia Fellows, life has narrowed to days spent between helping her father treat the animals on their dilapidated family farm, and assisting the local village vet.  An excellent veterinarian in her own right; Georgia is fully aware that she should aspire to more.  But scars from her mother's abandonment of her and her father, when Georgia was just a teen, have yet to completely heal.  Leaving a very road wary woman in their wake.

Alejandro Del Campo is one of the reigning princes of polo.  As one of the heirs of the Del Campo polo dynasty, sporting the physique of a Latin Adonis, and captain of the champion polo team, La Victoria; he appears to have it all.
Appearances however, can sometimes be deceiving.
Never more so than in the case of Mr Del Campo.
Still riddled with guilt over the accidental death of his wife, Alejandro lives a life apart.  A life far removed from the natural passions that should fire his blood and heat his loins.  A life lived by a strict code of honor, responsibility, and duty.
His only freedom found on horseback.

Until one touch from a certain beautiful veterinarian, from a small town in upstate New York, gives 'the man who has everything' something to want.
Her!

Though this first novel in The Polo Season series is set in a world of utter opulence. Its author is careful to temper said grandeur with very down-to-earth and approachable characters, and a plot spotlighting the universal search of one heart for its corresponding beat.
In the case of Alejandro Del Campo and Georgia Fellows.  Theirs is a love which is both complimented and hampered by their love for the noble horses to whom they are both master and servant.

When what was as simple getaway to Florida compliments of her best friend Billy, turns into the opportunity of a lifetime for Georgia.  After her quick action and keen eye leads her to diagnose a hidden ailment in Alejandro's prized mare McKenzie.

The bounty that accompanies Georgia's new role as the Del Campo's number 2 vet, comes with quite the price.  The man that has stolen her her heart.  The undeniable intensity of their attraction to each other, when juxtaposed against their shared respect for decorum and duty, makes for a natural tension that makes the reader anticipate interaction between Georgia and Alejandro on even the most mundane levels.

You can rest assured however, that when these two forces of nature come together; the results will be earth-shattering.  The perfect blend of all things emotional and carnal.  The love scenes between Alejandro and his lady are the stuff of romantic dreams.

The heat burning its way through the pages of this read burns just as hot outside the bubble of our lovebirds' desire than in.  With Georgia meeting opposition at every turn.  Whether it be the cold shoulder and blatant disrespect of her direct superior, Gus.  Or, the sharp tongue and distrust of Alejandro's teen daughter, Valentina.  The drama just keeps coming for Georgia.  But then again...so does Alejandro.

This is the perfect read for those who long to be swept away by heart stopping romance, tossed about by the seas of fate, and rescued by true love...on a horse, of course.

Reviewer's Note:  This is the first novel in a loosely related companion series that may be read in any order.
This review contains only the honest opinions of the reviewer, and is based on the review copy provided. 
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