Guarding Laura

I just finished Susan Vaughan's Guarding Laura, and it was an average read: 3 out of 5.

Laura Stanton is in danger. When it's clear that the man who has been chasing her for months has found her again, Cole Stratton is sent to protect her. Now an agent with the government, Cole has previous ties with Laura. He was her high-school lover. Their breakup was acrimonious, but they still have chemistry.

I like Cole and Laura but never felt more than a mild curiosity about them. Cole is easier to like; Laura's propensity to keep secrets is frustrating. The plot is a bit too predicable: Cole gets distracted, Laura ends up in danger, she's saved, repeat. Some dangers include a leaking boat that almost drowns her and a piano that almost crushes her. It's not a good sign when you start to say to yourself, "Oh, there she goes again. I wonder what will happen this time?" I enjoyed Guarding Laura much more when it focused on the characters than the plot.

As a side note, why do so many romance novel couples reunite after 10 years? Why not 2? Or 6? Or 9?

Alyssa