THE FIDELITY FILES - Jessica Brody
St. Martin's Press
ISBN: 978-031-237-546-1
June 2008
Contemporary Romance

Los Angeles – Present Day

Jennifer Hunter leads a secret life. To her friends and family she is an analyst for Stanley Marshall bank -- and at one time she was. Jennifer’s life changed two years ago, following a girls’ night out from work. After drinking too many rounds of Rolling Rocks, the girls started playing truth or dare. Jennifer accepted the dare to slide up to a man they knew to be married, flirt, and get him to ask her out. Needless to say, Jennifer was victorious. The following day at work, Miranda Keyton, Vice President of Mergers and Acquisitions, called Jennifer into her office and thanked her. It was Miranda’s husband with whom Jennifer had flirted, and Miranda wanted to know what happened. Jennifer assured her that nothing happened, but according to Miranda, her hubby had failed the fidelity test. In the following months, Jennifer started receiving calls from women referred to her by word of mouth, and so began her new life. Now Jennifer is a fidelity specialist.

Business is good. Jennifer, aka Ashlyn, takes her work seriously. Whenever she accepts an assignment, she meets with her client and learns everything about the spouse. What he likes, dislikes, hobbies, type of work, interests, and what he likes in a woman. With this information, Jennifer is armed and ready to do go. Jennifer is a beautiful woman, and she dresses Ashlyn to meet the spouse’s vision of his fantasy woman. Add alcohol to the mix, and the spouse usually fails the fidelity test. Jennifer truly feels this is not entrapment because she does not initiate anything -- she follows. But can Jennifer keep up the charade? After two years, Jennifer is burning out, and her two worlds are about to collide.

Raymond Jacob is an angry and very wealthy ex-spouse who failed the fidelity test. To get his revenge, he has posted a website showing pictures of Jennifer and her home, with a warning about what she does. Jennifer has always been extremely cautious about keeping the Ashlyn character separate from her personal life. Have the tables been turned against her? Is her life in danger?

THE FIDELITY FILES delves into the prickly topic of betrayal. Why does Jennifer have a vendetta against men who cheat? Jennifer comes across as a cold, bitter woman, but as the story develops, the reader sees where her distrust comes from. Could her father be part of the problem? Will she cross the line in her zest to provide the fidelity test? Or will she fall victim to her own trap?

Jennifer flies to Denver to confront Raymond Jacobs. The meeting doesn’t go well, and on the flight back to Los Angeles, she ponders her next move. But good things do happen; Jennifer meets Jamie Roberts on the plane. She finds him captivating, even if she is not interested -- men can’t be trusted -- but she wants to get to know Jamie. With everything that is happening to Jennifer, will she retire Ashlyn and pursue her own happiness, or will Ashlyn destroy Jennifer?

Jessica Brody has written a sharp, compelling story that the reader will not want to put down. Jennifer and her alter ego, Ashlyn, take the reader on the roller coaster ride of life, lust, betrayal, and love. You will enjoy THE FIDELITY FILES.

Deborah C Jackson