Jack is a cop currently on leave. He kind of loses his mind and does stupid things when he’s around Davina. He makes inCute. Fun. Silly. I enjoyed it.
Jack is a cop currently on leave. He kind of loses his mind and does stupid things when he’s around Davina. He makes inaccurate assumptions and it’s funny.
I often times don’t like inaccurate assumptions because they are not done well ( example: i.e. a character says something they don’t mean and the other is offended or hurt. A normal conversation would clear the air but that doesn’t happen.)
But in this story the inaccurate assumptions were believable, and I enjoyed the silly conflict. Example: Jack knows Davina is hiding something from him in her house. When Jack sees Davina using a large amount of light in the basement, he assumes she is growing marijuana. She was not, but that was a reasonable “inaccurate assumption” especially since he dealt with drug dealers as a cop.
The book was formerly titled “The Davina Code.”
DATA: Narrative mode: 3rd person. Story length: 197 pages. Swearing language: mild plus the s*** word used once or twice. Sexual language: pe*** used once. Number of sex scenes: one occurrence no details shown. Setting: current day England. Copyright: 2012. Genre: humorous contemporary romance....more
This is book #3 in The Magic Wedding Dress Trilogy. The only reason I bought it was because I really liked book #2. Sadl2 ½ stars. I did not enjoy it.
This is book #3 in The Magic Wedding Dress Trilogy. The only reason I bought it was because I really liked book #2. Sadly this did not compare. If I had not read book #2 I might have given this an average rating. But I was so disappointed that I had to mark it down.
Book #2 had many laugh out loud moments. This book had two humorous moments. One was Sonny copying every physical move Jake made at a dinner table. The other was the dress wouldn’t let the girl walk through a door. But that was it for my enjoyment.
Part of the problem was we don’t see a couple meet, be in conflict, then fall in love. Instead that was in the past. Jane and Gentry married and divorced two years earlier. This book starts with Gentry preparing for a wedding to Sonny. Jake arrives to deliver something. The entire story has Gentry mad at Jake and trying not to be with him. She doesn’t love Sonny but she won’t admit that to herself. There is no developing romance to watch.
THE MAGIC WEDDING DRESS SERIES: I gave 4 ½ stars to book #2 “The Fifty-Cent Groom.” I gave 2 and 2 ½ stars to books #1 and #3: “Million-Dollar Bride” and “Two-Penny Wedding.”
DATA: Narrative mode: 3rd person. Story length: 249 pages. Swearing language: mild. Sexual content: none. Setting: around 1996 California. Copyright: 1996. Genre: humorous contemporary romance, romance with a little magic....more
I did not enjoy this. Too much slapstick and silliness. I didn’t laugh.
I really enjoyed book #2 in the series which is why I bought this book..
THE MAGI did not enjoy this. Too much slapstick and silliness. I didn’t laugh.
I really enjoyed book #2 in the series which is why I bought this book..
THE MAGIC WEDDING DRESS SERIES: I gave 4 ½ stars to book #2 “The Fifty-Cent Groom.” I gave 2 and 2 ½ stars to books #1 and #3: “Million-Dollar Bride” and “Two-Penny Wedding.”
DATA: Narrative mode: 3rd person. Story length: 248 pages. Swearing language: mild. Number of sex scenes: one referred to not shown. Setting: around 1996 Kansas City and Kansas. Copyright: 1996. Genre: humorous contemporary romance, romance with a little magic....more
Sara is a self-made woman whose business provides party planning, wedding planning, errands, and other tasks. She w4 ½ stars. I laughed several times.
Sara is a self-made woman whose business provides party planning, wedding planning, errands, and other tasks. She wants to marry rich guy West. Someone delivers the wrong wedding dress to Sara. It twinkles at her and she tries it on. Then she can’t get out of it.
Ben Northcross arrives to pick up the dress. Sara believes Ben works temporary jobs and has no ambition. She asks him to help her get out of the dress. She also hires him to bartend at an event when her regular bartender gets sick.
I enjoyed both characters. It’s great chemistry. There’s some slapstick in the story. And there is a little “magic.”
This is book #2 in The Magic Wedding Dress Trilogy. Sadly it’s the only one of the three I liked.
THE MAGIC WEDDING DRESS SERIES: I gave 4 ½ stars to book #2 “The Fifty-Cent Groom.” I gave 2 and 2 ½ stars to books #1 and #3: “Million-Dollar Bride” and “Two-Penny Wedding.”
DATA: Narrative mode: 3rd person. Story length: 248 pages. Swearing language: mild. Sexual language: none. Number of sex scenes: one referred to not shown. Setting: current day Kansas City, Missouri. Copyright: 1996. Genre: humorous contemporary romance, romance with a little magic....more
Such a treat. It delights me. I laughed so many times.
This author’s humor really works for me. She creates interesting personalities. Some are odd. ThSuch a treat. It delights me. I laughed so many times.
This author’s humor really works for me. She creates interesting personalities. Some are odd. The chemistry and the way they interact makes me laugh.
The ending was more normal - less humor there. It had a crisis and wrapped things up. It was fine. It was a happy ending for the couple. But the best part was the first 3/4 of the book.
STORY BRIEF: Six months earlier Lake loaned money to his sister Rainne who bought a lingerie shop. She is flaky and a terrible business manager and the place lost money. Lake just now got out of the military. He comes to town to turn around Rainne’s shop and sell it to get his money back. He wants to join his buddy in the security business. Kirsty is a former model who owns a competing lingerie shop across the street.
THE SERIES: Book 6 will be published in 2016. Each book is a stand alone romance about people living in the small town of Invertary in the northern Scotland Highlands. Main characters in one book have small roles in other books. My ratings are:
5 stars. Lingerie Wars Bk 1 3 ½ stars. Goody Two Shoes Bk 2 3 ½ stars. Magenta Mine Bk 3 (novella) 4 stars. Calamity Jena Bk 4 (not read) Bad Boy Bk 5 (not read) Caught Bk 6
DATA: Narrative mode: 3rd person. Kindle count length: 6,077 (310 pages). Swearing language: mild. Sexual language: none. Number of sex scenes: 4 referred to no details. Setting: current day Invertary, Scotland. Copyright: 2013. Genre: humorous contemporary romance....more
3 ½ stars. It has a slapstick feel. I did not laugh but it kept my interest.
Characters were good, kind of comic-book-like. There is a happy ending wit3 ½ stars. It has a slapstick feel. I did not laugh but it kept my interest.
Characters were good, kind of comic-book-like. There is a happy ending with romance, but I wanted an epilogue. BTW there are no babies in this book. The plot has to do with different people trying to steal an expensive New Zealand bird.
A favorite trope for me is seeing a couple meet and watching the relationship develop. This book does not have that. Instead we hear that she ran away during their wedding ceremony because she feared marriage. This story begins six years later. Dana and Nick have been lonely and miss each other. Now they are on a project together to rescue Dana’s mother.
DATA: Narrative mode: 3rd person. Story length: 268 pages. Swearing language: strong including religious swear words. Sexual language: mild. Number of sex scenes: one brief scene. Setting: current day New York. Copyright: 2005. Genre: contemporary romance, chick lit.
OTHER BOOKS: I’ve reviewed the following Lani Diane Rich books. 5 stars. Time Off for Good Behavior (you must do the audiobook, the narrator Hillary Hawkins really makes it) 4 ½ stars. Wish You Were Here 4 ½ stars. The Fortune Quilt 3 stars. Crazy in Love 3 stars. Maybe Baby 2 ½ stars. The Comeback Kiss 2 stars. A Little Ray of Sunshine (too sad, teary moments, womens fiction) 2 stars. Ex And The Single Girl...more
If you are thinking about this book, I urge you to get the audiobook - not the physical book.
I believe some of the 3 star reviews by others would haveIf you are thinking about this book, I urge you to get the audiobook - not the physical book.
I believe some of the 3 star reviews by others would have been higher if they listened to the audiobook instead of reading the paperback or ebook. The audiobook narrator Hillary Hawkins is a COMIC GENIUS!!!!! Hillary emphasized different words and interpreted things differently than I would. If I were reading the book I might say a line one way which would make the heroine unlikeable, but the narrator read it in a way that made me laugh.
Bottom line: I laughed many times!!!!
It also had one of my favorite tropes: Main character on a journey of changing herself.
There is a lot of swearing. But it’s not like some books where a guy says the f-word in every other sentence as his regular way of talking. Wanda swears in response to things like when she is angry or insulting someone. I’m not a fan of swearing but I’m usually ok reading it. So, you need to be open to it.
I kept thinking how did the author come up with this character? And then I kept thinking how does she come up with so many funny lines? (But remember, if I were reading the line it would not be as funny as Hillary reading it.)
THE STORY is about a smart competent woman who made stupid choices, including marrying a loser abusive husband. (She had a reason and I could kind of buy it.) She is divorced, meets a great guy, but delays a relationship until she can get her life fixed. There is a nice romantic ending, but most of the story is about Wanda and various people in her life.
DATA: Narrative mode: 1st person Wanda. Unabridged audiobook length: 7 hrs and 36 mins. Swearing language: strong including religious swear words frequently used. Sexual language: none. Number of sex scenes: one, referred to no details. Setting: current day mostly Hastings, Tennessee. Book copyright: 2004. Genre: humorous contemporary romance....more
4 stars for the story and humor, but the ending was vague, unfinished, and made me mad, so it comes down a star.
I really enjoyed parts of this. I was 4 stars for the story and humor, but the ending was vague, unfinished, and made me mad, so it comes down a star.
I really enjoyed parts of this. I was chuckling several times. I liked the nerd Don. He is somewhere on the autism or Asperger spectrum, but he is very high functioning. He is a genetics professor. He meets Rosie who wants to know who her biological father is and Don offers to help. They collect DNA samples and he runs them through equipment. This was fun, watching nerdy Don trying for stealth in collecting samples. One funny scene was when Don memorized cocktail recipes so he could be a waiter at a function to collect DNA from drinking glasses. But he was so successful in memorizing the guests names and suggesting cocktails for them that he was the life of the party and offered a job afterwards. And to his surprise he enjoyed himself. Yes I liked this book.
But I was mad at the end. I hate authors being vague. I had to reread the last few lines three times to try to figure out who the biological father was. Don collected some DNA that Rosie didn’t know about. Don ran them through the machine and said “it’s a match.” But he didn’t say who the guy was. I was supposed to figure it out because it was a sample from a particular thing collected in a previous scene, but I wasn’t 100% sure. I know many readers will say “it was obvious.” But not to me. And then what is worse, I didn’t see Rosie’s reaction to the news. I wanted a few pages of her reaction, her thinking, or maybe even her interacting with that person. And I wanted more explanation from Don about earlier inaccurate assumptions. But no. It’s over. I enjoyed the process of the entire book, but the ending made me so mad that I’m still in a bad mood two days later. (I would love to hear from others to confirm who the biological father was. Please put it in a comment for me.)
Technically this was a romance. I enjoyed seeing the couple interact and how things developed. I didn’t see any emotional desire, but that was ok because the story and humor were good.
A secondary subject was Don’s questionnaire for women to fill out. He was looking for a life partner. His reactions to women were funny. He eliminated one woman because she wouldn’t eat eggs. He eliminated another because she was late. He called her late woman and didn’t care to ask her any other questions.
NARRATOR: The narrator Dan O’Grady was excellent. I think it might be better to hear this as an audiobook than to read it. He makes Don more entertaining than my own mind would.
DATA: Narrative mode: 1st person Don. Unabridged audiobook length: 7 hrs and 32 mins. Swearing language: strong including religious swear words but rarely used. Sexual content: some conversation about sex, but no sex scenes. Setting: current day mostly Melbourne, Australia, with some New York City, NY. Book copyright: 2013. Genre: humorous contemporary romance, nerd....more
3 ½ stars. First 75% very good, but the last 25% annoyed me - fight and separation for stupid reasons.
This was playful fun humor. I smiled and chuckle3 ½ stars. First 75% very good, but the last 25% annoyed me - fight and separation for stupid reasons.
This was playful fun humor. I smiled and chuckled a lot during the first 75%. Jason is always stealing food, protecting his food, fighting for his food. He’s a caveman jerk but adorable. Then the fight and separation. The reasons are so overused in romance novels. They bore me. I’m tired of seeing them. I’d rather have no fight than a fight for stupid reasons.
(view spoiler)[ She is mad and breaks up with him. He grovels really well. Anyone should forgive him based on his wonderful groveling but she doesn’t. Her reason? She wants to break up because she fears he will hurt her in the future by leaving her. When she does soften, then he leaves her. His reason? She deserves someone better than he. (hide spoiler)]
In spite of this, I’m still glad I read it.
DATA: Narrative mode: 3rd person. Kindle count length: 5917 (493 KB) 224 pages. Swearing language: strong including religious swear words, but not often used. Sexual language: strong. Number of sex scenes: 5. Setting: current day New England. Copyright: 2011. Genre: humorous contemporary romance....more
Absolutely enjoyable. I laughed several times - unexpected things - witty comments.
To give 5 stars I want to say “wow,” but that usually happens with Absolutely enjoyable. I laughed several times - unexpected things - witty comments.
To give 5 stars I want to say “wow,” but that usually happens with suspense novels giving you a roller coaster ride. I did not feel “wow” at the end, but I smiled a lot during the story. I see it as excellent for its genre. It’s teen love, self image, different personalities, high school issues and conflicts. It’s young adult but also enjoyable for adults. I feel good when I think about some of the things in the book. I won’t say more because I don’t want to ruin the fun of the unexpected.
What it’s about: High school seniors are matched up as couples and must spend time together doing activities. The purpose is pretend marriages, earning money, and deciding how to spend it. Fiona dislikes Todd but is assigned to be his partner.
DATA: Narrative mode: 1st person Fiona. Story length: 278 pages. Swearing language: moderate. Sexual content: none. Setting: current day East Columbus, Illinois. Copyright: 2009. Genre: young adult contemporary romance, humorous contemporary romance....more
I read the paperback twice in the past and recently listened to the audiobook. It was still wonderful. Great fun! It kept me up way too late at night.
I read the paperback twice in the past and recently listened to the audiobook. It was still wonderful. It’s more in depth than most romance books. I loved the complicated relationships and how it all turned out.
I loved the witty and sarcastic bickering between main characters. Although the plot and characters had some similarities to plots and characters in this author's other novels, they were so entertaining and so well done that it didn't matter.
AUDIOBOOK NARRATOR: Anna Fields was very good.
DATA: Narrative mode: 3rd person. Story length: 392 pages. Swearing language: strong but rarely used. Sexual language: mild. Number of sex scenes: about seven plus a few referred to. Setting: current day Colorado and a Tennessee farm. Copyright: 2007. Genre: humorous contemporary romance.
OTHER BOOKS: For a list of my reviews of other Susan Elizabeth Phillips books, see my 5 star review of “It Had To Be You.”...more
Many funny scenes. I also enjoyed a secondary romance happening for Bobby's widowed mother Suzy. She was in her 50'Witty and wonderful romantic story.
Many funny scenes. I also enjoyed a secondary romance happening for Bobby's widowed mother Suzy. She was in her 50's and it was a nice change to see romance for someone that age. The epilogue was cut from the book, but you can read it on the author’s web site. It’s nice.
AUDIOBOOK NARRATOR: Anna Fields did a great job with male and female voices.
DATA: Narrative mode: 3rd person. Story length: 371 pages. Swearing language: strong including religious swear words, but not often used. Sexual language: moderate with the f-word used once. Number of sex scenes: about 8, some were briefly referred to. Setting: 1990's mostly Telarosa, Texas. Copyright: 1995. Genre: humorous contemporary romance.
OTHER BOOKS: For a list of my reviews of other Susan Elizabeth Phillips books, see my 5 star review of “It Had To Be You.”...more
Ah! What a treat! This is a book full of witty surprises and laughter.
I need to divide the book into two parts for my review.
THE FIRST THREE QUARTERS Ah! What a treat! This is a book full of witty surprises and laughter.
I need to divide the book into two parts for my review.
THE FIRST THREE QUARTERS OF THE BOOK (I will call the "First Part"): I was doubled over with laughter many, many times. I didn't want to stop reading. There are three people trying to deceive each other and/or keep secrets from each other. It makes for great conflict. And, what makes it great is that they each have good reasons for what they are doing. I am sympathetic to all three of them. I loved it, loved it, loved it. I hope this author continues writing with this kind of creativity. I even woke up in the middle of the night laughing with scenes from the book on my mind.
Story brief: At age 14, Bill is a drunken rich kid who plays a mean prank on Christina at school. She never forgives him. At age 30, their paths cross. She plans to get revenge. He needs her to pretend to be his fiancee for a month, so his father won't throw him out of his home and disinherit him. The father is onto the sham and does things to try to get them to crack under the pressure.
THE LAST QUARTER OF THE BOOK (I will call the "Last Part"): CAUTION SPOILERS: This was a different kind of story, which took me by surprise. The First Part was a crazy, wild and funny ride, full of twists and turns. The Last Part had some sadness, separation and grief. Too much bad luck was happening to expose secrets in the worst ways and at the worst times. Christina made some bad decisions. I understand the author was making the point that going after someone for revenge will have hurtful consequences. The Last Part did make sense and did provide a fitting story to finish the book, but it evoked a different set of feelings - frustrations and sadness. I generally don't like too much sadness when I read, but I accepted the sadness because the First Part was so great. Do keep in mind, this is a romance novel, which means there is a happy ending.
If I could change anything, I would have Christina be a little smarter in her decisions and actions in the Last Part. I would also like to see the author continue her crazy unexpectedness in the unraveling of secrets and keeping a lighter mood in the Last Part.
I noticed one reviewer felt there were too many different points of view, stating the reader is in the heads of Bill, Christina, Bill's father, Christina's best friend, Bill's ex-girlfriend, etc. However, I thought it worked well. It made it funnier to see what others were thinking while they were observing, reacting and scheming.
DATA: Sexual language: mild. Number of sex scenes: two. Setting: current day New York area. Copyright: 2008. Genre: humorous contemporary romance.
DISCLOSURE: The author sent this book to me free of charge, requesting a review....more
Normally, I only want to read romance novels. This is not a romance novel. There are no intimate love scenes. This is a cross betweGreat for laughter.
Normally, I only want to read romance novels. This is not a romance novel. There are no intimate love scenes. This is a cross between chick lit and romantic comedy. I loved it, because I laughed so much. At first I did not like reading about Emma, who was in the habit of telling lies. She lied for many reasons including office politics and politeness. However, once Jack entered the picture at her office, it became hilarious. Her white lies made great comedic material. I didn't want to put it down. After I read the book, I went back and reread all of the Jack conversations. I loved the twinkle in his eyes as Jack asked Emma questions in front of other people, and as she answered the questions with lies, she knew that he knew she was lying.
Sexual content: none. Setting: current day Scotland and England. Copyright 2004. Genre: chick lit, romantic comedy.
To date, I've read the following Sophie Kinsella books. 5 stars. Can You Keep a Secret? Copyrt 2004. Review Date 2/21/07. 1 star. Confessions of a Shopaholic. Copyrt 2001. Review Date 3/14/08. 1 star. Remember Me? Copyrt 2008. Review Date 8/11/08....more
My favorite Crusie book. Wonderfully witty lines. Guaranteed to make you feel good. I did not want to stop reading.
The book starts with a well done miMy favorite Crusie book. Wonderfully witty lines. Guaranteed to make you feel good. I did not want to stop reading.
The book starts with a well done mis-communication - the bet. David bets Cal that he can’t get Min to bed in a month. Cal refuses but says he’s willing to bet ten dollars that he can walk out the door with her. Min overheard part of the bet but not all of it, and she thinks it’s a bet to have sex with her. She is angry, but she leaves with Cal because she wants to be rude to him. Their paths keep crossing, and each time she insults him. But at the same time they are kind of falling for each other, but they don’t want to. It’s a fun set up with clever dialogue.
One of the best things about Bet Me were the character definitions. The good guys had flaws and weaknesses.
Min is caring and smart and works as an actuary. She has a round shape and will never be thin. Her mother has bullied Min her entire life about dieting and losing weight. Min tries to diet to please her mother but it doesn’t work. Cal encourages her to eat forbidden foods: bread, butter, doughnuts. He enjoys watching her sensual love of food. And he likes her looks.
Cal was dyslexic which had limitations for him, yet he was smart about people and did well in business because of that. He too was bullied by his mother who was rich, thin, unaccepting of other people, and uncaring about other people.
Cynthie was a psychologist studying dating and mating habits. She was writing a book. She was so sure she was right about Cal and Min - spouting things like they are in this stage or that stage and here’s what’s going on. Yet she was sooooo wrong - almost stupidly wrong.
Bonnie was sweet, innocent, and naive appearing. Yet she was the most successful at finding and knowing a guy was right for her from the moment they met. She was smart in that way - so opposite from Cynthie who thought she knew it all, but was all wrong.
A great scene is when Min has dinner with Cal’s family. I read this book several years ago and that dinner scene stayed vivid in my mind ever since.
AUDIOBOOK NARRATOR: Deanna Hurst did an excellent job.
DATA: Narrative mode: 3rd person. Story length: 391 pages. Swearing language: strong, including religious swear words but not often used. Sexual language: none. Number of sex scenes: one. Setting: current day southern Ohio. Copyright: 2004. Genre: humorous contemporary romance, plus size heroine....more
The main story is about a girl Tara who has the ability to interact with ghosts. She has a revenge businQuirky, fun character, conversation and ideas.
The main story is about a girl Tara who has the ability to interact with ghosts. She has a revenge business selling products like a lace pillow filled with cat hair to give to someone allergic to cats. The writing style was different from most romance novels I've read. I was chuckling many times throughout this book, which was full of subtle surprising humor. Tara would say or think something that I did not expect or was not used to hearing, and that made me laugh. Following are some examples that show the kind of humor in the book. By the way, the book is written in first person as told by Tara.
1. Someone left a black rooster on Tara's porch as a curse, pages 55 - 57. Tara says "I headed over to the side of the building, keeping a close eye on rooster-zilla." A little later Tara says to her friend "Hose down the patio and scootch Kentucky Fried there to the end of the porch." A little later the rooster is on the roof and Tara says: "I can hear the cats yowling inside and Finger Lick'n up above is probably wanting to come down on someone's head."
2. Another section on page 17, follows. Tara is thinking: "I'm not into casual anything. I spent ten years working almost exclusively with men whom I couldn't date and still expect respect from them the next day at work. This is because guys categorize women in three ways. Way one: I'd do her. Way two: I'd do her in front of your mother. Way three: You couldn't pay me to do her. I've worked long and hard to fall into that last category. It's a hard habit to break once it's perfected."
This book surprised and delighted me. It was a nice change of pace. A romance develops between Tara and Howard, but it is secondary to the main story which is about Tara's life, work, friends, etc. Read this for fun, not for romance.
Sexual language: moderate. Number of sex scenes: five. Setting: current day small tourist town in the Florida Keys. Copyright: 2005. Genre: humorous contemporary romance....more
I was laughing out loud several times. The witty and entertaining dialogue was great. There was a secondaryIt was so good it kept me up late at night.
I was laughing out loud several times. The witty and entertaining dialogue was great. There was a secondary story happening with Bodie and Portia that was fun. I read the paperback twice and recently listened to the audiobook. I didn’t laugh as much in subsequent reads because I knew what to expect, but I still loved it.
AUDIOBOOK NARRATOR: Anna Fields was very good with everything except Heath’s voice (the hero). It wasn’t masculine or sexy somehow. It was odd. I loved her voices for the heroes in books 1 and 3 (Dan Calebow and Cal Bonner).
(view spoiler)[ I loved the scene on pages 302 to 312. This showed how both Stars and Bears football players liked to visit and hang out with Annabelle in her home because she reminded them of their mothers. She and the players had a lot of fun just hanging out and teasing each other. It was a wonderful scene. (hide spoiler)]
DATA: Narrative mode: 3rd person. Story length: 388 pages. Swearing language: strong including religious swear words but rarely used. Sexual language: mild. Number of sex scenes: three. Setting: current day Chicago, Illinois and northeastern Michigan. Copyright: 2005. Genre: humorous contemporary romance.
OTHER BOOKS: For a list of my reviews of other Susan Elizabeth Phillips books, see my 5 star review of “It Had To Be You.”...more
Wonderful, laugh out loud Valentines Day, NASCAR romance. Moms: ok for your teenage daughters too.
There are 3 short stories in this book. Two are ok, Wonderful, laugh out loud Valentines Day, NASCAR romance. Moms: ok for your teenage daughters too.
There are 3 short stories in this book. Two are ok, but one is fabulous. It’s worth buying the book for the one 5-star story.
5 stars for AN OUTSIDE CHANCE by Nancy Warren.
Enjoyable. Delightful. Funny. I was laughing out loud several times. I loved the two characters.
Story Brief: Lucy is average looking. She dresses fashion show models. She’s good at calming them down. Lucy is 32 and feeling like a spinster. She wants to get married and have children. She meets Dan online and goes to Florida to meet him in person. She is angry that Dan is married and lied to her. She meets Sawyer on the beach when she accidentally punches him as he is jogging by. Sawyer is new to NASCAR and is driving in his first race tomorrow. Lucy has a calming effect on Sawyer which he desperately needs, so he invites her to come to the track with him. Lucy believes Sawyer would never be interested in her because he has always dated celebrities and top models.
Reviewer’s Opinion: This story had me laughing out loud several times. A couple of times I was doubled over with laughter. That is so rare for me. I highly recommend this book just for this one short story. I love to laugh like that. It made my evening. This is not slapstick funny. The laughter came from comments or events happening that I wasn’t expecting. I can’t wait to try other books by this author.
I loved the characters Lucy and Sawyer. The story is a wonderful example of seeing how a relationship develops. It’s fun watching Sawyer’s actions and reactions to Lucy. Some fun things happened with his family as well.
Data: Story length: 90 pages. Swearing language: none. Sexual language: none. Sex scenes: none. Setting: current day Daytona Beach, Florida. Copyright: 2010. Genre: humorous contemporary NASCAR romance.
3 stars for A CALCULATED RISK by Vicki Lewis Thompson.
This was ok, kind of Harlequinish. Nothing really special enough to set it apart from typical romance stories.
Story Brief: Roni is a mechanic for a NASCAR racing crew. She is in love with the crew chief Judd. Everyone knows this except Judd. She finally decides to fix her hair and dress like a woman to tempt him. He’s tempted but he doesn’t act on it. He thinks they should not be involved because they work together. Meanwhile, Judd and the driver Tucker have an unresolved conflict related to Tucker making a move on a girl Judd dated three months ago. This conflict could hurt their racing success, and the owner wants it resolved. Roni tries to help. There were no sex scenes, but one was referred to – told, not shown.
Data: Story length: 112 pages. Swearing language: mild. Sexual language: none. Sex scenes: none. Setting: current day Daytona Beach, Florida. Copyright: 2010. Genre: NASCAR romance.
Not enough romantic relationship development. Conflicts were predictable.
Story Brief: Megan is a NASCAR driver who drives for Matt Hammond. Chris is Matt’s son. Chris and Matt had a problem and have not spoken to each other for 10 years. Megan and Chris meet, fall in love, and then separate. Megan doesn’t know Chris is related to Matt. Chris comes to the race track to see Megan.
Reviewer’s Opinion: We don’t get to see the couple’s first meeting, getting to know each other, and developing a relationship. Megan breaks up with Chris because she thinks their relationship could not work with their lifestyles. This conflict due to Megan’s inaccurate assumptions was not interesting for me. They are both miserable which is where this story begins. From here on, the story conflicts are predictable. Megan is mad at Chris for not telling her he is related to Matt. Chris and Matt have continuing conflicts carried over from prior years. The story was ok, but it was more about resolving these situations than developing and/or experiencing the romantic relationship. There were no sex scenes, but one was referred to – told, not shown.
Data: Story length: 96 pages. Swearing language: mild. Sexual language: none. Sex scenes: none. Setting: current day Daytona Beach, Florida. Copyright: 2010. Genre: NASCAR romance....more
Although I preferred the first three Chicago Stars football books to this one, I still rank this one with 4 stars as a good read. TWitty and fun read.
Although I preferred the first three Chicago Stars football books to this one, I still rank this one with 4 stars as a good read. The first three books which I felt were great are: It Had to be You, Heaven, Texas, and Nobody's Baby But Mine. In this book, I didn't enjoy the two main characters as much as I enjoyed the characters in the previous books. I'm not sure why. They both sought entertainment through risk taking. Molly was supposed to be smart, so I couldn't understand why she would give away all her inherited money. That bothered me. And it still bothers me.
I read the paperback twice and recently listened to the audiobook. The first time I read it I was laughing out loud several times. I didn’t laugh as much in subsequent reads because I knew what to expect, but I still enjoyed it a lot. I also liked the secondary romance between Kevin’s mother Lilly and a famous reclusive artist Liam.
AUDIOBOOK NARRATOR: Anna Fields was very good with everything except Kevin’s voice. It wasn’t masculine or sexy somehow. It was almost juvenile. I loved her voices for the heroes in books 1 and 3 (Dan Calebow and Cal Bonner)) - very sexy. But not this book.
DATA: Narrative mode: 3rd person. Story length: 399 pages. Swearing language: strong including religious swear words but rarely used. Sexual language: moderate. Number of sex scenes: about 9. Setting: current day Illinois, Wisconsin, and Northern Michigan. Copyright: 2001. Genre: humorous contemporary romance.
OTHER BOOKS: For a list of my reviews of other Susan Elizabeth Phillips books, see my 5 star review of “It Had To Be You.”...more
I read the paperback twice and recently listened to the audiobook. The first time I read it I laughed out loud a loWitty and wonderful romantic story.
I read the paperback twice and recently listened to the audiobook. The first time I read it I laughed out loud a lot. I didn’t laugh as much in subsequent reads because I knew what to expect and wasn’t surprised as much. But it was still great.
I loved the verbal sparring between the genius woman physicist and the smart as a whip quarterback. Creative, delightful, surprising and fun. I can't say enough good about it.
AUDIOBOOK NARRATOR: Anna Fields is excellent.
DATA: Narrative mode: 3rd person. Story length: 374 pages. Swearing language: strong including religious swear words but rarely used. Sexual language: mild. Number of sex scenes: 6. Setting: current day mostly Chicago area, Illinois and Salvation, North Carolina. Copyright: 1997. Genre: humorous contemporary romance.
OTHER BOOKS: For a list of my reviews of other Susan Elizabeth Phillips books, see my 5 star review of “It Had To Be You.”...more
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