I've been trying to expand my reading lately--going into new and different genres because I think it helps me to write better. Seeing how other people handle scenes and characters makes me more confident when I am touching on a subject I might not be all that comfortable with. Like romance. As a person, I'm pretty jaded and cynical when it comes to this topic; and so as a writer, I sometimes stare at a romantic scene in a book and think 'how do I make this work?'. So reading books about it, like this one, gives me more insight into the subject. (and even a few warm and fuzzies and hope that maybe romance isn't dead? Or is that wishful thinking? I don't know, but I digress). So to the book review itself--> I read this book yesterday...the whole darn thing. By the time I was done, I realized it was 930pm, I hadn't written a stitch all day, I had forgotten about dinner and had only gotten up to use the bathroom or get a refill of tea. It was that good.
I won't give a synopsis, that's not my thing with a review. But I will give my impressions. First, funny. No, more than funny. It was laugh out loud, gut busting, stomach hurting kind of funny to the point that my neighbor (who at one point was clipping his hedges which fairly close to my living room window) might think I am crazy. The main characters inner monologue was hysterical and I really liked her.
I've read a few reviews of people saying she was un-likeable but, I just didn't see it. Sure she liked expensive clothes and was perhaps a bit misguided in some of her choices, but it was a journey she had to take, to get her to the resolution. Also, the epilogue, although not needed, was a cute addition and I liked getting a glimpse of what happened afterwards.
I also have read a few reviews where people didn't like the character's inner monologue, but it didn't bother me one bit. Granted, I am used to this type of writing (two semesters of stream of consciousness type books for my masters in English classes will get a girl ready for anything!) but it's not even that difficult to follow. Just be patient and don't speed read-trust me, you don't want to miss her inner thoughts. They are THAT funny. Anyways, its a 5 star for me (I'd give it 10 if I could!) romantic comedy/suspense with a seriously too die for alpha male (four actually!) and I can't wait to read the second in the series!
