I'm going to try an experiment. I'm going to try and write a short review. It's going to be hard but I think it's important to challenge oneself from time to time! :)
Why I read it: I nabbed a copy of the bound galley from NetGalley and I've read (and enjoyed) Ms. Dahl's other books both historical and contemporary (I prefer her contemps BTW).
What it's about: (here's the blurb from the author's website) Chloe Turner thought she was going to marry the perfect man-until her fiancé's plane crashed. And then she got the really bad news: he'd tried to fake his own death to avoid marrying her. Now America's most famousbridezilla (a tag she most definitely does not deserve), Chloe escapes to a remote island to avoid the paparazzi. And right next door is a man who just might be the curefor Chloe's heartache....
A magnet for wild, complicated women, Max Sullivan is relieved to have finally found someone "normal." Chloe is his girl-next-door fantasy come to life, and best of all, she gets him. With her, he can be himself, a treasure-hunting millionaire who desperately wants out of his sexy but reckless job. But when Chloe's notoriety catches up with them, will their torrid romance make it to the mainland?
What worked for me:The hero. Max was adorable! He was a totally beta guy hiding in alpha clothing. His quirks and neuroses were funny and sweet and, not annoying - although they easily could have been. I have seen a few reviews around the place for this book and of course, there's the blurb above and I figure that to say more might be giving away a spoiler so I won't. But srsly? Max is the bomb!
I liked also how Chloe saw through him, to the heart of him, fairly quickly and I liked how she didn't get offended, how she appreciated him. I also liked how she didn't just blow off their respective issues - and Max agreed - they took some time near the end of the book to sort themselves out - it definitely made the HEA believable.
I also liked how Chloe didn't agonise about her body image - she had a positive but realistic view of herself which was refreshing - here's she's putting on a wetsuit:
Her figure was fine, but it wouldn't stand up to close scrutiny when being squeezed into a Neoprene sausage casing. All sorts of rolls and gatherings were bound to appear.
What didn't (work for me): For much of the book, we knew that Chloe's best friend Jenn, was hiding something from her, but we didn't know what. I think it was intended to add to the tension but I just found it kind of annoying. A little annoyance though - nothing serious. I don't like it IRL where someone hints and hints and doesn't spill and I don't like it in books either - a little teasing and tantalising is fine but I find myself reaching the "oh, just tell me already!" point fairly quickly. YMMV.
There was a sweet secondary romance between Jenn and Max's brother Elliott. Elliott had the makings of a pretty cute beta hero himself and I could have used a little more of him.
What else:Overall, this was a fun, enjoyable read - it's not meaty or angsty and it doesn't pretend to be. It is what it is - light and humorous and funny. And Max? Too cute!
I did it! A short review! Ha! *happy dance*
5 comments:
I tend to have problems with the short reviews, too :)
Hmmm... I didn't care for the 2nd book (Start me up?), and didn't read the third one yet. This sounds good, though.
I much prefer her historicals, but I think I'm in the minority.
I've got to get shorter Lori - It's been taking me hours to put a review up and that means less reviews because I just don't have that kind of time very often (or at all really!). I'd like to do more reviews so that means, I have to make them a bit shorter.
I liked the Tumble Creek trilogy but I think I liked the first one the best of the three.
I think Dahl's "voice" works better in the contemporary setting, but that's just my opinion - which, with $3 will probably buy you a coffee!
LOL - you are right..we had the same likes/dislikes!
Although Jenn's secret was a bit annoying..I love the way Dahl writes!! Very cute and sexy story!)
I like to read short reviews (and I try to write them, rather unsuccesfully I'd say). And I definitely loved yours: nice and to the point. :)
I look forward to reading Crazy for Love!
Thx Janna *blushes*
@ Mandi - now I've hit the big league - a link on your blog!
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