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With This Fling...
With this fling...Successful archaeologist Charlotte Greenstone has no time for men, so invents a convenient one--who bears a highly inconvenient resemblance to sexy stranger Greyson Tyler! To protect her mortifying white lie, Charlotte begs Grey to act as her temporary fiancé...I thee bed?
One glimpse of Charlotte's killer curves, and Grey can't resist making his own outrageous proposition--he'll pretend to be her fiancé... if they can enjoy all the benefits of being a couple! Smoking-hot Grey is definitely fling material, but Charlotte knows that's all it can ever be.... Isn't it?
One glimpse of Charlotte's killer curves, and Grey can't resist making his own outrageous proposition--he'll pretend to be her fiancé... if they can enjoy all the benefits of being a couple! Smoking-hot Grey is definitely fling material, but Charlotte knows that's all it can ever be.... Isn't it?
189 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 19, 2011
About the author
Kelly Hunter
293 books425 followersAustralian born Kelly Hunter is a three time Romance Writers of America Rita finalist, a USA Today Bestselling author and loves writing to the demands of the short category romance form.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
February 25, 2018
This was a fun and fluffy story of an archaeology professor making up a fiance so her godmother would die in peace, knowing she would be looked after. She invented an adventurer and a fellow professor that she based on a magazine article. When her godmother died, she killed off her imaginary fiance with no body found in the jungle. One of her colleagues felt she should have at least a photo as a memento, so she emailed the man's university. A temporary secretary sent his entire office. When the actual professor (alive of course) returned to civilization, he realized his office had been transported to the wrong address.
Heroine had to confess that she made up an engagement, but the hero isn't too annoyed. He wants his ex-fiancee and family to know he's moved on. She he invites her to a family BBQ as the new woman in his life.
It's all very cute and the H/h have chemistry in spades. Their main conflict is the hero's need for adventure and the heroine's need for stability. The rest of the story is how they work that out after the heroine
There is a lovely HEA. Lots of banter and a truly wonderful hero. I just wish there had been an epilogue.
Heroine had to confess that she made up an engagement, but the hero isn't too annoyed. He wants his ex-fiancee and family to know he's moved on. She he invites her to a family BBQ as the new woman in his life.
It's all very cute and the H/h have chemistry in spades. Their main conflict is the hero's need for adventure and the heroine's need for stability. The rest of the story is how they work that out after the heroine
There is a lovely HEA. Lots of banter and a truly wonderful hero. I just wish there had been an epilogue.
June 22, 2011
I liked just about everything. Great humor, witty dialogue, likable heroine, loved the hero, awesome chemistry. Could have done more with the OW. Didn't much like the melodramatic accident, the hero being pulled off his pet project in Galapagos. Might have been better with maybe heroine realizing on her own that she's OK with some travel.
I liked KH's voice, will read more by her.
I didn't think the conflict was all about careers, like they're both ambitious and unwilling to compromise. That might have bored me. It was more about different lifestyles, his wanderlust vs her settling in place. That's more sympathetic to me. I felt bad for them when they had to part despite being so great together.
I liked KH's voice, will read more by her.
I didn't think the conflict was all about careers, like they're both ambitious and unwilling to compromise. That might have bored me. It was more about different lifestyles, his wanderlust vs her settling in place. That's more sympathetic to me. I felt bad for them when they had to part despite being so great together.
November 8, 2018
Indiana Jones meets Remington Steele in this story and it's so much fun. The h is a wealthy archeologist and the H is a botanist who's not as rich -(quite a departure from billionaire alphas and destitute under qualified damsels in distress of HPland). The h dreams him up as her make believe fiancé, only to realise, he's actually quite real and very interested in her. what follows then is a fun story of how they get to their HEA.
I really liked the plot. It was fresh and different and had the appropriate amount of steam. Not very angsty though, and I didn't quite mind that in this instance. Definitely worth the four star rating.
I really liked the plot. It was fresh and different and had the appropriate amount of steam. Not very angsty though, and I didn't quite mind that in this instance. Definitely worth the four star rating.
June 27, 2011
Another satisfying romance from a favorite author. I love KH's sparkling writing. The story is lovely with not a lot of high flying angst. It is rather the story of a couple who meet in a cute way, help each other out and are really attracted to each other. But after a romantic interlude the heroine decides that their lifestyles and what they want out of life are not compatible so she breaks it off. Then she turns up pregnant of course and the rest of story is how they find a compromise. Both of them are decent people and the writing is lovely with wonderful use of the English language.
December 24, 2016
3.5 stars
This one was rather sweet and far more believable and relatable than heroine being pregnant with billionaire jerk's baby and then being blackmailed into marriage.
They (mostly her really) rather tried to work on this practically so that they don't end up blaming and hating each other in years to come. They both in turn learn the term compromise and how to meet each other in the middle. I actually rather enjoyed it.
This one was rather sweet and far more believable and relatable than heroine being pregnant with billionaire jerk's baby and then being blackmailed into marriage.
They (mostly her really) rather tried to work on this practically so that they don't end up blaming and hating each other in years to come. They both in turn learn the term compromise and how to meet each other in the middle. I actually rather enjoyed it.
September 28, 2019
A first-rate M&B with excellent snark, and a fine line in irony.
Charlotte has invented a fiancé (Gilbert) to console her dying godmother she won't be alone, then kills him off after Aurora's death:
Gilbert didn’t make it home to Australia in time to meet Aurora—an unforgivable act of negligence as far as Charlotte was concerned. Poetic justice came swiftly.
Gilbert, in his haste to return to her, had ventured into territory he had no business venturing into. Once there, the reckless—yet noble—fool had tried to prevent the kidnapping of tribal daughters by a renegade hunting party, so it was said. Authorities had little hope of recovering his remains. The words ‘long pig’ had been whispered.
A couple of chapters on, and Charlotte's out for supper with her BFF and the BFF's boyfriend:
‘The crispy pork sounds good,’ said Derek, and Millie glared meaningfully at him.
‘The crispy pork does not sound good,’ countered Millie. ‘Have the beef. Or the duck. No mistaking duck for anything but duck.’ Millie’s face disappeared behind her menu. ‘Remember what I told you about the long pig incident,’ she muttered to Derek as quietly as she could, which wasn’t nearly quietly enough.
Derek slid Charlotte a lightning glance and promptly disappeared behind his menu too. ‘Where’s the duck?’ he said.
‘Halfway down the specials list,’ murmured Millie. ‘Have it braised.’
‘Why not barbecued?’ Derek whispered back. ‘You’re just assuming he was barbecued. They could have braised him. They could have boiled him.’
‘You’re right,’ muttered Millie. ‘Order the vegetable combo.’
And then, of course, the fake fiancé turns up. Dah, dah, dah, da-a-h.
What I loved about this otherwise fairly typical plot was the emotional honesty between H&h - no lies, no secrets, no sugaring of unpalatable truths - and the realism of the secondary characters: the OW is not a bitch, the H's protective mother takes time to think twice. Hugely refreshing.
It's also one of the funniest M&B's I've come across, in an understated sort of way that just works for me. Charlotte has been talked into attending an event with the H (Grey) to ward off the OW:
Tedious business, the indulging of a man’s whims.
Charlotte’s make-up was subtle and she’d decided against perfume. Her demeanour was obliging; she’d been practising all morning.
Or:
‘How did he die?’ asked Grey. ‘This fiancé.’
‘Heroically. Very honourably.’ No need for details, decided Charlotte. Details were bad. ‘It was the least I could do.’
‘Has anyone ever told you that your grip on reality’s a little shaky?’ he murmured.
‘Hello,’ she said dryly. ‘Archaeologist. It’s part of the job description.’
A star off for some clichéd business towards the end, but overall, this was an unexpected and delightful find.
Charlotte has invented a fiancé (Gilbert) to console her dying godmother she won't be alone, then kills him off after Aurora's death:
Gilbert didn’t make it home to Australia in time to meet Aurora—an unforgivable act of negligence as far as Charlotte was concerned. Poetic justice came swiftly.
Gilbert, in his haste to return to her, had ventured into territory he had no business venturing into. Once there, the reckless—yet noble—fool had tried to prevent the kidnapping of tribal daughters by a renegade hunting party, so it was said. Authorities had little hope of recovering his remains. The words ‘long pig’ had been whispered.
A couple of chapters on, and Charlotte's out for supper with her BFF and the BFF's boyfriend:
‘The crispy pork sounds good,’ said Derek, and Millie glared meaningfully at him.
‘The crispy pork does not sound good,’ countered Millie. ‘Have the beef. Or the duck. No mistaking duck for anything but duck.’ Millie’s face disappeared behind her menu. ‘Remember what I told you about the long pig incident,’ she muttered to Derek as quietly as she could, which wasn’t nearly quietly enough.
Derek slid Charlotte a lightning glance and promptly disappeared behind his menu too. ‘Where’s the duck?’ he said.
‘Halfway down the specials list,’ murmured Millie. ‘Have it braised.’
‘Why not barbecued?’ Derek whispered back. ‘You’re just assuming he was barbecued. They could have braised him. They could have boiled him.’
‘You’re right,’ muttered Millie. ‘Order the vegetable combo.’
And then, of course, the fake fiancé turns up. Dah, dah, dah, da-a-h.
What I loved about this otherwise fairly typical plot was the emotional honesty between H&h - no lies, no secrets, no sugaring of unpalatable truths - and the realism of the secondary characters: the OW is not a bitch, the H's protective mother takes time to think twice. Hugely refreshing.
It's also one of the funniest M&B's I've come across, in an understated sort of way that just works for me. Charlotte has been talked into attending an event with the H (Grey) to ward off the OW:
Tedious business, the indulging of a man’s whims.
Charlotte’s make-up was subtle and she’d decided against perfume. Her demeanour was obliging; she’d been practising all morning.
Or:
‘How did he die?’ asked Grey. ‘This fiancé.’
‘Heroically. Very honourably.’ No need for details, decided Charlotte. Details were bad. ‘It was the least I could do.’
‘Has anyone ever told you that your grip on reality’s a little shaky?’ he murmured.
‘Hello,’ she said dryly. ‘Archaeologist. It’s part of the job description.’
A star off for some clichéd business towards the end, but overall, this was an unexpected and delightful find.
June 3, 2011
To comfort her beloved dying godmother the heroine Charlotte pretended to have a fiance, which Charlotte had a great time imagining and describing. When work colleagues hear about her 'fiance' Charlotte tries to play down the relationship, only one of her friends gets in contact with the company he supposedly worked for asking for a photo to be sent for Charlotte. Instead of the photo Charlotte actually gets a box full of stuff belonging to a Dr G Tyler, who by some strange coincidence shares both the same surname and job as her made-up fiance. The hero Greyson tracks Charlotte down in order to reclaim his stuff, which was sent by an incompetent secretary while he was away doing research. In another strange coincidence it turns out that Greyson also has a made-up significant other, done so in order to make his ex realise things are truly over. He asks Charlotte to play that role and attend a family gathering and in return he'll play the doting fiance for her friends. They also act of their attraction to one another and begin a short-term affair. But when this leads to an accidental pregnancy both of them know they will have to make changes in their lives.
This was a really fun read, it was fast paced, modern, sexy, fun and chock full of witty dialogue and sizzling chemistry. Yes, this story is based on a set of very strange and, lets face it, unrealistic coincidences but it is brought down to earth with believable characters, and at the end of the day its fiction and not everything has to be deadly serious!
I loved both characters; Charlotte was so feisty and independent that I couldn't help but love her and Greyson is both charismatic and aloof! I really enjoyed how both characters had careers that they loved and were both highly intelligent. Another great element to this book was that the secondary characters played quite a significant role in the book, and helped to ground the book even more, as well a some nice little comic interludes!
This is a nice read that is light and funny, it will have you laughing out loud but still feeling warm all over like any good romance novel.
Originally posted at http://everyday-is-the-same.blogspot....
This was a really fun read, it was fast paced, modern, sexy, fun and chock full of witty dialogue and sizzling chemistry. Yes, this story is based on a set of very strange and, lets face it, unrealistic coincidences but it is brought down to earth with believable characters, and at the end of the day its fiction and not everything has to be deadly serious!
I loved both characters; Charlotte was so feisty and independent that I couldn't help but love her and Greyson is both charismatic and aloof! I really enjoyed how both characters had careers that they loved and were both highly intelligent. Another great element to this book was that the secondary characters played quite a significant role in the book, and helped to ground the book even more, as well a some nice little comic interludes!
This is a nice read that is light and funny, it will have you laughing out loud but still feeling warm all over like any good romance novel.
Originally posted at http://everyday-is-the-same.blogspot....
January 31, 2011
Really enjoyed this book - read it in one sitting on our sneaky extra little Easter holiday day.
I've had other people rave to me about this book and it lived up to expectations. Good fun story, snappy dialogue, interesting characters, believeable conflict. You don't need me to say anymore -- just read it.
Although I will add something else. One thing that was remarkable about this book compared to other typical category romances was the additional characters. For once, a heroine with friends. A hero with a family - a loving family. They didn't detract from the central romance, but added extra depth to the main couple and gave them more rounded personalities. It's a pity that the strong advice from Harlequin for new writers is to NEVER involve secondary characters, because it often leads to freakishly loner-style heroes and heroines (and I'm always suspicious of women who don't have any female friends). This book is a study in how it can be done well.
I've had other people rave to me about this book and it lived up to expectations. Good fun story, snappy dialogue, interesting characters, believeable conflict. You don't need me to say anymore -- just read it.
Although I will add something else. One thing that was remarkable about this book compared to other typical category romances was the additional characters. For once, a heroine with friends. A hero with a family - a loving family. They didn't detract from the central romance, but added extra depth to the main couple and gave them more rounded personalities. It's a pity that the strong advice from Harlequin for new writers is to NEVER involve secondary characters, because it often leads to freakishly loner-style heroes and heroines (and I'm always suspicious of women who don't have any female friends). This book is a study in how it can be done well.
October 19, 2019
Never mind all the hoops we have to jump through for the set up and a couple of plot coupons to move the story forward. This book is great.
June 14, 2011
I really enjoyed this book. Charlotte the h is an archeology professor at a University in Sidney. Her parents died when she was very young and she was raised by her Godmother. Her Godmother is dying and is worried about Charlotte being all alone, so h invents a fictional fiancee to relieve her Godmother's mind. The fictional fiancee's name is Thadeus Jeremiah Gilbert Tyler, known as Gil to the h, TJ to his mother and Tyler to his colleagues. The invented fiancee is all things wonderful and fortunately not available as he is a botanist working in the field in PNG in a very remote location. After GM dies the h again very imaginatively kills him off, heroically of course, and no body is found as it's intimated that he might have been taken by cannibals. All of this occurred in the first couple of pages of the prologue. The prologue is hilarious, fall on the floor laugh out loud and shed tears of laughter. Do not read in a public setting if you're easily embarassed by people seeing you snort with laughter.
The H is Dr. Greyson Tyler, who coincidentally is a botanist who was working in PNG in the same remote location as the fictional fiancee.Through a series of errors the h ends up with Dr.G.Tylers research and office paraphanalia and the h/H meet.
The rest is their romance including an unplanned pregnancy. The chemistry is good, the obstacles are believable and the HEA sweet.
This is a must read for HP fans who like a nice easy read, with lots of fun witty dialogue and humor.
The H is Dr. Greyson Tyler, who coincidentally is a botanist who was working in PNG in the same remote location as the fictional fiancee.Through a series of errors the h ends up with Dr.G.Tylers research and office paraphanalia and the h/H meet.
The rest is their romance including an unplanned pregnancy. The chemistry is good, the obstacles are believable and the HEA sweet.
This is a must read for HP fans who like a nice easy read, with lots of fun witty dialogue and humor.
July 22, 2011
With this Fling was a light read. Charlotte makes up a fiancee for her dying godmother, she's an archaeologist, so were her parents who were legends in the field and she has travelled extensively with her godmother but for the past five years she's been teaching since she's tired of the travel.
Her made up fiancee results in someone's belongings coming to her office and that person is Greyson. He likes his job, the constant travel and moving around so when Charlotte confesses what she did he has a proposition, she can help him out with an ex-fiancee that still won't take the hint and he with what she had sown. They start a fling but when Greyson asks Charlotte to come with him she refuses, hurting him but thinking it's the right thing since they want different things in life.
Of course she finds out that she is pregnant and calls him. He asks for marriage, she for some time for them to get them know each other. The book was realistic in a way when it comes to demanding careers and the power of compromise, Greyson just didn't suddenly develop the feeling that he no longer wants to travel instead they work things out keeping each others needs in mind and also Charlotte is wealthy.
Rating 3.5
Her made up fiancee results in someone's belongings coming to her office and that person is Greyson. He likes his job, the constant travel and moving around so when Charlotte confesses what she did he has a proposition, she can help him out with an ex-fiancee that still won't take the hint and he with what she had sown. They start a fling but when Greyson asks Charlotte to come with him she refuses, hurting him but thinking it's the right thing since they want different things in life.
Of course she finds out that she is pregnant and calls him. He asks for marriage, she for some time for them to get them know each other. The book was realistic in a way when it comes to demanding careers and the power of compromise, Greyson just didn't suddenly develop the feeling that he no longer wants to travel instead they work things out keeping each others needs in mind and also Charlotte is wealthy.
Rating 3.5
June 24, 2011
Really liked this Harlequin. The dialogue was snappy and humorous. It reminded me of the dialogue on the Gilmore Girls. Fast and quirky. It also brought tears to my eyes at times. A feel good read.
January 15, 2026
Such a charming and heartwarming story. I loved the humor and playfulness. A good few tears during scenes, and a quick read.
February 19, 2015
This one was sort of a combination of wacky romantic comedy (the personal effects of a made up fiance ending up in the heroine's possession) and something a little more sad (the heroine's desperate need to belong to a community and have roots because of her globe trotting childhood) and I didn't think it always worked.
But I liked it. As you do.
But I liked it. As you do.
February 1, 2016
I liked OK. pretty decent quick read
January 22, 2021
Pleasant enough romance for a new series
3 stars
Hot shot archaeologist and socialite Charlotte Greenstone's fiancé is the perfect man - sexy, fun, confident, kind, absent... and fictional. When he gets a little too problematic and her colleagues start to ask questions Charlotte has no problem killing him off.
So when a misunderstanding leads to the arrival of sexy Greyson Tyler - a man who very inconveniently looks exactly like her fictional fiancé - what's a girl to do but enjoy every moment of him?
This is one of the first books of a new Mills and Boon series (Riva) and the first of the line that I've read. These books are billed as sparky and sassy and perfect for every kind of passionaista. I'm not sure if they all are but this book was set in Sydney.
I admit that it took me a couple of chapters to get into this story. The writing style was quite fast paced, choppy, light and took a little getting used to. Once the story got started I really got into it and found that by the end I was very much enjoying it.
Both Charlotte and Grey were likeable characters if perhaps not very relatable. They had good chemistry although neither their interactions nor the story as a whole had particular depth.
I would say that this kind of book appears to be a mix between the Modern and Blaze lines. It's a little bit more sexy than Modern but not as much as Blaze and has Blaze's typical feisty, sassy heroine.
Overall I enjoyed this book quite a lot. It was light and not without its faults but I'll probably be on the look out for other books in the Riva line in the future. 3 stars.
October 28, 2018
Entertaining category romance by Kelly Hunter. With This Fling features Charlotte Greenstone, a busy archaeologist who invents a fiance for the benefit of her dying aunt. She doesn't expect to actually meet the sexy Greyson Tyler, or to need his help to smooth out her white lie.
Neither of them expects this bit of pretend passion to feel so real or for this fling to have lasting consequences...
Ms Hunter does a solid job with characterizations and Charlotte and Greyson enjoy some fun banter and support from an excellent secondary cast.
Neither of them expects this bit of pretend passion to feel so real or for this fling to have lasting consequences...
Ms Hunter does a solid job with characterizations and Charlotte and Greyson enjoy some fun banter and support from an excellent secondary cast.
January 11, 2018
not classic HP, something totaly different... i just love it...
April 7, 2018
Terrific
Great story. Fully developed characters with great backstories. Even the side characters were people I could believe and was interested in.
Great story. Fully developed characters with great backstories. Even the side characters were people I could believe and was interested in.
Read
June 9, 2022Overall good story but the abrupt ending was so not good. Also no epilogue. Really who does that.
May 9, 2019
I guess I'm in the minority, but I just didn't care for this. I kept putting it down & trying again, but still almost DNF'd it. I thought it was so sloooowwww and just didn't grab me.
April 5, 2018
Sweet, heartwarming and naughty! What's not to love...
May 14, 2011
As soon as I started reading this book I couldn’t help but notice the similarities to another book I had recently read.
A young woman makes up a story about a fake fiancé to appease the worries of her dying godmother. Insert Grandma worrying, but not dying about her granddaughter and you’ve got the same set-up as Yours to Keep by Shannon Stacey.
Only in With This Fling you get a more cerebrally matched duo in Associate Professor of Archaeology Charlotte Greenstone and Dr. Greyson Tyler, botanist.
It started out innocently enough and with the best of intentions when Charlotte Greenstone manufactured her imaginary fiancé Thaddeus Jeremiah Gilbert Tyler. Whoaaa that's a mouthful! Her Godmother Aurora was dying and the stories of Gil (as Charlotte called him), eased Aurora’s worries in her final days. And after Aurora passed peacefully...Charlotte killed off Gil as well. No harm, no foul.
Except Charlotte’s co-workers found out about her “fiancé” and before Charlotte knows how to stop the run-away train, her non-existent fiancé arrives in Sydney the form of Dr. Greyson Tyler.
Greyson Tyler’s come to claim his belongings inadvertently sent to the esteemed Dr. Greenstone and really he’s quite understanding as he discovers the part he’s played as Charlotte’s imaginary fiancé. Not one to pass up an opportunity, Greyson decides to take advantage of the situation since it seems he finds himself in need of his own fake fiancée for a family function. Who better to play the part of that loving fiancée than Charlotte herself.
Grey and Charlotte are good together and with all cards on the table they agree to engage in an equally and mutually beneficial relationship with no strings attached. Beside Grey’s a traveller, always on the move for his job and Charlotte’s been there and done that and she’s not interested in doing it again. In the long term they could never have a “real” relationship. Well maybe they could especially with the unexpected surprise they are about to get in say...nine months time.
No they’ve got a whole new set of problems to deal with if they are going to become a real family. It’s going to require compromise, sacrifice and big adjustments to make their relationship work...if it’s even possible.
A young woman makes up a story about a fake fiancé to appease the worries of her dying godmother. Insert Grandma worrying, but not dying about her granddaughter and you’ve got the same set-up as Yours to Keep by Shannon Stacey.
Only in With This Fling you get a more cerebrally matched duo in Associate Professor of Archaeology Charlotte Greenstone and Dr. Greyson Tyler, botanist.
It started out innocently enough and with the best of intentions when Charlotte Greenstone manufactured her imaginary fiancé Thaddeus Jeremiah Gilbert Tyler. Whoaaa that's a mouthful! Her Godmother Aurora was dying and the stories of Gil (as Charlotte called him), eased Aurora’s worries in her final days. And after Aurora passed peacefully...Charlotte killed off Gil as well. No harm, no foul.
Except Charlotte’s co-workers found out about her “fiancé” and before Charlotte knows how to stop the run-away train, her non-existent fiancé arrives in Sydney the form of Dr. Greyson Tyler.
Greyson Tyler’s come to claim his belongings inadvertently sent to the esteemed Dr. Greenstone and really he’s quite understanding as he discovers the part he’s played as Charlotte’s imaginary fiancé. Not one to pass up an opportunity, Greyson decides to take advantage of the situation since it seems he finds himself in need of his own fake fiancée for a family function. Who better to play the part of that loving fiancée than Charlotte herself.
Grey and Charlotte are good together and with all cards on the table they agree to engage in an equally and mutually beneficial relationship with no strings attached. Beside Grey’s a traveller, always on the move for his job and Charlotte’s been there and done that and she’s not interested in doing it again. In the long term they could never have a “real” relationship. Well maybe they could especially with the unexpected surprise they are about to get in say...nine months time.
No they’ve got a whole new set of problems to deal with if they are going to become a real family. It’s going to require compromise, sacrifice and big adjustments to make their relationship work...if it’s even possible.
February 23, 2012
I don't normally choose this category of romance, but it was the top pick in category romance in Australia for 2011.
What wasn't clear from the blurb was how funny the book is. The banter between the loopy heroine and the adventurous but rude hero is the true highlight of the book and a reason for anyone to read it. It's classy writing.
I was actually disappointed when the heroine finds out she's pregnant - it was such a fresh storyline up until then. Two academics, both globe-trotters (no small town romance here, thank goodness), both intelligent and quirky, thrown together, makes for an interesting premise.
I felt the last few of pages didn't deliver the heart-warming ending you look for in category romance - not that it was bad, it just didn't deliver the last emotional punch with power. With a slightly different end, it would be a 5-star book, even with the (yawn) pregnancy. But three pages in 180-odd can't be bad - shame it was the last three.
This book will make me actively seek out Kelly Hunter's other books for sure. Definitely a book to recommend to people who think category writing is staid and all the same.
What wasn't clear from the blurb was how funny the book is. The banter between the loopy heroine and the adventurous but rude hero is the true highlight of the book and a reason for anyone to read it. It's classy writing.
I was actually disappointed when the heroine finds out she's pregnant - it was such a fresh storyline up until then. Two academics, both globe-trotters (no small town romance here, thank goodness), both intelligent and quirky, thrown together, makes for an interesting premise.
I felt the last few of pages didn't deliver the heart-warming ending you look for in category romance - not that it was bad, it just didn't deliver the last emotional punch with power. With a slightly different end, it would be a 5-star book, even with the (yawn) pregnancy. But three pages in 180-odd can't be bad - shame it was the last three.
This book will make me actively seek out Kelly Hunter's other books for sure. Definitely a book to recommend to people who think category writing is staid and all the same.
October 11, 2012
It has never taken me longer to get through a Harlequin book than this one. Usually I read those in a couple hours, but it took me days to get through this one. I really wanted to flounce it, but I like to torture myself, so I kept on reading.
One of the things that annoyed me to no end was the "said she/exlaimed he" crap that littered this book. You know, author, we don't live in Jane Austen times. You're not Charlotte Brontë, so give up the verb before the pronoun. It's nothing short of annoying and the sole reason why I rate this book with a 1 star.
I really wanted to transfer this book to a word document and go to town on it. But I'm not getting paid for it, so I didn't want to waste my time. But seriously, this book needs heavy editing from the very first paragraph to the last one, and Harlequin needs to rethink what kind of books they put out there for the public to pay for and read. This time around, I really feel cheated.
Overall, the story itself does have potential, but with the grammar reading like it was written 200 years ago, this book is a flop.
One of the things that annoyed me to no end was the "said she/exlaimed he" crap that littered this book. You know, author, we don't live in Jane Austen times. You're not Charlotte Brontë, so give up the verb before the pronoun. It's nothing short of annoying and the sole reason why I rate this book with a 1 star.
I really wanted to transfer this book to a word document and go to town on it. But I'm not getting paid for it, so I didn't want to waste my time. But seriously, this book needs heavy editing from the very first paragraph to the last one, and Harlequin needs to rethink what kind of books they put out there for the public to pay for and read. This time around, I really feel cheated.
Overall, the story itself does have potential, but with the grammar reading like it was written 200 years ago, this book is a flop.
February 16, 2012
I can see the fun with this author, the couple is totally likeable and their interaction is snappy and what sex there is is quite hot. But with only 137 pages on my ereader the set-up of this story was a lot of telling-not-showing because there simply wouldn't have been time otherwise. That's why the few other characters, except for Grey's mom and his wanna-be fiancee (impressive, considering she only shows up once), come across as plot puppets - especially Millie (until Millie and Derek get drafted to be rehearsal people to confess Charlotte's pregnancy to - that was hilarious!).
In sum - Marion Lennox, who has about 20 pages more, seems to write her stories more well-rounded, but Kelly Hunter definitely is unique in her own way. If she had more space she could be amazing.
Then the pregnancy wouldn't be necessary to get Grey and Charlotte into each other's lives again, and neither would the accident.
In sum - Marion Lennox, who has about 20 pages more, seems to write her stories more well-rounded, but Kelly Hunter definitely is unique in her own way. If she had more space she could be amazing.
Then the pregnancy wouldn't be necessary to get Grey and Charlotte into each other's lives again, and neither would the accident.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 28, 2011
Rating: 4.5/5
An archaeologist whips up a pretend fiancé to please her dying godmother. Turns out this figment of her wild imagination actually exists. Sort of. Charlotte Greenstone, meet Greyson Tyler, the man of your dreams. Lots of sassy banter, sexy times and complications ensue. This story was especially laugh out loud funny. There are a number of snippets I adore, including this:
There's a classy element to Hunter's characters and the situations they land themselves in that is so palpable. It is quite like watching Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy battle it out on screen with all the sparkling wit and zest that makes them such compelling viewing. Or in this case, reading.
An archaeologist whips up a pretend fiancé to please her dying godmother. Turns out this figment of her wild imagination actually exists. Sort of. Charlotte Greenstone, meet Greyson Tyler, the man of your dreams. Lots of sassy banter, sexy times and complications ensue. This story was especially laugh out loud funny. There are a number of snippets I adore, including this:
"What particular book of etiquette are you working from?" he said.
"Mine."
"Don't suppose you have a spare?"
"It's all in my head."
There's a classy element to Hunter's characters and the situations they land themselves in that is so palpable. It is quite like watching Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy battle it out on screen with all the sparkling wit and zest that makes them such compelling viewing. Or in this case, reading.
November 3, 2011
I've been reading Kelly Hunter's backlist and this is the first of her books I really haven't enjoyed all that much. I still think her writing is strong, but the storyline itself didn't work for me.
spoiler:
In addition to the spoiler part, which is a key reason the book didn't work for me, I also found myself not so much a fan of this heroine. I've liked all of her other heroes and heroines so far, so I surprised myself, but something about Charlotte rubbed me the wrong way.
But given that this is the...fifth? of her books I've read, and the first I've not loved, I think we're looking at good odds!
spoiler:
In addition to the spoiler part, which is a key reason the book didn't work for me, I also found myself not so much a fan of this heroine. I've liked all of her other heroes and heroines so far, so I surprised myself, but something about Charlotte rubbed me the wrong way.
But given that this is the...fifth? of her books I've read, and the first I've not loved, I think we're looking at good odds!
November 21, 2011
See my full review at Book Thingo.
Hunter excels in this kind of setup—intense, passionate and with an increasing sense of desperation as the hero and heroine begin to realise what it’ll cost them to let the other go. But even as they go through heartache, their interactions include a certain playfulness that underscores their growing affection for each other. This book proves that finely tuned character development and emotional honesty can turn even the most maligned clichés in romance fiction not just into an enjoyable read, but a story worth savouring.
Who might enjoy it: Scientists and heiresses
Who might not enjoy it: Readers who like heroes in suits
Hunter excels in this kind of setup—intense, passionate and with an increasing sense of desperation as the hero and heroine begin to realise what it’ll cost them to let the other go. But even as they go through heartache, their interactions include a certain playfulness that underscores their growing affection for each other. This book proves that finely tuned character development and emotional honesty can turn even the most maligned clichés in romance fiction not just into an enjoyable read, but a story worth savouring.
Who might enjoy it: Scientists and heiresses
Who might not enjoy it: Readers who like heroes in suits
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews