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Make Me a Match #2
Sexiest Man Alive
Shy No More Worksheet
Jasmine Burns
Imagine the person who intimidates you. Naked. I'm intimidated by Josh Toby, the world's biggest movie star. Who has to imagine him naked? I've seen it on a forty-foot screen.
Breathe deep. Did I mention he's Josh Toby? As his costume designer, I'm supposed to dress him. And undress him. Oh, and my psychic sister Amy, who has never been wrong, named him my One True Love. Breathing is completely out of the question.
Ask for what you want. What I want is for him to stop being so...irresistible! I want not to fall in love with a man who's stalked by the paparazzi, whose washboard abs could cut glass, and whose movie star girlfriend is the most stunning creature ever.
Believe you can do what needs to be done. Then do it. So, all I have to do is believe I can resist Josh Toby. Resist those deep violet eyes, those strong, muscular arms, and the way he makes me feel like the only woman on earth. Couldn't be easier. Yeah right...
Jasmine Burns
Imagine the person who intimidates you. Naked. I'm intimidated by Josh Toby, the world's biggest movie star. Who has to imagine him naked? I've seen it on a forty-foot screen.
Breathe deep. Did I mention he's Josh Toby? As his costume designer, I'm supposed to dress him. And undress him. Oh, and my psychic sister Amy, who has never been wrong, named him my One True Love. Breathing is completely out of the question.
Ask for what you want. What I want is for him to stop being so...irresistible! I want not to fall in love with a man who's stalked by the paparazzi, whose washboard abs could cut glass, and whose movie star girlfriend is the most stunning creature ever.
Believe you can do what needs to be done. Then do it. So, all I have to do is believe I can resist Josh Toby. Resist those deep violet eyes, those strong, muscular arms, and the way he makes me feel like the only woman on earth. Couldn't be easier. Yeah right...
313 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 1, 2007
13 people are currently reading
458 people want to read
About the author
Diana Holquist
12 books125 followersThe Official Bio
I love to write. That’s pretty much all I do. Ask my family about the undone laundry, the un-bought groceries, and the fact that I rarely find time to get dressed in the morning. Actually, if you train your family right, they won’t notice any of these things. "Popcorn for dinner again, mom! Cool," say my filthy children. God bless them, they don’t know what panty hose are.
Oh, my poor husband.
Anyway, it took me a long time to figure out WHAT to write. So I spent years writing ads, brochures, and company reports. If I had to give advice to anyone--which, thankfully, I don’t--it would be that if you want to write books, start now. In fact, get the heck off this website and do it.
(First, throw your TV out the window. Good. Now write.)
Are you still here?
Okay, then you must be a pure reader (or my mother). Good for you. No money in writing. Best to have a real job.
What else do you want to know about me? I love kids. I love cats. I love chocolate. (Not necessarily in that order.) I live just outside of Philadelphia with kids and cats and my dear husband.
I love to write. That’s pretty much all I do. Ask my family about the undone laundry, the un-bought groceries, and the fact that I rarely find time to get dressed in the morning. Actually, if you train your family right, they won’t notice any of these things. "Popcorn for dinner again, mom! Cool," say my filthy children. God bless them, they don’t know what panty hose are.
Oh, my poor husband.
Anyway, it took me a long time to figure out WHAT to write. So I spent years writing ads, brochures, and company reports. If I had to give advice to anyone--which, thankfully, I don’t--it would be that if you want to write books, start now. In fact, get the heck off this website and do it.
(First, throw your TV out the window. Good. Now write.)
Are you still here?
Okay, then you must be a pure reader (or my mother). Good for you. No money in writing. Best to have a real job.
What else do you want to know about me? I love kids. I love cats. I love chocolate. (Not necessarily in that order.) I live just outside of Philadelphia with kids and cats and my dear husband.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
July 22, 2008
I'm sorry to say that I found this book to be quite a disappointment. It sounded good, but I found it to be annoying instead. The parts that were supposed to be humorous just came across to me as silly. I kept hoping it would get better, but the story just didn't ring true for me.
Jasmine Burns has a Master's Degree as a costume designer, but her extreme shyness around men has her hiding in her apartment, providing for herself by doing tailoring for women. When she gets an interview with a well known costume designer, she panics, throws up, and runs away, leaving her portfolio behind. The man she was supposed to interview with doesn't realize what happened - he believes she delivered her portfolio and left as a statement. Jasmine is hired to design disguises for a famous Hollywood actor, Josh Toby, who is planning to secretly perform in an off-Broadway production. When Jasmine and Josh meet, her panic kicks in and she can't even speak to him. Eventually, Josh breaks through Jasmine's wall of panic and they become intimate. When the press and Josh's supposed Hollywood girlfriend show up, Jasmine's fears return and she has to decide if she can handle a relationship with this famous man. Josh is certain of his feelings for Jasmine, but while she decides if she can commit to a future with him, he has to conquer his stage fright and show the world he is more than a pretty face and body.
There was one scene in the book between the hero and heroine that I found to be tender and touching, but I didn't like much else. Adding chaos to the story is Jasmine's sister, Amy, a psychic who can tell a person the name of their One True Love. The whole book just seemed over the top to me, and I wasn't able to have an enjoyable reading experience with this story.
Jasmine Burns has a Master's Degree as a costume designer, but her extreme shyness around men has her hiding in her apartment, providing for herself by doing tailoring for women. When she gets an interview with a well known costume designer, she panics, throws up, and runs away, leaving her portfolio behind. The man she was supposed to interview with doesn't realize what happened - he believes she delivered her portfolio and left as a statement. Jasmine is hired to design disguises for a famous Hollywood actor, Josh Toby, who is planning to secretly perform in an off-Broadway production. When Jasmine and Josh meet, her panic kicks in and she can't even speak to him. Eventually, Josh breaks through Jasmine's wall of panic and they become intimate. When the press and Josh's supposed Hollywood girlfriend show up, Jasmine's fears return and she has to decide if she can handle a relationship with this famous man. Josh is certain of his feelings for Jasmine, but while she decides if she can commit to a future with him, he has to conquer his stage fright and show the world he is more than a pretty face and body.
There was one scene in the book between the hero and heroine that I found to be tender and touching, but I didn't like much else. Adding chaos to the story is Jasmine's sister, Amy, a psychic who can tell a person the name of their One True Love. The whole book just seemed over the top to me, and I wasn't able to have an enjoyable reading experience with this story.
November 18, 2008
This was a sweet, cute and quick read. She is a paralyzingly shy woman who is now working with the very extroverted movie start. They both have their pasts and they are so attracted to each other. They both belive in Their One True Love, they just hope that it will be them together. It was very sweet.
July 4, 2009
This is such a feel good happy go lucky book!
The heroine Jasmine loves to design clothes, lives in Manhattan and seems to have it all. Well, she has a tiny problem. Jasmine is so shy around handsome men, rather men in general from an experience that scarred her from when she was a teen. Every time she is around a "hunk" she stutters and almost passes out. This is a first in any book I have read and was very cute and original. But, this problem could stop Jasmine from getting her dream job because her boss is one of those drop dead gorgeous types.
She also has a sister Amy who is a physic and happens to know who's someone true love is. And guess who's Jasmine's so-called true love? Josh Toby, actor extraordinaire of the big screen and the ultimate cutie.
Mr. Toby has his own problems. He doesn't want to be known as a pretty boy in the movies. He wants to really act and be taken seriously. Whether it is fate or just a crazy coincidence, Jasmine and Josh meet. Their interactions with each other are beyond adorable. Josh is sweet and not a part of the Hollywood elite. He is such a nice guy. Jasmine is also sweet but still has the little problem of being shy. Josh decides to help her with this. And she will help him get over his stage fright.
Sexiest Man Alive is a great read to make you laugh and cheer you up. Diana Holquist has quite a future in romantic comedy and with this book, her skills show great promise.
Josh and Jasmine are truly perfect together. A job well done!
The heroine Jasmine loves to design clothes, lives in Manhattan and seems to have it all. Well, she has a tiny problem. Jasmine is so shy around handsome men, rather men in general from an experience that scarred her from when she was a teen. Every time she is around a "hunk" she stutters and almost passes out. This is a first in any book I have read and was very cute and original. But, this problem could stop Jasmine from getting her dream job because her boss is one of those drop dead gorgeous types.
She also has a sister Amy who is a physic and happens to know who's someone true love is. And guess who's Jasmine's so-called true love? Josh Toby, actor extraordinaire of the big screen and the ultimate cutie.
Mr. Toby has his own problems. He doesn't want to be known as a pretty boy in the movies. He wants to really act and be taken seriously. Whether it is fate or just a crazy coincidence, Jasmine and Josh meet. Their interactions with each other are beyond adorable. Josh is sweet and not a part of the Hollywood elite. He is such a nice guy. Jasmine is also sweet but still has the little problem of being shy. Josh decides to help her with this. And she will help him get over his stage fright.
Sexiest Man Alive is a great read to make you laugh and cheer you up. Diana Holquist has quite a future in romantic comedy and with this book, her skills show great promise.
Josh and Jasmine are truly perfect together. A job well done!
February 1, 2010
A short, cute romance. No depth, just a whole lot of silly and funny. To me, it read like a shoujo manga, with a crazy unlikely storyline and equally unlikely characters; a heroine who is morbidly afraid of men and specifically attention from 'appealing' men and the 'sexiest man alive' wanting to prove that he was more than just a pretty face and nice abs (and ass). At times, I felt like I was reading a story from fictionpress, because the writing was so light. I could see this becoming a romantic comedy, even.
Still, it was worth a read, but only if you are looking for fluffy. If it didn't have the few lines of sex, this could so pass off as a YA novel.
Still, it was worth a read, but only if you are looking for fluffy. If it didn't have the few lines of sex, this could so pass off as a YA novel.
September 16, 2017
I adored this book. When I picked it up from the table at a charity used-book sale, I figured it would be a good fluff piece to read. I was happily surprised at its depth. It's a story of vulnerability, of finding love despite the odds, and yet somehow it remained humorous. And what's more endearing, after all, than being able to laugh at oneself?
Ms. Holquist made her characters come to life in all their quirkiness and made them lovable. And she tells a great story.
The only disappointment I had was finding out after I'd started reading it that it's book #2 of a series. There's nothing on the cover to indicate this. Still, I didn't feel like I was missing out on a lot whilst reading this book. I look forward to picking up more of Diana Holquist's novels!
Ms. Holquist made her characters come to life in all their quirkiness and made them lovable. And she tells a great story.
The only disappointment I had was finding out after I'd started reading it that it's book #2 of a series. There's nothing on the cover to indicate this. Still, I didn't feel like I was missing out on a lot whilst reading this book. I look forward to picking up more of Diana Holquist's novels!
September 24, 2007
Funny, romantic and sizzling hot!
Jasmine is not just shy around men. No, she suffers from a social anxiety so bad that she gets tongue-tied, freezes to the spot and pukes if she has to any spend time around men – especially handsome ones. So while her dream is to become a grand costume designer, for now she caters only to women.
But what’s a poor girl to do when she has a job interview with one of the most gorgeous theater directors around? What any other self-respecting shy costume designer would do, of course – she drops her portfolio and flees. Fortunately the theater director mistakes her nervousness for arrogance and self-confidence: “My work speaks for itself,” and as he likes eccentric artists, he hires her on the spot – meaning she has to work for Josh Toby.
Josh Toby – the actor twice voted as the sexiest man alive. Josh Toby – who also just happens to be the man her psychic sister has declared to be Jasmine’s One True Love.
Josh has his work cut out for him getting Jasmine to feel at ease around him. He thinks she’s a great girl, and would like nothing better than to spend time with her in peace and quiet, but unfortunately his fans don’t agree, and the press will do anything to get a photo of the star – especially when they start suspecting a new love affair.
Add to the mix a jealous co-designer, a fake girlfriend with a crush and a librarian who’s convinced that everybody else is insane, and you end up with the entertaining and fast-paced story that is Sexiest Man Alive. The perfect chick-lit for when you just want to forget all about real life for a while and disappear to a world where the good girl always gets her guy.
While the ending does get a bit unrealistic and makes use of a deus ex machina to get everything sorted out properly, it does not diminish my enjoyment of the book at all. By far the wittiest, smartest and hottest book I’ve read all year. This book fairly sizzles!
Jasmine is not just shy around men. No, she suffers from a social anxiety so bad that she gets tongue-tied, freezes to the spot and pukes if she has to any spend time around men – especially handsome ones. So while her dream is to become a grand costume designer, for now she caters only to women.
But what’s a poor girl to do when she has a job interview with one of the most gorgeous theater directors around? What any other self-respecting shy costume designer would do, of course – she drops her portfolio and flees. Fortunately the theater director mistakes her nervousness for arrogance and self-confidence: “My work speaks for itself,” and as he likes eccentric artists, he hires her on the spot – meaning she has to work for Josh Toby.
Josh Toby – the actor twice voted as the sexiest man alive. Josh Toby – who also just happens to be the man her psychic sister has declared to be Jasmine’s One True Love.
Josh has his work cut out for him getting Jasmine to feel at ease around him. He thinks she’s a great girl, and would like nothing better than to spend time with her in peace and quiet, but unfortunately his fans don’t agree, and the press will do anything to get a photo of the star – especially when they start suspecting a new love affair.
Add to the mix a jealous co-designer, a fake girlfriend with a crush and a librarian who’s convinced that everybody else is insane, and you end up with the entertaining and fast-paced story that is Sexiest Man Alive. The perfect chick-lit for when you just want to forget all about real life for a while and disappear to a world where the good girl always gets her guy.
While the ending does get a bit unrealistic and makes use of a deus ex machina to get everything sorted out properly, it does not diminish my enjoyment of the book at all. By far the wittiest, smartest and hottest book I’ve read all year. This book fairly sizzles!
February 7, 2010
I won this book as part of a prize pack a few months back. At the time I wasn't sure I would read it, as I don't read contemporary romances too often, but the fact that the main character Jasmine was as shy as I am piqued my interest.
Some of the most humorous parts of the novel came from when Jasmine would fangirl over a certain design or fabric. I have clothing designer friends, so I could easily picture how many tubs of extra fabric or how lovingly she takes care of her sewing machine.
The romance I think was just a shade too unbelievable. The chemistry was there, but I couldn't believe in Josh as a character, so it threw the romance flat. He didn't act like your typical Hollywood hunk, but he didn't act like a guy who wanted to prove himself either. He spent more time trying to get Jasmine to loosen up about her fear of men then he did practicing his so-called 'serious' acting.
Jasmine felt real, until the end at least, in her behavior and her mannerisms. Though the trauma that made her so afraid of men, or groups of people at all, seems flimsy it really is the small things that affect you the worst. I think she got over it a little too easily, but I could relate to it.
The backstory with her parents and two sisters was a confusing jumble. Her parents divorced when she was young, she was carted off with her mother to India while her two sisters went with their dad. Jasmine lived the life while they struggled. Then when she went to go live with them as a teenager something happened to make her realize that they didn't want her or could forgive her so she ran away again. It stayed like that for ten years until the sisters reunited. I have a feeling there is a first book I am missing that may have explained some of these things better.
Overall it was a fun diverting read that was perfect to just relax and not bother thinking too hard on. Jasmine was a likable character and I enjoyed reading about how she overcame her social anxieties.
Some of the most humorous parts of the novel came from when Jasmine would fangirl over a certain design or fabric. I have clothing designer friends, so I could easily picture how many tubs of extra fabric or how lovingly she takes care of her sewing machine.
The romance I think was just a shade too unbelievable. The chemistry was there, but I couldn't believe in Josh as a character, so it threw the romance flat. He didn't act like your typical Hollywood hunk, but he didn't act like a guy who wanted to prove himself either. He spent more time trying to get Jasmine to loosen up about her fear of men then he did practicing his so-called 'serious' acting.
Jasmine felt real, until the end at least, in her behavior and her mannerisms. Though the trauma that made her so afraid of men, or groups of people at all, seems flimsy it really is the small things that affect you the worst. I think she got over it a little too easily, but I could relate to it.
The backstory with her parents and two sisters was a confusing jumble. Her parents divorced when she was young, she was carted off with her mother to India while her two sisters went with their dad. Jasmine lived the life while they struggled. Then when she went to go live with them as a teenager something happened to make her realize that they didn't want her or could forgive her so she ran away again. It stayed like that for ten years until the sisters reunited. I have a feeling there is a first book I am missing that may have explained some of these things better.
Overall it was a fun diverting read that was perfect to just relax and not bother thinking too hard on. Jasmine was a likable character and I enjoyed reading about how she overcame her social anxieties.
October 30, 2010
As a brand new reader to the series, I really didn't know what to expect. The cover art was romance fodder at it's finest- naked man (check), wandering hands (check), bright coloring (check)... you guys know the drill. Like me, you've read a lot of romances & know that the cheesecake cover sells & as such, is a pretty common thing. The plot summary on the back of the book looked a little silly, but I went ahead with it anyway. What I discovered was that while the book is a bit of brainless fantasy fluff, it was pretty fun to read at the same time.
The book surrounds Jasmine, a costume designer with a paralyzing fear of handsome men to the point she goes into near (or full) hysterics. Stuck running her whole shop out of her apartment (all of her clients are women), she rarely runs into cute guys & only dreams of making it big one day. As she's preparing for an interview that could land her a ticket to the top, her psychic sister Amy arrives with a need for money & a proposition- she'll give Jasmine the name of her One True Love if Jasmine gives her $2,000. Waffling over the choice, Jasmine discovers that her OTL is the big movie star Josh Toby. Later she also finds that she's landed the job (despite having a major panic attack at the interview) & that her star client it (who else!) the hunky Josh Toby.
This book isn't for people who want substinence with their romance. It's just not in this book. This book is like a nice pink fluffy cupcake- it's sweet, yummy & fun to devour, but there's no real meat to it. Now that's not necessarily a bad thing, mind you. Sometimes you need the cutesy books like this when you're tired of reading all of those serious romances. With that in mind, it's remarkably easy to overlook some of the overdone & cliche bits. The book is just that much fun to read & is really worth the time to get into. You just can't fault a cupcake for being what it is. You just need to enjoy it.
The book surrounds Jasmine, a costume designer with a paralyzing fear of handsome men to the point she goes into near (or full) hysterics. Stuck running her whole shop out of her apartment (all of her clients are women), she rarely runs into cute guys & only dreams of making it big one day. As she's preparing for an interview that could land her a ticket to the top, her psychic sister Amy arrives with a need for money & a proposition- she'll give Jasmine the name of her One True Love if Jasmine gives her $2,000. Waffling over the choice, Jasmine discovers that her OTL is the big movie star Josh Toby. Later she also finds that she's landed the job (despite having a major panic attack at the interview) & that her star client it (who else!) the hunky Josh Toby.
This book isn't for people who want substinence with their romance. It's just not in this book. This book is like a nice pink fluffy cupcake- it's sweet, yummy & fun to devour, but there's no real meat to it. Now that's not necessarily a bad thing, mind you. Sometimes you need the cutesy books like this when you're tired of reading all of those serious romances. With that in mind, it's remarkably easy to overlook some of the overdone & cliche bits. The book is just that much fun to read & is really worth the time to get into. You just can't fault a cupcake for being what it is. You just need to enjoy it.
June 7, 2009
Gypsies, actors, and costume designers...people who read ths book will call them all...fun! The "Sexiest Man Alive", Josh Toby, is in reality quite sexy and quite insecure! He's gorgeous, and very sweet, with a yen for NYC and great pastrami sandwiches. When he meets a lovely costume designer who's part Gypsy and afraid of beautiful men, he sets out to right his world and win the woman of his dreams.
March 26, 2009
Luuved it. From the very first page of this book I said to myself, this lady can write. Sexiest Man Alive is filled with wit and charm. Jasmine Burns is lovable and kept me entertained from start to finish. Lots of sexy fun. Josh is super hot, yet human at the same time. Diana Holquist definitely has it down. I’d read anything she puts out.
March 27, 2011
3.5 stars.
OMG, I can't believe I liked this. Enough that I'm going to see if the library has the other 2 books in the series.
Pure escapist romantic-comedy: the regular girl snags People magazine's "Sexiest Man Alive". What fun!
OMG, I can't believe I liked this. Enough that I'm going to see if the library has the other 2 books in the series.
Pure escapist romantic-comedy: the regular girl snags People magazine's "Sexiest Man Alive". What fun!
August 28, 2008
Diana Holquist's novels are witty and utterly enjoyable!
December 3, 2017
Jasmine Burns suffers from a debilitating shyness around attractive men. So when her psychic sister tells her that her true love is Josh Toby, the sexiest man alive, Jasmine is sure that Amy has conned her. But maybe there is a true love out there. Is it Josh Toby, the shy research librarian, who has mistaken Jasmine for a crazy homeless person or is it, Josh Toby, the sexiest man alive? Holquist has written a funny, hot romance.
September 11, 2017
Another trial author for me... Hmmmm.... What can I say? It's OK for me.. I did laugh at times. Jasmine was funny. And I liked who the other girl turned out with, though I kinda expected that would happen. hehehe.. It was alright but I am nott too excited to get to her other books for now.
March 7, 2019
Better than the first of this series for sure.
November 26, 2020
DNF but it was headed nowhere good.
December 18, 2024
I loved the characters in this book right away, they were easy to relate to and quite charming.
September 30, 2023
SPOILERS! Don't read. I'm just recounting what's happened in the story so I don't forget.
read in sept 2023
Haven't read this book since 2009 at the earliest. No wonder I can't remember anything that happened from it. Anyway, jasmine is petrified of the world & has a job interview coming up for a fashion designer project. & she's practicing w/a ken doll. Then there's her sister, Amy's who's a psychic & cons her $2000.00 to tell her one true loves name, which is kind of shady but whatever. She ends up paying theyn heading to the interview, which she doesn't fully go through. Ends up puking & running out & leaving her portfolio there. Which luck is in ber favor for once & she gets a call back. She's got the job.
She then meets Josh Toby, who just so happens to be her one true loves name her sister Amy told her about. She freaks out. She's already closeted & extremely shy, but to be that on the nose freaks her out even more than her fleeing from interview.
Oh yeah, in Josh's POV he's being the ultimate guys guy. Paid for someone's medical surgery through a tip of 50k at a diner he overheard, then another person he tipped 5k somewhere else. He also likes this girl because she wants nothing to do with him while also being quiet & shy.
Josh finds her place she lives at, Amy threatens to reveal his one true love to Josh if jasmine doesn't come out from hiding. Josh has a dog named bluster whom he walked on over. Josh & Amy both get her to agree by being boisterous & loud.
That's pretty much the 1st 100pgs
200pgs in
Okay, jasmine is middle eastern. She has a phobia of being out in public because her previous tutor kissed her & then everyone called her a whole.
But back to her & Josh. They dressed up as Josh & cleo, his fake gf. He in drag & she in boy clothes. He told her he'd help dating for the guy she liked who also was named Josh (shocker). They do costume design for the Romeo & juliet play. The main designer artie got called away to find his one true love elsewhere (done by her sis Amy, the psychic) which led her to be lead designer. There was a designer meeting w/director. Josh convinced her to show her og designs. Director loved them.
Josh & her have sex. Cleo & his agent mo call him down literally right after sex to tell him about jasmine. They know more about her than he does. He's falling in love with her. He's also trying to get the approval of his parents by being w/someone shy & not in the spotlight. Which is what both cleo & mo point out to him, basically telling him that he's not good for someone like jasmine because he's just fitting someone into a box that already comes as is but isn't considering how detrimental it'll be for her in the long run.
The paparazzi finds them out. Hmjos tells her they'll got to his parents. He goes first. She goes 2nd, but never makes it. Instead, gets too intimidated & heads to her friends. Then when he comes searching for her, she tells him she needs space.
300pgs in
Last pgs.
Okay, so cleo admits to being love w/Josh, he tells her he's in love w/jasmine. Then things get dicey. Jasmine finds librarian Josh Toby to see if it's a match between them. It's not. He thinks she crazy. Amy "helps" because she thinks jasmine wants nothing to do w/Josh, actor Josh, so she says close one true love is Josh Toby too. They go on Oprah. Cleo gushes about their love. Jasmine decides to work things out w/Josh. Heads to his toes room, happy happy fun times. She also gives him a barbie to practice his stage fright like she had w/Ken. At the end, cleo comes to confront jasmine. Amy has Josh librarian head over too. They basically end up with the each other's Josh. Cleo with librarian Josh (who she knew in school) & jasmine w/actor Josh. Hea.
read in sept 2023
Haven't read this book since 2009 at the earliest. No wonder I can't remember anything that happened from it. Anyway, jasmine is petrified of the world & has a job interview coming up for a fashion designer project. & she's practicing w/a ken doll. Then there's her sister, Amy's who's a psychic & cons her $2000.00 to tell her one true loves name, which is kind of shady but whatever. She ends up paying theyn heading to the interview, which she doesn't fully go through. Ends up puking & running out & leaving her portfolio there. Which luck is in ber favor for once & she gets a call back. She's got the job.
She then meets Josh Toby, who just so happens to be her one true loves name her sister Amy told her about. She freaks out. She's already closeted & extremely shy, but to be that on the nose freaks her out even more than her fleeing from interview.
Oh yeah, in Josh's POV he's being the ultimate guys guy. Paid for someone's medical surgery through a tip of 50k at a diner he overheard, then another person he tipped 5k somewhere else. He also likes this girl because she wants nothing to do with him while also being quiet & shy.
Josh finds her place she lives at, Amy threatens to reveal his one true love to Josh if jasmine doesn't come out from hiding. Josh has a dog named bluster whom he walked on over. Josh & Amy both get her to agree by being boisterous & loud.
That's pretty much the 1st 100pgs
200pgs in
Okay, jasmine is middle eastern. She has a phobia of being out in public because her previous tutor kissed her & then everyone called her a whole.
But back to her & Josh. They dressed up as Josh & cleo, his fake gf. He in drag & she in boy clothes. He told her he'd help dating for the guy she liked who also was named Josh (shocker). They do costume design for the Romeo & juliet play. The main designer artie got called away to find his one true love elsewhere (done by her sis Amy, the psychic) which led her to be lead designer. There was a designer meeting w/director. Josh convinced her to show her og designs. Director loved them.
Josh & her have sex. Cleo & his agent mo call him down literally right after sex to tell him about jasmine. They know more about her than he does. He's falling in love with her. He's also trying to get the approval of his parents by being w/someone shy & not in the spotlight. Which is what both cleo & mo point out to him, basically telling him that he's not good for someone like jasmine because he's just fitting someone into a box that already comes as is but isn't considering how detrimental it'll be for her in the long run.
The paparazzi finds them out. Hmjos tells her they'll got to his parents. He goes first. She goes 2nd, but never makes it. Instead, gets too intimidated & heads to her friends. Then when he comes searching for her, she tells him she needs space.
300pgs in
Last pgs.
Okay, so cleo admits to being love w/Josh, he tells her he's in love w/jasmine. Then things get dicey. Jasmine finds librarian Josh Toby to see if it's a match between them. It's not. He thinks she crazy. Amy "helps" because she thinks jasmine wants nothing to do w/Josh, actor Josh, so she says close one true love is Josh Toby too. They go on Oprah. Cleo gushes about their love. Jasmine decides to work things out w/Josh. Heads to his toes room, happy happy fun times. She also gives him a barbie to practice his stage fright like she had w/Ken. At the end, cleo comes to confront jasmine. Amy has Josh librarian head over too. They basically end up with the each other's Josh. Cleo with librarian Josh (who she knew in school) & jasmine w/actor Josh. Hea.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 12, 2011
This was SO cute, and juuust a little bit zany.
Brilliant NY fashion designer with crippling man-shyness-- excuse me, SOCIAL ANXIETY-- Jasmine Burns is on the verge of a big career breakthrough... if she can just get past her little problem. To complicate matters, she's just learned the name of her One True Love from her psychic gypsy sister: Josh Toby. NOT the ultra-hot Sexiest Man Alive movie star Josh Toby, of course. It couldn't be him. There must be some OTHER Josh Toby out there... a car mechanic in Ohio, a librarian, or something... mustn't there? It doesn't matter, really, she's never going to get him. And anyway, she needs to concentrate on landing this theater job, first... except... the theater job IS Josh Toby. He CAN'T be her One True Love... can he?
Superstar Josh Toby, to the press, is a pretty face with nothing behind it. No brains, no acting ability, but boy, what a package. He's secretly in New York to star in a production of Romeo and Juliet... if he can make it onto the stage without throwing up. He may be great in front of a camera, but live audiences scare him to death. But, as the saying goes, if he can make it here... maybe he can make his parents proud of him at last. Maybe he can finally show the critics that he can really act. If only he can restrain his impulses to leave six-digit tips for indigent waitresses. If only this new costume designer can come up with the perfect disguise for him. If only she weren't the most intriguing woman he's ever met. If only his superstar lifestyle (and his fake girlfriend) wouldn't eat her alive....
This was such a charming book, full of personality and colorful (but somehow believable) characters. The plot conceit-- what if you knew your True Love's name, but NOTHING else about him?-- is intriguing, particularly as it broke Jas's family apart when she was little. Love is a dangerous thing to toy with, and no one has learned that lesson better than Jasmine herself. I loved how the author worked bits of the play into the book, too-- a particularly appropriate choice, given Juliet's "What's in a name?" speech.
And the ending. OH, the ending. I'm not going to give a jot of it away, but it's one of the most perfect, serendipitous HEAs I've ever read. The Bard would be proud.
Brilliant NY fashion designer with crippling man-shyness-- excuse me, SOCIAL ANXIETY-- Jasmine Burns is on the verge of a big career breakthrough... if she can just get past her little problem. To complicate matters, she's just learned the name of her One True Love from her psychic gypsy sister: Josh Toby. NOT the ultra-hot Sexiest Man Alive movie star Josh Toby, of course. It couldn't be him. There must be some OTHER Josh Toby out there... a car mechanic in Ohio, a librarian, or something... mustn't there? It doesn't matter, really, she's never going to get him. And anyway, she needs to concentrate on landing this theater job, first... except... the theater job IS Josh Toby. He CAN'T be her One True Love... can he?
Superstar Josh Toby, to the press, is a pretty face with nothing behind it. No brains, no acting ability, but boy, what a package. He's secretly in New York to star in a production of Romeo and Juliet... if he can make it onto the stage without throwing up. He may be great in front of a camera, but live audiences scare him to death. But, as the saying goes, if he can make it here... maybe he can make his parents proud of him at last. Maybe he can finally show the critics that he can really act. If only he can restrain his impulses to leave six-digit tips for indigent waitresses. If only this new costume designer can come up with the perfect disguise for him. If only she weren't the most intriguing woman he's ever met. If only his superstar lifestyle (and his fake girlfriend) wouldn't eat her alive....
This was such a charming book, full of personality and colorful (but somehow believable) characters. The plot conceit-- what if you knew your True Love's name, but NOTHING else about him?-- is intriguing, particularly as it broke Jas's family apart when she was little. Love is a dangerous thing to toy with, and no one has learned that lesson better than Jasmine herself. I loved how the author worked bits of the play into the book, too-- a particularly appropriate choice, given Juliet's "What's in a name?" speech.
And the ending. OH, the ending. I'm not going to give a jot of it away, but it's one of the most perfect, serendipitous HEAs I've ever read. The Bard would be proud.
December 9, 2015
Jasmine is very shy around men, especially handsome ones, so she's very dismayed when her psychic sister Amy tells her that her One True Love is a famous actor who's considered to be the sexiest man alive. She figures she'll never meet him, but she's in costume design and gets a job doing the costumes for the play he'll be putting on. In addition, she has to help him disguise himself during his stay in NY so that he can go to rehearsals in peace. Josh is immediately attracted to her and she gets over her shyness gradually, but then a lot of problems arise from his make-believe relationship with a starlet and the press.
A lot of the book's attempts at humor were just annoying, and Jasmine's excessive shyness was too difficult to believe. I wish it had been portrayed a little less comedically and not so extreme. The constant jokes about just how gorgeous Josh was also got old.
A lot of the book's attempts at humor were just annoying, and Jasmine's excessive shyness was too difficult to believe. I wish it had been portrayed a little less comedically and not so extreme. The constant jokes about just how gorgeous Josh was also got old.
March 19, 2024
I've been re-reading books that I'd initially loved and rated four stars to just to see if they hold up. This one unfortunately didn't. I can see why younger me would have loved it- Jasmine is shy but begins to gain confidence and advance in her career all while dating her supposed the one Josh a movie star. This sounds exactly like what I used to read, and has a similar theme to other four star books from past me. Adult me found it light, with no real depth. But I now prefer stronger female characters from the start, who know what they want and go for it. I only like shy characters when they're written in a certain way and this isn't it.
November 22, 2013
Definitely some humorous parts, almost silly. I'm not a silly hater, so I didn't have a problem with that. I loved Josh Toby, but found Jamine lacking for my taste. My real problem with the book was how the character's were written. It was clear the author was going for character complexity but the complexity was almost cartoonish in it's presentation. The whole gypsy angle was so sporadic. I couldn't decided if it was important to the story or was unimportant and could have done without. If I could give half stars I would rate this book 2.5.
November 1, 2011
i liked the idea of an extremely shy lady coustume designer having to see, dress and undress a super sexy naked superstar that is completly comfortable with it. and i liked the one true love thing, but Amy is a poop with all the lieing and hateing and public humiliahtion. she is a cool gyspsy, though. i thought, given the title, that there was a) going to be a lot more sex and b) it would be in glorious detail and description. i was disapointed :(
January 9, 2009
I felt like the plot was a little weak, especially towards the end. Also didn't enjoy the loving descriptions of whatever the main female character's neuroses were.
It's also a bad sign that I finished the book less than 3 hours ago and I can't remember the heroine's name. Eesh.
Holquist seems to know New York City pretty well though. So that was a plus.
It's also a bad sign that I finished the book less than 3 hours ago and I can't remember the heroine's name. Eesh.
Holquist seems to know New York City pretty well though. So that was a plus.
November 12, 2010
I really liked this book. I started reading because I like the idea of fate and the first book, whilst not incredible, was an entertaining read.
The second installment in the "One True Love" series was even better than it's predecessor.
I liked the characters more and felt like the story flowed better. I really liked this novel and have already started on the third in the series.
The second installment in the "One True Love" series was even better than it's predecessor.
I liked the characters more and felt like the story flowed better. I really liked this novel and have already started on the third in the series.
July 4, 2012
A worthy sequel to Make Me a Match. A heroine who's afraid of her own shadow is not an easy heroine to pull off, but Diana Holquist manages it with aplomb. And Josh, the Sexiest Man Alive, turns out to be a celebrity with a heart of gold. Sweet, funny, touching—what's not to like?
September 3, 2013
I actually really liked it but there was just these unnecessary chapters towards the end. the didn't have to put how their life was after she forgave him, one would think the book would end there. But nooooo, they decided to add more things that were just not useful
September 3, 2013
A cheap kindle read. The premise sounded kind of fun and cute, but the execution of the book was bad, and the characters were so unrealistic and unbelievable that I could barely bring myself to finish the book.
Want to Read
January 2, 200801/02/08 rec via bookmooch
February 28, 2009
Started a little too ditzy for me but improved somewhat. The characters are a bit too cliched and not well developed but the story is charming and there are several nice vignettes.
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