Immer Ärger mit den Männern

by Susan Anderson

Immer Ärger mit den Männern: Frecher Liebesroman und heißer Krimi in einem! Einen Leibwächter? Juliet Rose Astor Lowell ist empört, denn sie hat nicht vor, ihren Leib bewachen zu lassen – und irgendetwas anderes ebenfalls nicht! Auch der raubeinige Polizist Beau Dupree ist wenig begeistert über den Auftrag, als Bodyguard die züchtige Dame aus Boston durch New Orleans zu begleiten. Umso überraschter ist Beau, als er unter der sittsamen Fassade seines Schützlings eine höchst anziehende, leidenschaftliche Frau entdeckt, die sich mit frecher Zunge gegen sein Macho-Gehabe zu wehren weiß. Bis ein Schuss fällt – und das duellierende Liebespaar mit aller Gewalt daran erinnert, dass jemand nach dem Leben von Juliet Rose trachtet ...

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Chick Lit, Romantic Suspense, Suspense, Humor

367 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

Reviews

[Jacob Proffitt · Rating 1 out of 5]

I spent the better part of two chapters in the head of the sleazeball "Beau" (there is nothing pretty about this jackwagon) and I'm sorry, but that's the extent of my tolerance. Once he comes up with the brilliant idea that he'll get out of his assignment with Juliet by antagonizing her I was just done. I kind of liked her from the few paragraphs in her head, but he's an arrogant turd and she can undoubtedly do better. Like, for example, by throwing darts in a dark room full of car salesmen, phone solicitors, and politicians...

[Angela James · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favorite Susan Andersen book and I reread it every so often. Something about Beau and Juliet is just good chemistry for me!

[Nadia · Rating 4 out of 5]

So the first time I read this book I didn't really like it. I thought I couldn't connect with the characters and I didn't really enjoy the plot. But for whatever reason, the story stuck with me through the years and I decided to read it again.

My biggest complaint the first time was about the hero. And that still stands; he talks like a sleaze and behaves like one, too. You sort of see that this was supposed to be all part of his charming persona, but the author overdid it. He's a caricature of a charming person. And I still don't want to forgive him for breaking up with the heroine for the shittiest reason ever.

The heroine is great, though. She is strong willed, isn't afraid to speak her mind and stands up for herself and others. I love that she made him grovel and that she wasn't a pushover.

Maybe I was in a different mood the first time I read it. Maybe it really just didn't sit well with Nadia of two years ago. But today's Nadia quite enjoyed this book. It's got its drawbacks, it's not perfect, but still fun.

[Anita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book. A really fun read.

[Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bostonian blue blood Juliet Rose Astor Lowell is in steamy New Orleans, LA to kick off the grand opening of her baby, a restored southern mansion she's turning into a five star hotel for her father's hotel conglomeration. It's her first full project and the first time she's been completely out from under her imperious magnate's thumb. She got more than she bargained for, however, when a letter of complaint about the purchase and hotel plans causes her father to step in and demand police protection for his daughter. And no one, not even an acting police chief, says no to her father...or his money and connections.

NOPD Seargent Beau Dupree knew a babysitting job when he saw it. Knew it and didn't like it at all. Not when he had real police work to do. He read the supposed threat to the prim and proper Juliet Rose and gave it just about as much credence as it deserved. Which was none. Instead, he planned on dragging her around while he worked on a real case, trying to track down the elusive Panty Bandit who had been commanding young woman to strip naked for him at gunpoint. Women including his baby sister, who, along with his other two sisters, he'd been raising for the ten years since their parents died.

It was a good plan. Push the rigid and tightly wound socialite up close and personal with the seedier side of the Crescent City and she'd demand to have him removed from her detail. He could go on about his business and get his long-time goals back on track. No fuss, no muss.

He didn't count on the pretty little debutante letting her hair down - literally and figuratively. He didn't count on her class, composure, and generous nature when faced with even the lowest dregs. He sure as hell didn't count on being so damned attracted to it. To her. And from the depths of his cop soul, he hadn't even dreamed that the threat to her life may be serious, so when his brake line is cut and they almost take a header into the Mississippi, then someone takes a shot at Juliet in a crowd of party-goers, Beau quickly realizes that the last thing he wants is to be pushed off the case, because the estimable Juliet Rose has become more important to him than he'd ever dreamed.

With the fabulous city of New Orleans as a cultured, vibrant backdrop, Susan Andersen created a fun, mostly light romp of romance and light suspense in this pleasant book. Juliet and Beau are about as diametrically opposed as two characters can be on paper, but to their depths, they strike very pleasant - and often humorous chords together. Juliet may be the classic poor little rich girl and Beau may be the quintessential good ol' southern blue collar, but there is depth provide both of them through their responsibilities, past pains and disappointments, and the shields they both use to keep their hearts protected. I particularly liked the combination of fire and steel in Juliet, and was pleased by the way she dealt with many of Beau's antics.

There was a small but important array of secondary characters that added layers to the plot, with Beau's baby sister and his best friend and police partner Luke having an ancillary, though briefly featured romance, and Juliet's assistant Roxanne was a real gem with her flair and independence coupled with a few noted fears and insecurities. Andersen did a nice job with them all, and regardless of how much they were featured, they all seemed pleasantly genuine.

The plot may not have been all that surprising or earth shaking, and certain twists and developments could be seen coming a mile away, but for a light, fun read it was well paced, had a smooth, easy to read narrative, and quick witted dialogue that maintained a natural conversational flow. Andersen also gets points for keeping the unique flavor of the city and many of the mannerisms and colloquialisms unique to the region as important to the overall recipe as it deserved to be.

I enjoyed Be My Baby for the smooth bit of brain candy it was, and so long as you don't mind the formulaic nature of the development of the romance, and have a fondness for less serious and briefly featured suspense, I'd recommend it for the hours of simple pleasure it provided.

~*~*~*~
Reviewed for One Good Book Deserves Another.

[Jim son of Jim (formerly PhotoJim) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Poor little rich girl falls for a troglodyte in New Orleans whilst completely improbable things happen for very improbable reasons. Perhaps three stars is too generous.

[Lori ◡̈ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute and fun story to read! I wish we could have seen more of the sister, Josie Lee, and Luke falling in love though! It was such a teaser showing them make google eyes towards each other and then ...poof. They were in love. Back to the main couple though... I liked their chemistry, good amount of steam. It seemed the story was all over the place though, but not enough to annoy me. The cop wasn't properly doing his cop job and even attempting to investigate the murder attempts happening.... I didn't understand quite fully the bad man's reasoning for being a ...bad man. It just seemed a little over the top as a reason to attempt murder. But it all added up for a fun story.

[Quirky Omega]

Eh. The hero was really annoying. And the heroine was stuck in a land not meant for her.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Juliet Rose Astor Lowell has been groomed her whole life to be the epitome of refinement and grace. Finally having a chance to get out from her father's wings, she arrives in New Orleans to open a hotel she has nurtured from the beginning. Her father's continued interference though has put her under the watchful eye of Beau Dupree, a cop who wants off babysitting duty of the socialite and makes it a point to try and shock her into removing him from detail. Beau Dupree is shocked to find that beneath the cool exterior, Juliet takes each moment with inquisitive acceptance and causes Beau to rethink his strategy before he falls for the beautiful woman transforming in front of him.

I thought this was delicious fun. I enjoyed the continued banter between Juliet and Beau. This was the first Susan Andersen book I have read and it was a sheer delight, I am going to definitely check out her other books.

[Carisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Light, entertaining, with a silly villain plot and a sweet love story, which was a very pleasant break to have among the heavy plots of my most recent reading.
HERO is a Warrior, a brazen, sexy, dedicated cop who had to raise his younger sisters since he was 24 years old. His chance to live the bachelor life he couldn’t have is finally near when he’s forced to protect an uptight, high society woman and starts falling for her.
SCENES/CONTENT: few/hot
GENRE/TONE: contemporary/light
LENGTH: 263 pages

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read!
My version, however, looks like this;

[Paige Bookdragon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hmmmm.

[Meg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hot cranky New Orleans cop can hardly wait till his last sister is on her own. After his parents death he ended up raising 3 sister - 2 are on their own, 1 to go! He has no social life for 10 yrs so can hardly wait. Meanwhile his temp boss has it in for him so assigns him babysitting duty for hotel mogul's daughter who is in town to open their newest hotel.

Juliet Rose Astor Lowell has been raised as a proper lady so Det.Beau figures if he drags her to the seamier side of town she will ask for a new bodyguard and he will be off the hook. Sadly for him she is fascinated with all things she has been sheltered from and on top of that he is starting to find her fascinating, frustrating and kind of attractive!

Det. Beau and Juliet are nearly killed when the brakes are cut on his classic car. Then Beau gets his wish and is taken off bodyguard duty only to realize that Juliet is really in danger and this is not a babysitting job. Someone wants to get to her in revenge for her family turning a historic home into a hotel.

Super cute with lots of banter and mystery totally enjoyed it.

[Angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️
I thought I wouldn’t enjoy this one at first but it was more fun than I expected it to be. Thankfully, Juliet wasn’t completely useless as the female lead protagonist, and there’s something about Beau that ended up endearing him to me. I enjoyed the chemistry between these two characters and I also enjoyed the plot. I have to say, I didn’t even suspect Celeste until it was almost too late.

[Santhiya · Rating 2 out of 5]

It started out well, but fell flat quickly.

[Jane Stewart · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. Very nice. Fun story. I loved the characters.

The plot was also good. There were a number of good lines and a few more that had me chuckling. Juliet’s parents were from wealthy families in Boston. Her mother died when she was young. She was raised by a controlling grandmother with strict rules about etiquette and composure. Her father was either ignoring her or mentally bullying her. She is working for her father, overseeing the renovation of a mansion into a hotel in New Orleans. Someone threatens her life, and a local police detective Beau is assigned to protect her.

CAUTION SPOILERS:
Beau and Juliet fall for each other. When she tells him she loves him, he dumps her because he doesn’t want to be tied down. I loved her answer to him, page 301. “I tell you what, Beau. I don’t want to be a rock around anyone’s neck, so why don’t you consider yourself free as a bird. Really. It’s been fun, and I thank you for the experience. Have a good life.” She closed the door in his face. They have a similar conversation on pages 311 to 314. I liked her responses there as well.

I also liked a previous line describing Juliet. She had spent most of her life apologizing to her father trying to make him happy with her. While in New Orleans she is evolving into someone she likes. Her father calls and starts yelling at her. I liked the next line, page 150. “Her programmed response was to apologize, but she caught herself and drew in a deep breath instead, holding it for a moment before slowly exhaling. Mustering the composure that always, in the end, was her final defense, she said quietly, ---“ That thinking reminded me of a defense others could use when facing a bully.

Even though Beau dumps her, I felt sympathy for him and understood his reasons. His parents died when he was 24. For ten years, he had been raising his three younger sisters. When the last one left home, he planned to live it up as a bachelor, dating a lot of women.

DATA:
Sexual language: moderate. Number of sex scenes: four. Setting: current day New Orleans. Copyright: 1999. Genre: contemporary romance.

OTHER BOOKS:
As of 6/20/08, I have read 3 Susan Andersen books, as follows.
4.5 stars. Be My Baby. Copyright 1999. My review posted 6/20/08.
4 stars. Baby, I’m Yours. Copyright 1998. My review posted 1/10/08.
2.5 stars. Head Over Heels. Copyright 2002. My review posted 6/20/08.

[Ada · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's been a while since I picked up a Susan Andersen book and it's totally my bad! I forgot how wonderful a writer she is and just how entertaining her books are!

In Be My Baby, we're taken to the culturally vibrant city of New Orleans as proper lady Juliet Rose Astor Lowell is trying to make her way out from her father's thumb to take over the re-design of a new hotel in their family chain. Despite the snooty name, Juliet is anything but. She was raised under the guiding influence of her father and grandmother, both of whom drilled into Juliet that proper etiquette must be observed at all times. But the trip to New Orleans is helping release her inner bad girl.

Unfortunately, with the birth of a new hotel, came a letter threatening Juliet. She doesn't take it seriously but her father does, enough to get the police involved and a bodyguard put on Juliet's detail. And since no one denies her father, much less an acting chief, Sargent Beauregard Dupree gets tapped for baby-sitting duties.

Beau isn't interested in taking care of a socialite, he'd much rather he working a case that involved his sister but stuck with Juliet he is and he does everything in his power to get her to drop him, including bringing her to seedy parts of New Orleans French Quarter which leads to many a good moment in the book.

To me, that was just fun watching Beau trying to shake Juliet enough only to have Juliet's natural curiosity drive Beau crazy. These two had amazing chemistry and once they start letting it have free rein, boy did they sizzle the pages.

You can't help but root for these two, especially when the secondary characters only enhance the story around them. Beau's sisters are fantastic and his relationship with his (ex) partner Luke is solid. So is Juliet's relationship with her assistant, Roxanne, is stellar. She's not only her support system but the growth from employer/employee is outstanding.

I highly recommend this, light, fun, romantic read!

[JeanBookNerd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Susan Andersen’s fun and lovely story in Be My Baby (Baby #2) tells the story of a Bostonian girl named Juliet Rose Astor Lowell. When she agreed to travel to New Orleans and lead the commencement of a restored southern mansion-turned-to five star hotel for her father’s hotel empire, she finds herself in a place without the restraints of her family. Unfortunately, an event causes her father to intervene and order police security for his daughter. Sargent Beau Dupree is assigned to keep a close eye on her and felt the assignment were for babysitters. After assuming there is no real threat to Juliet and the hotel, he drags her along on real police cases. He did not expect to be attracted to the young socialite as the assumed safety turns dangerous when his car’s brake line is cut and almost went for a nasty drop into the Mississippi river. Beau then realizes that his “babysitting” post has become a very important assignment.

The setting of New Orleans is the perfect backdrop to author Susan’s creatively suspenseful and romantic adventure. The pairing of Juliet and Beau is like day and night but they amazingly create sparks together. Susan’s writing style manages to help readers picture the characters and express their positions. I enjoyed how much depth the characters have and how they engaged in excellently written dialogue. The chemistry between them could not get any better as they complement each other very well. The plot progresses smoothly with enough twists and surprises to keep the pages turning. The story line is humorous and sexy at the same time, a rare grouping that only the best writers can harvest. Be My Baby is an enjoyable book that is highly engrossing and keeps a hold of you until the very end.

[Wendy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this up when looking for something new to read. I am really glad that I did. I enjoyed the play between the characters and I love anything set in New Orleans, or the South.

Our Hero is a strong male type with dark good looks and a short temper. When Beau is assigned to protect a new comer to NO he isn't real happy. It isn't just that he feels that it is a waste of time, but the assignment is pulling him off an important case that he is working on. He takes is anger out of his unsuspecting protectee, Juliet Rose. But over the next few days and weeks he can't fight the attraction that he feels for her and they start a hot affair.

Juliet Rose Astor Lowell is in New Orleans to open a new hotel in the family chain. She is form Boston where manners and society are very important. When her assigned protector takes her all over NO showing her things that she has never seen before, she is intrigued by the new side of life that he is showing her. But after they start their affair, she finds that Beau has other ideas than a commitment. He wants to play the field and isn't ready to settle down.

But as things come to a head and accidents start to happen to her, she finds herself falling for Beau and can't seem to help herself. But neither can Beau. He finds himself in a tough situation, but when the chips are down he realizes that he has a need to protect Juliet, and to love her.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm leaving my original 4 star rating in place. I love this book.

I'm bummed about the newly recorded audiobook. Here's why narrator Annie Green's performance completely fails the material. Equal blame for casting director, director and producer.

* Misplaced, awkward starts and stops. (Oh, there are more words? ... In this sentence?) This sounds suspiciously like a cold, unrehearsed reading.
* Female character voices are pitched low. Male characters sound like ducks on helium.
* Her mispronunciation of every freakin' contraction in the text (and there are a lot of them!) is indescribably irritating. DIT-tint. COULD-tint. HAT-tint. Is this an affectation? To sound young? I don't get it.
* She mispronounces common words willy-nilly. I started keeping a list but the task became overwhelming. Not acceptable from a professional voice actor.

Susan Andersen's excellent book and its fans should have been treated much better than this. We should get a do-over.

[romancelibrary]

DNF at 30%

I've read and pretty much liked Susan Andersen's contemporary romances published in the early to mid 2000s. This is the first time I've read one of her old school books. I'm not sure if her writing style changed or if maybe my taste in books changed. I'm leaning toward the former because I am pretty sure I would have disliked this book if I had picked it up 10 years ago. The writing style is just weird. There are a lot of weird expressions that are specific to the New Orleans region and I feel like only Americans will understand the many strange references.

Moreover, the hero is rude, immature, and annoying. I like that he's the complete opposite of the prim and stuffy heroine, but he's too much of a jerk to be likable. If you're looking for an opposites attract romance with a prim heroine and a charming hero who pushes her buttons, try Susan Andersen's Cutting Loose instead. I read it many years ago, but I distinctly remember enjoying it.

[Maqluba · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't tell if it was the awesome New Orleans accents or the amazing opposites-attract trope but this book sold me. I usually don't give many chick-lits 5 stars but this one was a fun read and I never felt the need to put it down or roll my eyes.
I do have to mention one teeny tiny thing: the hero likes to manhandle the heroine a lot. I didn't see it as an aggressive move like he was trying to dominate her in any way, I saw it as what it was- a guy who just likes to manhandle. I dunno, I can't tell if I'm being oblivious or if I'm right in not taking it too seriously- I have a really huge pet peeve when it comes to manhandling by the hero but for some reason it didn't bother me as much here. I think I've been watching to many Asian dramas where wrist-grabbing is the norm lol.

[Mancho283 · Rating 4 out of 5]

ชอบคาแรกเตอร์ของนางเอก ตอนแรกคิดว่านางเอกจะออกแนววีนๆเหวี่ยงๆ คุณหนูเอาแต่ใจที่ไหนได้ไม่ใช่อย่างที่คิดเลย เป็นผู้หญิงที่อยู่ในกรอบ รวบผมตึงเป๊ะ พอมาเจอกับพระเอกที่ออกจะกวนๆ ทำให้ชีวิตตื่นเต้นมีสีสัน พระเอกลากไปไหนด้วย พอเจอะไรใหม่ๆก็ อื้ม..น่าสนใจดี ฮ่าๆ ส่วนพระเอกก็โดนเจ้านายบังคับให้มาทำหน้าที่บอร์ดี้การ์ดนางเอก ใจก็ไม่อยากจะทำเล้ยย ตอนแรกก็พยายามทำให้นางเอกเปลี่ยนเอาคนอื่นมาแทนตัวเองให้ได้ ถึงขนาดบอกกับนางเอกให้ช่วยปล���ตัวเองออก ที่ไหนได้พอนางเอกทำจริงๆกลับไม่อยากจะไปซะงั้น เนื้อเรื่องไม่ค่อยได้เน้นสืบสวน รู้ตัวคนร้ายตั้งแต่กลางๆเรื่องแล้ว จะเน้นที่ความสัมพันธ์พระนางมากกว่า

[Kai · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good book by Susan Andersen that I have read before years ago. It is about Juliet who after threats are made has Beau as a bodyguard, much to his disgust. The book is really funny as they try to deal with each other as the threats become more serious. I loved reading as the annoyance turns to attraction and the person behind the threats comes to light. Definitely a book I would recommend xx

[moodyreader · Rating 3 out of 5]

This had been a fun read for me but maybe I was looking for something more because the plot has its potential and somehow, along the way I was reluctant to finish the story. The third star is for the hero because he made me laugh. And I am a bit concerned why the hero's name has "butler" that is somehow linked with the villain?

[Andrea Lujano · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ame a Beauregard *....*

[Gina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Adorable, light romance set in my favorite city, NOLA. Juliet Rose Astor Lowell is a high society, uptight young woman sent by her father to open the new Crown Gardens Hotel in the grand part of the city. Before she even gets started, she receives threats that demand that she stop desecrating the historical integrity of the city. Daddy dearest won’t have it, so he insists that Juliet Rose have a police guard the entire time she is in the city. Beauregard Dupree is just the man for the job. Well, not really. It is pretty much dumped on him, and he is NOT happy about it. He is on a case to catch the Panty Snatcher. Miss prim and proper might have to go along for the ride. This book has cute and funny characters, and it makes you NEED a beignets badly!

[Lana · Rating 1 out of 5]

I seriously disliked this book. At several points I considered not finishing it. The story is ridiculous and extremely predictable, lead charachters are so stereotypical and writing isn't all that interesting. There are plenty of books just like this but when the writing is funny and engaging, you don't mind the rest.
The "phonetic" words written in New Orleans accent just annoyed me. It didn't make me feel like I'm reading words in the NO accent or any accent for that matter. It was just a distraction. I feel like she exaggerated to make certain character more ridiculous and it was unnecessary. She could have just writen that the character spoke in typical accent, maybe throw in a word or two to drive the point, and leave it at that.

[Elaine Lucky · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fast read mystery romance that follows the same boring theme. Juliet is rich, prim, & proper. Beau is blue collar police sergeant assigned to protect her at her rich daddy's request to the department. Typical repressed woman versus virile studly cop. A little mystery with attempts being made on Juliet or Beau's life. Of course they end up in bed, fight, & make up. The New Orleans language written in the book was irritating & hokey compared to other books I've read with the Cajun dialect.

[Rups!! · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first Susan Anderson novel. The book did not let me down. The plot and theme of the book is totally different form the usual that I read.
I liked the attitude and independent character of Juliet Rose Ester Lowell. Moreover, the support of her assistant at every point has made their relationship more interesting. Its worth reading. And the most imp thing is this novel is a romance, suspense and thriller novel which tops my list of the year.