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Girl Of My Dreams
A temp's good deed goes horribly awry when she subs for a cast member in a reality show to win the prize of a billionaire.
All Jillian wants to do is save the producer from an embarrassing situation. All he wants to do is strangle her for her deceit.
The show must go on, despite the tension between the two. Despite her intentions to get in and get out, Jillian advances in the rounds. Will she win the billionaire? Does she want him?
All Jillian wants to do is save the producer from an embarrassing situation. All he wants to do is strangle her for her deceit.
The show must go on, despite the tension between the two. Despite her intentions to get in and get out, Jillian advances in the rounds. Will she win the billionaire? Does she want him?
156 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2008
17 people are currently reading
227 people want to read
About the author
Morgan Mandel
17 books56 followersAll of Morgan Mandel's books are available at http://amazon.com/author/morganmandel
Here's info on some of them:
Morgan Mandel has released a sequel to the humorous romance, HER HANDYMAN. While not giving anything away, let's just say the new romance, called A PERFECT ANGEL, centers around a character who was undeservedly harmed by the events in HER HANDYMAN, and deserved happiness in her own right. Although both books can be read independently of each other, you'll get better enjoyment through reading HER HANDYMAN first, which is the story of Jake, the hardworking handyman who meets a rich, quirky artist, thanks to her crazy dog who threw a toy into the toilet, resulting in bedlam.
In a different vein, Morgan Mandel's thriller, FOREVER YOUNG: BLESSING OR CURSE, depicts a 55 year old widow looking for a measure of happiness by taking a pill to be 24, only to realize getting old isn't the only way to die. A chance discovery about the pill has her fleeing both from the villains and the law.
The romantic suspense, KILLER CAREER, is about a lawyer who wants to quit her practice, and finds out her decision could kill her.
Also available is the romantic comedy, GIRL OF MY DREAMS, about the madcap adventures of a straitlaced assistant who enters a reality show with the prize of a billionaire. Unfortunately, the guy she most wants to impress misconstrues her motives, thinking she's a gold digger.
Morgan's debut mystery, TWO WRONGS, is set in Chicago, with many area landmarks, including Marshall Field's before it became Macy's, including the Big Tree in the Walnut Room at Christmastime, ice cream snowmen, DePaul University, Morgan's alma mater, Chase Park, and more.
A girl is murdered. Her brother knows who did it. Or does he? What happens if your mistake sends the wrong person to prison and now he's out and looking for revenge?
Here's info on some of them:
Morgan Mandel has released a sequel to the humorous romance, HER HANDYMAN. While not giving anything away, let's just say the new romance, called A PERFECT ANGEL, centers around a character who was undeservedly harmed by the events in HER HANDYMAN, and deserved happiness in her own right. Although both books can be read independently of each other, you'll get better enjoyment through reading HER HANDYMAN first, which is the story of Jake, the hardworking handyman who meets a rich, quirky artist, thanks to her crazy dog who threw a toy into the toilet, resulting in bedlam.
In a different vein, Morgan Mandel's thriller, FOREVER YOUNG: BLESSING OR CURSE, depicts a 55 year old widow looking for a measure of happiness by taking a pill to be 24, only to realize getting old isn't the only way to die. A chance discovery about the pill has her fleeing both from the villains and the law.
The romantic suspense, KILLER CAREER, is about a lawyer who wants to quit her practice, and finds out her decision could kill her.
Also available is the romantic comedy, GIRL OF MY DREAMS, about the madcap adventures of a straitlaced assistant who enters a reality show with the prize of a billionaire. Unfortunately, the guy she most wants to impress misconstrues her motives, thinking she's a gold digger.
Morgan's debut mystery, TWO WRONGS, is set in Chicago, with many area landmarks, including Marshall Field's before it became Macy's, including the Big Tree in the Walnut Room at Christmastime, ice cream snowmen, DePaul University, Morgan's alma mater, Chase Park, and more.
A girl is murdered. Her brother knows who did it. Or does he? What happens if your mistake sends the wrong person to prison and now he's out and looking for revenge?
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
November 20, 2015
this was a pretty good book.
it is a mix of the bachelor theme. this story is between to characters Julian and Blake. Blake is a t.v. producer and is tired of living in his mothers footsteps. he wanted to make a name for his own work. so he created a show call " girl of his dreams." it is just like the bachelor. everything was going great until his contestant got food poisoning. now he needed one more girl and fast.
Julian was Blake's assistant. After noticing the problem she was suppose to go outside and pick a pretty girl off the street. lets face it who wouldn't want to date a billionaire?! After quick thinking Julian decided to be the contestant. She couldn't let Blake's new show go down in flames. she secretly loves him. now Julian isn't a looker. she has big glasses and is a nerd. the makeup artist made her a bombshell. she was a big hit, even though she wasn't breaking any rules because she was a temp!
now here is where the book got predictable. Julian was thriving in the show while Blake got jealous. and a contestant will try to harm one of them... Julian will have to choose which guy she wants while playing in the game show and not blow it for any of them.
it is a mix of the bachelor theme. this story is between to characters Julian and Blake. Blake is a t.v. producer and is tired of living in his mothers footsteps. he wanted to make a name for his own work. so he created a show call " girl of his dreams." it is just like the bachelor. everything was going great until his contestant got food poisoning. now he needed one more girl and fast.
Julian was Blake's assistant. After noticing the problem she was suppose to go outside and pick a pretty girl off the street. lets face it who wouldn't want to date a billionaire?! After quick thinking Julian decided to be the contestant. She couldn't let Blake's new show go down in flames. she secretly loves him. now Julian isn't a looker. she has big glasses and is a nerd. the makeup artist made her a bombshell. she was a big hit, even though she wasn't breaking any rules because she was a temp!
now here is where the book got predictable. Julian was thriving in the show while Blake got jealous. and a contestant will try to harm one of them... Julian will have to choose which guy she wants while playing in the game show and not blow it for any of them.
February 19, 2013
How this got 3.5 stars I will never know! It was horridly predictable, had plot errors, and was atrociously cheesy and unrealistic. I didn't believe any of the characters and they had next to no depth. Better off skipping this and reading Twilight. At least that had me guessing at times!
July 15, 2013
There were many things that bugged me about this story.
One of those things is that lira is the former currency of Italy has been ever since the euro got introduced in Europe in 2002. Isn't that general knowledge? In any case it's something the author should have researched when she wrote the book. (or maybe it's the editor's job to make sure such lapses don't happen?) and throwing 2 Lira at the owner of a boat would have said man leave reason behind and sail into a storm?? seriously?
Not to even start on the idea of the perfectly beautiful (albeit unaware) sluttyvirginal pure female character.
One of those things is that lira is the former currency of Italy has been ever since the euro got introduced in Europe in 2002. Isn't that general knowledge? In any case it's something the author should have researched when she wrote the book. (or maybe it's the editor's job to make sure such lapses don't happen?) and throwing 2 Lira at the owner of a boat would have said man leave reason behind and sail into a storm?? seriously?
Not to even start on the idea of the perfectly beautiful (albeit unaware) slutty
September 17, 2013
The writing is not bad, but the mentality is vulgar. Maybe I should have expected it given the subject matter, but not being a big TV watcher I didn't expect the "who gets to marry the billionaire" TV show premise to include inappropriate dialogue, cleavage galore and the inevitable panting and drooling that followed. I guess, based on the cover, I was expecting something more innocent. I stopped within the first few pages.
March 4, 2013
I don't know how on earth this book got so many 5 star ratings, it was awful! So cheesy and ridiculous and over the top and just plain terrible. I can't imagine I'll ever read another book by this author, it was not for me.
March 17, 2008
Excellent romance comedy. Nice and light, though that Nadia...
dnf
August 20, 2016I stopped at 28%. This book has the worst main characters ever. They act like immature brats and the whole tv show plot is ridiculous.
March 23, 2018
Ok story, Great ending
Blake is counting on his new tv show to save the failing studio he worked at. While preparing to do the season pilot, most of the cast came down with food poisoning. Even with using the alternate contestants, they were still one short and the show started in just a few short hours. Making a last minute command decision in order to save her boss's show, his temp assistant decided to fill in at the last minute. As the show goes from one episode to the next, Blake realizes he has feelings for his assistant and is constantly at war with himself over how to handle the situation. The show is similar to the ones where a man or woman meets several contestants, gets to know them, and through process of elimination, she's up with their one true love. Expecting to be eliminated after the first episode, the plain assistant figures she'll be off the hook and can go back to her plain humdrum life. When that doesn't happen, she struggles with the changes that are taking place.
I am definitely not a fan of the bachelor/bachelorette type of shows. That being said, I was glad this was a quicker book to get through. It was well written, just not my favorite type of story. The redeeming thing that made give this rating an extra star was the big party, the big action scene, and the final ending. I'm glad I stuck with the story to get to the last few chapters!
Blake is counting on his new tv show to save the failing studio he worked at. While preparing to do the season pilot, most of the cast came down with food poisoning. Even with using the alternate contestants, they were still one short and the show started in just a few short hours. Making a last minute command decision in order to save her boss's show, his temp assistant decided to fill in at the last minute. As the show goes from one episode to the next, Blake realizes he has feelings for his assistant and is constantly at war with himself over how to handle the situation. The show is similar to the ones where a man or woman meets several contestants, gets to know them, and through process of elimination, she's up with their one true love. Expecting to be eliminated after the first episode, the plain assistant figures she'll be off the hook and can go back to her plain humdrum life. When that doesn't happen, she struggles with the changes that are taking place.
I am definitely not a fan of the bachelor/bachelorette type of shows. That being said, I was glad this was a quicker book to get through. It was well written, just not my favorite type of story. The redeeming thing that made give this rating an extra star was the big party, the big action scene, and the final ending. I'm glad I stuck with the story to get to the last few chapters!
July 21, 2017
I wish I could give this book more than three stars, if only to thank the author for making it free. I don’t download any books unless I’m fairly sure I’m going to enjoy them, but sadly this one did not quite live up to my expectations. It was totally predictable from the outset and had no twists, wit, or unexpected turns to crank up the interest level.
I found it difficult to care for the characters, because the only thing in their minds was their obsession with each other and their determination to believe, against all clues to the contrary, that neither stood a chance with the other. This theme recurred over and over until it became rather tedious. I think it made the story feel much longer than it was, or than it needed to be as it meandered along to its inevitable conclusion (and superfluous epilogue). Sadly, for me, the writing just didn’t sparkle.
I found it difficult to care for the characters, because the only thing in their minds was their obsession with each other and their determination to believe, against all clues to the contrary, that neither stood a chance with the other. This theme recurred over and over until it became rather tedious. I think it made the story feel much longer than it was, or than it needed to be as it meandered along to its inevitable conclusion (and superfluous epilogue). Sadly, for me, the writing just didn’t sparkle.
June 29, 2017
This is a perfect mix of The Bachelorette and Unreal!
March 4, 2012
Morgan Mandel continues to offer books that engage readers, with character development that delights and is easy to follow, and plots that twist and turn right up to the end of the story.
Girl of My Dreams is unlike Morgan Mandel's other novels ... a mystery, yes, but no one dies in this one. Instead someone blossoms, from a nondescript but efficient administrative assistant to an eye-catching super model, surprisingly seductive as a contestant in a television production.
Her boss, the show's producer and director, is disappointed that he has lost her to the competition, and desperately tries to replace her with new assistants that cannot measure up to the job's demanding requirements, nor Jillian's quality. And Jillian, in her new identity as Veronica, struggles with the demands of a beauty queen's demanding role, trying desperately to lose the competition she slipped into to fill a last minute vacancy. Wishing only to return to her former, subdued, quiet life style, she instead finds herself the most likely winner, and suddenly the hunted prey of a jealous competitor.
The crazed contestant who knows Jillian's true identity provides the opportunity for the story to become a murder mystery. There is murder in Nadia's background, and she makes more than one spectacular, show-stopping attempt on Jillian's life.
The men in the story go through their own metamorphosis, and their personality fluctuations confuse and disappoint Jillian/Veronica. Both men have shallow parenting in their childhood memories, contributing to their success-driven lifestyles. Jillian's parents were lovingly devoted to each other, leaving her with a goal of establishing such a relationship in her own life.
Morgan has reached out of her comfort zone of murder mystery to write a humorous, fast paced parody of beauty contestant competitions, with all the bells and whistles, including settings in a European palace, a tropical island paradise, a fashion runway in Paris, dark alleys along a canal in Venice, a bikini-clad game of volleyball on the beach, and the dark back stage of a TV production.
Girl of My Dreams is unlike Morgan Mandel's other novels ... a mystery, yes, but no one dies in this one. Instead someone blossoms, from a nondescript but efficient administrative assistant to an eye-catching super model, surprisingly seductive as a contestant in a television production.
Her boss, the show's producer and director, is disappointed that he has lost her to the competition, and desperately tries to replace her with new assistants that cannot measure up to the job's demanding requirements, nor Jillian's quality. And Jillian, in her new identity as Veronica, struggles with the demands of a beauty queen's demanding role, trying desperately to lose the competition she slipped into to fill a last minute vacancy. Wishing only to return to her former, subdued, quiet life style, she instead finds herself the most likely winner, and suddenly the hunted prey of a jealous competitor.
The crazed contestant who knows Jillian's true identity provides the opportunity for the story to become a murder mystery. There is murder in Nadia's background, and she makes more than one spectacular, show-stopping attempt on Jillian's life.
The men in the story go through their own metamorphosis, and their personality fluctuations confuse and disappoint Jillian/Veronica. Both men have shallow parenting in their childhood memories, contributing to their success-driven lifestyles. Jillian's parents were lovingly devoted to each other, leaving her with a goal of establishing such a relationship in her own life.
Morgan has reached out of her comfort zone of murder mystery to write a humorous, fast paced parody of beauty contestant competitions, with all the bells and whistles, including settings in a European palace, a tropical island paradise, a fashion runway in Paris, dark alleys along a canal in Venice, a bikini-clad game of volleyball on the beach, and the dark back stage of a TV production.
August 13, 2012
Jillian was supposed to find another girl at the last minute for the reality show, Girl of my Dreams. Instead she presented herself unbeknownst to the producer Black Cadwell, that was until the cameras started to roll and it was too late for any of them to go back. The plan was simple or so Jillian first thought, she would be eliminated from the competition, the last thing she wanted was the arrogant billionaire. She was doing it for Blake, but he didn't see it that way. With Mecca's future at stake, they were forced to play along. Problem was that the bachelor Troy kept her in the competition.
The story moved along from one exotic local the next as the tension between Blake and Jillian increased. How could he not see she was only doing this for him and the show, and how could she stop herself from falling for the elusive producer?
Girl of my dreams is a very lighthearted and funny book filled with plenty of costume changes. I found the characters very likable and well rounded. I'd highly recommend this book to anyone that loves romance. It's good clean fun with a few twists and turns along the way.
Great job Morgan, I'll be reading more books by you in the future.
The story moved along from one exotic local the next as the tension between Blake and Jillian increased. How could he not see she was only doing this for him and the show, and how could she stop herself from falling for the elusive producer?
Girl of my dreams is a very lighthearted and funny book filled with plenty of costume changes. I found the characters very likable and well rounded. I'd highly recommend this book to anyone that loves romance. It's good clean fun with a few twists and turns along the way.
Great job Morgan, I'll be reading more books by you in the future.
June 26, 2013
Girl of my Dreams is a light-hearted romantic comedy. Jillian is in love with her temporary boss and Hollywood producer, Blake. When her employment with him comes to an end, she finds his lavish tv show where contestents vie for a billionaire's love and marriage proposal is in dire strats of failing and bankrupting the studio. To ensure Blake is a success, and to remain in his life in some form until she can convince him of her love and maybe win his, too, she enters the contest, and is transormed into an overnight sensation against her will. Though klutzy, she has won the hearts of television fans, gained unwanted interst from the billionaire and distanced herself from Blake. Or has she?
Blake isn't too happy with Jillian's transformation from 'Plain Jane' to 'Swan'. He prefers the 'old' Jillian. And he loathes the billionaire having taken an interest in her, but love and commitment? He's against that, too. Keep reading to discover what makes him have a change of heart, and how he vies for Jillian's hand now that she has discovered the billionaire isn't the cad she first thought him. And be prepared to chuckle-her klutziness is sure to keep you in stitches.
Blake isn't too happy with Jillian's transformation from 'Plain Jane' to 'Swan'. He prefers the 'old' Jillian. And he loathes the billionaire having taken an interest in her, but love and commitment? He's against that, too. Keep reading to discover what makes him have a change of heart, and how he vies for Jillian's hand now that she has discovered the billionaire isn't the cad she first thought him. And be prepared to chuckle-her klutziness is sure to keep you in stitches.
July 26, 2013
Mecca the television studio is on its last legs. It's final hope is the reality tv show that is being produced by Blake. This is a make or break show for him too. He's trying to prove he can do something without the help of his Hollywood movie star mother. His temp assistant Jillian has been in love with Blake for months and can't stand to see him go down in flames, so she steps in when they fall one contestant short. Blake is upset thinking his dependable assistant has gotten her head turned by $ signs. So why is his head and other parts of him turning whenever she's around?
I love the idea behind this book. The execution was pretty good as well. There were a number of details that bothered me. I thought they were in one city for something and then it turned out they were half way around the world. I was also bothered by the way the "prize" behaved with not only Jillian, but also the other women taking part in the contest.
I will say this though, there were plenty of twists I didn't see coming for every twist or event that I did. That's always a good thing.
Morgan Mandel has five other currently published works. I'm off to check them out!
I love the idea behind this book. The execution was pretty good as well. There were a number of details that bothered me. I thought they were in one city for something and then it turned out they were half way around the world. I was also bothered by the way the "prize" behaved with not only Jillian, but also the other women taking part in the contest.
I will say this though, there were plenty of twists I didn't see coming for every twist or event that I did. That's always a good thing.
Morgan Mandel has five other currently published works. I'm off to check them out!
September 4, 2014
Ended better than first expected
I have to admit that at first, I put the book down around chapter 12, thinking I would not continue. The next day, I decided that was not fair to the author. I HATED Troy, how he treated Jillian, and had had enough. The next morning, I decided my reaction meant Ms. Mandel had successfully done her job of portraying Troy as a cad. Hmmm...that meant she was a good writer, and I owed it to her to continue reading. Well...the more I read, the more I liked where she took the story. Just goes to show...Don't judge a book by it's cover also applies to not judging it by a chapter or two that irk you for one reason or another. Very glad I gave the book and writer a second chance. Yes, absolutely, I would recommend this book. Thanks, Ms. Mandel, for writing it.
I have to admit that at first, I put the book down around chapter 12, thinking I would not continue. The next day, I decided that was not fair to the author. I HATED Troy, how he treated Jillian, and had had enough. The next morning, I decided my reaction meant Ms. Mandel had successfully done her job of portraying Troy as a cad. Hmmm...that meant she was a good writer, and I owed it to her to continue reading. Well...the more I read, the more I liked where she took the story. Just goes to show...Don't judge a book by it's cover also applies to not judging it by a chapter or two that irk you for one reason or another. Very glad I gave the book and writer a second chance. Yes, absolutely, I would recommend this book. Thanks, Ms. Mandel, for writing it.
February 1, 2013
The story focuses on a television producer, Blake, and his rather dowdy assistant, Jillian, as she leaves his employ to join the glittering world of one of his productions. In order to save the show from disaster during a food poisoning back stage that removes several girls from competition, Jillian is forced to choose her job or the success of the show. When she joins the glamor of a dating drama --25 girls and one billionare--- her motives aren't entirely pure. Tempted by the allure of wealth, drawn in by a change of roles, Jillian struggles with an emotional quandry. It's Blake she's after!
May 21, 2013
Well, there is chemistry between the characters, but I think it isn't enough for me to fully enjoy their love story. There isn't really a love triangle until the end, just emotional conflict on Blake and Jillian. And the snippets on what a reality show is like. I can't believe that Jillian turned to Cinderella without anyone thinking that she look good in her frumpy suit. The change is slightly exaggerated for me, that everyone is crazy for her. I'm more interested in her friend's story than her and Blake. And the confession time in the end is quite cheesy and not really romantic for me. Anyway, this is a semi-sweet read.
February 12, 2013
Cute premise that uses a reality dating show and crossed lovebirds. The plot is fun and moves along swiftly, but I feel like we need to know more about the billionaire, Troy. He goes through a complete 180 in personality, sans foreshadowing. A quick, fun read that needs a little more depth for the characters' actions to make sense.
March 5, 2013
I listened using the text to speech function on my kindle while I was painting. This was the perfect story to do because the painting went really fast and I found myself laughing and smiling as various things happened in the story. I loved the characters and they were well-rounded and behaved true to form. This is a great romance to disappear into and retreat from the world. Highly recommend it.
February 18, 2013
This book reminded me of The Bachelor, but with a billionaire as the prize. It's short in length which was nice since I wanted a quick read. It was a little bit on the predictable side, which was good since I got the outcome I wanted.
September 11, 2013
I loved this story, pure fantasy. Blake was the dense man we all know one like him. Jillian was smart & sweet. Over all a fun- escape reality book. I would love a follow up story on Denise & would like Troy to meet his own special girl.
November 12, 2014
A light fun read, with a satisfying ending. I found Jillian's dramatic change from frumpy to sexy a little far-fetched, and Blake's reaction shallow in not noticing her until her makeover. There were a few editing issues, especially toward the end.
February 9, 2016
Make this a movie
This reads like it was written to be adapted to the screen later. All I could see was Mia Thermopolis the character from princess diaries and Steve Sanders from 90210 1st generation. Read it and tell me that you don't see the same lol.
This reads like it was written to be adapted to the screen later. All I could see was Mia Thermopolis the character from princess diaries and Steve Sanders from 90210 1st generation. Read it and tell me that you don't see the same lol.
June 19, 2016
Quick, easy weekend/beach read
Read the whole book in less than 3 hours. Quick, fun read, even more so if you enjoy reality TV. Up only have it 4 stars because it lacked in detail and description, a little more would have made it exceptional.
Read the whole book in less than 3 hours. Quick, fun read, even more so if you enjoy reality TV. Up only have it 4 stars because it lacked in detail and description, a little more would have made it exceptional.
November 19, 2011
Fun, easy read. Entertaining. Perfect 'train commute' reading.
Enjoyed it! Give it a try!
Enjoyed it! Give it a try!
Want to read
February 8, 2013Amazon (ebook) freebie 2/8/13
February 11, 2013
I loved this book!
February 11, 2013
This was a fun fast read. The heroine tries to help the hero and he feels like she betrayed them. Will they get over it? You will have to read to see. It's a really fun story!
February 22, 2013
I really liked it.
March 31, 2013
Blake took too long and he was a major douche for most of the book. Jillian really saved the day for me.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews