Three Girls and a Leading Man

Three Girls #3

by Rachel Schurig

Annie Duncan has never put much stock in true love. Sure, she loves dating, but she gets more than her share of drama working as a struggling actress—she can live without the romantic kind, thank you very much.

Instead, Annie focuses her energy on her two best friends, Jen and Ginny. And now that she finally appears to be getting her big break, Annie couldn’t be happier with the way things are going. When she meets Nate during a weekend away in Vegas, she figures she'll just have an exhilarating fling—even if he is totally adorable and clearly into her. But when Annie finds herself falling for Nate, she's faced with a choice she never wanted to make.

In Three Girls and a Leading Man, Annie Duncan attempts to chase her dreams and keep her heart under control. Her heart, however, may have different ideas!

Genres: Chick Lit, Romance, Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Amazon

240 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 12, 2010

Reviews

[Obsidian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eh, this one didn't set my hair on fire. Annie and her dilemma was lame to me. She has the opportunity to become a big time actress, but you know love is the answer. I loathe romance books that do this mess with heroines. It also didn't really line up with what Annie wanted for herself either. And it doesn't say a lot about her friends and love interest if that she needs to give up what she wants to be in a relationship.

"Three Girls and a Leading Man" has Annie and friends go off to Las Vegas where she meets her love interest, Nate. Annie is feeling a bit lonely since Jen and Matt seem to be more in love than ever and Ginny is married and happy. When Nate proposes still seeing Annie when they both return to Michigan, she says okay. Things change for her though when she gets a highly coveted role at the local theater. When things start to pop for her in her career, she is stuck between deciding to follow her dreams or stay and be with Nate.

I really didn't like Ginny that much in this one. She kept pushing Annie to be with Nate and I really wanted her to mind her own business. I think what irks me about the character of Ginny is that she stayed wrapped up in a relationship and could barely function after Josh broke up with her in book #1. And she seems to get all of her self-worth from being with him. We never hear about her working or what she does. Jen was okay, I liked seeing her with Matt.

The writing was good, I was interested in the theater parts and was interested in how things were done. I wish that Schurig had added in more of that. The flow was okay, though I did get annoyed at Annie for playing games with Nate. Either be with him or not, it got old real quick for me.

The ending wasn't much of a surprise, I was just letdown at no sign of compromise. Either you give up everything for a guy, or you die alone.

[R ♥ · Rating 1 out of 5]

1.5 stars

This was so boring. You know a book isn't good when you're waiting anxiously for it to end. I actually enjoyed Annie in the other books and thought her story might be good but she was just very unpleasant and negative in this one. Also, the ending just felt very out of place and surreal.

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[Becky · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was my least favorite of Schurig's books in this series.

Annie is the last single roommate of Jen and Ginny's - Ginny is now married and moving out, and Jen now has Matt (from Three Girls and a Wedding). Annie is trying to figure out her life - she hates her job at the theater, she's paid very little, and she's single. When an opportunity comes up to audition for a major part in a theatrical production, she jumps on it - but before she gets the part she meets a guy and hits it off. Annie has to decide whether to follow her heart or her dreams.

So the reason I gave this book two stars is because I found Annie unlikeable. She's bitter, mean, insensitive, and holds grudges. Everything in Annie's life revolves around Annie. She meets Nate in Las Vegas, and even though he lives right nearby her in Michigan, she doesn't want a "relationship", despite the fact she's jealous of her friends relationships. After she gets the part in the play, she becomes unbearable - completely unaware of how her actions affect the other characters. I felt bad for Nate for being her semi-boyfriend. The author tries to explain her actions by backstory involving Annie's Mom having been cheated on by her Dad, and how the Mom had no dignity and would always take the Dad back...but since Nate and Annie's relationship stemmed from Nate's interest and persuing of Annie (not the other way around), it didn't make sense.

I think Schurig based Ginny on herself, Jen on a close friend and Annie on an acquaintance. Because with each character, there was less and less to like.

Wouldn't recommend this particular book but I do think the author has a lot of potential!

[Vickie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was my least favorite in this series. Annie is a very unhappy person so the tone of the book isn't nearly as light hearted as the others. There were also several misspelled words, or wording errors, which I personally find as a distraction. ("I grabbed him by him arm," etc). I wasn't thrilled with even finishing the book but yet wanted to do so purely because it was part of a series, and I had enjoyed the two prior books. If you're feeling obligated to read it for that reason, don't waste your time. Just read a spoiler to get the story line without putting yourself through reading it.

[Angela Holtz · Rating 5 out of 5]

From Lilac Wolf and Stuff

*fist pump* Yes! Yes! Yes! I was so happy to get this one. I received a really early version in order to beta read...but busy holidays and a rush by Rachel Schurig meant I missed it. But yesterday I figured I'll read it anyway and review it. Luckily my Nook allows me to read word documents...only I can't make any notes or changes and it doesn't remember where I'm at if I close it at anytime.

Regardless of my issues with Microsoft and Nook, I was hooked. Even though I was as sick as a dog I couldn't put it down. I literally read it all yesterday afternoon. I followed the boys as they played in their room and played in my room, I was buried in my Nook. (**update - I wrote this weeks ago! lol**)

The flow is perfect. You can really feel what is going on with Annie. And really she's a mess, and even though she refuses to get that, you pick it up from how she treats people around her and their reactions to her. I knew from the first 2 books (Three Girls and a Baby and Three Girls and a Wedding) that Annie has issues getting close to men. What struck her in this book was watching her friends deepening their relationships with their boyfriend and husband. Jen moves in with Matt, Gina talks about how she loves being married and it's a partnership. Annie just assumed Gina would resent having to take Josh into consideration when making decisions. No, it's good to be with another person and it means you have to give and take.

Well a free trip to Vegas and Annie meats Mr. Maybe. She clicks with him, he gets through her tough girl exterior. He's also unlike anyone she has ever dated before. He scared the crap out of her, that's how you know he was good for her. He took her so far out of her comfort zone. But will she drop the act and let him all the way in or will she run away?

You'll have to read, and really for $2.99 can you go wrong? I'd call this a romantic comedy, and she recently changed the covers - love them! I wonder what she's going to write now!

[Starla B · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, which is no surprise because I enjoyed the first two immensely. I wish that this was not the last in the series; over the past three days I have become very attached to Ginnie, Jen, Annie and even Kiki. Maybe some day Danny will have his own book and we'll get to see the girls again as supporting characters. I can only hope. =D

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay. Quick read.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Annie loves to act, she works for a small theatre company in Detroit but lately her jobs been boring and all she’s being doing is paperwork. She gets a chance to audition for a big time Hollywood producer who is putting on a play. She auditions but while waiting for call backs, her friends end up going to Vegas where she meets Nate. She assumes it’s going to be a what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas type deal. Only Nate is also living in Detroit and wants to continue his relationship with Annie but she’s scared. Can Nate win over Annie or not?

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whilst I couldn’t really identify with the main character, Annie, I enjoyed the story. My favourite part was the “Christmas tree” part. Totally romantic even if a bit cheesy, but apt for the hero’s character.
I loved reading more about the other girls partners and continue their lives... the little yellow house was a nice consistent feature of the series.

[Linda Deutmeyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honest Friends

I was impressed by the deep and honest the 3 friends have maintained through the years. They are their own persons, but they know how to both support and confront one another as needed. I loved the strong values the young actress held to when she was faced to choose between fame and family.

[Angel Graham · Rating 2 out of 5]

I just haven't liked Annie through the whole series of books. She comes off as a mean, brittle, nasty person. The ending doesn't fit who she's been built up to be through the other books.

I won't be finishing this series.

[Lisa Mullender · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed the third one in the series

After reading the previous two books I was excited to read the third and it didn't disappoint. It was nice to find out more about Annie and I enjoyed the Vegas part as it made me think of my honeymoon and how much fun it was visiting there

[Gwendoline · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favourite

After reading the first two, I had high hopes but just couldn’t connect with Annie as much as the other two girls. So then ur not as invested in her growth and story.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute book. I really enjoy this series!

[Michelle Cole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really good

Enjoyed it. Again liked catching up with the main characters. Good plot. Very funny. Looking forward to reading next in the series.

[Meaghan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cute but much too predictable.

[Natalie Adams]

Very easy read. good characters and plot. I couldn't put it down.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book in the three girls series, following Annie this time. Once again it was great to follow her on her big break and journey to finding love, and I really enjoyed it.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

There’s not much to say about this book, as I have read all five books in the ‘Three Girls’ range and really enjoy them, but they are all fairly similar with the same characters throughout. I found that this book wasn’t as interesting as the others, perhaps because I find Annie a little dull as a character, and all the talk about acting and drama very unappealing, as it is so far away from my interests. I love that you are able to get to know the three girls really well throughout the series, but this book was definitely one of the least interesting of the set.

[Beckss · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book just like the rest of the books I've read so far in the series but I felt like I had to deduct a star because of this paragraph that annoyed me:

"Are you the type of girl who always puts her girlfriends first? While those relationships should be precious to you, it is essential that you learn to put your man first. No self-respecting gentleman wants to play second fiddle to your female friends! --- The Single Girls Guide to Finding True Love"

I'm sorry but this is full of shit. No man gets put before friends. That is ridiculous. If a "self-respecting gentleman" wants to have some kind of relationship then they need to learn to deal with the fact that women have friends and have every right to see them.
Even though this paragraph was written in the form of a fake book as part of the story and that the actual plot of the story is completely opposite to this, it still annoyed me, but whatever.

I enjoyed the book anyhow. That paragraph just pissed me off and I needed to rant about it haha

[Meredith Schorr · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this third installment of the Three Girls series, the spotlight is on Annie. Now that both of her besties (Jen and Ginnie) are settled into relationships, Annie is the only single one. An aspiring actress, being single never bothered Annie before. In fact, she preferred to keep her relationships with men casual unlike her more sappy buddies. We find out in this installment that it's really fear that is holding Annie back from falling in love. Watching her mother lose herself after her father left them resulted in Annie vowing to never give a man power over her happiness. But will Nate, the fling from Las Vegas who won't go away, be strong enough to break down her walls?

I am a big fan of Rachel Schurig. Her writing is seamless and she manages to combine humor and serious issues into her stories in such a way that I find myself laughing and choking up constantly. This book was no exception. Although it was my least favorite of the series because Annie wasn't always very likeable, I would still recommend this novel to all fans of chick lit.

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now this one was my least favorite of the four. It wasn’t bad by any means, but when faced with a group of girls, there will always be one that you don’t like as much as the other. Annie was it for me, and this is her story and I still loved it.

Annie has a bit of a chip on her shoulder. She’s a bit of a bitch, a lot of the time. But I was able to see deep down to the root of it, and understand where she got this attitude. Doesn’t mean I liked it, but I was genuinely happy to see her story finally told.

What I loved was even though she wasn’t perfect. Far from it, that didn’t stop her girls from always being there for her. Annie’s saving grace was her love for her friends. She makes mistakes, she acts like an A hole, but when it comes down to it, there is a good person in there. Drama should be her middle name, but then again, she is an actress. I would be disappointed if she wasn’t quirky to some extent.

[Marieanne Fabiano · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, I really am enjoying this series and I did just in fact, but the fourth book to start reading. But, in comparison to the first two books, I am only giving this one three stars instead of four. Why? Because I couldn't relate to Annie the way I did with Ginny and Jen. More specifically, I couldn't sympathize with her because I was more annoyed with her emotions than anything. Her general demeanor and closed off personality really made me dislike her (even though I can remember how in the first book, she cared so beautifully for Ginny). I just wanted her to get over her fears and accept the love that Nate so clearly had to offer. I do, however, really enjoy how Schurig continues the story of all the girls throughout each book. The continuity abd fire of each girls story into the next was flawless and very enjoyable!

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

i didn't think i would enjoy this one, as annie was my least favourite of the 3 girls in the previous 2 (especially in the 2nd), and i thought the way the romance started was a bit ridiculous.. i was also hoping it would have gone a different way, like the guy she met in vegas turned out to be the famous celebrity guy who was running the play she was auditioning for but that did happen. i'm glad it didn't though, because i think it worked out really well, and i really enjoyed it. it was the same as the other two, light, fluffy and entertaining. annie was a little bit more unlikable than the other girls, but i eventually grew to like and understand her. i think i am done with this series now, 3 books for 3 girls is good for me.

[Karli · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was wonderful to get a look at Annie. I loved going through her emotional journey.

Since this is the last book in the 'Three Girls' series I just want to say that this series is wonderful. I first found the series through finding 'Three girls and a baby' & out of all the free kindle books I have, it's the only one I have actually read. I loved it & bought the second, then this one. I love them all. I love the characters, I love the stories. I'm just sad it's over! I know Kiki will be getting her own story, so that's something at least. But if Rachel decides to write any more books for this series, or with any of these characters, I would love to read it!

[RedRedtheycallmeRed · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book as part of Three Girls: the Complete Trilogy.

Annie is the most sarcastic of the three girls, so I enjoyed her personality quite a bit. She's working a crappy job in a local theatre when she gets a leading part in a play. At the same time, she takes a trip to Vegas and meets a guy who just happens to live near her. So now we see Annie try to balance her career with a relationship that she's unsure about. I liked reading about her struggles, and at times I wanted to strangle her for being so stupid!

Jen and Ginny were featured prominently in this book as well. I enjoyed seeing how everyone was finding their happiness with love and with their careers.

Great series!

[Michelle LeKander · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is the third and last in the series and focuses on Annie. I have to say of the three books, this was my least favorite. Where I loved the other two books and loved Ginny and Jen, I just didn't get Annie and frankly I really didn't like her. She really was a bitch and I didn't sympathize with her or her background while I did with Ginny and Jen. I liked Nate and actually had to wonder why he would even put up with her. Didn't feel the connection between the two either. I still would highly recommend this series and the author. Fun easy read that for the most part totally entertained me

[Kjirstin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wasn't sure I would like this one since Annie was my least favorite of the girls, but it was fun. Since I've lived in Vegas, I was a little annoyed with some of that part of the book (there is no humidity in Vegas -- it would not be a problem for the hair... and no one has EVER "zipped down the Strip" through the bumper-to-bumper traffic all day and night long). But I quibble. Anyhow, this is a nice story and I'm glad to have read it.

[Marymichele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another cute story. Lighthearted reading, nothing too serious or heavy, which is nice. Good beach reading material. Everything wrapped up in this book, I think there is a 4th book in this series, but not sure I feel compelled to buy it. I feel like the story for this group of friends has wrapped up and I'm ready to move on to something else.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three Girls and a Leading Man. The series continues with Annie's story. One of the reasons I love this series is that I can identify with so many aspects of their lives. The theatre, hometown values, picking out Christmas trees, the places they visit and most importantly, the core value of family and friends.