Pretty Boy Problems

The Montgomerys #2

by Michele Grant

Responsible, mature, employed...everything Avery Beauregard Montgomery is not. Instead, Beau is a
natural born charmer. He has breezed through life on his dazzling looks, six-pack abs and sparkling personality. But this pretty boy's luck has run out. Fed up with his freeloading and philandering ways, his brother and sister-in-law are turning on the tough love and turning him out of their house. For Beau, that just means moving on to the next...
 
Beau shows up at his sister's Dallas condo with nowhere else to go and no idea what to do with his life.  Suitcase in hand, he stumbles in to find not his sister but a bathing beauty. Someone super-model gorgeous with attitude, skepticism and no time for trifling pretty boys. Belle, his sister's new business partner, has already claimed the guest room and Beau's imagination. All it takes is one look for Beau to want to do some claiming of his own. Belle rebuffs his advances but offers him not only a job but an opportunity to do something with his life.
 
Finally, Beau knows who and what he wants. What will it take to get Belle on the same page?
 
Praise for Michele Grant's Sweet Little Lies
 
"A sassy 'he said/she said' romance."
-- Publishers Weekly
 
"A funny, fast-paced romance."
-- Romantic Times

Genres: Romance, Chick Lit

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

Michele Grant grew up wanting to be a combination of Maya Angelou, Perry Mason, and Eartha Kitt. Deciding that law books were dusty and boas not practical for everyday wear, she’s still clinging to that Maya Angelou dream.

When not laboring away on the keyboard, she can be found trying to channel her “inner B. Smith”, growing roses, trying new recipes and wondering if just one more throw pillow works with that sofa?

She has Ella Fitzgerald and Kanye West on the same playlist in her iPod, she’s affectionately been given the nickname “Shopping Queen”, and there is not a single fall Sunday where her TV isn’t tuned in to an NFL game.

Contradictory yet contemporary, Michele sees the humor in all things and shares that with her readers.

Reviews

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

After not finishing this book upon first read, I assigned it to my book club. I'm of two minds about the book. First, the good mind:

Grant's really good at first person POV. It's not my favorite POV, but Grant does it well. The reader really feels like she's in the mind of the characters and the voice changes with the different chapters as you enter the head of a different character. Her writing is great, her characters are strong and well-developed, her world is good.

From the not-so-good mind:
I didn't feel like there was enough conflict to sustain the length of the book. Besides Belle's (understandable) reservations about Beau, there wasn't much happening in the middle of the book. And then the big conflict is one of my least favorite tricks for ANYONE to play on the person they love (romance novel or not) and I didn't like that the book made Belle out to be in the wrong, rather than Beau. Beau was clearly in the wrong there and he should have apologized.

**comments from first read of this book***
Besides the absolutely super cover, there were other aspects of this novel that I enjoyed: Beau's mind and POV was really well done and I got a good sense of his character (the heroine's was good too, but I found the hero's to be spot on); Grant had some really smart, pithy sentences I read aloud to my husband; and the fashion-details were interesting. Despite all of that, I still couldn't connect to the book.

If first person POV doesn't bother you (or you're a fan) give the book a try. It will probably work better for you than it did for me.

To borrow a phrase from Jill Sorenson, "a gentle DNF."

*comments from starting the book*I didn't expect this to be in first person. It's not my favorite POV, but Beau's mind is so far REALLY well done.

[Destiny “ Dee” · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was my first book by Michelle Grant. I listened to the audiobook. I enjoyed listening to the story of Beau and Belle. Michelle was very descriptive in the book. I would love to see a picture of some of the characters and designs from this story. The story line flowed well. I didn't love this book or dislike this book, it was just okay to me. I will consider reading more of her books, maybe those associated with this book.

[Des · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is where we get Beau's story (Beauregard from here on out because I just love the full version of his name) and he's Roman's older brother from Heard It All Before. Roman, Jewellen, the Montgomery clan, Greg, Veronica and even Renee (ha!) all get cameos.

Beauregard finally meets someone who is not willing to fall into his bed that easily and it gets to the point where he essentially has to decide if She. Is. The. One. + if he's willing to put in the work to get her. Miss Mirabella certainly doesn't make it easy and it's a good thing because Mr. Beauregard has always had things easy especially in the women arena.

I love that Grant has a way of writing her characters that make them look realistic and---you know, normal. You can see them being your friends and/or contemporaries. The banter is also really funny and witty. She made Beauregard charming and likeable and yes I know he's supposed to be both of those. He's a ladies man after all. But what I'm really getting at is that even though he's loose (to put it mildly) you still end up liking him anyway because he's such a sweetheart and doesn't take himself all that seriously. I'm glad he didn't turn out to be an arrogant asshole.

Mirabella also has a voice in this story because it's written from both their perspectives and I like her. Her entrepreneurial spirit and determination are admirable. She's got her own issues like everyone else but they don't overshadow her good points. (Renee, I'm looking at you).

Now, I have to say at first I wasn't that into the French sprinkled in here and there and this is nothing against the writing. I just wasn't feeling it because of my issues with the language. I bet you're wondering what those might be huh? It's nothing complicated. I just happen to think it's cheesy and the teaching approach I received in middle & high school was so atrocious that it inadvertently dampened my enthusiasm for it. Fortunately, Beauregard is so likeable that the phrases started sounding so cute and cool. It's all in the ear of the beholder right? Yes, I said ear of the beholder. Deal with it....Lol.

Are there sequels in this? I certainly hope so. I'm so down for book #3 aka Renee's Redemption. I may not end up liking her like that but I think even the crazies should get their HEAs too. And book #4 should be about Katrina/Kit Kat (& Carter Parks...yay!).

Also, if you don't read Grant's blog (www.blacknbougie.com), you should. It's entertaining and fun. Why are you still pondering this? Get. To. Reading. She's also on Twitter (www.twitter.com/OneChele).

[Bailey Quincy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved it. Though it was a sequel to Heard it All Before, this book stands on its own. I was a little wary because you know -players can be such ***holes but the author managed to make Beau human, real and lovable. I actually felt sorry for him at one point. I do hope Katrina gets a story, no fair for the brothers Montgomery to have all the happily ever after. My only complaint is that the author doesn't have more books out. Next please!

[Lindsey · Rating 2 out of 5]

Highly predictable. The French phrases got incredibly annoying. But it was okay.

[Dj · Rating 4 out of 5]

Avery Beauregard Montgomery ‘Beau’ has breezed through life on his dazzling looks, six-pack abs, and sparkling personality. But this pretty boy's luck has run out. Fed up with his freeloading and philandering ways (running through their staff), his brother Rome and sister-in-law Jewel are turning on the tough love and turning him out of their house. For Beau, that just means moving on--to his sister Katrina's Dallas condo. . . Suitcase in hand, he stumbles in to find not his sister, but her new business partner, Delaney Mirabella ‘Belle’--a gorgeous woman with attitude and no time for trifling charmers. Belle has already claimed the guest room and Beau's imagination. All it takes is one look for Beau to want to do some claiming of his own. Now that he finally knows who and what he wants, what will it take to get Belle on the same page? Can she overcome his philandering days and believe in his love?

[Jackie Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book not knowing it was part of a series. But that's no problem because it can be read as a standalone book. I love the chemistry between Belle and Beau. I'm glad she didn't take any nonsense from Beau and that she wasn't easily led by his charm. It was great seeing the evolution of their relationship.

[Renisha Coleman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

This was my first read by the author & though it is book 2 of a series I had no trouble following along. The love story was cute & romantic. There were a few grammatical errors. Otherwise, I enjoyed the read & will be downloading the other Montgomery siblings stories as well

[Racine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was very interesting and well written.

[Synthia Littleton · Rating 3 out of 5]

So much fun.

I enjoyed the story, it was interesting to watch the female lead fall in love with the playboy. It was so much fun.

[Denise Hicks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this novel.

[Jenise Shumaker]

Pretty decent book. Just goes to show that regardless of much of an out there person you, if the right person comes along and makes you want to change you will.

[Serai Scripts · Rating 5 out of 5]

💜

[Meredith]

I couldn't get into this one and the main male character wasn't very likeable in the beginning.

[Read In Colour · Rating 4 out of 5]

...by God, I would do him on a bed of quesadillas at high noon in the middle of Times Square...

A bed of what, where and at what time? Now you know when a man is worthy of a public display and a description like that, he's got to be all that and a bag of chips (Munchos, please). Okay, I really just took it back to the 90s with that phrase, judge me if you must.

In her latest book, Michele Grant offers us Avery Beau Montgomery. From the moment we first meet him, it's apparent that Beau is a scamp. With his pretty boy, model good looks and his flair for sprinkling his sentences with French (falling back on his Cajun roots), Beau is the man you call on for a romp in the hay. If you're looking for anything more than that, you'll just be waiting, unless you're Belle Richards.

From the moment he sees her, Beau plans to get the gorgeous southern belle, Belle, in bed. But Belle's not so quick to fall for the okey doke. She knows Beau's kind when she sees them. And as a former model herself, she's heard more than enough stories about Mr. Hit 'Em & Quit 'Em. Now that they're working on a project together, it's going to be pretty hard to resist the charms of one Beau Montgomery. If anyone can do it, it's Belle.

Fans of Grant's work may remember Beau's family from her first novel, Heard It All Before. Beau is the older brother of Roman, one of that book's main characters, who is now married to Jewellen. I was glad to see Roman and Jewellen make appearances. I was even happy to see old trifling Renee.

It's rare to see romances that are told from the point of view of the male. Though Grant does give Belle a voice, it's obvious that this is Beau's story to tell. Readers are the first to know that he's not as confident and secure as he always appears to be, at least in the arena of love, he's pretty confident and secure in everything else. But he's not arrogant and I appreciated that. Had he been, he wouldn't have been likable.

As a reader of Grant's blog, Black N Bougie, and Twitter follower, @onechele, I'm familiar with her catch phrases, but it's always amusing when they pop up in her writing. A few examples are bullshiggity and 'the Facebook,' but my absolute favorite, because I'm pretty sure it came from Michael Jackson's This Is It is

We do this with love. It's all with the L-O-V-E.

Well played ma'am. Well played.

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 A light, fun, and glamorous read, with two African-American former supermodels in the starring roles. Beau Montgomery (who we met as a huge player in book #1 in the Montgomery series) opens the book losing his job and his cushy home living with his younger brother and said brother's new wife. But things are looking up when he crashes his sister's apartment and finds not her, but a gorgeous woman in her shower. Unfortunately for Beau, whose good looks and charisma have led the majority of women in his life to give him an easy pass (and an easy "yes" when he proposes sex), Belle, model turned clothing entrepreneur, knows better than to say yes to the pants. Beau, who came off as rather a loser in book one, here turns out to be Mr. Perfect, only hiding his light under a bushel because he's never really had to work for much of anything before. But it turns out he's a genius at men's clothing design, a detail-guy when it comes to packing, a rock when family problems hit, and a one-woman man when he finally falls--for Belle, of course.

Belle, unsurprisingly, is more than a little reluctant to let herself fall for the womanizing Beau. But as he gradually proves himself more than just a pretty boy, she does. Wasn't so fond of the big black moment at book's end--everyone puts the blame on Belle for the disagreement between her and Beau, but I'd judge it his fault/problem, not hers.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another Great read in the saga of the Montgomery Family. This time it's Beauregard (Beau)Montogomery and former Supermodel Delaney MirabellE (Belle) Richards. Beau is a womanizer, scoundrel, dog you name and a Pretty Boy all rolled into one. Bell is a friend of Beau's little siter beautiful Model Katrina. Beau is on the rebound afeter being thrown out of his brother Chase's and sister in law Jewwllen's hosue after his latest escapade of what employee do we sleep with next. This was a really great read and I find that the author is very entertaining in all of her books. I look forwatd to the next one.

[Shone · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well written story complete with humor, drama, doubt, and tough love. Since the young age of 16 Avery Beauregard "Beau" Montgomery has used his good looks to get what he wants with out realizing the pain he caused others. When life slaps him to the curb he has to get up dust his self off, this proving to his family and everyone that he is more than just a "Pretty Boy." This was my first full novel read by Ms. Grant, I will be looking for book one in the series .

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this story from beginning to end. a beautiful love story.

Beau Montgomery was gorgeous and a charmer, that was smart with a good head on his shoulders. He just never showed his abilities because he was a pretty boy that could get whatever he wanted. Until he met Belle Richards, a smart, beautiful and intelligent woman that brings out the best in him.

[Robin Stark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very enjoyable

I must say It took some time to read this book, I had read I heard it all before years ago, and I really liked it. After reading some of the reviews for this book I was a little hesitant, but I'm glad I gave it a try. I loved the man Beau became and the chemistry between him and Belle was on point. So now I'm on to book 3, Kit-Kat, and big Sexy.

[Linda Boyd · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed listening to book 2 in the Montgomery series. Glad to see that Beau Montgomery grew up, found the love of his life and settled down with her. I wonder if this author has any other Montgomery books up her sleeve!!!

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. I didnt think Belle & Beau would make it cause Belle kept thinking he didnt feel the way he felt, but in the end they pulled through & beat everything that stood in their way of being happy.

[The Book Chick · Rating 2 out of 5]

Love me some Michele Grant but I couldn't do this one. I know creole people do not use that much French!! It was French overkill. I didn't like Beau in Heard it All Before and his personality in this was nothing to write home about. Because I like the author I'll try again later.

[Teaguem2005 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Abandoning. Perhaps it just isn't the right time to read this because try as I may, I just can't get past 3%. I actually started and finished 2 other books AFTER I started this but it just never peaked my interest

[Shannan Harper · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first time reading a book by this author, but It won't be my last. I enjoyed the story, especially the southern charm the characters had. A very enjoyable read.

[Michelle Rayford]

A relatable love story. Good storytelling with characters you can root for.

[ConSonia · Rating 4 out of 5]

LOVED IT... ;-)

[Francine · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellcent book she's a great writer will be reading more of her work

[Julie Alvarez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book, nice love story.

[Chandra Bailey · Rating 1 out of 5]

Boring!