You Had Me at Goodbye

by Jane Blackwood

Arriving at her Aunt Lila's summer house on Martha's Vineyard, Kat Taylor goes up against an arrogant British author named Lawrence Kendall who claims to have the house and refuses to leave, forcing this unlikely couple to find some way to compromise. Original.

Genres: Contemporary, Romance, Fiction

347 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Renn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good story line, snd good sex.

[Sharon Falduto · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was an OK book. The second in the "drama queens" series, apparently, although I didn't realize the cover said that until I was halfway through. Young lady, works at a publishing firm, she's super rich, but she can't find love, and then a bunch of stuff happens--I mean, it wasn't a bad book, but it was no Marian Keyes/Helen Fielding/Sophie Kinsella/literally any other author you can think of who writes in this genre.

[Lisa Anderson · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was okay. Quick read. The description of the book below was not accurate. It was about a woman who came from a very wealthy family. She was an editor at a New York firm and her British boss (who was a long time family friend) ended up firing her. What to do next? Oh, take interest in a brother she never knew she had. Help out at the local coffee shop. And finally

[Diane Houdeshell · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

'You Had Me At Goodbye' is the tale of Kat Taylor and Lawrence Kendall - two strangers who both believe they've been given the same cottage on Martha's Vineyard for the summer. Kat was looking forward to some privacy while she recovers from a broken engagement and Lawrence wants peace and quiet so he can finish writing his book. It's a mix up that causes these two opposites to share the same roof for the summer.

The differences between Kat and Lawrence seem endless, but God, if he isn't the sexiest man she's laid eyes on - and that accent! American Kat has come from the poor side of town, raised by a single mum and not knowing her father (although according to her mother he was 'Cal, the water metre reader'), struggling through life until she managed to own her own house cleaning business. Lawrence, on the other hand, comes from a long, pretigious line of Kendalls, upper class Brit through and through, he was born with a silver spoon in his mouth and was one of Britian's most elegable (and rakish) bachelors.

Predictably, living under the same roof draws these two together and Jane Blackwood manages to create a story that comes alive with her warm, engaging characters. It was funny, it was a little sad at times, and I just wanted to know all I could about Kat and Lawrence. I most definitely wanted them to be together and I loved that Blackwood managed to convey the sweetness of their romance (especially with the banter between the two) and also in a funny way (but not ha-ha funny) the innocence of true love. I think I simply like the way Jane Blackwood writes and I look forward to reading more from her. If you enjoy a good romance, you should too.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

My actual rating for this one is 4.5.... It was actually a really good chick-lit but not great. I kind of have developed fondness among the two lead characters and the plot is actually good. I don't know what to think of the very long chase between Kat and Lawrence... sometimes I was just thinking 'why not just tell her that you bloody love her'. Another thing is the long list of supporting characters that doesn't really add much to the story. Other than that I really enjoyed reading it.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had so much melt that I began to fear for the structural stability of the female characters. Otherwise, it was an entertaining, fluffy little story, suitable for my east coast beach read needs. Pleasant surprises: instead of carrying through with his Clever Plan to Sort of Not Actually Tell the Clueless Heroine How He Felt, the hero actually talked to her. Good dialogue, too. I'm glad this turned up on the communal bookshelf.

[Saadia · Rating 4 out of 5]

First time I have read this author. She seems to have a gift analyzing both men's and women's reactions to the opposite sex. I find it very interesting that she can get into a guy or a gal's head and allow their minds to figure out what is going on. Interesting to watch relationships fall apart, run into each other or develop in fits and starts.

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It was a good easy read, although it took me a little while to start to enjoy the characters. There almost was too many characters introduced who had nothing to do with the story or main idea. The end was predictable but still enjoyable.

[Gemma · Rating 3 out of 5]

The hero and heroine had great chemistry. But, the "I love you but I'm going to pretend I don't because I think that all you want is a casual fling" thinking of both characters lasted way too long. After a while, I wanted to clunk their heads together!

[Nina · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute read, I hadn't read this author before and I liked this book !

[Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

I forgot how annoying these kinds of books are. I mean, there was no need for this to be over 300 pages.

[Sara Herring]

good