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Love, California #1
Flawless
Verena Valent is at the helm of her family's legendary Swiss skincare company, which caters to a glamorous clientele in the heart of Beverly Hills. After her parents are killed in an automobile accident, she becomes the sole provider for her younger twin sisters and her grandmother. Instead of attending college with her friends as planned, she rises to the challenge to guide and expand her family's business. She is in the midst of a critical international expansion into Asia when her carefully organized life begins to unravel.
Verena is shaken to discover that her fiancé, Derrick, might be behind a scheme to take over her growing company. While she struggles to save the business that means everything to her, she meets Lance, an executive chef at the Beverly Hills Hotel. She encounters this intriguing man again while on a business trip to Paris, and soon gains a new perspective on love, romance, and relationships.
When the unthinkable occurs and Verena's world collapses, her friends rally around her, among them Scarlett Sandoval, a top intellectual property attorney; Dahlia DuBois, a perfumer from an esteemed line of French perfumers; and Fianna Fitzgerald, a fashion designer with her own trendy boutique.
Ultimately, Verena learns that truth, family, friendship, and love are the unshakable pillars of life. But will she get a second chance in business, or in love?
Flawless is the first book in the Love, California series. Follow a group of smart, stylish, entrepreneurial friends as they navigate the turbulences of modern life in the business of beauty. Set in Beverly Hills with action flung across the globe, this engaging series features gutsy, determined best friends, and how they manage to live the lives of their dreams.
Verena is shaken to discover that her fiancé, Derrick, might be behind a scheme to take over her growing company. While she struggles to save the business that means everything to her, she meets Lance, an executive chef at the Beverly Hills Hotel. She encounters this intriguing man again while on a business trip to Paris, and soon gains a new perspective on love, romance, and relationships.
When the unthinkable occurs and Verena's world collapses, her friends rally around her, among them Scarlett Sandoval, a top intellectual property attorney; Dahlia DuBois, a perfumer from an esteemed line of French perfumers; and Fianna Fitzgerald, a fashion designer with her own trendy boutique.
Ultimately, Verena learns that truth, family, friendship, and love are the unshakable pillars of life. But will she get a second chance in business, or in love?
Flawless is the first book in the Love, California series. Follow a group of smart, stylish, entrepreneurial friends as they navigate the turbulences of modern life in the business of beauty. Set in Beverly Hills with action flung across the globe, this engaging series features gutsy, determined best friends, and how they manage to live the lives of their dreams.
ebook
First published August 1, 2014
1263 people are currently reading
2599 people want to read
About the author
Jan Moran
75 books4,133 followersHi there, and welcome! If you like fun beach reads or romantic sagas that whisk you off to places like sunny beaches or Italy, Paris, and Napa Valley, then come on in. I write clean and wholesome feel-good novels.
Never miss a sale or new release! Tap "Follow" on Goodreads. Join my Readers Club and get a free read to download now, The Summer Beach Welcome Kit: https://www.janmoran.com/newsletter
If you like to binge read, visit my new online bookshop for special ebook, audiobook, and paperback bundles: https://store.janmoran.com/collection...
Join me in my Facebook Readers Group, too, where we celebrate good books and cheer each other on: https://www.facebook.com/groups/58425.... That's where I share sales, ARCs, and lots of fun times.
Here's where you can find all my books: https://viewauthor.at/JanMoranBooks.
So what's new? Look for the new SEABREEZE GALA, which earned a spot (thanks to readers!) on the USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestseller lists, so we've been celebrating. Besides my women's fiction beach series (Summer Beach, Coral Cottage, and Crown Island series), I also write 20th-century historical sagas with a touch of romance. THE WINEMAKERS is my latest re-launch, and HEPBURN'S NECKLACE, set against the Audrey Hepburn film, ROMAN HOLIDAY, is my latest dual timeline historical.
If you enjoy Mary Kay Andrews, Elin Hilderbrand, Brenda Novak, and Mary Alice Monroe's beach reads, then you'll want to start with SEABREEZE INN. If you like to escape to another time with Danielle Steel, Beatriz Williams, Lauren Willig, or Fiona Davis, then check out THE CHOCOLATIER, a sweet read set on the shores of Amalfi, Italy, HEPBURN'S NECKLACE iN Lake Como, Italy, or THE WINEMAKERS, which will whisk you to 1950s Napa Valley and Tuscany.
If you're an audiobook aficionado, you're in luck! Most of my books are available in audio on my store: https://store.janmoran.com/collection..., and on Audible, Apple, and Amazon, read by the super-talented Erin Bennett (Elin Hilderbrand, Debbie Macomber, etc), an award-winning narrator.
My SUNSHINE & SECOND CHANCES series (aka LOVE CALIFORNIA) is also a lot of fun. It's a linked series of six best friends that I based on some of my favorite travel destinations. Each book is a mini-vacay, starting with Paris in FLAWLESS, Spain in BEAUTY MARK, Malibu and Ireland in RUNWAY, and three more fun locales. These are also widely available on audio Audible, Apple, and Amazon, as well as Kobo, and Barnes & Noble.
Let's keep in touch! Here's how:
- Follow me on Bookbub to learn of all my sales, new releases, and preorders: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/jan-m...
- Come visit me on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/janmoranbooks to find out more.
- And...get a free read when you join my newsletter group: http://www.janmoran.com/contact-jan.
If you're a library patron and prefer to borrow from a library, simply ask your local library to order copies for you and other patrons. Library ebooks are also available through Libby, Overdrive, and CloudLibrary, so your librarian can purchase ebooks through these services to make them accessible to you. Just ask; many of my books are there.
My books have also been translated into German, Polish, Portuguese, Italian, Dutch, Turkish, Russian, Lithuanian, and other languages. Most titles are also available in audiobook and large print formats.
Thank you all for your support on this amazing writing journey. I love to hear from readers--that's how your beloved Seabreeze Inn has kept growing new books. And thank you for sharing my books with your friends. If you have book club meetings and would like to connect with me by Zoom, please reach out through my website at https://www.janmoran.com/contact.
Happy reading!
Never miss a sale or new release! Tap "Follow" on Goodreads. Join my Readers Club and get a free read to download now, The Summer Beach Welcome Kit: https://www.janmoran.com/newsletter
If you like to binge read, visit my new online bookshop for special ebook, audiobook, and paperback bundles: https://store.janmoran.com/collection...
Join me in my Facebook Readers Group, too, where we celebrate good books and cheer each other on: https://www.facebook.com/groups/58425.... That's where I share sales, ARCs, and lots of fun times.
Here's where you can find all my books: https://viewauthor.at/JanMoranBooks.
So what's new? Look for the new SEABREEZE GALA, which earned a spot (thanks to readers!) on the USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestseller lists, so we've been celebrating. Besides my women's fiction beach series (Summer Beach, Coral Cottage, and Crown Island series), I also write 20th-century historical sagas with a touch of romance. THE WINEMAKERS is my latest re-launch, and HEPBURN'S NECKLACE, set against the Audrey Hepburn film, ROMAN HOLIDAY, is my latest dual timeline historical.
If you enjoy Mary Kay Andrews, Elin Hilderbrand, Brenda Novak, and Mary Alice Monroe's beach reads, then you'll want to start with SEABREEZE INN. If you like to escape to another time with Danielle Steel, Beatriz Williams, Lauren Willig, or Fiona Davis, then check out THE CHOCOLATIER, a sweet read set on the shores of Amalfi, Italy, HEPBURN'S NECKLACE iN Lake Como, Italy, or THE WINEMAKERS, which will whisk you to 1950s Napa Valley and Tuscany.
If you're an audiobook aficionado, you're in luck! Most of my books are available in audio on my store: https://store.janmoran.com/collection..., and on Audible, Apple, and Amazon, read by the super-talented Erin Bennett (Elin Hilderbrand, Debbie Macomber, etc), an award-winning narrator.
My SUNSHINE & SECOND CHANCES series (aka LOVE CALIFORNIA) is also a lot of fun. It's a linked series of six best friends that I based on some of my favorite travel destinations. Each book is a mini-vacay, starting with Paris in FLAWLESS, Spain in BEAUTY MARK, Malibu and Ireland in RUNWAY, and three more fun locales. These are also widely available on audio Audible, Apple, and Amazon, as well as Kobo, and Barnes & Noble.
Let's keep in touch! Here's how:
- Follow me on Bookbub to learn of all my sales, new releases, and preorders: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/jan-m...
- Come visit me on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/janmoranbooks to find out more.
- And...get a free read when you join my newsletter group: http://www.janmoran.com/contact-jan.
If you're a library patron and prefer to borrow from a library, simply ask your local library to order copies for you and other patrons. Library ebooks are also available through Libby, Overdrive, and CloudLibrary, so your librarian can purchase ebooks through these services to make them accessible to you. Just ask; many of my books are there.
My books have also been translated into German, Polish, Portuguese, Italian, Dutch, Turkish, Russian, Lithuanian, and other languages. Most titles are also available in audiobook and large print formats.
Thank you all for your support on this amazing writing journey. I love to hear from readers--that's how your beloved Seabreeze Inn has kept growing new books. And thank you for sharing my books with your friends. If you have book club meetings and would like to connect with me by Zoom, please reach out through my website at https://www.janmoran.com/contact.
Happy reading!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 165 reviews
August 18, 2014
Astute, intelligent, gripping romance for the modern woman.
From the first page I was entirely hooked. I love, love the world in which the story is situated. The author so expertly transports you to Beverly Hills and, for a period, Paris, and offers a glimpse of glamour while showing those who work hard behind the scenes to create that glamour. Award ceremonies, luxury hotels, the very best restaurants… but ultimately one of the most magical scenes of the book takes place in a catering kitchen.
This is a romance, but it’s so much more as well. It’s refreshing to find in the genre a book that’s immersed in the world of business; that talks confidently of assets and loans and acquisitions. For me, the business context is utterly fascinating. The author does not bamboozle the reader with complex corporate matters that they couldn’t understand, but neither does she dumb down the story: she writes for an engaged, thinking reader.
The result is a really compelling plot that had me turning the pages faster and faster. The story starts at a high point, with Verena accepting an award for the success of her family business, but as the economic downturn takes hold her life quickly spirals downwards. The further I got, the more I felt there was no way out for the trap into which Verena fell; I felt so sorry for her. Without wishing to spoil the story, I will simply say that the ending, for me, is perfect, and left me with a wide smile.
The characters reach out of the pages and pull you into their lives, and they stay with you long after you close the book. There’s quite a cast (I’m most excited at the thought of more books in the series covering the minor characters in this novel) but that never detracts from the centrality of the main Flawless characters.
I adored the character of Mia, Verena’s grandmother, whose spirit is indomitable – every woman should have a chic, loving, compassionate grandmother such as her! I found the details of her building Valent Swiss Skincare quite fascinating; what a remarkable woman.
The two men who tug on Verena’s heartstrings are Derrick and Lance. I couldn’t stand Derrick from the outset – just the kind of man who leaves me cold – which only increased my pull toward Lance. He’s attractive, he’s generous, he’s thoughtful, he’s the knight in shining armour when required and (swoon!) he’s an amazing chef. Jan’s descriptions of the meals he prepares for Verena had me craving fine dining! But what I love most of all about Lance is his emotional maturity. He knows more than Verena throughout most of the story, but he understands enough of the world to see that it has to be that way – that she must make discoveries for herself.
Then there is the heroine, Verena. What an admirable woman! I very much respected her for her work ethic, for her strong family loyalty and for her no-nonsense practicality. She has such responsibility on her shoulders – for the family business and for the family itself, with twin sisters and a fragile grandmother to support – but she does not bow under the weight; she pushes ever onwards. And she does so with brilliant style. I love this line: ‘When she reached their office door, she took aim with her high heel and kicked it open.’ Twice in the novel I wanted to shout at her, ‘No! You’ve got it wrong!’ – the first when she is far too forgiving and the second when she’s about to… well, I’ll say no more than ‘do something she really shouldn’t’! I love that Jan’s writing took me to the edge in this way; that she creates a heroine whom you can’t fail to care for and understand, but who, like us all, is not flawless.
A fabulous first book in this series – I can’t wait to read the next one.
From the first page I was entirely hooked. I love, love the world in which the story is situated. The author so expertly transports you to Beverly Hills and, for a period, Paris, and offers a glimpse of glamour while showing those who work hard behind the scenes to create that glamour. Award ceremonies, luxury hotels, the very best restaurants… but ultimately one of the most magical scenes of the book takes place in a catering kitchen.
This is a romance, but it’s so much more as well. It’s refreshing to find in the genre a book that’s immersed in the world of business; that talks confidently of assets and loans and acquisitions. For me, the business context is utterly fascinating. The author does not bamboozle the reader with complex corporate matters that they couldn’t understand, but neither does she dumb down the story: she writes for an engaged, thinking reader.
The result is a really compelling plot that had me turning the pages faster and faster. The story starts at a high point, with Verena accepting an award for the success of her family business, but as the economic downturn takes hold her life quickly spirals downwards. The further I got, the more I felt there was no way out for the trap into which Verena fell; I felt so sorry for her. Without wishing to spoil the story, I will simply say that the ending, for me, is perfect, and left me with a wide smile.
The characters reach out of the pages and pull you into their lives, and they stay with you long after you close the book. There’s quite a cast (I’m most excited at the thought of more books in the series covering the minor characters in this novel) but that never detracts from the centrality of the main Flawless characters.
I adored the character of Mia, Verena’s grandmother, whose spirit is indomitable – every woman should have a chic, loving, compassionate grandmother such as her! I found the details of her building Valent Swiss Skincare quite fascinating; what a remarkable woman.
The two men who tug on Verena’s heartstrings are Derrick and Lance. I couldn’t stand Derrick from the outset – just the kind of man who leaves me cold – which only increased my pull toward Lance. He’s attractive, he’s generous, he’s thoughtful, he’s the knight in shining armour when required and (swoon!) he’s an amazing chef. Jan’s descriptions of the meals he prepares for Verena had me craving fine dining! But what I love most of all about Lance is his emotional maturity. He knows more than Verena throughout most of the story, but he understands enough of the world to see that it has to be that way – that she must make discoveries for herself.
Then there is the heroine, Verena. What an admirable woman! I very much respected her for her work ethic, for her strong family loyalty and for her no-nonsense practicality. She has such responsibility on her shoulders – for the family business and for the family itself, with twin sisters and a fragile grandmother to support – but she does not bow under the weight; she pushes ever onwards. And she does so with brilliant style. I love this line: ‘When she reached their office door, she took aim with her high heel and kicked it open.’ Twice in the novel I wanted to shout at her, ‘No! You’ve got it wrong!’ – the first when she is far too forgiving and the second when she’s about to… well, I’ll say no more than ‘do something she really shouldn’t’! I love that Jan’s writing took me to the edge in this way; that she creates a heroine whom you can’t fail to care for and understand, but who, like us all, is not flawless.
A fabulous first book in this series – I can’t wait to read the next one.
September 16, 2014
When an author asks me to review their book I’m always flattered. It also takes a bit of the fun out of reading because you really, really want to like the work in which you’ve been entrusted. Flawless is such a book and while I’d like to give it high marks, to remain honest I must say it was just okay.
My knowledge base doesn’t include the beauty industry and I found the passion Verena feels for her family business refreshing. Moran includes details that enhance the dynamics of the trade. However, when it came to the financial and legal jargon my attention wanted to move on to something else. The story is solid, but the plot didn’t unfold organically. The characters didn’t live up to their potential. You like the protagonist, her friends and family and you dislike the antagonist and his minions.
Most people root for the underdog and Verena is certainly that. She had been thrust into the business at a young age, making all the right decisions until we, the reader, begin to bear witness to her life. It takes intelligence, strength and savvy to achieve the success she has. Knowing this made some of her decisions seem out of character, most of them actually.
On the surface, Flawless is detailed to the highest degree. Not only do we get a feel for the physical characteristics of the players and their surroundings, we get detailed descriptions of everything, including the hotel’s wallpaper. If the internalization of the characters had been more detailed it might have made the cause and effect more believable.
Upon reflection, Flawless resembles a puzzle that has been completed, but some of the pieces were forced into places they didn’t quite fit.
My knowledge base doesn’t include the beauty industry and I found the passion Verena feels for her family business refreshing. Moran includes details that enhance the dynamics of the trade. However, when it came to the financial and legal jargon my attention wanted to move on to something else. The story is solid, but the plot didn’t unfold organically. The characters didn’t live up to their potential. You like the protagonist, her friends and family and you dislike the antagonist and his minions.
Most people root for the underdog and Verena is certainly that. She had been thrust into the business at a young age, making all the right decisions until we, the reader, begin to bear witness to her life. It takes intelligence, strength and savvy to achieve the success she has. Knowing this made some of her decisions seem out of character, most of them actually.
On the surface, Flawless is detailed to the highest degree. Not only do we get a feel for the physical characteristics of the players and their surroundings, we get detailed descriptions of everything, including the hotel’s wallpaper. If the internalization of the characters had been more detailed it might have made the cause and effect more believable.
Upon reflection, Flawless resembles a puzzle that has been completed, but some of the pieces were forced into places they didn’t quite fit.
July 20, 2017
I was looking through books on amazon hoping to find one to catch my interest, this one popped up and I am so glad it did. I loved the book from beginning to end, as soon as I started reading it I couldn't put it down. I was looking for a book with a strong female character and I definitely found it.
Verena Valent is the CEO of her family's business a Swiss skincare company in Beverly Hills, her grandmother Mia had started it when she moved over from Switzerland with her husband. When her parents passed in a auto accident, Verena was forced to take over the company which she didn't mind because she loved helping people feel good and look their best. She was in the middle of expanding the company internationally when everything makes a turn for worst.
Verena meets Lance an executive chef at a conference she is speaking at, he is everything her fiancé Derrick is not. Verena is torn between the life she knows and the love she needs.
The characters are great, the author really knew what she was doing when she created them. Lance almost seemed a little too good to be true but he was still one of my favorite. Verena was the female character I have been looking for in a romance book she was strong, independent and definitely had a caring heart. I was so happy to finally read a good romance book that didn't have a lot of sex in it but still kept my attention, that in itself says something about the book.
I will have to give this book 5 out of 5 stars because I really could not find anything wrong with it. I will definitely have to find the other books in the Love, California series. I solute the author for creating such a great story.
Verena Valent is the CEO of her family's business a Swiss skincare company in Beverly Hills, her grandmother Mia had started it when she moved over from Switzerland with her husband. When her parents passed in a auto accident, Verena was forced to take over the company which she didn't mind because she loved helping people feel good and look their best. She was in the middle of expanding the company internationally when everything makes a turn for worst.
Verena meets Lance an executive chef at a conference she is speaking at, he is everything her fiancé Derrick is not. Verena is torn between the life she knows and the love she needs.
The characters are great, the author really knew what she was doing when she created them. Lance almost seemed a little too good to be true but he was still one of my favorite. Verena was the female character I have been looking for in a romance book she was strong, independent and definitely had a caring heart. I was so happy to finally read a good romance book that didn't have a lot of sex in it but still kept my attention, that in itself says something about the book.
I will have to give this book 5 out of 5 stars because I really could not find anything wrong with it. I will definitely have to find the other books in the Love, California series. I solute the author for creating such a great story.
April 8, 2015
I’m trying not to be judgmental when it comes to selecting books to read, because sometimes the books I’ve read on a whim end up being the best reads! However, this is so not the case with this one.
Anne and I have been branching out and exploring the romance, contemporary or chick lit genres and we’ve been pleasantly surprised and absolutely horrified/disgusted. And, I was completely horrified/enraged/disgusted with Flawless. Honestly, I can’t believe the majority of the ratings both on Goodreads and Amazon have been 4 or 5 stars.
Verena Valent is our flimsy heroine. Why flimsy? Well, on one hand she is running her family’s beauty company (and for the most part rocking it), taking care of her sickly grandmother and her younger twin sisters all on her own. Wow. That’s a lot going on. However, on the other hand, she is completely weak when it comes to her boyfriend. Who, by the way, is only dating her to give her poor business advice, forcing her company into the ground and seeking a loan/partnership with (you guessed it) her boyfriend’s entrepreneurial firm.
What’s more, the entire time, he is cheating on her with his actual girlfriend (or is he cheating on his actual girlfriend with his fake girlfriend, Vernea?). AND AND AND! He legitimately rapes Verena. Yes, RAPES her! She even tells him it’s rape and he does nothing to stop. Nor does she go to the police to report his scummy self. This is just setting a bad example and perpetuating the “she’s asking for it” epidemic.
I wanted to pronounce this book a DNF from the first page, but for some reason I was fueled by pure rage and read the whole thing. Let me tell you, it did not get any better.
Don’t waste your time or emotional health on this one. Sorry, I know this sounds heartless and mean, but it’s honestly how I felt while reading.
Anne and I have been branching out and exploring the romance, contemporary or chick lit genres and we’ve been pleasantly surprised and absolutely horrified/disgusted. And, I was completely horrified/enraged/disgusted with Flawless. Honestly, I can’t believe the majority of the ratings both on Goodreads and Amazon have been 4 or 5 stars.
Verena Valent is our flimsy heroine. Why flimsy? Well, on one hand she is running her family’s beauty company (and for the most part rocking it), taking care of her sickly grandmother and her younger twin sisters all on her own. Wow. That’s a lot going on. However, on the other hand, she is completely weak when it comes to her boyfriend. Who, by the way, is only dating her to give her poor business advice, forcing her company into the ground and seeking a loan/partnership with (you guessed it) her boyfriend’s entrepreneurial firm.
What’s more, the entire time, he is cheating on her with his actual girlfriend (or is he cheating on his actual girlfriend with his fake girlfriend, Vernea?). AND AND AND! He legitimately rapes Verena. Yes, RAPES her! She even tells him it’s rape and he does nothing to stop. Nor does she go to the police to report his scummy self. This is just setting a bad example and perpetuating the “she’s asking for it” epidemic.
I wanted to pronounce this book a DNF from the first page, but for some reason I was fueled by pure rage and read the whole thing. Let me tell you, it did not get any better.
Don’t waste your time or emotional health on this one. Sorry, I know this sounds heartless and mean, but it’s honestly how I felt while reading.
June 30, 2016
Beautifully written, pure escapism into the world of "the beautiful people". I loved it so much I'm going to buy the second book in the series right now!
Want to read
October 25, 2017FREE on Amazon today (10/25/2017)!
May 16, 2021
How young, naive and poorly counseled she was, regardless of her desperate situation. However, if you are lucky enough (and she was) you get to see karma in action. Oh yes, karma is indeed a beautiful thing to witness. ;)
February 8, 2016
*Was gifted a copy from the author when I met her at a book event*
This was the first book I have read by Jan and I was intrigues from the moment she told me there would be an attractive chef in the story. Being a sucker for any guy that cooks as a passion, I was already half in love with him.
The story follows Verena (so many unique names in this story, it was spectacular!) who is the boss of her family's business and she earned my respect from the start. She isn't afraid to stand for herself and is fierce when it comes to loyalty. She didn't sit around and get taken advantage of which I loved and admired. We follow her as the problems with financial circumstances send her into a whirlwind of chaos. Her life also consisted of some downright terrible people but I loved how the loose ends were tied.
Then comes Lance, our attractive chef with a heart that could make anything melt. (Thank heavens, we get his POV!) All the food talk kept me in a constant state of hunger. He is so thoughtful and giving, all without a second's hesitation.
I loved how Verena and Lance were making their own way and didn't lose themselves in order to pursuit their heart's desires. I loved how Jan didn't throw an insta-love situation at me and I am forever grateful. She gave me time to love the characters as individuals before making me yearn for more between them. Unfortunately, these two wonderful characters go through struggles that life brings everybody and are tested time and time again.
We learn about the importance of family and how sometimes things happen the way they do for the best. I read this in one sitting and I can't wait to read more about the rest of Verena's friends.
There are some scenes and topics not suitable for readers under the age of 18. Also, this comes with a trigger warning.
This was the first book I have read by Jan and I was intrigues from the moment she told me there would be an attractive chef in the story. Being a sucker for any guy that cooks as a passion, I was already half in love with him.
The story follows Verena (so many unique names in this story, it was spectacular!) who is the boss of her family's business and she earned my respect from the start. She isn't afraid to stand for herself and is fierce when it comes to loyalty. She didn't sit around and get taken advantage of which I loved and admired. We follow her as the problems with financial circumstances send her into a whirlwind of chaos. Her life also consisted of some downright terrible people but I loved how the loose ends were tied.
Then comes Lance, our attractive chef with a heart that could make anything melt. (Thank heavens, we get his POV!) All the food talk kept me in a constant state of hunger. He is so thoughtful and giving, all without a second's hesitation.
I loved how Verena and Lance were making their own way and didn't lose themselves in order to pursuit their heart's desires. I loved how Jan didn't throw an insta-love situation at me and I am forever grateful. She gave me time to love the characters as individuals before making me yearn for more between them. Unfortunately, these two wonderful characters go through struggles that life brings everybody and are tested time and time again.
We learn about the importance of family and how sometimes things happen the way they do for the best. I read this in one sitting and I can't wait to read more about the rest of Verena's friends.
There are some scenes and topics not suitable for readers under the age of 18. Also, this comes with a trigger warning.
April 17, 2017
I wasn't sure I was going to finish this book when I started it and early on I thought I had grabbed a crime thriller rather than a romance. It's not light, easy romance but it's not a crime novel either. Instead it's a little unusual, interesting enough to hold the reader's attention and ignites enough curiosity to make me consider reading the next book. An enjoyable, if quiet and restrained, interlude.
Read
January 15, 2023I think this was a great read. Unexpected challenges kept my interest. A look into Venture Capitalist companies is scary. Moran is an interesting and great writer. I love all of her books.
January 8, 2015
(Review thanks to a free digital ARC from NetGalley)
After the tragic death of her parents when she was eighteen, Verena Valent has taken over her family's renowned skin care company. With clients among the most elite and wealthy of Beverly Hills, Verena lives a rather glamorous and successful life. She is planning to expand her company onto Asia, which will enable her to become even more successful. However, in the midst of this transition, the economy hits a downfall and Verena's company suffers. Everything is at risk, including her company.
When I first started reading this book, the world that the author created reminded me a lot of being immersed back into Gossip Girl. So much glamour and it makes you wish that you actually were part of that world. But since I am not really the time of person that spends her time at Beverly Hills and eating lavish dinners at fancy restaurants, I found it hard to connect with the story. I could not really relate to the characters although I did enjoy how it reminded me of Gossip Girl.
It was hard to like the main characters in the story. Verena seemed like she knew what she was doing but at the end, she seemed very inexperienced. In some ways, it did make sense since she had no experience running a business prior to the death of her parents. However, it's been almost ten years since she has been running the company and I would think she would have more guidance and expertise of what it takes to run a business. I feel her fault was being extremely careless and not being careful of who she trusted.
I think that is one of the things that bothered me the most of the novel. Verena was just not likeable, in my opinion. It was hard seeing how easily fooled she was. It seemed like she had no backbone and could not properly defend herself.
The romance of this novel was one of the redeeming parts of it. However, it kind of bothered me that Verena technically cheated on her boyfriend. I feel regardless of whether your partner is treating well or bad, you should not be cheating on them. It would have been better for her to cut ties with her boyfriend before she got involved with someone else. But I guess that just adds more to the plot and gives the reader an incentive to keep on reading to see who Verena decides to stay with.
Overall, this was an okay book. Not the best I have read but definitely not the worst.
After the tragic death of her parents when she was eighteen, Verena Valent has taken over her family's renowned skin care company. With clients among the most elite and wealthy of Beverly Hills, Verena lives a rather glamorous and successful life. She is planning to expand her company onto Asia, which will enable her to become even more successful. However, in the midst of this transition, the economy hits a downfall and Verena's company suffers. Everything is at risk, including her company.
When I first started reading this book, the world that the author created reminded me a lot of being immersed back into Gossip Girl. So much glamour and it makes you wish that you actually were part of that world. But since I am not really the time of person that spends her time at Beverly Hills and eating lavish dinners at fancy restaurants, I found it hard to connect with the story. I could not really relate to the characters although I did enjoy how it reminded me of Gossip Girl.
It was hard to like the main characters in the story. Verena seemed like she knew what she was doing but at the end, she seemed very inexperienced. In some ways, it did make sense since she had no experience running a business prior to the death of her parents. However, it's been almost ten years since she has been running the company and I would think she would have more guidance and expertise of what it takes to run a business. I feel her fault was being extremely careless and not being careful of who she trusted.
I think that is one of the things that bothered me the most of the novel. Verena was just not likeable, in my opinion. It was hard seeing how easily fooled she was. It seemed like she had no backbone and could not properly defend herself.
The romance of this novel was one of the redeeming parts of it. However, it kind of bothered me that Verena technically cheated on her boyfriend. I feel regardless of whether your partner is treating well or bad, you should not be cheating on them. It would have been better for her to cut ties with her boyfriend before she got involved with someone else. But I guess that just adds more to the plot and gives the reader an incentive to keep on reading to see who Verena decides to stay with.
Overall, this was an okay book. Not the best I have read but definitely not the worst.
January 20, 2016
I received a free kindle copy of Flawless (A Hostile Beauty Novel, #1) by Jan Moran, published by St. Martin's Press in exchange for a fair review. I gave it four stars.
It's about the hostile takeover of a family run exclusive skin care business. Mia Valent, Verena's grandmother & her twin sisters Anika & Bella who are approaching the cusp of womanhood, live together & are all strikingly attractive. She has a circle of strong minded active women friends, Fianna, Scarlett & Dahlia who had supported her during the time after her parents were killed in an automobile accident. In addition to being a friend Scarlett is an attorney who helps Verena with contracts & other legal matters.
Verena is in Beverly Hills receiving a beautiful crystal award for being Visionary of the Year. Right before the ceremony, she receives a cryptic voice mail from a friend & banker Marvin Panetta to get in touch with him immediately. It distracts her from the events of the evening. Her fiance, Derrick Logan, had previously been with Greta Hicks, a fashion journalist in Hollywood. She's sharp tongued & hostile toward Verena. Derrick is a man of many moods & actions. He's not a kind, sensitive man, quite the opposite. He's highly placed in a venture capital group.
Verena is preparing to extend the cosmetics into Asia & already had products in place sent there.
She never eats before a presentation & meets Lance, the executive chef at the Beverly Hills Hotel. He prepares an exclusive meal for her in the kitchen.
Will Verena see through Greta & her machinations? Will she entrust her fiance Derrick with the future of her company? Will she be able to keep the company up & running after the hostile takeover? Will Lance stimulate more than her appetite for good food?
Flawless is the first of A Hostile Beauty Novel. Watch for more to come from Jan Moran.
Link to purchase: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00M...
It's about the hostile takeover of a family run exclusive skin care business. Mia Valent, Verena's grandmother & her twin sisters Anika & Bella who are approaching the cusp of womanhood, live together & are all strikingly attractive. She has a circle of strong minded active women friends, Fianna, Scarlett & Dahlia who had supported her during the time after her parents were killed in an automobile accident. In addition to being a friend Scarlett is an attorney who helps Verena with contracts & other legal matters.
Verena is in Beverly Hills receiving a beautiful crystal award for being Visionary of the Year. Right before the ceremony, she receives a cryptic voice mail from a friend & banker Marvin Panetta to get in touch with him immediately. It distracts her from the events of the evening. Her fiance, Derrick Logan, had previously been with Greta Hicks, a fashion journalist in Hollywood. She's sharp tongued & hostile toward Verena. Derrick is a man of many moods & actions. He's not a kind, sensitive man, quite the opposite. He's highly placed in a venture capital group.
Verena is preparing to extend the cosmetics into Asia & already had products in place sent there.
She never eats before a presentation & meets Lance, the executive chef at the Beverly Hills Hotel. He prepares an exclusive meal for her in the kitchen.
Will Verena see through Greta & her machinations? Will she entrust her fiance Derrick with the future of her company? Will she be able to keep the company up & running after the hostile takeover? Will Lance stimulate more than her appetite for good food?
Flawless is the first of A Hostile Beauty Novel. Watch for more to come from Jan Moran.
Link to purchase: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00M...
January 18, 2015
Admittedly I only got 6% of the way in before I DNFed it. Why so soon? Well, first the author starts by introducing a bunch of characters all at once, including three best girlfriends of the heroine, her fiancé and his ex girlfriend. Most of whom then start talking about yet more characters off stage. I kept thinking, wait, is this book two or three in a series where I'm supposed to already know these people? Well, no. It is number one. And when you start a new book or series you expect to be introduced to the main character first, and really get to know him/her before taking on a half dozen or more characters, most of whom are not described beyond name, in the first few pages. Let me bond with my main person first!
Secondly, it's clear from the first second that the heroine does not like her fiancée much. There's no deep affection, nor does he appear to have any redeeming qualities at first glance. So, why are you with this guy? And why should I care about a heroine who is with what seems like a self-centered money man? I've met VCs, they are generally not very appealing people - it's all brown hair, beige khakis and huge egos. So, I don't care about this relationship from step one.
Lastly, although the function the book opens describing is supposed to be important enough to be worth the heroine's friends dropping everything to attend to see her at, it's quickly clear this is just another one of those dime-a-dozen LA events honoring a bunch of people with money being gathered for charity. No big deal and a great deal of air kissing shallow socializing in other words. Not something that anyone from the heroine's background would consider important enough to drag friends and fiancé to, much less lose a working day attending (she does run a multinational company supposedly.)
So, we have too many characters, none of whom are described in any way to be worth bothering with, an unlikable fiancé and a shallow air kissing society event.
Blah, blah and blah.
I like business. I like smart women kicking ass in business and in life. Give me that!
Secondly, it's clear from the first second that the heroine does not like her fiancée much. There's no deep affection, nor does he appear to have any redeeming qualities at first glance. So, why are you with this guy? And why should I care about a heroine who is with what seems like a self-centered money man? I've met VCs, they are generally not very appealing people - it's all brown hair, beige khakis and huge egos. So, I don't care about this relationship from step one.
Lastly, although the function the book opens describing is supposed to be important enough to be worth the heroine's friends dropping everything to attend to see her at, it's quickly clear this is just another one of those dime-a-dozen LA events honoring a bunch of people with money being gathered for charity. No big deal and a great deal of air kissing shallow socializing in other words. Not something that anyone from the heroine's background would consider important enough to drag friends and fiancé to, much less lose a working day attending (she does run a multinational company supposedly.)
So, we have too many characters, none of whom are described in any way to be worth bothering with, an unlikable fiancé and a shallow air kissing society event.
Blah, blah and blah.
I like business. I like smart women kicking ass in business and in life. Give me that!
August 10, 2014
I found this book extremely enjoyable. The romance was very well presented, but so were the friendships that are such a backbone of these characters. I loved the book’s overall message that even when the worst happens and your whole world is in pieces, you true friends will stick by you and have your back. Even in the face of a terrible betrayal, Verena can rely on the loyalty of her friends.
And the men in the story are just as well-written! Derrick was handsome and ruthless, and not at all good boyfriend material, and Lance was just such a striking contrast to him: kind and steady. I love how he immediately steps in to help Verena when they first meet and she’s reelign from the shock of some very bad news. He immediately insists on her coming along to the kitchens to have something to eat. (And who doesn’t love a man who can cook?) He is just the sort of guy Verena needs to believe exists if she is going to take a chance on love again. I completely felt the connection they share just chatting over wine and nibbles in Paris, too.
I also loved that all the women in the novel were strong and capable, managing to have lives and families (Verena has to take care of her young sisters and ailing her gran!), incredible careers and to still be there for each other in a crisis. Verena faces all that’s thrown at her with so much grace, after having selflessly given up her own ambitions and taken on her match-making grandmother’s business.
This is how women’s lit should be written, and I wish there was more like it out there! Definitely looking forward to reading the stories of Verena’s wonderful friends.
And the men in the story are just as well-written! Derrick was handsome and ruthless, and not at all good boyfriend material, and Lance was just such a striking contrast to him: kind and steady. I love how he immediately steps in to help Verena when they first meet and she’s reelign from the shock of some very bad news. He immediately insists on her coming along to the kitchens to have something to eat. (And who doesn’t love a man who can cook?) He is just the sort of guy Verena needs to believe exists if she is going to take a chance on love again. I completely felt the connection they share just chatting over wine and nibbles in Paris, too.
I also loved that all the women in the novel were strong and capable, managing to have lives and families (Verena has to take care of her young sisters and ailing her gran!), incredible careers and to still be there for each other in a crisis. Verena faces all that’s thrown at her with so much grace, after having selflessly given up her own ambitions and taken on her match-making grandmother’s business.
This is how women’s lit should be written, and I wish there was more like it out there! Definitely looking forward to reading the stories of Verena’s wonderful friends.
August 5, 2014
Flawless is the story of Verena (what a beautiful name) and her struggle to keep her family skin care business afloat during an economic crisis whilst also taking care of her grandmother and younger twin sisters, and dealing with her scheming fiancé, Derrick, who is part of a plot to take down her company.
This was such a great story. I'll freely admit that I have very little knowledge of business, but Jan Moran tells the tale in a way that isn't overwhelming and even I understood what was going on. It was perfectly paced and exciting, and I was on the edge of my seat waiting to see what would happen to Verena and the company.
I especially liked the characters. Verena was an utterly likeable lead – I love female characters with strong will and backbones like her – and her group of friends, Scarlett, Dahlia and Fianna were perfect additions. They each had their own uniqueness, and I hope they get their own stories too. My favourite character, of course, was Lance. It's not often that the nice guys are also ridiculously sexy, but Lance had both qualities and was lovable – I was routing for him from the moment we met him.
Great writing, excellent settings and so well described! It was a thoroughly enjoyable read, and I'll definitely be looking up more of Jan Moran's work.
Highly recommended!
This was such a great story. I'll freely admit that I have very little knowledge of business, but Jan Moran tells the tale in a way that isn't overwhelming and even I understood what was going on. It was perfectly paced and exciting, and I was on the edge of my seat waiting to see what would happen to Verena and the company.
I especially liked the characters. Verena was an utterly likeable lead – I love female characters with strong will and backbones like her – and her group of friends, Scarlett, Dahlia and Fianna were perfect additions. They each had their own uniqueness, and I hope they get their own stories too. My favourite character, of course, was Lance. It's not often that the nice guys are also ridiculously sexy, but Lance had both qualities and was lovable – I was routing for him from the moment we met him.
Great writing, excellent settings and so well described! It was a thoroughly enjoyable read, and I'll definitely be looking up more of Jan Moran's work.
Highly recommended!
August 22, 2014
A smart and savvy written account of a modern business woman trying to save her company while still finding romance. Verena is the third generation head of a high-class skincare company that unexpectedly finds itself in financial trouble. Add in her overbearing fiancé, a handsome executive chef, her twin sisters, a meddling grandmother, a trip to Paris, and you have a wonderful recipe for an entertaining book. Flawless is gripping, and cleverly crafted. I loved the storyline and the characters. At points, the writing was a little too formal for my tastes, but it fit in with the book really well. Their was plenty of drama to keep you on your toes, you weren't exactly sure who was going to come out on top. I love the strong female friendships, as well as them being tenacious and having substantial careers for the women. You hope Verena gets her happily ever after with a man, but it wasn't necessarily the core of the story, she's strong enough by herself if needed.
Overall, this was a very substantial read, great character development and writing. The ending felt a bit rushed to me, but I definitely want to read more in this series. I am excited to find out more about these powerful women.
I received a complimentary copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Overall, this was a very substantial read, great character development and writing. The ending felt a bit rushed to me, but I definitely want to read more in this series. I am excited to find out more about these powerful women.
I received a complimentary copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
September 19, 2014
ARC given in exchange for honest review.
4.5 Stars
Here's the thing. This book is different from a lot of the books I read on a normal basis. I am usually completely into romance but this book was more than just that. It was centered around the heroine, Verena Valent. She inherited her family's 60 year old skin care company after her parents passed. She also takes care of her grandmother and younger twin sisters. She has the weight of the world on her shoulders but somehow manages to keep most of it together.
In the midst of all this comes the villain, Derrick. I'm a little confused by their interaction because she ends up engaged to him but I don't see the feelings there that would have led to an engagement. He's a venture capitalist. She ends up needing capital for her flailing company and in the process makes a mess of things.
This mess ends up playing center stage, I thought, to what ends up being a mess with her love life entwined with her business life. However, I liked it. It worked in this instance and the suspense that was woven through the story worked too.
Lance ends up being Verena's savior and in the end the book gives you the HEA you are looking for. This is the first book I've read by this author but I look forward to more.
4.5 Stars
Here's the thing. This book is different from a lot of the books I read on a normal basis. I am usually completely into romance but this book was more than just that. It was centered around the heroine, Verena Valent. She inherited her family's 60 year old skin care company after her parents passed. She also takes care of her grandmother and younger twin sisters. She has the weight of the world on her shoulders but somehow manages to keep most of it together.
In the midst of all this comes the villain, Derrick. I'm a little confused by their interaction because she ends up engaged to him but I don't see the feelings there that would have led to an engagement. He's a venture capitalist. She ends up needing capital for her flailing company and in the process makes a mess of things.
This mess ends up playing center stage, I thought, to what ends up being a mess with her love life entwined with her business life. However, I liked it. It worked in this instance and the suspense that was woven through the story worked too.
Lance ends up being Verena's savior and in the end the book gives you the HEA you are looking for. This is the first book I've read by this author but I look forward to more.
October 22, 2014
Verena Valent is a woman with enormous responsibility on her shoulders. She not only runs the family's high end skincare business in prestigious Beverly Hills, but she's been responsible for raising her younger twin sisters since the death of her parents. Her Grandmother Mia's health also weighs heavily upon her. To complicate things further, the sagging economy forces Verena to seek funds for her business from an unscrupulous source, placing her under even more stress. Can Verena trust her fiancé who works for the funding company to watch out for her interests, or is he the enemy, too?
Flawless is a fast-paced, beautifully written novel about money, power, greed, family, and friendship. Verena and her group of powerful girlfriends are strong, independent women who are a strong support system for each other. With the glamorous backdrop of Beverly Hills where the beautiful people play and often backstab their friends, Flawless has many layers that will pique your interest and keep you reading. If you love novels with interesting characters and a powerful storyline, and with a little love story on the side, you will enjoy Flawless.
(I received a complimentary copy of Flawless from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review.)
Flawless is a fast-paced, beautifully written novel about money, power, greed, family, and friendship. Verena and her group of powerful girlfriends are strong, independent women who are a strong support system for each other. With the glamorous backdrop of Beverly Hills where the beautiful people play and often backstab their friends, Flawless has many layers that will pique your interest and keep you reading. If you love novels with interesting characters and a powerful storyline, and with a little love story on the side, you will enjoy Flawless.
(I received a complimentary copy of Flawless from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review.)
January 11, 2015
Flawless is a thrilling and addictive story about a bad ass heroine named Verena. This book will take you on a journey as a relationship blossoms with a smoking hot chef named Lance, at the same time as Verena is fighting to hold onto control of her family business. If you love a great book with strong positive characters, this is the book for you!
This book is a cross between a womens fiction and a romance, though the book will be nothing as you've ever read. When I started reading this book I thought that I knew where it would end up leading, boy was I wrong! This book is heart pounding addictive and will have you sitting on the edge of you're seat. The characters in this book are well written and many of them you would wish could be your own friends, while a select few were written as fabulous villains that you can't help but hate. The writing is done fabulously and kept me enthralled in the story and I found I never wanted to out it down.
I have a love for books that have strong female characters and this book has them in abundance. I can't wait to continue on with the series!
*I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion*
This book is a cross between a womens fiction and a romance, though the book will be nothing as you've ever read. When I started reading this book I thought that I knew where it would end up leading, boy was I wrong! This book is heart pounding addictive and will have you sitting on the edge of you're seat. The characters in this book are well written and many of them you would wish could be your own friends, while a select few were written as fabulous villains that you can't help but hate. The writing is done fabulously and kept me enthralled in the story and I found I never wanted to out it down.
I have a love for books that have strong female characters and this book has them in abundance. I can't wait to continue on with the series!
*I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion*
September 10, 2014
Flawless takes the reader on a journey from Beverly Hills to Paris and inside the boardrooms of the cutthroat world of business financing. Verena Valent is the daughter and granddaughter of a thriving skin care company when the great Recession hit. Deprived of her usual bank loans at the moment she is launching an expansion to Asia, she is lured by her dastardly evil fiance into obtaining a loan from a firm better known as vulture capitalists.
The worse thing happens and Verena is left reeling. However, out of the embers of despair and defeat, hope springs when Verena's family pull together and Lance, the sexy, handsome chef, whisks Verena away for a romantic intermezzo.
Descriptions of fashion, places, scenery, beauty products, perfume, food, and wine are excellent, and the author does a wonderful job of setting the stage for the reader to imagine being in such ritzy places.
I enjoyed reading Flawless and look forward to Scarlett's upcoming story where I'm sure there will be danger, intrigue and legal shenanigans along with a sexy man who appears at the right place and time to woo the heroine while her world falls apart.
The worse thing happens and Verena is left reeling. However, out of the embers of despair and defeat, hope springs when Verena's family pull together and Lance, the sexy, handsome chef, whisks Verena away for a romantic intermezzo.
Descriptions of fashion, places, scenery, beauty products, perfume, food, and wine are excellent, and the author does a wonderful job of setting the stage for the reader to imagine being in such ritzy places.
I enjoyed reading Flawless and look forward to Scarlett's upcoming story where I'm sure there will be danger, intrigue and legal shenanigans along with a sexy man who appears at the right place and time to woo the heroine while her world falls apart.
December 13, 2014
Originally posted at Bunny's Review
This book was a Flawless execution of a romance book.
I was captivated from the beginning until the end. The author provided amazing twist and turns leaving the reader wondering how the story would end. The characters were strong and a true fighter all the way. Some people may see this as the average romance novel but they really are not looking deep enough.
The story will take readers around the world and back. Each time leaving the readers wondering how they traveled to so many places while sitting at home.
I recommend this book to any who enjoy romance.
The bunnies and I give this book [image error] carrots.
I was given this book in exchange for an honest review. All views are my own and do not reflect those of the author, my clients or tour companies I work with. This is not a paid review. To form your own opinion please support the author and acquire your own legal copy of the book.
This book was a Flawless execution of a romance book.
I was captivated from the beginning until the end. The author provided amazing twist and turns leaving the reader wondering how the story would end. The characters were strong and a true fighter all the way. Some people may see this as the average romance novel but they really are not looking deep enough.
The story will take readers around the world and back. Each time leaving the readers wondering how they traveled to so many places while sitting at home.
I recommend this book to any who enjoy romance.
The bunnies and I give this book [image error] carrots.
I was given this book in exchange for an honest review. All views are my own and do not reflect those of the author, my clients or tour companies I work with. This is not a paid review. To form your own opinion please support the author and acquire your own legal copy of the book.
September 29, 2014
I really loved this book! The characters were wonderful and I didn't want the story to end.
Verena Valent is the head of a skincare company that her grandmother started when she first came to America. With a proposed expansion into Asia and the bad economy Verena finds herself in a bad spot financially and trusts her fiance' to come through with funding for her. He seems to only be involved with her to take her company away which he finally does in the end.
He was icky and I didn't like him at all. But Lance, the chef that Velena bumps into one night after a gala she had to speak at. He cooks for her then and he is captivated by her. She has feelings for him which she eventually gives into and by the end of the book they are together.
I loved Verena's spunk and I loved her friends. I felt the characters were really well written and I hope to read more about them! I highly recommend this book.
Verena Valent is the head of a skincare company that her grandmother started when she first came to America. With a proposed expansion into Asia and the bad economy Verena finds herself in a bad spot financially and trusts her fiance' to come through with funding for her. He seems to only be involved with her to take her company away which he finally does in the end.
He was icky and I didn't like him at all. But Lance, the chef that Velena bumps into one night after a gala she had to speak at. He cooks for her then and he is captivated by her. She has feelings for him which she eventually gives into and by the end of the book they are together.
I loved Verena's spunk and I loved her friends. I felt the characters were really well written and I hope to read more about them! I highly recommend this book.
March 3, 2016
ARC giving for an honest review.
Supes, military and CEO's rock my imagination so a female CEO - I threw caution to the wind and gave it a try.
The first 3% of the book is praise and reviews for the author... Not how I like to start a book, self praise is kinda off putting. And a kindle takes time to scroll past this.
This was a DNF for me and my reasons? It's too messy and busy. There's far too many characters introduced in one book. Little bits here and there to keep the reader's mind going for future books would have worked better. BUT they aren't even described in detail so that your imagination wants to come back for more!
I like my females strong, fiesty and to hold their own. Sadly I found Verena flat. The Fiancé she didn't like? Nope, didn't get that at all. She has dangerous concepts of what's right and wrong....
A first book has to pull me in, sadly I won't look for more from this author.
September 6, 2014
I received Flawless from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This is a romance novel with a good underlying story. Verena gets an award for the family business at the beginning of the story. Then economic problems begin and everything goes downhill. I easily felt bad for Verena, and the situation she found herself in. She is a strong work oriented person. She cares for her family carries a lot of burdens for them. When money is running short she borrows money, against everyone’s advice, and signs away her rights to Valent. Derrick and Lance are also interesting characters. Derrick is an annoying jerk character and it becomes obvious that love is not prevalent in that relationship. I really enjoyed reading about Lance and Verena.
I liked this book and gave it 4 stars.
This is a romance novel with a good underlying story. Verena gets an award for the family business at the beginning of the story. Then economic problems begin and everything goes downhill. I easily felt bad for Verena, and the situation she found herself in. She is a strong work oriented person. She cares for her family carries a lot of burdens for them. When money is running short she borrows money, against everyone’s advice, and signs away her rights to Valent. Derrick and Lance are also interesting characters. Derrick is an annoying jerk character and it becomes obvious that love is not prevalent in that relationship. I really enjoyed reading about Lance and Verena.
I liked this book and gave it 4 stars.
September 22, 2014
Like everything else she has done, Jan Moran's latest book, Flawless, is exactly that. Her attention to detail: from the way something looks to how it feels, make you think that the book is haute couture for the mind.
Verena Verdent lives with her grandmere Mia and her twin sisters. Ever since her parents died, she has become the third generation of Verdents to head the family beauty company Verdent Swiss Spas, a high end, luxury brand.
The economy is reigning in, and her plans to expand into the Asian market are tanking due to unforseen curcumstances. Add a venture capitalist with no scurples, a conniving boyfriend, and a five star chef, and this is a five star book and the beginning of a new series I can hardly wait to read more of....
Verena Verdent lives with her grandmere Mia and her twin sisters. Ever since her parents died, she has become the third generation of Verdents to head the family beauty company Verdent Swiss Spas, a high end, luxury brand.
The economy is reigning in, and her plans to expand into the Asian market are tanking due to unforseen curcumstances. Add a venture capitalist with no scurples, a conniving boyfriend, and a five star chef, and this is a five star book and the beginning of a new series I can hardly wait to read more of....
January 25, 2015
* * ARC received on behalf of obsessed by books for an honest review * *
Verena is a young woman who is laid with alot of responsibility.
when Verena's parents are killed in a auto accident, she is left with the family company on top of taking care of her grandmother and younger twin sisters. it's alot to manage at once, plus dealing with a boyfriend who is acting shady. Derrick is sneaky and coniving and he'll do anything to get what he wants even blackmail Verena into engagement, but Verena thinks it's the only way to save company. Then we have Lance a nice tall drink of water, refreshing. He's sweet, caring and is willing to help, oh did I mention he's a chief yeah I know. can they survive the ups and downs, the twist and turns. definitely a 5 star read.
Verena is a young woman who is laid with alot of responsibility.
when Verena's parents are killed in a auto accident, she is left with the family company on top of taking care of her grandmother and younger twin sisters. it's alot to manage at once, plus dealing with a boyfriend who is acting shady. Derrick is sneaky and coniving and he'll do anything to get what he wants even blackmail Verena into engagement, but Verena thinks it's the only way to save company. Then we have Lance a nice tall drink of water, refreshing. He's sweet, caring and is willing to help, oh did I mention he's a chief yeah I know. can they survive the ups and downs, the twist and turns. definitely a 5 star read.
August 2, 2014
Jan pulls us in from the first few pages as we are introduced to Verena Valent, Mia her grandmother, twin sisters Anika and Belle - and one lousy boyfriend, Derrick!
The Story unfolds as Verena, the head of the family skin care business juggles business negotiations, raising her twin sisters - and dealing with her dysfunctional relationship with Derrick. Throw in a handsome chef by the name of Lance and the most romantic place on earth, Paris, and you have a love story in the making.
If you're a Danielle Steel or Jackie Collins fan, you'll love Jan Moran's Flawless. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.
The Story unfolds as Verena, the head of the family skin care business juggles business negotiations, raising her twin sisters - and dealing with her dysfunctional relationship with Derrick. Throw in a handsome chef by the name of Lance and the most romantic place on earth, Paris, and you have a love story in the making.
If you're a Danielle Steel or Jackie Collins fan, you'll love Jan Moran's Flawless. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.
August 7, 2014
Jan Moran is a favorite author of mine. Primarily because I LEARN something from her about perfume and in this case of Flawless about the cosmetic business of skin care. She tells a fun story as well. The heroine is not only lovely and good and smart but she has one fatal flaw which is her taste in fiancees . Her friends are perfect as is her family as are her values and her co workers but Derek the fiancees is ruthless (tho oh so handsome). He plots to take over businesses and succeeds quite well but he is such fun to hate as Verena our heroine is such fun to like. All in all a fun read which grabs you at the start.
October 29, 2014
I received a free copy from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I don't typically read romance novels for a variety of reasons but I'm glad I gave this one a chance. The story was so good, I stayed up late last night to finish. I loved Mia and Verena and the glamorous world of luxury skincare and spas. At times, it was like reading a fairy tale. I also loved the romance with Lance and was impressed that the romance was so sweet and believable without all the steamy details. I will definitely be reading more from this author!
I don't typically read romance novels for a variety of reasons but I'm glad I gave this one a chance. The story was so good, I stayed up late last night to finish. I loved Mia and Verena and the glamorous world of luxury skincare and spas. At times, it was like reading a fairy tale. I also loved the romance with Lance and was impressed that the romance was so sweet and believable without all the steamy details. I will definitely be reading more from this author!
August 27, 2014
Flawless is a novel about friendship, the beauty industry, being an entrepreneur, and family. As a result of her parents’ death, Veronica the main character, who is engaged to be married to the handsome Derrick, is running the family business and taking care of her younger twin sisters and her grandmother. A successful business woman with equally successful friends, Veronica’s company is now in financial trouble and now facing a hostile takeover by someone you would least expect in this novel…
My Full Review:http://myohosisters.webs.com/apps/blo...-
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