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Unsuitable
Can they make trailblazing and homemaking fit, or is love just another gender stereotype?
Audrey broke the glass ceiling.
Reece swapped a blue collar for a pink collar job.
She’s a single mum by design. He’s a nanny by choice.
She gets passed over for promotion. He struggles to find a job.
She takes a chance on him. He’s worth more than he knows.
There’s an imbalance of power. There’s an age difference.
There’s a child whose favourite word is no.
Everything about them being together is unsuitable.
Except for love.
Audrey broke the glass ceiling.
Reece swapped a blue collar for a pink collar job.
She’s a single mum by design. He’s a nanny by choice.
She gets passed over for promotion. He struggles to find a job.
She takes a chance on him. He’s worth more than he knows.
There’s an imbalance of power. There’s an age difference.
There’s a child whose favourite word is no.
Everything about them being together is unsuitable.
Except for love.
356 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2014
17 people are currently reading
299 people want to read
About the author
Ainslie Paton
40 books144 followersAinslie Paton always wanted to write stories to make people smile, but the need to eat, accumulate books, and have bedclothes to read under was ever present. She sold out, and worked as a flack, a suit, and a creative, ghosting for business leaders, rabble-rousers, and politicians, and making words happen for companies, governments, causes, conditions, high-profile CEOs, low-profile celebs, and the occasional misguided royal. She still does that. She also writes for love and so she can buy shoes, and the good cat food.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
September 29, 2014
Audrey is a single mom in her thirties.
Mia is her adorable (and very picky when it comes to Nannies) 3-year-old daughter.
Cameron is the Nanny who's leaving and moving to London.
Enter:
Reece.
He's a 27-year-old male Nanny.
Everybody is giving him shit about his choice of careers, but he loves it.
And he has lots of experience - professional and private: as a Teenager he raised his four little sisters practicly by himself while his widowed mother had to work long hours to feed them all.
Now Reece wants to be Mia's Nanny.
But Audrey - like most people - is not sure if it's a good idea to hire a male Nanny.
Especially such a good-looking and sexy one! ☺
But little Mia fell in love with him the minute she met him. And since that didn't happen with any of the other female Nannies, and because she feels a bit sorry for poor Reece, she hires him.
He's been rejected by the last eleven families and Audrey thinks that is just not fair - not hiring him only because he's a guy!
And even though Audrey is a single mom by choice and Reece is in a relationship with Sky - there is some instant attraction between Nanny and Boss.
But that's only the beginning of the story - and the start of lots of problems...
WHAT WiLL HAPPEN WiTH AUDREY & REECE???
WiLL THERE BE A HEA???
WiLL THERE BE A CLiFFHANGER???
NOPE..... I'm not telling you ☺
__________________________
I REALLY LOVED THE BOOK!
This was such an amazing & heartbreakingly real stroy.
It was something completely different from all those romances we get to read at the moment.
We have this independent single mom in her thirties and this sexy (only) seven year younger guy who's a nanny!!
I loved the whole idea of it.
But Audrey has lots of problems with letting herself fall for this sexy guy.
It's just not done - a single mom can't fall in love with her nanny and she can't fall in love with a younger man - and soo many things she THINKS she can't or shouldn't do...
All through the book you HOPE that she'll get it in the end - that she knows what an amazing man Reece is and that she gives their future a chance.
And Reece is soooo adorable!!!
The way he is with his sisters and especially how he cares for and about little Mia...
Ugh - I loved it!!!!
The first half of the book was a tiny bit slow for me - nothing really happens - it's all about getting to know everybody and about Audrey telling the world she's a strong and independent woman - hear her roar!
But then - the second part of the book - I JUST LOVED IT!!!
I think I might've cried all the way through to the end!!!
Of course it wasn't all sad and slow - it's really funny and cute and adorable and sad and moving and sexy and frustrating and suspensy and romantic ... but it's not just a simple romance ...
We get to look into the life of those people - Audrey, Reece, Les, Polly ... - who all had to deal with lots of prejudices about the choices and mistakes they made in their life...
About how society doesn't accept what they decided was the right way to live their lives... Or about how they look and act...
READ IT!!!!!!!
UNSUITABLE was a romantic, adorable, moving and REAL Love Story! About how two Unsuitables might have found the one who suits them perfectly!!
You won't be able to not fall in love with Reece and everybody else too!!!
And now please Ainslie - hurry with whatever new thing you're writing about - you always come up with the Surprising and the Unexpected!!!!
November 7, 2014
The premise of this book hooked me. I pre-ordered it & it was a good price. I enjoy reading books by Aussie authors. There's a lot of slang that I've never heard before. That didn't bother me. I got about 15% in and the story seemed get get caught in mundane details. It also went in a different direction. This book is not just about the H, Reece and the h, Audrey. Reece's 4 younger sisters' role in the first part of the book almost made me dnf. Their role in the beginning -was almost a full chapter. I put it down & read another book.Then I read "Unsuitable" reviews on GR and Amazon. There were a couple of readers that said it starts slow then gets better-which it did. I'm really happy that I picked this back up & read on. I loved hunky Reece, but he was so different from Audrey. They had great chemistry- but their roles were reversed. Reece becomes the nanny of Audrey's daughter Mia. Audrey is an executive, single mother of 3 year old Mia. Reece has a lot of experience with children & is a natural with Mia. Reece got his child "carer" experience growing up as the big brother to his 4 younger sisters (His mom was a single parent). There was a little slow part in the middle (my pet peeve). The last 25-30% seemed to pick up a little.The secondary characters were good. Les seemed to be the most developed- she's funny in a lot of scenes. There were a few typos-but nothing major. There is an HEA- no epilogue :(
I give this 4 stars.
I give this 4 stars.
August 12, 2022
Why, why why why why why why?
This book was ok, it had a great set up to be an amazing novel. Role reversal, breaking social stereotypes and the resulting psychological issues. But what does this book focus on instead?
How often can we make the heroine sick.
She gets spoiler: as an utter plot device. If you are going to choose a potentially deadly illness, do some research. If she had this particular plot device, all of her co-workers would be exposed and she would not get out of the hospital in less than a week. It was all just so contrived.
Then I get to the ending, where the heroine gets angry or frightened or some sh*t for no reason and spoiler: . There is no reason for it, the book was already pretty long and its not like this separation added anything. In fact if they had a period where the hero and heroine lived together working through their differences, parenting and actually communicating, they would have been a much stronger couple.
Great premise but the execution of the characters as well as the story makes it a 3 star. Props for thinking outside the box on the idea.
This book was ok, it had a great set up to be an amazing novel. Role reversal, breaking social stereotypes and the resulting psychological issues. But what does this book focus on instead?
How often can we make the heroine sick.
She gets spoiler: as an utter plot device. If you are going to choose a potentially deadly illness, do some research. If she had this particular plot device, all of her co-workers would be exposed and she would not get out of the hospital in less than a week. It was all just so contrived.
Then I get to the ending, where the heroine gets angry or frightened or some sh*t for no reason and spoiler: . There is no reason for it, the book was already pretty long and its not like this separation added anything. In fact if they had a period where the hero and heroine lived together working through their differences, parenting and actually communicating, they would have been a much stronger couple.
Great premise but the execution of the characters as well as the story makes it a 3 star. Props for thinking outside the box on the idea.
October 29, 2014
Why I read it: I received a review copy from the author.
What worked for me (and what didn’t): I moved this one up the TBR queue when I realised it had a male nanny. Not only is he a male nanny, he’s tall and broad, so he doesn’t fit the physical picture of a male nanny one may naturally assume. That’s not me being sexist – that’s made explicit in the book. His body actually works against him when he’s looking for work in his chosen field. He doesn’t look like a thug but he does look like a muscly giant of a man. Very nice to look at in the man candy stakes but kind of incongruous when paired with a nanny role. Let’s face it, nannying is considered “women’s work” – not just by men, by almost everyone. There’s no reason this should be the case, other than prejudice but that doesn’t mean it isn’t real.
Read the rest: http://www.kaetrinsmusings.com/2014/1...
What worked for me (and what didn’t): I moved this one up the TBR queue when I realised it had a male nanny. Not only is he a male nanny, he’s tall and broad, so he doesn’t fit the physical picture of a male nanny one may naturally assume. That’s not me being sexist – that’s made explicit in the book. His body actually works against him when he’s looking for work in his chosen field. He doesn’t look like a thug but he does look like a muscly giant of a man. Very nice to look at in the man candy stakes but kind of incongruous when paired with a nanny role. Let’s face it, nannying is considered “women’s work” – not just by men, by almost everyone. There’s no reason this should be the case, other than prejudice but that doesn’t mean it isn’t real.
Read the rest: http://www.kaetrinsmusings.com/2014/1...
tbr-later
December 28, 201428 December 2014: $0.00 FREE on Kindle
September 30, 2017
This book had a great set up but sadly the execution left a lot to be desired.
The random cast of characters seemed to only serve to lengthen the plot, most of them didn't add anything to the romance storyline. There was two clear plot devices which made little sense to me. The main one for me was when the heroine broke up with the hero, if she had talked to him it could have all been resolved. The book contained manufactured conflict rather than any real organic conflict.
I was also bored and started skipping pages, so unfortunately I don't think I will be checking out any of the author's other books.
The random cast of characters seemed to only serve to lengthen the plot, most of them didn't add anything to the romance storyline. There was two clear plot devices which made little sense to me. The main one for me was when the heroine broke up with the hero, if she had talked to him it could have all been resolved. The book contained manufactured conflict rather than any real organic conflict.
I was also bored and started skipping pages, so unfortunately I don't think I will be checking out any of the author's other books.
February 6, 2015
Working in a male-dominated corporate environment, single mother Audrey already has her hands full trying to find a balance between work and home, so when her nanny, Cameron, resigns, she’s faced with the uncertainty of finding a suitable replacement. When, Reece, arrives for an interview, Audrey is shocked to realise that her final applicant is very much male – even if he does has the same first name as Rees Witherspoon although spelled differently!
To cut a long story short, Rees has all the qualifications as well as good references (his sisters) but Audrey finds herself in a dilemma due to the fact that he is a man. Unfortunately for her, three-year old Mia hits it off immediately with Rees. Going against everyone else’s advice (and because she feels a bit sorry for him), she decides to offer him the job, not realising that this gentle giant is going to change her life, in ways she never expected, forever. While she is strong and has chosen her own path in life, will her independence and stubborn pride allow her to forgive Reece for not being totally honest with her?
Although this is the first book I have read by Ainslie Paton, (sorry Ainslie, Detained and Hooked On A Feeling are still on my list), I have absolutely no doubt in my mind that they will be as good as this one.
Even though I’m a bit of a romance buff I haven’t failed to notice that most of this genre follows the same kind of conventions, although I do believe that Ainslie has broken the mould. Instead of giving us the traditional Hero and Heroine, Ainslie has decided to reverse their roles by giving us a high-flying female executive, who is a single mother by choice, and an all-out gorgeously buff male (think Channing Tatum) who really is a big softie at heart and just wants to work with kids.
There is no fluff in this novel. It is pure real-life and, although the romance is central, Ainslie skilfully weaves in themes of gender equality, older woman/younger man relationships, single motherhood, family dynamics and friendship.
She brings her characters to life by making them face real, everyday situations and fully deals with their very different back stories by offering us the narrative from both their perspectives. For me, this is a sign of great storytelling as it allowed me to get to know the characters intimately thereby enabling me to get a great feel for their emotions and hang-ups.
Her secondary characters of Mia (bless her little heart), Les, Polly and Reece’s mother and four sisters are just as well drawn which adds much depth to their story and allows her hero and heroine to become fabulously three-dimensional.
While the book is long and can slow down at times, it is not without substance and Ainslie keeps the tensions and emotional angst high enough to sustain her reader’s interest. I do believe that she writes straight from the heart and I look forward to reading more from her.
An entertaining story with great sizzle and some poignant moments.
To cut a long story short, Rees has all the qualifications as well as good references (his sisters) but Audrey finds herself in a dilemma due to the fact that he is a man. Unfortunately for her, three-year old Mia hits it off immediately with Rees. Going against everyone else’s advice (and because she feels a bit sorry for him), she decides to offer him the job, not realising that this gentle giant is going to change her life, in ways she never expected, forever. While she is strong and has chosen her own path in life, will her independence and stubborn pride allow her to forgive Reece for not being totally honest with her?
Although this is the first book I have read by Ainslie Paton, (sorry Ainslie, Detained and Hooked On A Feeling are still on my list), I have absolutely no doubt in my mind that they will be as good as this one.
Even though I’m a bit of a romance buff I haven’t failed to notice that most of this genre follows the same kind of conventions, although I do believe that Ainslie has broken the mould. Instead of giving us the traditional Hero and Heroine, Ainslie has decided to reverse their roles by giving us a high-flying female executive, who is a single mother by choice, and an all-out gorgeously buff male (think Channing Tatum) who really is a big softie at heart and just wants to work with kids.
There is no fluff in this novel. It is pure real-life and, although the romance is central, Ainslie skilfully weaves in themes of gender equality, older woman/younger man relationships, single motherhood, family dynamics and friendship.
She brings her characters to life by making them face real, everyday situations and fully deals with their very different back stories by offering us the narrative from both their perspectives. For me, this is a sign of great storytelling as it allowed me to get to know the characters intimately thereby enabling me to get a great feel for their emotions and hang-ups.
Her secondary characters of Mia (bless her little heart), Les, Polly and Reece’s mother and four sisters are just as well drawn which adds much depth to their story and allows her hero and heroine to become fabulously three-dimensional.
While the book is long and can slow down at times, it is not without substance and Ainslie keeps the tensions and emotional angst high enough to sustain her reader’s interest. I do believe that she writes straight from the heart and I look forward to reading more from her.
An entertaining story with great sizzle and some poignant moments.
April 4, 2025
5 out of 5
I love it when I read a story that plays with the established standards, but still manages to have that air of truth and authenticity about it.
Unsuitable, the upcoming release from Ainslie Paton, is one of those books. It’s a book that will make you laugh, make you cry, make you think. I am an unabashed fan of Ainslie’s work – I have been since the moment I opened my copy of Floored – and judging on what she has done here with Unsuitable, that fandom will continue long into the future.
So, what did I think of Unsuitable?
Audrey and Reece, by traditional standards, aren’t suitable – for one another and the worlds they choose to inhabit. But they are both so passionate about what they do, I couldn’t help but want them to find that suitability.
I loved that the struggle for acceptance in their work and personal lives isn’t written in a comical or unrealistic fashion – you believe that theirs is real. Audrey and Reece, as well as a number of the supporting characters, have made choices in life that go against what is generally accepted of them, and I really believed in their stories.
The earlier parts of the story set up the characters, their decisions and motivations. As wonderful as this part is, the later part is where Unsuitable really blew me away. The connection between Audrey and Reece is electric, and I just wanted them to get themselves together for the happy ending they both so desperately deserved.
OK, I brought this up with Ainslie not long after I read Unsuitable – being the parent of a small yet benevolent tyrant, I love it when people get kids in fiction right. Ainslie has nailed it with her portrayal of Mia, Audrey’s daughter – the moods, the behaviours, the obsession with watching Peppa Pig end-on-end-on-end….. Mia is no Children of the Corn-style automaton, she reads as a regular and wonderfully normal three year old.
Unsuitable is unflinchingly real, emotionally rich and eminently readable. I just love Ainslie’s writing voice – and it is at full volume in this story.
I was provided with an advanced reader copy of this title by the author in exchange for an honest review.
I love it when I read a story that plays with the established standards, but still manages to have that air of truth and authenticity about it.
Unsuitable, the upcoming release from Ainslie Paton, is one of those books. It’s a book that will make you laugh, make you cry, make you think. I am an unabashed fan of Ainslie’s work – I have been since the moment I opened my copy of Floored – and judging on what she has done here with Unsuitable, that fandom will continue long into the future.
So, what did I think of Unsuitable?
Audrey and Reece, by traditional standards, aren’t suitable – for one another and the worlds they choose to inhabit. But they are both so passionate about what they do, I couldn’t help but want them to find that suitability.
I loved that the struggle for acceptance in their work and personal lives isn’t written in a comical or unrealistic fashion – you believe that theirs is real. Audrey and Reece, as well as a number of the supporting characters, have made choices in life that go against what is generally accepted of them, and I really believed in their stories.
The earlier parts of the story set up the characters, their decisions and motivations. As wonderful as this part is, the later part is where Unsuitable really blew me away. The connection between Audrey and Reece is electric, and I just wanted them to get themselves together for the happy ending they both so desperately deserved.
OK, I brought this up with Ainslie not long after I read Unsuitable – being the parent of a small yet benevolent tyrant, I love it when people get kids in fiction right. Ainslie has nailed it with her portrayal of Mia, Audrey’s daughter – the moods, the behaviours, the obsession with watching Peppa Pig end-on-end-on-end….. Mia is no Children of the Corn-style automaton, she reads as a regular and wonderfully normal three year old.
Unsuitable is unflinchingly real, emotionally rich and eminently readable. I just love Ainslie’s writing voice – and it is at full volume in this story.
I was provided with an advanced reader copy of this title by the author in exchange for an honest review.
November 3, 2014
Shocking fact: I don’t particularly like children, and I like them in romance novels even less. It’s therefore a testimony to the author’s writing skill that I liked this book a lot.
Reece, the nanny (or manny, if you will) is a delicious hero. A hot blend of expert nanny, former fighter and passionate lover—an ingenious, magical mix of alpha and beta.
And I felt for Audrey, still suffering emotional frostbite from her loveless family after so many years.
Once Audrey and Reece give in to their attraction despite their employer-employee relationship, the intensity of their relationship is breath-taking. Which then makes it all the more devastating when it seems things aren’t going to work out. Audrey’s lack of faith in herself and their relationship causes her to sabotage their happiness, and she reminded me of the creature in the Stephen Crane poem that gnaws upon its own heart and declares it enjoys the bitter taste.
Polly and Les serve as wonderful secondary characters, as do Reece’s sisters and Barrett the sperm-donor dad, offering comic relief during some of the more dark moments of the relationship.
Ainslie is another writer, like Charlotte Stein, who cares about words, and I found myself highlighting the more delicious metaphors in the same way an antique book collector runs their hands over limited edition tomes.
Here’s one of my favourite quotes: She chose him all the way from his boat size feet to his quiet domestic heroism. She made a cocoon of them, an alternate world for the two of them and Mia to exist in.
I also enjoyed the way the author played with conventions and stereotypes (e.g. how parents and carers should act, physically mis-matched couples) and explored deeper themes around workplace discrimination and sexual harassment.
Unsuitable definitely delivers the hyper-real romance that the author is known for. You won’t find any cardboard characters, over-the-top dialogue or improbable scenarios to choke on, just warmth, wit and an intelligent love story.
Reece, the nanny (or manny, if you will) is a delicious hero. A hot blend of expert nanny, former fighter and passionate lover—an ingenious, magical mix of alpha and beta.
And I felt for Audrey, still suffering emotional frostbite from her loveless family after so many years.
Once Audrey and Reece give in to their attraction despite their employer-employee relationship, the intensity of their relationship is breath-taking. Which then makes it all the more devastating when it seems things aren’t going to work out. Audrey’s lack of faith in herself and their relationship causes her to sabotage their happiness, and she reminded me of the creature in the Stephen Crane poem that gnaws upon its own heart and declares it enjoys the bitter taste.
Polly and Les serve as wonderful secondary characters, as do Reece’s sisters and Barrett the sperm-donor dad, offering comic relief during some of the more dark moments of the relationship.
Ainslie is another writer, like Charlotte Stein, who cares about words, and I found myself highlighting the more delicious metaphors in the same way an antique book collector runs their hands over limited edition tomes.
Here’s one of my favourite quotes: She chose him all the way from his boat size feet to his quiet domestic heroism. She made a cocoon of them, an alternate world for the two of them and Mia to exist in.
I also enjoyed the way the author played with conventions and stereotypes (e.g. how parents and carers should act, physically mis-matched couples) and explored deeper themes around workplace discrimination and sexual harassment.
Unsuitable definitely delivers the hyper-real romance that the author is known for. You won’t find any cardboard characters, over-the-top dialogue or improbable scenarios to choke on, just warmth, wit and an intelligent love story.
November 7, 2014
After loving Grease Monkey Jive, I was on the lookout for another book of Ainslie's to read and I'm so happy I picked this one. I adored it! Now I can't wait to read more of her books. I read lots of romances and so many of them are just the same old, same old. This book just goes to show that even in romance it is possible to write a story that is fresh and original, that takes the usual romance tropes and gives them that added little twist.
I won't recap the plot other then to note that in addition to the obvious twist of having the heroine, Audrey, be the partner holding the power in the relationship, I also loved that she was a woman who loved her child dearly, but at the same time, was perfectly willing to admit that she didn't want to give up her career or make compromises in it just for her child. She didn't suddenly yearn to be a stay at home mom just because she had a child. I also thought the author did an amazing job at portraying Reece as a strong man, even though he much preferred to be a nurturer rather than a hunter and pretty much rejected all of the usual male gender roles. I can't wait to see what Ainslie has in store for me next. I just wish more romance authors were willing to take the chances she takes with her stories.
I won't recap the plot other then to note that in addition to the obvious twist of having the heroine, Audrey, be the partner holding the power in the relationship, I also loved that she was a woman who loved her child dearly, but at the same time, was perfectly willing to admit that she didn't want to give up her career or make compromises in it just for her child. She didn't suddenly yearn to be a stay at home mom just because she had a child. I also thought the author did an amazing job at portraying Reece as a strong man, even though he much preferred to be a nurturer rather than a hunter and pretty much rejected all of the usual male gender roles. I can't wait to see what Ainslie has in store for me next. I just wish more romance authors were willing to take the chances she takes with her stories.
February 24, 2015
Can t say I enjoyed this too much. It has adorable parts but the main drama that breaks them up was so forced that it ruined the whole book for me. Her reason for writing him off from her life and Mia's was ridiculous to me. Ok, maybe get upset that he kept a secret but her reaction was way over the top. I would feel more secure knowing he can fight, she didn t even ask him if he was hurt after the fight, it was all ab her. The drama felt forced bc you can t have a reaction like that after spending a year with a guy that has been nothing but kind, calm, wonderful and freaking amazing and the only time he is agressive is to defend himself and your ungrateful ass. She is too much of a coward to tell him what her fears are, the fact that she doesn t want more babies or the age difference, in stead she leaves him just like that making sure he knows it was all his fault when in fact it s her own damn insicurities. I also felt the book was too long and I got bored often. I m all for long books, especially standalones but make it interesting.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 30, 2014
This book really gave me something to think about. A person's perspective can only be understood when you take a walk in their shoes, and I was excited to be able to wear so many different pairs throughout this book.
Single mothers. Career driven women. Stay at home dads. A male nanny. Loveless fathers and mothers who find it too easy to walk away from their children. It was an interesting story for me, a domesticated married mother of three. It was slow moving in the beginning, but the story was set up perfectly for as much emotional impact in the second half. I couldn't wait to finish it. I just had to know how everything would play out!! If I had one thing that disappointed be about this book, is that it was over before I was ready for it to be. With the exception of one, I loved the entire cast of characters. Great work Ainslie!!!!
Single mothers. Career driven women. Stay at home dads. A male nanny. Loveless fathers and mothers who find it too easy to walk away from their children. It was an interesting story for me, a domesticated married mother of three. It was slow moving in the beginning, but the story was set up perfectly for as much emotional impact in the second half. I couldn't wait to finish it. I just had to know how everything would play out!! If I had one thing that disappointed be about this book, is that it was over before I was ready for it to be. With the exception of one, I loved the entire cast of characters. Great work Ainslie!!!!
August 27, 2016
This book was on the fast track to 5 stars for me until the author turned Audrey into a selfish, insecure idiot. The whole reason behind it seemed forced.,,,like the author was looking to create a conflict to extend the story. Why she felt the need to add a sour twist to a sweet story, I'll never understand. There was still a chance to turn it around and put it back on track if a) the author had Audrey grovel more because Reece deserved a better apology and b) if the author saw fit to add an epilogue. If ever a book needed one, it was this one.
January 1, 2015
This book started out as a 4 or 5 star for me. I liked the concept, the characters (even the side ones) felt real. About 70% in is where I started having issues. Where the couple should have been solidifying and overcoming their set back & obstacles the author threw in yet other drama. It was unnecessary & in my opinion made me hate Audrey. At the end while I was happy for Reece I felt Audrey was undeserving.
November 6, 2014
I have to say that I am amazed every time I read something that Ainslie Paton has written. She writes about subject matters that are not run of the mill such as you find in so may books.
Who would have thought a story about a career obsessed single mother and a hulking giant of a man who is nanny to her child would keep me enthralled from start to finish.
Brilliant, yet again.
Who would have thought a story about a career obsessed single mother and a hulking giant of a man who is nanny to her child would keep me enthralled from start to finish.
Brilliant, yet again.
February 5, 2015
3.5
Love the idea and love this book, but Paton does have a tendency to write rambling descriptions of anything and everything. I don't think it worked particularly well here—at least not like in her other books. Book needs a tighter edit.
Love the idea and love this book, but Paton does have a tendency to write rambling descriptions of anything and everything. I don't think it worked particularly well here—at least not like in her other books. Book needs a tighter edit.
June 19, 2018
Great story
I really enjoyed this story, and the focus on gender politics, but there were so many errors in it that I found myself dragged out of the story on many occasions.
I really enjoyed this story, and the focus on gender politics, but there were so many errors in it that I found myself dragged out of the story on many occasions.
November 14, 2018
When I stumbled upon this older woman hires younger man to be her nanny romance, I immediately wanted to read it thanks to Rafe by Rebekah Weatherspoon.
That said, this was darker and far angstier than Rafe, and while that is not usually a problem for me and this book came out a few years before Rafe, I think I just wasn't quite in the mood for Unsuitable.
I enjoyed the characters and really liked Audrey, who constantly has to justify her choices to everyone around her and does it in the best way she can. I also like Reece, who is just trying to make it as a nanny and eventually open his own daycare (or kindy, as it is called in the book), and have everyone take him seriously.
What I didn't like was how fast Reece went from falling out of love with his current girlfriend to being obsessed and in love with Audrey, as I felt they barely spent any time together before this occurred. And, once some of "secrets" came out, I found Audrey's judgment on what was scary and inappropriate for her and her young daughter to be a bit suspect.
So, Reece flipping out, getting in your face and storming off in a rage isn't dump-worthy, but him beating up six dudes who are trying to jump him are? I dunno. Reece's rage made me a bit anxious, and some of the scenes with Audrey's daughter also made me anxious and sad.
Stuff with kids is a trigger for me, so it kind of hurt my enjoyment of the story.
That said, I really liked the sparking romance between secondary characters and hope they have their own book, and overall Ainslie Paton has become an author I very much enjoy.
Content warning
That said, this was darker and far angstier than Rafe, and while that is not usually a problem for me and this book came out a few years before Rafe, I think I just wasn't quite in the mood for Unsuitable.
I enjoyed the characters and really liked Audrey, who constantly has to justify her choices to everyone around her and does it in the best way she can. I also like Reece, who is just trying to make it as a nanny and eventually open his own daycare (or kindy, as it is called in the book), and have everyone take him seriously.
What I didn't like was how fast Reece went from falling out of love with his current girlfriend to being obsessed and in love with Audrey, as I felt they barely spent any time together before this occurred. And, once some of "secrets" came out, I found Audrey's judgment on what was scary and inappropriate for her and her young daughter to be a bit suspect.
So, Reece flipping out, getting in your face and storming off in a rage isn't dump-worthy, but him beating up six dudes who are trying to jump him are? I dunno. Reece's rage made me a bit anxious, and some of the scenes with Audrey's daughter also made me anxious and sad.
Stuff with kids is a trigger for me, so it kind of hurt my enjoyment of the story.
That said, I really liked the sparking romance between secondary characters and hope they have their own book, and overall Ainslie Paton has become an author I very much enjoy.
Content warning
April 5, 2021
Set in Sydney, Australia, which isn’t immediately given information. Written in very poetic prose, which mostly works but sometimes gets ahead of itself - like saying he could break dozens of her limbs or kisses that could give her ingrown toenails. There’s also a lot of focus on smells, a sense often forgotten in novels. But when it works, it’s outstanding...
“I can’t hear anything but your heart in my chest.”
The cast of characters is best have read in quite some time, and they are a lot to juggle. By my count, hero and heroine, his two friends, mum, four sisters, then her four friends, daughter, boss, and others. But everyone makes sense and all drive the main story.
Age difference is seven years, she’s 34, he’s 27. Not a huge deal as much as their different points in life. Slow burn, but makes sense. Sweet, sexy, and a tear jerker in the best way - with dialogue.
“I can’t hear anything but your heart in my chest.”
The cast of characters is best have read in quite some time, and they are a lot to juggle. By my count, hero and heroine, his two friends, mum, four sisters, then her four friends, daughter, boss, and others. But everyone makes sense and all drive the main story.
Age difference is seven years, she’s 34, he’s 27. Not a huge deal as much as their different points in life. Slow burn, but makes sense. Sweet, sexy, and a tear jerker in the best way - with dialogue.
January 27, 2024
So interesting! Realistic romantic fiction that explores some fascinating social realities without at all being preachy or a tract. Very dimensional characters. Well-crafted characterisation, something I require in this kind of genre fiction. I really liked it! I believed the characters, bought their motivations and back-stories, was glad for their growth--yup, down for all of it. I also very much loved how the kids were REAL KIDS!
This was my first book by Paton but won't be my last.
This was my first book by Paton but won't be my last.
January 11, 2024
50 procent. En eigenlijk daarvoor al half gebladerd. Saai en 3de persoon maakte het minder persoonlijk/ingrijpend? Het idee was leuk, maar de uitwerking niet. Hij is ook niet echt wat ik had gehoopt en dat kind is irritant
December 17, 2017
DNF 69%
May 27, 2025
Loved this one as I have all the other books I have read by Ainslie Paton - she has her own distinct voice, but her stories are varied and I just fall for her characters every time. I so did not want this one to end.
Audrey is a high powered manager in a men's world, while she has made it to where not many other women are, she has still been discriminated against. She has a darling daughter Mia, and the need of a new nanny because her previous one is leaving. Among a number of women applying for the job is one man. Audrey is drawn to employing him, but is just not so sure. Mia of course has already made up her three going on four year old mind. Will Audrey be discriminating against him if she passes him over?
Reece would be amazing in a romantic suspense novel - he would be the hero bodyguard or Seal going into rescue missions. He is just not your usual idea of a male nanny. He is no female version of the role. But... he is actually perfect, he might not look the part but he has the experience, character and personality to make any child happy and secure. He has four sisters whom he virtually brought up because his father died when they were young and his Mum has had to be the bread winner for the family. His relationship with them is both funny and beautiful to behold. And when needed those sisters sure will go into bat for him.
I don't want to give any of the plot away, I think it moves along really well with enough twists and turns to keep any romance reader happy. I would have loved an epilogue but ... really I wanted for it to just go on and on, so that I could continue to be involved in these characters' lives. When I am disappointed that a book has come to an end, I know it has succeeded. Thanks Ainslie Paton you have done it again.
Audrey is a high powered manager in a men's world, while she has made it to where not many other women are, she has still been discriminated against. She has a darling daughter Mia, and the need of a new nanny because her previous one is leaving. Among a number of women applying for the job is one man. Audrey is drawn to employing him, but is just not so sure. Mia of course has already made up her three going on four year old mind. Will Audrey be discriminating against him if she passes him over?
Reece would be amazing in a romantic suspense novel - he would be the hero bodyguard or Seal going into rescue missions. He is just not your usual idea of a male nanny. He is no female version of the role. But... he is actually perfect, he might not look the part but he has the experience, character and personality to make any child happy and secure. He has four sisters whom he virtually brought up because his father died when they were young and his Mum has had to be the bread winner for the family. His relationship with them is both funny and beautiful to behold. And when needed those sisters sure will go into bat for him.
I don't want to give any of the plot away, I think it moves along really well with enough twists and turns to keep any romance reader happy. I would have loved an epilogue but ... really I wanted for it to just go on and on, so that I could continue to be involved in these characters' lives. When I am disappointed that a book has come to an end, I know it has succeeded. Thanks Ainslie Paton you have done it again.
November 11, 2014
3.5 stars
Ainslie Paton makes a great point in Unsuitable about sexism, gender roles and society's expectations, starting with the characters' names (Charlie and Les: female; Polly and Reece: male). I'm just not sure that she makes a great romance. I loved the fact that Audrey was unapologetic about wanting to pursue a high-powered career while also being a mom. I loved the fact that Reece was unapologetic about wanting to be a nanny. I loved the holy terror that was three-year old Mia, and I especially loved the understated secondary romance between Audrey's best friend Les and Reece's best friend Polly (check out the author's website for a cute short story about those two).
But for some reason I just didn't feel the same chemistry between Reece and Audrey that I did with the couples in some of Paton's previous books, most notably Detained and Floored. The relationship that develops in Unsuitable is more gentle (although no less passionate) than those two full-throttle novels, and the angst quotient is lower. That doesn't make Unsuitable any weaker, it's just not my personal romance catnip.
I also had a bit of a problem with the ending.
Still a big fan of this author, and can't wait to see what she comes up with next.
Ainslie Paton makes a great point in Unsuitable about sexism, gender roles and society's expectations, starting with the characters' names (Charlie and Les: female; Polly and Reece: male). I'm just not sure that she makes a great romance. I loved the fact that Audrey was unapologetic about wanting to pursue a high-powered career while also being a mom. I loved the fact that Reece was unapologetic about wanting to be a nanny. I loved the holy terror that was three-year old Mia, and I especially loved the understated secondary romance between Audrey's best friend Les and Reece's best friend Polly (check out the author's website for a cute short story about those two).
But for some reason I just didn't feel the same chemistry between Reece and Audrey that I did with the couples in some of Paton's previous books, most notably Detained and Floored. The relationship that develops in Unsuitable is more gentle (although no less passionate) than those two full-throttle novels, and the angst quotient is lower. That doesn't make Unsuitable any weaker, it's just not my personal romance catnip.
I also had a bit of a problem with the ending.
Still a big fan of this author, and can't wait to see what she comes up with next.
December 10, 2014
I think I'm getting boring when it comes to rating Ainslie Paton's books. Except for one that wasn't right for me (Detained didn't press my buttons), I've 5-starred everything I've read by this Aussie author.
Even knowing that I am a fan of her work, there was something about Unsuitable that I thought wouldn't grab me. Possibly the premise, of a gender-switch type book, mixing an older career woman with her younger (male) nanny.
Anyway, I read Unsuitable during the week, and if I hadn't had to eat or sleep, I would have finished it faster.
It has all of Ainslie's trademark passion, tension, emotional drag and push, highs and lows. She is a great example of pushing the limits in story-telling. For example, someone gets sick in a book and it's often flu, or a cold... in an Ainslie Paton book, it's bacterial meningitis...
I've seen some reviews that are critical of the latter part of the book with 'misunderstandings' and also reviewers who felt the trouble in Reece's past that causes conflict for Audrey was unbelievable... so I was looking out for this, but I didn't get this feeling. For me, Audrey's troubles with Reece were absolutely credible/understandable.
So once again, I end up with an Ainslie Paton read which twists me in knots, and leaves me with happy tears at the end. And Reece as a hero is just beautiful. I loved him.
Even knowing that I am a fan of her work, there was something about Unsuitable that I thought wouldn't grab me. Possibly the premise, of a gender-switch type book, mixing an older career woman with her younger (male) nanny.
Anyway, I read Unsuitable during the week, and if I hadn't had to eat or sleep, I would have finished it faster.
It has all of Ainslie's trademark passion, tension, emotional drag and push, highs and lows. She is a great example of pushing the limits in story-telling. For example, someone gets sick in a book and it's often flu, or a cold... in an Ainslie Paton book, it's bacterial meningitis...
I've seen some reviews that are critical of the latter part of the book with 'misunderstandings' and also reviewers who felt the trouble in Reece's past that causes conflict for Audrey was unbelievable... so I was looking out for this, but I didn't get this feeling. For me, Audrey's troubles with Reece were absolutely credible/understandable.
So once again, I end up with an Ainslie Paton read which twists me in knots, and leaves me with happy tears at the end. And Reece as a hero is just beautiful. I loved him.
November 3, 2014
Really enjoyed this, first m/f contemporary romance I have read in ages.
The role reversal twist was excellent, but I felt that it could have gone further (for me) and expanded on some of the gender stereotyping especially for Reece, as the romance takes centre stage. Also as characters they were too traditionally male and female, and I would have liked to see more challenge to their characters here as well.
However, I found Audrey endearing, and her relationship with Mia quite true to life as was the one with her mother. Reece's family were unconventional and funny and he with Mia laugh out loud a couple of times.
Les + Polly stole the show for me, and I would love to read more about them.
I was concerned that I wouldn't get the Australian-ness of the writing, but in many ways it was easier to read than American English.
Will definitely read more from Ainslie in the future.
The role reversal twist was excellent, but I felt that it could have gone further (for me) and expanded on some of the gender stereotyping especially for Reece, as the romance takes centre stage. Also as characters they were too traditionally male and female, and I would have liked to see more challenge to their characters here as well.
However, I found Audrey endearing, and her relationship with Mia quite true to life as was the one with her mother. Reece's family were unconventional and funny and he with Mia laugh out loud a couple of times.
Les + Polly stole the show for me, and I would love to read more about them.
I was concerned that I wouldn't get the Australian-ness of the writing, but in many ways it was easier to read than American English.
Will definitely read more from Ainslie in the future.
November 23, 2014
This is book is fairly predictable, but still a pretty good read. The single mom needs a new nanny when her current one suddenly resigns. The best candidate for the job is actually a huge bulk of a man. She hesitates to hire him because he is a man and what man would want to do this for a living, but Audrey has gone up against so much discrimination in her own job working in an all boys club atmosphere that she feels she can't discriminate against him even though she isn't totally comfortable with it. She has crafted this perfect independent life where she doesn't need anyone and when Reese makes her fall for him she can't handle it. Should she risk building a family life she never had before when there was a chance Reese might leave her or should she just keep her controlled independent life for her and her daughter?
October 20, 2014
Ainslie Paton has done it again.
I love that each and every one of her books is different from the cookie cutter romances that we get inundated with these days.
I loved the role reversal between Reece and Audrey, the power exchange going on her favour.
what is there but to love about Reece? from his first interactions with Mia, Wiggles time, propellers. He is just walking perfection.
The chemistry between Reece and Audrey is amazing. the sparks fly off the pages.
At times I just wanted to share some sense into Audrey for some of her actions, but could understand some of them.
Me Paton is quickly becoming one of the authors that I will read, no matter the subject matter.
Can't wait to see what she comes up with for us next.
I love that each and every one of her books is different from the cookie cutter romances that we get inundated with these days.
I loved the role reversal between Reece and Audrey, the power exchange going on her favour.
what is there but to love about Reece? from his first interactions with Mia, Wiggles time, propellers. He is just walking perfection.
The chemistry between Reece and Audrey is amazing. the sparks fly off the pages.
At times I just wanted to share some sense into Audrey for some of her actions, but could understand some of them.
Me Paton is quickly becoming one of the authors that I will read, no matter the subject matter.
Can't wait to see what she comes up with for us next.
November 2, 2014
Ainslie Paton did an amazing job of writing complex characters while raising the question of gender stereotypes. Some of my favourite books make me think about how I see the world, and I enjoyed reading this story for that reason. But at its heart, this is a romance novel and all of the beauty of two people coming to care about each other was at the forefront. There are many other aspects of this story I loved - the humour, the emotion, and yes, the drama. It's all there and makes for a great read that captured my interest and my heart.
4.5 stars.
4.5 stars.
Read
January 5, 201548% in and have to stop. I really like the premise and the execution to a point, how Audrey and Reece both handle the atypical career gender issues, but I found it filled with a lot of unnecessary stuff that dragged the story out instead of staying focused on the characters, story, plot. Tighter editing might help with the pacing issue, and it's too bad because otherwise I liked the style, subject, and writing. Just got bored, really, and moved on.
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