What do you think?
Rate this book
Not Really Mr. Smith
When a strange accident had the family lawyer suspicious, James Geraghty was brought in as a replacement bodyguard for the heiress Aden Barrington. What he didn’t expect was that the job not only entailed him being renamed and joining her menagerie of staff but that she would drag him all over the countryside while she drew trees.
The association with James causes Aden to withdraw from her fantasy world to face the realities of life, except that hers consists of a cousin who might have organised her removal. James finds himself struggling to keep Aden safe while coping with her strange and deadly family. He would be far more confident if her eyes weren’t the colour of honey and her hair a halo of sunshine. James discovered he got much more than he bargained for when he accepted the job of being Mr. Smith because falling in love wasn’t part of the job description.
The association with James causes Aden to withdraw from her fantasy world to face the realities of life, except that hers consists of a cousin who might have organised her removal. James finds himself struggling to keep Aden safe while coping with her strange and deadly family. He would be far more confident if her eyes weren’t the colour of honey and her hair a halo of sunshine. James discovered he got much more than he bargained for when he accepted the job of being Mr. Smith because falling in love wasn’t part of the job description.
150 pages, Paperback
First published November 13, 2011
2 people are currently reading
43 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
February 24, 2012
Not Really Mr Smith begins with the reader becoming familiar with our hero James Geraghty, including the reason why he left his childhood family home to join the military. Through his connections with the military, James is offered the position to guard Aden Barrington. When we first meet James, he is a man who has emotional barriers and is guarding his heart.
Aden is a very interesting character. Something she saw as a child of ten has shaped her withdrawal of the world and she is hiding behind an eccentric artistic temperament. Her re-naming of people in her life shows an astuteness of the author in seeing underneath everyday personas. The staff around Aden treats her as if she is still a child but underneath Aden’s ‘mask’ she is very aware … she knows exactly what is happening.
At a weekend away celebrating her aunt’s birthday, James’ past becomes his present and this sparks Aden’s feelings.
During the final crises, Aden learns some truths and this releases her from her vulnerability and enables her to face up to reality.
I think James and Aden’s love is very innocent although soulful!
I have to admit that Katri Cardew’s writing intrigued me as it has an ‘old world’ feel to the rhythm.
Not Really Mr Smith is a story about power and looking below the surface (as well as the romance!) it will give you a few hours of escapism into a world of money … what it is capable of buying and what it is not.
Aden is a very interesting character. Something she saw as a child of ten has shaped her withdrawal of the world and she is hiding behind an eccentric artistic temperament. Her re-naming of people in her life shows an astuteness of the author in seeing underneath everyday personas. The staff around Aden treats her as if she is still a child but underneath Aden’s ‘mask’ she is very aware … she knows exactly what is happening.
At a weekend away celebrating her aunt’s birthday, James’ past becomes his present and this sparks Aden’s feelings.
During the final crises, Aden learns some truths and this releases her from her vulnerability and enables her to face up to reality.
I think James and Aden’s love is very innocent although soulful!
I have to admit that Katri Cardew’s writing intrigued me as it has an ‘old world’ feel to the rhythm.
Not Really Mr Smith is a story about power and looking below the surface (as well as the romance!) it will give you a few hours of escapism into a world of money … what it is capable of buying and what it is not.
October 6, 2012
CONTEST: http://thetbrpile.weebly.com/1/post/2...
Aden has a strange quirk, renaming people, I supposed it’s possible, but I’ve never heard of that issue. It was unique if a little silly. Aden was interesting though, she had a 'young adult not quite mature' quality to her and as the story played out Aden began to grow and prosper as an adult. It was really very interesting how the author expertly wrote the character of Aden. She just kept growing on me to the point that I became completely immersed into this world. Believe me, that’s saying a lot because I’m not a big fan of contemporary books. This was a treat. The secondary characters were perfection, they really added another depth to the story. Then there’s a twist that I did not see coming and action that really kicks up the pace.
Aden has a strange quirk, renaming people, I supposed it’s possible, but I’ve never heard of that issue. It was unique if a little silly. Aden was interesting though, she had a 'young adult not quite mature' quality to her and as the story played out Aden began to grow and prosper as an adult. It was really very interesting how the author expertly wrote the character of Aden. She just kept growing on me to the point that I became completely immersed into this world. Believe me, that’s saying a lot because I’m not a big fan of contemporary books. This was a treat. The secondary characters were perfection, they really added another depth to the story. Then there’s a twist that I did not see coming and action that really kicks up the pace.
September 13, 2012
Jilted, ex-military man takes on a short-term bodyguard role for who he thinks will be a spoiled rich girl, similar to the one that broke him over a decade ago. However, upon meeting his charge, he is instantly drawn to her, and her to him. The story seems mostly to be about their blooming relationship, and less so about the danger she is in. The danger is most prominent in the last 10 pages, and it really isn't that shocking or in my opinion interesting. I enjoyed the romance aspect of it. There wasn't much drama between the two characters, they pretty muched laid their cards on the table from the get go and immediately worked through issues. The romance story was cute if you want to avoid drama and just watch two characters fall in love. The writing was not that great, words were missing which made it very awkward.
August 11, 2012
This was just an OK book. Typical ex-army guy (James) is hired to protect an heiress (Aden) from death threats. The twist here is that the heiress is a famous artist suffereing from PTSD (from "somewhat" witnessing her mother's death as a child)which results in Aden becoming a recluse and renaming everyone she comes into contact with (as a way to control things). James has some baggage too from a first love going terribly bad so when these two fall for each other it is interesting. But overall the suspense factor lacked and was resolved much too easily and the British colloquialisms (muttered and exclaimed by Aden)annoyed me.
July 21, 2013
This has to be the best book I have read all year, I'm blown away by the author's writing style and I can't wait to check out more releases. I am usually quite critical about most books I read, especially ones involving romance, but I really couldn't find anything wrong at all with the story or the way it is written. This isn't your average romance book, it's suspenseful to the point that it takes the reader on an adventure, mixing action with passion.
It's a great book, I highly recommend it
It's a great book, I highly recommend it
February 22, 2013
In this contemporary romance novel we meet our damaged hero and unconventional heroine with individual pasts perpetually haunted by tragedy.
Thrown together under the guise of work, the wealthy recluse Aden Barrington, and decorated ex solider James Geraghty - the man hired to be her protection from the underhand ways of her wily cousin, Witt – the two struggle to strike an initial accord with each other due to Aden’s quirky coping mechanism to ‘re-name’ anyone who enters her fragile world, and James’ hardened heart from a lingering heartbreak and the scourges of war.
However, as the threat to Aden’s wellbeing escalates, along with the soldier’s feelings for this eccentric millionaire, suddenly what he has been tasked to do takes on a whole new level of consequence. And while his somewhat stubborn charge doesn’t take too kindly to change in the bubble of a world she exists in, the two grow together in the face of imminent danger.
Though some questions remain unanswered for some of the characters we meet, and the grammar in places needs some polishing, overall it is an engaging and heart-warming tale of romance that brings together two tortured souls who secretly feared they might never know normalcy or love in their lives, with a few twists to tantalise the reader along the way.
Thrown together under the guise of work, the wealthy recluse Aden Barrington, and decorated ex solider James Geraghty - the man hired to be her protection from the underhand ways of her wily cousin, Witt – the two struggle to strike an initial accord with each other due to Aden’s quirky coping mechanism to ‘re-name’ anyone who enters her fragile world, and James’ hardened heart from a lingering heartbreak and the scourges of war.
However, as the threat to Aden’s wellbeing escalates, along with the soldier’s feelings for this eccentric millionaire, suddenly what he has been tasked to do takes on a whole new level of consequence. And while his somewhat stubborn charge doesn’t take too kindly to change in the bubble of a world she exists in, the two grow together in the face of imminent danger.
Though some questions remain unanswered for some of the characters we meet, and the grammar in places needs some polishing, overall it is an engaging and heart-warming tale of romance that brings together two tortured souls who secretly feared they might never know normalcy or love in their lives, with a few twists to tantalise the reader along the way.
July 23, 2016
More than just a pretty face
This story is engaging from the very first chapter. James is in between a military career that ended abruptly and a future with no direction other than away from his past. Spoiled women born into wealth are the last thing he and his cold heart want to deal with. Aden still struggles with her mother's untimely death, but now has an inheritance that someone is willing to kill her for. He becomes her bodyguard and driver, but they come to find that they want more than a client/staff relationship. The twists and suspense keep readers ready for the next chapter. It's the right amount of mystery and romance. The secondary characters, namely the house staff like Bertie and Mrs. Devane, are enjoyable. Both James and Aden have their own share of scars. Anyone who is hooked by this book is rooting for them to find healing with each other. Well worth the read!
This story is engaging from the very first chapter. James is in between a military career that ended abruptly and a future with no direction other than away from his past. Spoiled women born into wealth are the last thing he and his cold heart want to deal with. Aden still struggles with her mother's untimely death, but now has an inheritance that someone is willing to kill her for. He becomes her bodyguard and driver, but they come to find that they want more than a client/staff relationship. The twists and suspense keep readers ready for the next chapter. It's the right amount of mystery and romance. The secondary characters, namely the house staff like Bertie and Mrs. Devane, are enjoyable. Both James and Aden have their own share of scars. Anyone who is hooked by this book is rooting for them to find healing with each other. Well worth the read!
May 27, 2014
This short novel is a delightful blend of suspense and romance.
James, renamed Mr. Smith by Aden is an ex-solider employed as Adens’
Bodyguard who grow fond of each other but there is an interesting twist
involving Adens’ cousin Witt who has eyes on her estate and a jealous
streak for the golden girl of the family.
The author did an excellent job of developing the characters and I came to
adore Aden and found her unusual behaviour for coping quite intriguing
and enjoyed how her strengths showed when she needed it most.
A unique book I enjoyed immensely and highly recommend as a great light read.
James, renamed Mr. Smith by Aden is an ex-solider employed as Adens’
Bodyguard who grow fond of each other but there is an interesting twist
involving Adens’ cousin Witt who has eyes on her estate and a jealous
streak for the golden girl of the family.
The author did an excellent job of developing the characters and I came to
adore Aden and found her unusual behaviour for coping quite intriguing
and enjoyed how her strengths showed when she needed it most.
A unique book I enjoyed immensely and highly recommend as a great light read.
January 21, 2021
Not Really Mr. Smith is a well-written & engaging tale. I found myself smiling at the playfulness portrayed at times. The romance was there, but it didn't overwhelm the rest of the story.
After Aden's mother's death, unable to cope she withdraws from reality. So much so that she even feels the need to rename everyone she meets.
When a young man is hired to protect her from a imminent threat, Aden is intrigued by him, and therefore comes slowly back to her true self through love and fear.
I found a few typos in my version of the book, which pulled me out of the story for a second, but otherwise it was thoroughly enjoyable.
After Aden's mother's death, unable to cope she withdraws from reality. So much so that she even feels the need to rename everyone she meets.
When a young man is hired to protect her from a imminent threat, Aden is intrigued by him, and therefore comes slowly back to her true self through love and fear.
I found a few typos in my version of the book, which pulled me out of the story for a second, but otherwise it was thoroughly enjoyable.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews