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Chartreuse, LA #1
Between the Sheets
How do you have a life when everyone in America thinks you gave the president-elect a fatal heart attack during an illicit sex romp?
Emma Jamison never thought she'd have to answer that question, but here she is, smack dab in the middle of a political scandal that would make Monica Lewinsky blush. Trouble is, nobody believes that Emma wasn't the call-girl who killed the president-to-be with her, uh, carnal skills.
So Emma packs up and moves to small-town Chartreuse, LA, to escape her infamy and to start over. But when her grandmother starts dating the grandfather of district attorney Max Duval, the quiet life she was seeking blows up in smoke.
Emma Jamison never thought she'd have to answer that question, but here she is, smack dab in the middle of a political scandal that would make Monica Lewinsky blush. Trouble is, nobody believes that Emma wasn't the call-girl who killed the president-to-be with her, uh, carnal skills.
So Emma packs up and moves to small-town Chartreuse, LA, to escape her infamy and to start over. But when her grandmother starts dating the grandfather of district attorney Max Duval, the quiet life she was seeking blows up in smoke.
402 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2008
14 people are currently reading
219 people want to read
About the author
Robin Wells
22 books185 followers Robin Wells is the USA TODAY best-selling author of nineteen critically-acclaimed novels that have been translated into nineteen languages. Her books have won RWA's Golden Heart Award, two National Readers’ Choice Awards, the Award of Excellence, the Golden Quill, and the Holt Medallion. Her next novel, She Gets That From Me, will be published by Berkley/Penguin/Random House September 22 2020.
She holds a B.A. in liberal arts from the University of Oklahoma, lived in Louisiana for 27 years and now resides in Houston, Texas. She and her husband are proud parents of two daughters and a very spoiled maltipoo. Before becoming a full-time writer, Robin worked as an advertising and public relations executive for a major hotel chain.
She holds a B.A. in liberal arts from the University of Oklahoma, lived in Louisiana for 27 years and now resides in Houston, Texas. She and her husband are proud parents of two daughters and a very spoiled maltipoo. Before becoming a full-time writer, Robin worked as an advertising and public relations executive for a major hotel chain.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
June 6, 2012
Review on http://passionforpages.blogspot.ca/20...
3.5 stars
Let me start by throwing two words at you: weenie starch. Even if I had hated the book that little nickname for Viagra would have made the read worth it. But I didn’t hate the book. It was fun and flirty, even with the eye rolls I had to throw in every now and then.
I loved, absolutely loved Dorothy! The witty, flirtatious, sexually empowered elder was the hit of the book in my opinion. And when you mixed Harold, her confused yet so sweet partner into it, things just got so much better. The things that came out of her mouth (like the weenie starch comment) had me almost rolling out of bed with laughter.
I liked how Max didn’t automatically believe Emma was innocent when it came to the ‘butler did it’ scandal. It was fun watching him slowly figure it out, doubt himself, yet like her anyway despite the trouble she found herself in.
Emma had guts. She didn’t become a hermit and hide when shit hit the fan, she tried to clear her name with everything she had, but even when that didn’t work she didn’t let it stop her. Imagine having everyone believe you were responsible for fucking the next president to death! I do wish Wells had thought of a different surname for poor Emma though. Every time I read it, especially in this book, I couldn’t help but think of (former?) porn star Jenna Jameson.
And ladies, especially authors, lets vow here and now to stop using the word “manhood”. It’s just….ugh! If you’re adult enough to write about tit fucking – or sex in general – then you’re grown up enough to use words like dick, cock and penis. Hell, even use length, just stop with all the manhood crap!
Despite the manhood and hugely aroused descriptions (Really? Hugely aroused?) it was a fun little read and I’ll definitely be looking for more of her work!
3.5 stars
Let me start by throwing two words at you: weenie starch. Even if I had hated the book that little nickname for Viagra would have made the read worth it. But I didn’t hate the book. It was fun and flirty, even with the eye rolls I had to throw in every now and then.
I loved, absolutely loved Dorothy! The witty, flirtatious, sexually empowered elder was the hit of the book in my opinion. And when you mixed Harold, her confused yet so sweet partner into it, things just got so much better. The things that came out of her mouth (like the weenie starch comment) had me almost rolling out of bed with laughter.
I liked how Max didn’t automatically believe Emma was innocent when it came to the ‘butler did it’ scandal. It was fun watching him slowly figure it out, doubt himself, yet like her anyway despite the trouble she found herself in.
Emma had guts. She didn’t become a hermit and hide when shit hit the fan, she tried to clear her name with everything she had, but even when that didn’t work she didn’t let it stop her. Imagine having everyone believe you were responsible for fucking the next president to death! I do wish Wells had thought of a different surname for poor Emma though. Every time I read it, especially in this book, I couldn’t help but think of (former?) porn star Jenna Jameson.
And ladies, especially authors, lets vow here and now to stop using the word “manhood”. It’s just….ugh! If you’re adult enough to write about tit fucking – or sex in general – then you’re grown up enough to use words like dick, cock and penis. Hell, even use length, just stop with all the manhood crap!
Despite the manhood and hugely aroused descriptions (Really? Hugely aroused?) it was a fun little read and I’ll definitely be looking for more of her work!
September 14, 2012
My Review:
A+
Oh wow, this was such an amazing story, but what made it so good was the fact that Emma could be you or me. She was a normal person living a normal life, even if she was a slight over-achiever, but one simple event ruined everything. She became the most infamous person in America and everything about her life fell apart and she did not do a single thing that she was accused of, but she never got her trial to prove that.
Emma had her own, very successful, business providing temporary butler service for the rich and powerful. She was called into service by some regular customers who needed her to prep their house for the president-elect, while they were out of town. She was simply doing her job down in the kitchen accompanied by the Secret Service...never even saw the man in residence (the president-elect). She had a button pop off her dress and had gone to the restroom off the kitchen to repair it. The next thing she knew the secret service were in a panic telling her she had to get out of the house immediately, that there's an emergency. With visions of bombs and house explosions, she ran out of the house, clutching her unbuttoned dress. Well the emergency was that the president elect died of a heart-attack while having sex with the hooker he hired. A paparazzi caught a photo of her fleeing the scene half undressed and everyone assumed that she was the one who killed the president elect via adulterous sex. Suddenly Emma found herself the butt of every late night comedian and the focus of every newspaper, magazine, and tabloid in America. She lost her business, her house, her reputation...everything.
She. Never. Even. Met. The. Guy.
Can you imagine?? This is the stuff of nightmares, but it makes such a good story to read! I loved Emma. I honestly don't know how she kept on without becoming an alcoholic or becoming suicidal, but she did. She relocated to her grandmother's hometown and has taken over running the housekeeping services at the retirement community. She's constantly being confronted by unpleasant people and opinions and she continues to put forward a pleasant face. She even manages to constantly help others. She honestly is a truly nice person who just wants to be left alone and do her job.
And then she meets Max, the state DA, when he rescues her when she is being harassed at a convenience store. Like the rest of the world, he doesn't believe her protestations about the events with the president-elect. But even with that poor opinion of her, he still feels an incredible draw to her. As he gets to know her, he begins to realize that things with the sordid tale just don't make sense. This is a guy whose entire life is about freeing those who've been unjustly accused so when he starts to realize that something is off about the entire story, he attacks the issue head-on...although he doesn't let Emma know that he's investigating the event.
This is such a good book!!! I loved every single thing about the story and the characters. There are side-stories with Emma and Max's grandparents and their own romance within the retirement community. Emma's grandmother is a character...with all the eccentricities implied with that sentence...she's a hoot. I loved Emma and felt so badly for everything that she goes through. I loved Max and his passion, although I really wanted him to use more caution. I cheered for the old-folks from the retirement village and booed many of the people from this close-minded little town. I wanted to hit the college journalist and the lady running the retirement home. It was just a good and entertaining read!
I received a complementary copy of this book in return for an honest review.
A+
Oh wow, this was such an amazing story, but what made it so good was the fact that Emma could be you or me. She was a normal person living a normal life, even if she was a slight over-achiever, but one simple event ruined everything. She became the most infamous person in America and everything about her life fell apart and she did not do a single thing that she was accused of, but she never got her trial to prove that.
Emma had her own, very successful, business providing temporary butler service for the rich and powerful. She was called into service by some regular customers who needed her to prep their house for the president-elect, while they were out of town. She was simply doing her job down in the kitchen accompanied by the Secret Service...never even saw the man in residence (the president-elect). She had a button pop off her dress and had gone to the restroom off the kitchen to repair it. The next thing she knew the secret service were in a panic telling her she had to get out of the house immediately, that there's an emergency. With visions of bombs and house explosions, she ran out of the house, clutching her unbuttoned dress. Well the emergency was that the president elect died of a heart-attack while having sex with the hooker he hired. A paparazzi caught a photo of her fleeing the scene half undressed and everyone assumed that she was the one who killed the president elect via adulterous sex. Suddenly Emma found herself the butt of every late night comedian and the focus of every newspaper, magazine, and tabloid in America. She lost her business, her house, her reputation...everything.
She. Never. Even. Met. The. Guy.
Can you imagine?? This is the stuff of nightmares, but it makes such a good story to read! I loved Emma. I honestly don't know how she kept on without becoming an alcoholic or becoming suicidal, but she did. She relocated to her grandmother's hometown and has taken over running the housekeeping services at the retirement community. She's constantly being confronted by unpleasant people and opinions and she continues to put forward a pleasant face. She even manages to constantly help others. She honestly is a truly nice person who just wants to be left alone and do her job.
And then she meets Max, the state DA, when he rescues her when she is being harassed at a convenience store. Like the rest of the world, he doesn't believe her protestations about the events with the president-elect. But even with that poor opinion of her, he still feels an incredible draw to her. As he gets to know her, he begins to realize that things with the sordid tale just don't make sense. This is a guy whose entire life is about freeing those who've been unjustly accused so when he starts to realize that something is off about the entire story, he attacks the issue head-on...although he doesn't let Emma know that he's investigating the event.
This is such a good book!!! I loved every single thing about the story and the characters. There are side-stories with Emma and Max's grandparents and their own romance within the retirement community. Emma's grandmother is a character...with all the eccentricities implied with that sentence...she's a hoot. I loved Emma and felt so badly for everything that she goes through. I loved Max and his passion, although I really wanted him to use more caution. I cheered for the old-folks from the retirement village and booed many of the people from this close-minded little town. I wanted to hit the college journalist and the lady running the retirement home. It was just a good and entertaining read!
I received a complementary copy of this book in return for an honest review.
July 21, 2014
What a fun book Between the Sheets by Robin Wells was. I borrowed this book from my mother and it was a lovely romance. Published in 2008, this was a character driven read. The main character Emma Jamison, had it all together. She was orderly, owned her own business, provided housekeeping services to high profile clientele, and in the blink of an eye, lost her reputation and her business, all because she was caught in the wrong place at the wrong time. Can you relate to a life altering change in the blink of an eye? I certainly can.
In attempts to cleanse her reputation, she had spent her savings in vain. She finally decided it was time to re-invent herself and decided to move to Chartreuse, Louisiana. Her grandmother had signed over her home to Emma and moved into the Sunnyside Retirement Center. Surely a small town would be just the ticket to re-invent herself. But small towns are notorious for bringing unwanted scandal front and center and Emma was not welcomed into the small town's folds.
Emma's supportive cast consisted of her Grandmother, Dorothy, Dorothy's boyfriend, Harold Duval, his grandson, Max Duval and new found friend Katie. Her aggravating nemesis was journalist, Louis Anderson, who this reader loved to hate! Dorothy was always confusing her wise sayings and Emma always corrected her. Harold was a dementia patient who was in and out of reality but he was also a very gentle and sweet old man. Max was a chunk as Dorothy would say meaning hunk and he found Emma to be more than desirable. And Katie, was an open minded woman who could accept Emma for what she actually was. Louis, the journalist, didn't care what the truth was...he thrived on notoriety and perceptions; his desire was to sell it big and become famous.
The story was fun, romantic and hilarious in parts. I laughed so hard at the antics of the old folks from Sunnyside Retirement Center that I couldn't breathe. I also writhed with frustration over the aggravating and persistant journalist.
But overall, I enjoyed the book created by Wells and it will be a favorite for a long time to come...humorous, feisty, fun, and the quirkiest of characters that were believable and fun.
In attempts to cleanse her reputation, she had spent her savings in vain. She finally decided it was time to re-invent herself and decided to move to Chartreuse, Louisiana. Her grandmother had signed over her home to Emma and moved into the Sunnyside Retirement Center. Surely a small town would be just the ticket to re-invent herself. But small towns are notorious for bringing unwanted scandal front and center and Emma was not welcomed into the small town's folds.
Emma's supportive cast consisted of her Grandmother, Dorothy, Dorothy's boyfriend, Harold Duval, his grandson, Max Duval and new found friend Katie. Her aggravating nemesis was journalist, Louis Anderson, who this reader loved to hate! Dorothy was always confusing her wise sayings and Emma always corrected her. Harold was a dementia patient who was in and out of reality but he was also a very gentle and sweet old man. Max was a chunk as Dorothy would say meaning hunk and he found Emma to be more than desirable. And Katie, was an open minded woman who could accept Emma for what she actually was. Louis, the journalist, didn't care what the truth was...he thrived on notoriety and perceptions; his desire was to sell it big and become famous.
The story was fun, romantic and hilarious in parts. I laughed so hard at the antics of the old folks from Sunnyside Retirement Center that I couldn't breathe. I also writhed with frustration over the aggravating and persistant journalist.
But overall, I enjoyed the book created by Wells and it will be a favorite for a long time to come...humorous, feisty, fun, and the quirkiest of characters that were believable and fun.
April 9, 2009
After having the misfortune of working as a butler in the house where the president-elect died of a heart attack while having sex with a call girl, a scandalous reputation follows Emma Jamison everywhere she goes. She was shoved out the door during the emergency, half-dressed because of a missing button, and now the whole world believes Emma was the woman in bed with the president-elect when he died. Unable to clear her name, she heads for the small town of Chartreuse, Louisiana, hoping to start over and rebuild the shambles of her life, but she ends up meeting Max Duval, who’s running for office—and, of course, he would have to be irresistible.
The last thing Max Duval needs is a scandal with only a few weeks to go until the election, but he can’t seem to stay away from Emma Jamison. She’s bright and witty, and he wants to know her. And, to make matters worse, his grandfather and her grandmother are having a fun romp at the Sunnyside Retirement home.
Things get even more complicated when an overzealous reporter, looking for the story that’ll make his career, starts following everyone around, snapping pictures and looking for something juicy to write about.
Pick up this book, and you just might learn a few valuable lessons about jumping to conclusions concerning situations that you know nothing about—and about judging someone before you know them. You’ll also learn that you’re never too old to have fun. But don’t worry—you’ll have a hoot of a time while you’re gaining valuable moral lessons.
I can’t remember the last time I had so much fun reading a contemporary romance. Ms. Wells creates captivating characters that you can’t wait to come back to at the end of a long day. Between the Sheets is a splendid and comical read that had me laughing out loud numerous times.
If you want something light and fun, Between the Sheets is the book for you. There’s no way you’ll be able to feel down while reading it. It’s totally enjoyable, and it’s guaranteed to take you away for a few blissful hours.
Review first appeared in: NightsandWeekends.com
The last thing Max Duval needs is a scandal with only a few weeks to go until the election, but he can’t seem to stay away from Emma Jamison. She’s bright and witty, and he wants to know her. And, to make matters worse, his grandfather and her grandmother are having a fun romp at the Sunnyside Retirement home.
Things get even more complicated when an overzealous reporter, looking for the story that’ll make his career, starts following everyone around, snapping pictures and looking for something juicy to write about.
Pick up this book, and you just might learn a few valuable lessons about jumping to conclusions concerning situations that you know nothing about—and about judging someone before you know them. You’ll also learn that you’re never too old to have fun. But don’t worry—you’ll have a hoot of a time while you’re gaining valuable moral lessons.
I can’t remember the last time I had so much fun reading a contemporary romance. Ms. Wells creates captivating characters that you can’t wait to come back to at the end of a long day. Between the Sheets is a splendid and comical read that had me laughing out loud numerous times.
If you want something light and fun, Between the Sheets is the book for you. There’s no way you’ll be able to feel down while reading it. It’s totally enjoyable, and it’s guaranteed to take you away for a few blissful hours.
Review first appeared in: NightsandWeekends.com
January 29, 2008
It's a nightmare come true. Instead of continuing her lucrative career as a Butler, Emma Jamison suddenly finds herself having to pick up the shatters of her reputation, move away from her home, and start afresh in a small rural town after being at the wrong place at the wrong time means everybody thinks she's the girl who gave the president-elect a fatal heart-attack during an illicit sex-romp.
Unfortunately moving away changes nothing. Everybody is still convinced of her guilt, and as she has a phobia against TV cameras she can't even go public and defend herself... not like anybody would believe her anyway. The story is far too juicy for that.
However, when Emma falls for Max Duval, the local DA she knows something has to be done. Being with a public figure is the last thing she needs, and dating an alleged call-girl is the last thing he needs. If only they could find the girl who really was with the president-elect that night...
Between the Sheets is chick-lit of the best kind. The characters come alive in Robin Well's writing and you can't help but care for them all - from Emma's grandmother and her late-in-life-new-husband, who are both wonderfully eccentric, to Katie, the town hair-stylist who is the only person to believe Emma's innocence and helps bolster her up, with her no-nonsense ideas and quick wit and Max, the unlikely knight in shining armour.
As an all-around great story I had sever difficulties putting Between the Sheets down at night. I loved the romance between Emma and Max and seeing how his trust made her grow, but the best surprise of the story was the adorable love-story between Emma's grandmother and Max' grandfather. Love can happen at any age, and seeing Grams take care of yet another husband with Alzheimer was incredibly touching. A spunky old lady, she gives Emma the best description of love she could ever get: "When you love someone, their burdens are yours, and yours are theirs, and it's your heart's desire to help them any way you can." - Even by facing a panic-inducing TV-phobia to clear your name.
Unfortunately moving away changes nothing. Everybody is still convinced of her guilt, and as she has a phobia against TV cameras she can't even go public and defend herself... not like anybody would believe her anyway. The story is far too juicy for that.
However, when Emma falls for Max Duval, the local DA she knows something has to be done. Being with a public figure is the last thing she needs, and dating an alleged call-girl is the last thing he needs. If only they could find the girl who really was with the president-elect that night...
Between the Sheets is chick-lit of the best kind. The characters come alive in Robin Well's writing and you can't help but care for them all - from Emma's grandmother and her late-in-life-new-husband, who are both wonderfully eccentric, to Katie, the town hair-stylist who is the only person to believe Emma's innocence and helps bolster her up, with her no-nonsense ideas and quick wit and Max, the unlikely knight in shining armour.
As an all-around great story I had sever difficulties putting Between the Sheets down at night. I loved the romance between Emma and Max and seeing how his trust made her grow, but the best surprise of the story was the adorable love-story between Emma's grandmother and Max' grandfather. Love can happen at any age, and seeing Grams take care of yet another husband with Alzheimer was incredibly touching. A spunky old lady, she gives Emma the best description of love she could ever get: "When you love someone, their burdens are yours, and yours are theirs, and it's your heart's desire to help them any way you can." - Even by facing a panic-inducing TV-phobia to clear your name.
January 14, 2016
This book is not smutty even though the cover and title would make you think it would be. I was intrigued by the premise and I have to say I was not disappointed. While the writing is quite formulaic - let's be honest that is what you would expect from a book that looks like this - it is actually super interesting. Funny, romantic and a little mystery thrown in - I really enjoyed a lighthearted, easy read.
November 12, 2017
I hate this book very much. I gave up at chapter 17. Don't have the patience to read on anymore. A total waste of my time and money....thank goodness I got this book second hand. Can't seem to grasp the story at all. It is so boring. This is the 2nd book I am reading by this author and I promise I will never read her books again. Title and synopsis is interesting but the story really sucks. I get so agitated the more I read and finally I gave up.
June 26, 2022
Don't let the cover fool you. Intrigue, mystery and real life laughter and tears with as the main character navigates around a scandal will caring for a family member with Alzheimer.
September 14, 2012
Between the Sheets is a cute romance where the supporting characters were more interesting than the main ones.
Emma's life has been destroyed after she mistakenly identified as the woman who had sex with the President-elect who ends up dying of a heart attack. Emma loses her business, her good name and her good reputation. Trying to put the scandal behind her, Emma moves to a small town in Louisiana to be closer to her grandmother and to try and live her life in anonymity. The thing is, even small towns get the news and Emma's hope of living a quiet life are dashed, especially when she gets involved with the local D.A., Max Duval.
Between the Sheets was an okay read but I felt that there something lacking. I thought the premise was somewhat ridiculous. Emma becomes wrapped up in this scandal because she's the butler at the house where the President-elect is getting his rocks off with a hooker. When a button pops off her dress, she goes to the bathroom and takes off her entire dress to repin the button! This is how she becomes involved in a scandal that destroys her life. Emma was on her way out the door anyway, leaving for the evening. Why not just wait until you get home? Also, there were certain things that Emma could have done, but did not do, that could have made her life somewhat easier. Like dye her hair or change her name. She wants to be anonymous but made little effort to become anonymous. In the age of the internet, camera phones and the like, moving to a small town doesn't automatically make you anonymous anymore. Folks have long memories thanks to 24 hour news channels and the internet.
I could not root for Emma or her relationship with Max. I felt that their romance was very blah and the conflict with him running for office and not wanting to be caught being with her was very cliche. It added nothing to an already boring relationship. Even the sex scenes were tame. The relationship that kept me engaged in this book was Emma's Grams , Dorothy and Max's grandfather, Harold. They are both living in an assisted living facility. Max's grandfather is suffering from dementia. Grams is a widow. Their romance was very sweet and the old folks in that facility had more spice and kick than Max and Emma on any given day.
All in all Between the Sheets was a cute story that kept me interested thanks to Dorothy and Harold. I didn't feel any heat between Max and Emma. Max was the cookie cutter hero. There was nothing special about him. He was the typical "insert perfect guy here" and was very blah.
Emma's life has been destroyed after she mistakenly identified as the woman who had sex with the President-elect who ends up dying of a heart attack. Emma loses her business, her good name and her good reputation. Trying to put the scandal behind her, Emma moves to a small town in Louisiana to be closer to her grandmother and to try and live her life in anonymity. The thing is, even small towns get the news and Emma's hope of living a quiet life are dashed, especially when she gets involved with the local D.A., Max Duval.
Between the Sheets was an okay read but I felt that there something lacking. I thought the premise was somewhat ridiculous. Emma becomes wrapped up in this scandal because she's the butler at the house where the President-elect is getting his rocks off with a hooker. When a button pops off her dress, she goes to the bathroom and takes off her entire dress to repin the button! This is how she becomes involved in a scandal that destroys her life. Emma was on her way out the door anyway, leaving for the evening. Why not just wait until you get home? Also, there were certain things that Emma could have done, but did not do, that could have made her life somewhat easier. Like dye her hair or change her name. She wants to be anonymous but made little effort to become anonymous. In the age of the internet, camera phones and the like, moving to a small town doesn't automatically make you anonymous anymore. Folks have long memories thanks to 24 hour news channels and the internet.
I could not root for Emma or her relationship with Max. I felt that their romance was very blah and the conflict with him running for office and not wanting to be caught being with her was very cliche. It added nothing to an already boring relationship. Even the sex scenes were tame. The relationship that kept me engaged in this book was Emma's Grams , Dorothy and Max's grandfather, Harold. They are both living in an assisted living facility. Max's grandfather is suffering from dementia. Grams is a widow. Their romance was very sweet and the old folks in that facility had more spice and kick than Max and Emma on any given day.
All in all Between the Sheets was a cute story that kept me interested thanks to Dorothy and Harold. I didn't feel any heat between Max and Emma. Max was the cookie cutter hero. There was nothing special about him. He was the typical "insert perfect guy here" and was very blah.
September 5, 2012
2.5 stars -
Everyone in America thinks that Emma Jamison was having an illicit affair with the president-elect when he died. She's become infamous for something she didn't even do and no one believes her.
She decides to move to small town Chartreuse, Louisiana to live in her grandmother's house. With grandma moved into the local old age home, she settles in, but still can't seem to escape the speculation and disapproval of the local residents. When her grandma starts dating the father of Max Duval, the local District Attorney who is up for re-election, people start talking.
Max and Emma have an instant connection of course... they both realize the implications of them pursuing anything, and in the beginning even Max doesn't believe that Emma is as innocent as she claims.
This book... I don't even know. I liked the idea of it, but it just fell short of my hopes. The story itself was incredibly drawn out and I found myself pushing my way through it because there was just so much. I think if this book were about 100-150 pages shorter I'd have enjoyed it a bunch more. There was just a lot of things that weren't all that necessary to the story I wanted to read. (way too much crazy grandma if you ask me)
One thing that irritated the bejesus out of me was the constant misuse of words on the part of Emma's grandma. I get that it was just the author trying to give her a bit of a quirk, but it got to be so tedious, I dreaded any dialogue from her grandma by the end.
I liked Max... I liked that he didn't give up on Emma and I liked the end resolution I suppose, but there was just too much other stuff that really ruined the flow of the book for me.
If you don't mind convoluted love stories that feature a wacky grandma and a bit of a far-fetched plot - definitely give this a read.
This review can be found on my blog, Fic Fare
Everyone in America thinks that Emma Jamison was having an illicit affair with the president-elect when he died. She's become infamous for something she didn't even do and no one believes her.
She decides to move to small town Chartreuse, Louisiana to live in her grandmother's house. With grandma moved into the local old age home, she settles in, but still can't seem to escape the speculation and disapproval of the local residents. When her grandma starts dating the father of Max Duval, the local District Attorney who is up for re-election, people start talking.
Max and Emma have an instant connection of course... they both realize the implications of them pursuing anything, and in the beginning even Max doesn't believe that Emma is as innocent as she claims.
This book... I don't even know. I liked the idea of it, but it just fell short of my hopes. The story itself was incredibly drawn out and I found myself pushing my way through it because there was just so much. I think if this book were about 100-150 pages shorter I'd have enjoyed it a bunch more. There was just a lot of things that weren't all that necessary to the story I wanted to read. (way too much crazy grandma if you ask me)
One thing that irritated the bejesus out of me was the constant misuse of words on the part of Emma's grandma. I get that it was just the author trying to give her a bit of a quirk, but it got to be so tedious, I dreaded any dialogue from her grandma by the end.
I liked Max... I liked that he didn't give up on Emma and I liked the end resolution I suppose, but there was just too much other stuff that really ruined the flow of the book for me.
If you don't mind convoluted love stories that feature a wacky grandma and a bit of a far-fetched plot - definitely give this a read.
This review can be found on my blog, Fic Fare
October 9, 2012
This book had great reviews and a great premise so I was hopeful. But I was disappointed. The idea that a relatively conservative woman would be mistaken for a call girl who had sex with the president is a very funny idea.
The heroine is chilly, uptight and doesn't have good sense. The author gave the h a dog and had her do nice things for residents of a nursing home trying to make her sympathetic. But I really couldn't like her---she was unbending and always halfway ready to go off on a rant or break into tears. She also did some really stupid things. Why did she never even try to change her appearance? If she was so upset about the ridicule, why did she not have enough sense to avoid situations which, if caught by the journalists following her, would be likely to bring her still more ridicule?
The hero is a cardboard character and I could make no sense of why he would be so drawn to this cold, uptight woman except for her big breasts which he lusts over.
I found the first few chapters to be rather funny but after that, the mistaken identity thing got tiresome. A romance between the protagonists' grandparents is thrown in to enliven the story but I didn't much enjoy this rather burlesque subplot. I'm not fond of slapstick, though, so if you are, you would probably like this subplot. At least the grandparents' romance is not as boring as the romance between the main characters. Most of the book alternates between the protagonists' yawn-worthy interactions (like painting the living room), and, "I can't believe it but clearly the author is going to have this really stupid thing happen next." I stopped reading the novel about half way through and forced myself to finish it a few days later although I just skimmed the rest.
I wish the sample chapters were longer so I could really figure out whether I liked a particular novel before paying for it. But, I would recommend reading the sample and paying attention to whether you want to read a whole book about this woman.
The heroine is chilly, uptight and doesn't have good sense. The author gave the h a dog and had her do nice things for residents of a nursing home trying to make her sympathetic. But I really couldn't like her---she was unbending and always halfway ready to go off on a rant or break into tears. She also did some really stupid things. Why did she never even try to change her appearance? If she was so upset about the ridicule, why did she not have enough sense to avoid situations which, if caught by the journalists following her, would be likely to bring her still more ridicule?
The hero is a cardboard character and I could make no sense of why he would be so drawn to this cold, uptight woman except for her big breasts which he lusts over.
I found the first few chapters to be rather funny but after that, the mistaken identity thing got tiresome. A romance between the protagonists' grandparents is thrown in to enliven the story but I didn't much enjoy this rather burlesque subplot. I'm not fond of slapstick, though, so if you are, you would probably like this subplot. At least the grandparents' romance is not as boring as the romance between the main characters. Most of the book alternates between the protagonists' yawn-worthy interactions (like painting the living room), and, "I can't believe it but clearly the author is going to have this really stupid thing happen next." I stopped reading the novel about half way through and forced myself to finish it a few days later although I just skimmed the rest.
I wish the sample chapters were longer so I could really figure out whether I liked a particular novel before paying for it. But, I would recommend reading the sample and paying attention to whether you want to read a whole book about this woman.
September 22, 2012
First warning, this book quickly dates itself. Before its republished it I think these things should be fixed. Our lead drives a new silver Saturn (not made any more), Oprah still has a show, and other small things just throw the story off. Emma Jamison is a butler. It is her job to get a big New Orleans house ready for a visit from the President Elect. When something goes wrong, she is escorted out of the house in a barely buttoned dresses for safety precautions. Pictures in the press leave the world thinking that she killed the president with her wiles. No matter how much she denies the rumors, no one believes her and it causes havoc with her life. She loses her clients and has to close her business. She moves into her grandmothers old home and takes a job as head of housekeeping in the local retirement community. She meets Max Duval who is running for district attorney, and while the two have chemistry, it would be a determent to his campaign for the two to be friends, let alone have a relationship. What really saves this book is grandma. She is still open to love and the fact that Max’s grandfather has Alzheimer’s and does not sway her from a life of fun and romance, and comic relief in this story.
Want to read
August 23, 2012Thanks to the publisher, Grand Central Publishing, and NetGalley for the chance to read this early!
Review Coming Soon!!!
Disclosure: This ebook was provided to me free of charge through NetGalley for the sole purpose of an honest review. All thoughts, comments, and ratings are my own.
Review Coming Soon!!!
Disclosure: This ebook was provided to me free of charge through NetGalley for the sole purpose of an honest review. All thoughts, comments, and ratings are my own.
October 23, 2012
I wasn't 100% sure I really wanted to read this book, but I'm really glad I did. While my heart broke for Emma every time she was rejected or picked on, I also loved the humor in the story. Emma's grandmother is a hoot, although the mixed metaphors did get a little old after a while. Overall though, fantasic read.
October 30, 2010
This book was the surprise of the month, it was so entertaining. Some histerically funny scenes involving alzheimer patients having a good time in New Orleans, great pace, great dialogue, lovely love story, sad moments and mushy moments. I loved it!
March 1, 2013
This book was awesome!!! Full of scandal, cute dogs, politicians, call girl's, kinky old people and polka dotted walls. It was really good without even trying and also minus all the kinky sex. All the characters were great and made the story all the more better.
January 27, 2014
This book is quite good. It's a full on fantasy book about a girl who struggle with flase publicity, and a handsome district attorney who wanted to prove that she is inocent. This story is romantic but u=not quite leave a deep impresion on me.
April 28, 2008
Not as salacious as the title makes it sound; more like the average airplane read.
June 10, 2009
A very charming book. I'd recommend it to anyone enjoys escaping into a book with quirky characters and a great sense of humor.
July 22, 2009
cute story
March 27, 2011
Another great one from Robin Wells!
May 3, 2011
Really cute. Grandma Dorothy just steals the show in this. Read it if only to giggle at her convoluted colloquialisms.
Read
May 7, 2015I love Robin's work. Sassy humor, quick pacing, quirky characters and in this book her characters' compassion handling Alzheimer patients was done beautifully. A fun read you'll enjoy.
August 2, 2012
This one is boring in some parts and fun in others.
August 3, 2016
Not nearly as tawdry as it sounds. Interesting story of a woman who did not do anything wrong but it is caught up in a national scandal. She tries to put her life back together.
Read
November 26, 2014Really liked very well rounded good romance funny characters. I like this series. Very cute characters in the senior home.
June 19, 2015
Thoroughly enjoyable! This is a "wrong place, wrong time" story that effects the main character, who wants to clear her name. This book is so good you may decide to read it a second time!
Want to read
February 11, 2015Recommended by Tibby Heno
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