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Salt Box Trilogy #1
Finding Mr. Right Now
Reality can be hotter than fiction. The Salt Box Trilogy, Book 1 Monica McKellar, associate producer of Finding Mr. Right, is desperate. One of the show's bachelors has bailed one week before shooting starts. She not only needs a replacement ASAP, he has to get the temperamental bachelorette's stamp of approval. Fortunately there's a hot guy right under her nose who's a perfect fit. Unfortunately, he pushes all her hot buttons. Until the show's over, her hands-and every other part of her body-are tied. When Paul Dewitt signed on to write for the reality show, "Bachelor #10" wasn't supposed to be in his job description. He fully expects to be cut early on, which will free him to focus on the real object of his attraction. Monica. Instead, he's a finalist, and they're all packed in an SUV climbing the Continental Divide, headed for Salt Box, Colorado. Where stampeding horses, vindictive tabloid editors, and one capricious bachelorette's waffling over suitors may conspire to end Paul and Monica's romance before it even starts. Warning: Contains hot sex on the sly, cold nights, creaking wicker couches, and a gypsy wagon that gives a whole new appreciation for the pioneers.
282 pages, Paperback
First published June 2, 2015
8 people are currently reading
65 people want to read
About the author
Meg Benjamin
39 books492 followersMeg Benjamin is an award-winning author of romance. Her newest series, the Folk, is a paranormal series from Soul Mate Publishing set in Colorado. Meg’s Konigsburg series is set in the Texas Hill Country and her Salt Box and Brewing Love trilogies are set in the Colorado Rockies (all are available from Entangled Publishing). Along with contemporary romance, Meg is also the author of the paranormal Ramos Family trilogy from Berkley InterMix. Meg’s books have won numerous awards, including an EPIC Award, a Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award, the Holt Medallion from Virginia Romance Writers, the Beanpot Award from the New England Romance Writers, and the Award of Excellence from Colorado Romance Writers. Meg’s Web site is http://www.MegBenjamin.com. You can follow her on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/meg.benjamin1), Pinterest (http://pinterest.com/megbenjamin/), Twitter (http://twitter.com/megbenj1) and Instagram (meg_benjamin). Meg loves to hear from readers—contact her at meg@megbenjamin.com.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
June 1, 2015
Slick's review posted at Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews
4.5 Stars
I am so not a fan of reality television shows but because this is a Meg Benjamin book I just had to read it and I'm really glad I did. The first book in her Salt Box Trilogy, Finding Mr. Right Now takes place during the filming of a bachelorette show, Finding Mr. Right and it is set in a ski resort in Colorado. Taking Hollywood types plus reality show contestants up in to the mountains of Colorado, what could go wrong? Well a lot and some of it is quite comical and in addition we are treated to how unreal a reality show really is and find that while you can't force love sometimes it hits two people over the head when they least expect it. Add in some very interesting town folks and the majestic mountains as a backdrop and you have the makings of a fantastic new series.
As an associate producer of a production company Monica McKellar job description is pretty fluid and the next show they are producing is one she really isn't all too excited about. Finding Mr. Right brings back a fan favorite bachelorette from Finding Ms. Right and although she hates it she knows a good portion of her job is going to be babysitting Ronnie. As the show begins to unravel even before it starts Monica figures she should have taken it as a sign but when the show's handsome writer is tapped to take the place of a bachelor gone missing, her life gets even more complicated.
Paul Dewitt is just passing time working for Fairstein Productions hoping the show he has developed with a friend will be picked up and he won't be stuck "writing" for insipid reality shows for the rest of his life. When he's basically forced into accepting to fill in for a missing bachelor on the upcoming filming of Finding Mr. Right he doesn't think his life can get any more complicated. Little does he know that the complications have just begun.
It was really entertaining to watch Monica and Paul try and figure out how to be together while she was working on producing the show and he was suppose to be interested in being the next Mr. Right (something he had zero interest in). An accident has them waylaid in the town of Salt Box where they spend a few days interacting with a very intriguing local crowd and finding many ways to enjoy the downtime. There were many comical moments in this story as well as many sweet ones to some downright sexy and sensual ones. Through it all these two managed to spend time getting to know one another and developing a closeness that went beyond the physical. All the while trying to steal precious moments together Monica was trying to keep the bedlam of the filming from gaining media attention and Paul was trying to get cut from the show all while hoping to hear from his agent that his idea was accepted.
There is nothing I appreciate more than a well balanced story and Finding Mr. Right Now fits that description perfectly; a fast paced and entertaining plot, characters I like and care about, humor and just enough drama to make it interesting and an ending much better than any reality show could hope for. Well done Ms. Benjamin The Salt Box Trilogy is off to a great start!
Review copy provided for an honest review.
4.5 Stars
I am so not a fan of reality television shows but because this is a Meg Benjamin book I just had to read it and I'm really glad I did. The first book in her Salt Box Trilogy, Finding Mr. Right Now takes place during the filming of a bachelorette show, Finding Mr. Right and it is set in a ski resort in Colorado. Taking Hollywood types plus reality show contestants up in to the mountains of Colorado, what could go wrong? Well a lot and some of it is quite comical and in addition we are treated to how unreal a reality show really is and find that while you can't force love sometimes it hits two people over the head when they least expect it. Add in some very interesting town folks and the majestic mountains as a backdrop and you have the makings of a fantastic new series.
As an associate producer of a production company Monica McKellar job description is pretty fluid and the next show they are producing is one she really isn't all too excited about. Finding Mr. Right brings back a fan favorite bachelorette from Finding Ms. Right and although she hates it she knows a good portion of her job is going to be babysitting Ronnie. As the show begins to unravel even before it starts Monica figures she should have taken it as a sign but when the show's handsome writer is tapped to take the place of a bachelor gone missing, her life gets even more complicated.
Paul Dewitt is just passing time working for Fairstein Productions hoping the show he has developed with a friend will be picked up and he won't be stuck "writing" for insipid reality shows for the rest of his life. When he's basically forced into accepting to fill in for a missing bachelor on the upcoming filming of Finding Mr. Right he doesn't think his life can get any more complicated. Little does he know that the complications have just begun.
It was really entertaining to watch Monica and Paul try and figure out how to be together while she was working on producing the show and he was suppose to be interested in being the next Mr. Right (something he had zero interest in). An accident has them waylaid in the town of Salt Box where they spend a few days interacting with a very intriguing local crowd and finding many ways to enjoy the downtime. There were many comical moments in this story as well as many sweet ones to some downright sexy and sensual ones. Through it all these two managed to spend time getting to know one another and developing a closeness that went beyond the physical. All the while trying to steal precious moments together Monica was trying to keep the bedlam of the filming from gaining media attention and Paul was trying to get cut from the show all while hoping to hear from his agent that his idea was accepted.
There is nothing I appreciate more than a well balanced story and Finding Mr. Right Now fits that description perfectly; a fast paced and entertaining plot, characters I like and care about, humor and just enough drama to make it interesting and an ending much better than any reality show could hope for. Well done Ms. Benjamin The Salt Box Trilogy is off to a great start!
Review copy provided for an honest review.
August 6, 2015
A funny story that takes a look and a jab at the craziness of reality TV. While filming a bachlorette type show at a ski resort in Colorado, everything that can go wrong does. Associate producer Monica McKellar can't believe the luck, or bad luck, she's having with this show. Not only does she have to deal with Ronnie, the bachlorette from hell, but the one guy she's found interesting in a long while is called in to replace a bachelor who is MIA. The hilarity really begins when Monica and Paul try to figure out how to be together while Paul tries to pretend to be interested in Ronnie for the show.
All in all a very funny book I would recommend. I received a copy of this book for an honest review.
All in all a very funny book I would recommend. I received a copy of this book for an honest review.
October 16, 2021
A new author, I’m trying to read as many of these I can find on my “Next Read” shelf. Finding Mr. Right was entertaining and quick. It’s a decent story. This is all about reality in reality TV. The premise of the book seemed interesting and for the most part, it was. This is a definite dig at reality TV. The drama that goes on is not between the two main characters of the book, but rather between the main character of the show, Finding Mr. Right, and her bachelors. The irony of the whole thing is that while the bachelorette is finding her Mr. Right, she is becoming more and more disillusioned with love and life. Her bubbles are being burst one at a time. But, can someone actually find Mr. Right?
There’s nothing that will make you sit back and say, “Well, I didn’t see that one coming!” You will have a fun time behind the scenes of reality TV, though.
There’s nothing that will make you sit back and say, “Well, I didn’t see that one coming!” You will have a fun time behind the scenes of reality TV, though.
January 22, 2016
Originally published at Reading Reality
I picked this up because I really enjoyed the author’s Ramos Family Trilogy (Medium Well, Medium Rare, and Happy Medium) and was hoping that lightning would strike twice.
Nope.
Instead, I have an entire SUV-load full of mixed feelings and reactions. As you’ll read in a minute.
The love story here takes place on the disaster-prone set of a reality TV show. As many things as go wrong, you’d think this was on a Survivor-clone, but it isn’t. Instead, this is an alternate version of The Bachelor, where one of the photogenic losing bachelorettes becomes the star of the first series of The Bachelorette. Although I think this kind of happened.
In any case, in the book, the shows are produced by a fairly downmarket cable production company, and everything is on a shoestring. That might make good comedy, and probably did for some readers.
But the story here isn’t about the starring bachelorette finding true love through the show. Instead, that starring bachelorette loses her original starry-eyed belief in true love. It’s the long-suffering assistant producer who finds the love of her life.
Unfortunately for both of them, she finds that love with one of the erstwhile bachelors. Which is where a good chunk (hunk?) of the sexual tension comes in. Both Monica and Paul are single and unattached, and would normally be free to explore whatever is happening between them.
But they can’t until the show is over, because it will ruin an illusion that no one is really buying into. And they can’t seem to hang on to their pants for the six weeks needed to complete the show.
Escape Rating C+: It’s hard to rate this one. I found the scenario behind the book incredibly contrived. That could be because I’m not a fan of reality TV.
I liked the two protagonists quite a bit. Monica is incredibly put upon as the assistant producer, but she keeps taking the hard knocks and doing her job. She’s self-aware enough to know that jobs in show business are hard to find, and that this is what she expected when she decided to be in the business. But it isn’t until she meets Paul Dewitt that she starts looking for the next phase in her life. Not just that it would be great to have someone to come home to, but that she has learned all she can where she is, and it’s time to move up the ladder. Or on to a less dysfunctional production company. Or both.
I also liked Paul, although the situation he finds himself in seems as contrived as the TV show. He was not a contestant to be one of the bachelors. He’s a writer for the show who found himself in the wrong place at the wrong time and got dragooned into the bachelor pool by the self-absorbed bachelorette and the tyrannical producer.
And that’s where things kind of go off the rails for this reader. A big part of this story is all about Monica becoming the “babysitter” for the self-absorbed sweetheart diva of a bachelorette. Little Ronnie probably isn’t half as dumb as she acts, but she comes off as a combination of wide-eyed innocence, total vapidity, and utter self-absorption that made me clench my teeth every time she appeared. She’s also incredibly manipulative, but you’re never quite sure just how deliberate she is in that manipulation.
Except for Monica and Paul, all of the other producers and writers involved with this production company are at best totally overwhelmed and completely oblivious to everything outside their own sphere of crises to solve, and at worst, and this is most of them, they are actively vile. There doesn’t seem to be anyone likable in the company except for Paul and Monica. The photographer on the shoot with them isn’t actively awful, but that’s as high a bar as anyone else in the company manages to reach.
So it feels like the show is toxic, which means that their work environment is toxic. One understands why they both want to escape, but one questions their sanity at being involved at all. It wouldn’t be fun to work in, and it isn’t fun to read about, either.
On that other hand, I liked the town of Salt Box where they get stranded for a couple of days. It’s a quirky place, but it feels more real. Or at least more nuanced in its insanity. While one of the locals is often called “Dick the dick”, when we (and Monica) get to know him a little better, we discover that while he is the curmudgeon that he appears, he isn’t really quite that big of an asshat. He just doesn’t suffer fools, and tests everyone in his orbit to make sure they are not before he lets them in.
At the end of this story, I feel more than a bit of sympathy for Dick. He discovers that Paul and Monica are not fools, and lets them into his circle and out of the circle of Hell they are currently working in. And he makes sure that the rest of the cast and crew of that show all stay OUT.
I picked this up because I really enjoyed the author’s Ramos Family Trilogy (Medium Well, Medium Rare, and Happy Medium) and was hoping that lightning would strike twice.
Nope.
Instead, I have an entire SUV-load full of mixed feelings and reactions. As you’ll read in a minute.
The love story here takes place on the disaster-prone set of a reality TV show. As many things as go wrong, you’d think this was on a Survivor-clone, but it isn’t. Instead, this is an alternate version of The Bachelor, where one of the photogenic losing bachelorettes becomes the star of the first series of The Bachelorette. Although I think this kind of happened.
In any case, in the book, the shows are produced by a fairly downmarket cable production company, and everything is on a shoestring. That might make good comedy, and probably did for some readers.
But the story here isn’t about the starring bachelorette finding true love through the show. Instead, that starring bachelorette loses her original starry-eyed belief in true love. It’s the long-suffering assistant producer who finds the love of her life.
Unfortunately for both of them, she finds that love with one of the erstwhile bachelors. Which is where a good chunk (hunk?) of the sexual tension comes in. Both Monica and Paul are single and unattached, and would normally be free to explore whatever is happening between them.
But they can’t until the show is over, because it will ruin an illusion that no one is really buying into. And they can’t seem to hang on to their pants for the six weeks needed to complete the show.
Escape Rating C+: It’s hard to rate this one. I found the scenario behind the book incredibly contrived. That could be because I’m not a fan of reality TV.
I liked the two protagonists quite a bit. Monica is incredibly put upon as the assistant producer, but she keeps taking the hard knocks and doing her job. She’s self-aware enough to know that jobs in show business are hard to find, and that this is what she expected when she decided to be in the business. But it isn’t until she meets Paul Dewitt that she starts looking for the next phase in her life. Not just that it would be great to have someone to come home to, but that she has learned all she can where she is, and it’s time to move up the ladder. Or on to a less dysfunctional production company. Or both.
I also liked Paul, although the situation he finds himself in seems as contrived as the TV show. He was not a contestant to be one of the bachelors. He’s a writer for the show who found himself in the wrong place at the wrong time and got dragooned into the bachelor pool by the self-absorbed bachelorette and the tyrannical producer.
And that’s where things kind of go off the rails for this reader. A big part of this story is all about Monica becoming the “babysitter” for the self-absorbed sweetheart diva of a bachelorette. Little Ronnie probably isn’t half as dumb as she acts, but she comes off as a combination of wide-eyed innocence, total vapidity, and utter self-absorption that made me clench my teeth every time she appeared. She’s also incredibly manipulative, but you’re never quite sure just how deliberate she is in that manipulation.
Except for Monica and Paul, all of the other producers and writers involved with this production company are at best totally overwhelmed and completely oblivious to everything outside their own sphere of crises to solve, and at worst, and this is most of them, they are actively vile. There doesn’t seem to be anyone likable in the company except for Paul and Monica. The photographer on the shoot with them isn’t actively awful, but that’s as high a bar as anyone else in the company manages to reach.
So it feels like the show is toxic, which means that their work environment is toxic. One understands why they both want to escape, but one questions their sanity at being involved at all. It wouldn’t be fun to work in, and it isn’t fun to read about, either.
On that other hand, I liked the town of Salt Box where they get stranded for a couple of days. It’s a quirky place, but it feels more real. Or at least more nuanced in its insanity. While one of the locals is often called “Dick the dick”, when we (and Monica) get to know him a little better, we discover that while he is the curmudgeon that he appears, he isn’t really quite that big of an asshat. He just doesn’t suffer fools, and tests everyone in his orbit to make sure they are not before he lets them in.
At the end of this story, I feel more than a bit of sympathy for Dick. He discovers that Paul and Monica are not fools, and lets them into his circle and out of the circle of Hell they are currently working in. And he makes sure that the rest of the cast and crew of that show all stay OUT.
May 29, 2015
Even though I’m not the biggest fan of reality TV shows, I have to admit I love reading romances set in them. There’s just so much scope for nasty characters, naive ones, clandestine romances, ridiculous stunts and so many, many things that can go wrong – oh, and the few important things that go right, of course. And this book is no different. Taking an amusing side-swipe at The Bachelor/ette style shows, this is a fun, easy read about one seriously put upon associate producer and the writer roped in where he really doesn’t want to be.
Poor Monica! The stuff she puts up with in this book. There are so many places where I wanted her to snap back or at least show some sign of temper, but she’s clearly a much better person than me because she puts up with the orders and demands, the distinct lack of gratitude and the feeble whims of her “star”. Despite seeming so at times, Monica’s not actually spineless, nor is she a doormat. She’s capable of getting things done under pressure and she’s even able to stick up for herself when necessary, it’s just her job itself that pushes her down. But I liked her. She’s nice, she tries to keep as many people happy as possible, and despite extreme provocation she never actually strangles Ronnie, the bachelorette.
Some of that is probably thanks to having Paul around. Unwilling as he is to be involved, he’s also a nice guy who quietly has Monica’s back when plans for the show go somewhat off the rails and land them in an unexpected place. He’s not big or bossy or brash and he never tells Monica what to do, he just quietly sneaks around and helps her take her mind off the mess of the show. If anything he’s a little too quiet at times, letting events overtake him a bit, but then so does Monica. The show is run by some pretty strong characters, some more unexpected than others, and the nice people tend to get swallowed up by it.
Full of daftness of reality TV, peopled with interesting characters and featuring a sweet and sexy romance while set in the Colorado mountains, this book is fluffy, feel-good fun. Sure, there are moments where I wanted to shout rude things at certain people and roll my eyes at the too-sweet-for-her-own-good Ronnie, but it made me smile and chuckle along while waiting for the inevitable plot points to happen. In all I enjoyed it and I will definitely be looking out for more from Salt Box in future.
(I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.)
Poor Monica! The stuff she puts up with in this book. There are so many places where I wanted her to snap back or at least show some sign of temper, but she’s clearly a much better person than me because she puts up with the orders and demands, the distinct lack of gratitude and the feeble whims of her “star”. Despite seeming so at times, Monica’s not actually spineless, nor is she a doormat. She’s capable of getting things done under pressure and she’s even able to stick up for herself when necessary, it’s just her job itself that pushes her down. But I liked her. She’s nice, she tries to keep as many people happy as possible, and despite extreme provocation she never actually strangles Ronnie, the bachelorette.
Some of that is probably thanks to having Paul around. Unwilling as he is to be involved, he’s also a nice guy who quietly has Monica’s back when plans for the show go somewhat off the rails and land them in an unexpected place. He’s not big or bossy or brash and he never tells Monica what to do, he just quietly sneaks around and helps her take her mind off the mess of the show. If anything he’s a little too quiet at times, letting events overtake him a bit, but then so does Monica. The show is run by some pretty strong characters, some more unexpected than others, and the nice people tend to get swallowed up by it.
Full of daftness of reality TV, peopled with interesting characters and featuring a sweet and sexy romance while set in the Colorado mountains, this book is fluffy, feel-good fun. Sure, there are moments where I wanted to shout rude things at certain people and roll my eyes at the too-sweet-for-her-own-good Ronnie, but it made me smile and chuckle along while waiting for the inevitable plot points to happen. In all I enjoyed it and I will definitely be looking out for more from Salt Box in future.
(I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.)
July 26, 2015
Review for MR. RIGHT NOW
I received this as a gift for an honest review
Let me start by saying I loved this book. There was humor, angst, sarcasm, love, hate and a whole slew of other emotions. That said let’s get on with my review.
Monica McKellar is the associate producer for FINDING MR. RIGHT, a spinoff reality show from FINDING MS. RIGHT. Ronnie Valero is the losing bachelorette from Finding MS. RIGHT, but the viewers loved her and so they created a show for her to find her special guy. Ronnie is a mostly dim witted young thing with romantic notions that are totally off the wall. She actually expects to find her special man on this show. She is also a spoiled little girl who cries at the drop of a hat and a pain where the sun don’t shine. Paul DeWitt is a writer for the show who is seriously looking for another job. He wants to do some serious work in his writing career. The trouble starts when one of the bachelors leaves at the last minute and they need a replacement. Ronnie spies Paul in the hallway after having been told she is down one potential love match, and even though she is told he is one of the writers, Ronnie goes to the Director and demands Paul be brought in on the show as one of her potentials. Paul is hesitant at first, but being assured he will be voted off fast , he agrees. Monica is less than thrilled because she is losing the only sane writer they have for the show. What Paul and Monica never see coming is the attraction that pulls them together from almost the very start. As the show goes into production, all sorts of problems arise…jealousy among the men for Ronnie’s affection, the continuing attraction between Monica and Paul, accidents and delays, not to mention a pushy writer from Paul’s past who wants info from him on the show. All this makes Monica’s job more trouble and work than it is worth. But when disillusioned Ronnie decides she wants Paul for her man…even knowing about him and Monica…and demands from the director and producer threaten to push Monica over the edge of sanity…you something has to give. And it does, in the guise of Paul’s perfect job offer. When he leaves the show abruptly, Monica is hurt. But things have a way of working out. Will Paul’s return be the answer to the problems…or will it compound it more ??
I received this as a gift for an honest review
Let me start by saying I loved this book. There was humor, angst, sarcasm, love, hate and a whole slew of other emotions. That said let’s get on with my review.
Monica McKellar is the associate producer for FINDING MR. RIGHT, a spinoff reality show from FINDING MS. RIGHT. Ronnie Valero is the losing bachelorette from Finding MS. RIGHT, but the viewers loved her and so they created a show for her to find her special guy. Ronnie is a mostly dim witted young thing with romantic notions that are totally off the wall. She actually expects to find her special man on this show. She is also a spoiled little girl who cries at the drop of a hat and a pain where the sun don’t shine. Paul DeWitt is a writer for the show who is seriously looking for another job. He wants to do some serious work in his writing career. The trouble starts when one of the bachelors leaves at the last minute and they need a replacement. Ronnie spies Paul in the hallway after having been told she is down one potential love match, and even though she is told he is one of the writers, Ronnie goes to the Director and demands Paul be brought in on the show as one of her potentials. Paul is hesitant at first, but being assured he will be voted off fast , he agrees. Monica is less than thrilled because she is losing the only sane writer they have for the show. What Paul and Monica never see coming is the attraction that pulls them together from almost the very start. As the show goes into production, all sorts of problems arise…jealousy among the men for Ronnie’s affection, the continuing attraction between Monica and Paul, accidents and delays, not to mention a pushy writer from Paul’s past who wants info from him on the show. All this makes Monica’s job more trouble and work than it is worth. But when disillusioned Ronnie decides she wants Paul for her man…even knowing about him and Monica…and demands from the director and producer threaten to push Monica over the edge of sanity…you something has to give. And it does, in the guise of Paul’s perfect job offer. When he leaves the show abruptly, Monica is hurt. But things have a way of working out. Will Paul’s return be the answer to the problems…or will it compound it more ??
August 6, 2015
3.75 stars
"Finding Mr. Right Now" is a contemporary romantic story by Meg Benjamin that is the start of the ‘Salt Box Trilogy’ series and centers on associate producer Monica McKellar who is frantically trying to ensure that her bachelorette finds true love by the end of filming. Writer Paul Dewitt doesn’t expect to provide more than scripts for the show and being conscripted as a last minute replacement bachelor is more than he planned for, especially when he’s more attracted to Monica than to the star of the show. The picturesque Colorado town of Salt Box and its quirky inhabitants provides a great backdrop for this complicated romance between two people who have to decide whether to pursue their careers or their hearts.
This entertaining story is a fun look at the machinations behind a popular reality show trend, even as it makes one think about motivation and the dangers of accepting things at face value. Everyone has a different agenda in this story, and the contrast between the picture being presented for the benefit of television viewers and the drama playing out in real life is a somewhat sobering comment on the artificiality of shows of this type.
Some of the secondary characters have unexpected depths and the author does a nice job of creating tension on several levels even as the relationship between the main characters intensifies. I enjoyed the heat and romance in the story but I would have liked a little more depth and backbone to the main characters and I wasn’t crazy about the deception that they all felt compelled to perpetrate, although I understood the drive for self-preservation that was the basis for their decisions. I think that there is a potential for intriguing follow-up adventures in the town of Salt Box and I feel that this is a fun light read which will be enjoyed by fans of reality shows and contemporary romances.
A copy of this story was provided to me for review.
"Finding Mr. Right Now" is a contemporary romantic story by Meg Benjamin that is the start of the ‘Salt Box Trilogy’ series and centers on associate producer Monica McKellar who is frantically trying to ensure that her bachelorette finds true love by the end of filming. Writer Paul Dewitt doesn’t expect to provide more than scripts for the show and being conscripted as a last minute replacement bachelor is more than he planned for, especially when he’s more attracted to Monica than to the star of the show. The picturesque Colorado town of Salt Box and its quirky inhabitants provides a great backdrop for this complicated romance between two people who have to decide whether to pursue their careers or their hearts.
This entertaining story is a fun look at the machinations behind a popular reality show trend, even as it makes one think about motivation and the dangers of accepting things at face value. Everyone has a different agenda in this story, and the contrast between the picture being presented for the benefit of television viewers and the drama playing out in real life is a somewhat sobering comment on the artificiality of shows of this type.
Some of the secondary characters have unexpected depths and the author does a nice job of creating tension on several levels even as the relationship between the main characters intensifies. I enjoyed the heat and romance in the story but I would have liked a little more depth and backbone to the main characters and I wasn’t crazy about the deception that they all felt compelled to perpetrate, although I understood the drive for self-preservation that was the basis for their decisions. I think that there is a potential for intriguing follow-up adventures in the town of Salt Box and I feel that this is a fun light read which will be enjoyed by fans of reality shows and contemporary romances.
A copy of this story was provided to me for review.
January 1, 2016
It was really fun to read this story set behind the scenes of a reality TV show.
Monica works for the show Finding Mr Right: it must finally find the perfect guy for Ronnie Valero. Unfortunately one of the ten competitors escapes just before starting the show, taking away even the shirts of the scene. They must quickly find a new candidate. Paul is a writer, writes the stunts for TV shows. He must deal with the screenplay for Finding Mr. Right and it happens just as they are desperately looking for the tenth competitor. Paul is perfect to join the cast of bachelors. The problem comes when he realizes is more attracted to Monica that Ronnie: the risk is high, they may lose both their jobs .....
The protagonists are lovely, the competitors of the reality, and especially Ronnie, much less. Ronnie is capricious and spoiled, prey to many hysterical crisis. Monica is really good at her job: is able to resist the pressure of her work and to manage perfectly the vagaries of her star and contingencies of the entertainment world. Paul is charming and sexy, with Monica form a couple hilarious and hot.
A great start to this new series, I hope to read soon the second book.
It 's a romance sexy, fun, with a style simple and fluent, a fast pace and a cast of interesting characters. It's ideal as beach reading and I recommend it to anyone who wants to read a novel contemporary different as usual.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
Monica works for the show Finding Mr Right: it must finally find the perfect guy for Ronnie Valero. Unfortunately one of the ten competitors escapes just before starting the show, taking away even the shirts of the scene. They must quickly find a new candidate. Paul is a writer, writes the stunts for TV shows. He must deal with the screenplay for Finding Mr. Right and it happens just as they are desperately looking for the tenth competitor. Paul is perfect to join the cast of bachelors. The problem comes when he realizes is more attracted to Monica that Ronnie: the risk is high, they may lose both their jobs .....
The protagonists are lovely, the competitors of the reality, and especially Ronnie, much less. Ronnie is capricious and spoiled, prey to many hysterical crisis. Monica is really good at her job: is able to resist the pressure of her work and to manage perfectly the vagaries of her star and contingencies of the entertainment world. Paul is charming and sexy, with Monica form a couple hilarious and hot.
A great start to this new series, I hope to read soon the second book.
It 's a romance sexy, fun, with a style simple and fluent, a fast pace and a cast of interesting characters. It's ideal as beach reading and I recommend it to anyone who wants to read a novel contemporary different as usual.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
August 9, 2015
I may be one of the few who has never seen a reality show. Yes, I have seen the ads for them but never am I interested enough to tune in to actually watch one. Finding Mr. Right Now (Salt Box 1) just proves what I have always thought; what goes on behind the cameras is much more interesting than what goes on in front of them.
Meg Benjamin has written a well –developed story concerning an associate producer and a reluctant fill-in bachelor who also is working in the writing dept.. Their story is humorous, serious and everything in between. Putting the show, Finding Mr. Right in the Colorado Mountains provides a colorful set of town people when Monica and Paul get stranded in Salt Box.
It is simply a marvelous start to the series as well as introducing the town of Salt Box. I can highly recommend this book to fans of Meg Benjamin, new and old, along with anyone who likes their romance with a smile.
4.5 Stars
The author provided a copy for an honest review
Meg Benjamin has written a well –developed story concerning an associate producer and a reluctant fill-in bachelor who also is working in the writing dept.. Their story is humorous, serious and everything in between. Putting the show, Finding Mr. Right in the Colorado Mountains provides a colorful set of town people when Monica and Paul get stranded in Salt Box.
It is simply a marvelous start to the series as well as introducing the town of Salt Box. I can highly recommend this book to fans of Meg Benjamin, new and old, along with anyone who likes their romance with a smile.
4.5 Stars
The author provided a copy for an honest review
July 7, 2015
Practical Monica is too good for the reality show she works on and I kept wondering when she’d snap at someone (or go crazy), but she almost always maintained her cool. Paul was a man with a vision for his life and was working towards it. The strong yet sensitive type which made him uber sexy.
Monica and Paul are strong characters by themselves and when they come together they’re hilarious and combustible. There were many times while reading the novel that I wondered if they’d get caught and warned them in advance not to engage in certain off camera activities, but they never listened to me.
Finding Mr. Right Now turned out to be a light read that kept my interest with the hilarious situations, excellent dialogue, action, and lots of heat.
I was given a copy of this book for an honest review.
Monica and Paul are strong characters by themselves and when they come together they’re hilarious and combustible. There were many times while reading the novel that I wondered if they’d get caught and warned them in advance not to engage in certain off camera activities, but they never listened to me.
Finding Mr. Right Now turned out to be a light read that kept my interest with the hilarious situations, excellent dialogue, action, and lots of heat.
I was given a copy of this book for an honest review.
June 10, 2015
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Another winner for Meg Benjamin. Looking forward to this new series. A change of scenery from her Konigsburg books. Now we are in Colorado, behind the scenes of a reality show to find Mr Right.
Monica is an associate producer in charge of the Miss Right aka Ronnie. When a bachelor bails, she has to find a replacement fast. In comes Paul, the writer for the show. (who knew they had writers) As the show goes on, things get more steamy between Paul and Monica. Throw in a bachelorette that still wants Paul on the show and two other bachelors (one is in love with himself and the other with Ronnie) and things can get a little interesting.
Another winner for Meg Benjamin. Looking forward to this new series. A change of scenery from her Konigsburg books. Now we are in Colorado, behind the scenes of a reality show to find Mr Right.
Monica is an associate producer in charge of the Miss Right aka Ronnie. When a bachelor bails, she has to find a replacement fast. In comes Paul, the writer for the show. (who knew they had writers) As the show goes on, things get more steamy between Paul and Monica. Throw in a bachelorette that still wants Paul on the show and two other bachelors (one is in love with himself and the other with Ronnie) and things can get a little interesting.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 20, 2015
I have to say Meg Benjamin has a way of bringing two people together in funny, unusual ways it is easy to love it. The one thing that I didn`t like was that it kind of got stuck in the whole reality tv storyline that the romance between Paul and Monica seemed slow. I wanted more of Paul and Monica what else besides passion clicked between them. I have to say though Meg Benjamin when she writes a sex scene though it is very creative even laughed at a couple of times between their scenes. Definitely can`t wait to see what else is in store from Meg Benjamin.
June 10, 2015
A fun look at the mess that is reality TV. Finding Mr. Right Now is funny, sexy and touching at the same time. Meg Benjamin did a fascinating job. Setting a story, a romance no less in the glitz, glamor and shallowness of reality TV was genius. The contrast between working in an environment centered around make believe and managing to find a solid, stable relationship was a very different take on your standard romance. After reading Finding Mr. Right Now, I will surely read the rest of this fun series.
Disclosure: Received an ARC of Finding Mr. Right Now for an honest review.
Disclosure: Received an ARC of Finding Mr. Right Now for an honest review.
July 24, 2015
I enjoyed this book by Meg Benjamin. It was the first book I've read by her but I'll certainly read more in the future. I don't watch all the reality dating shows but its fun to "experience" the drama that they entail & the author did a good job creating that world, as least as what I imagine it would be. The love story was a bit predictable but it was fun & I enjoyed the interactions between Monica & Paul. I felt the story lagged at times but over all it was a great book & I look forward to the rest of the series.
I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
July 31, 2015
Monica is the associate producer for "Finding Mr. Right" and they have lost one of their Misters when he decided to go home and so a replacement is needed...immediately. The Miss notices the writer, Paul, who was on set and decides he would be perfect as the replacement and in her divalicious way pitches a fit and viola Paul is the new Mister.
I am not a fan of reality TV but found this book charming, funny, light, steamy, and really, really enjoyable!
**Received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review**
I am not a fan of reality TV but found this book charming, funny, light, steamy, and really, really enjoyable!
**Received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review**
April 25, 2016
Meg Benjamin has a winner with this book. It's a great spin on the Bachelor/Bachelorette Reality TV series that kept me very entertained. It has great humor which I love in a romance book, but it also had some drama, a villain or two and a surprise twist along the way. It held my interest throughout the book, and I got totally connected with the characters. The read was not too heavy and not too light - a perfect balance for me. Very enjoyable! I will be checking out the next book in this Salt Box Trilogy.
July 21, 2015
I enjoyed this book, and I thought the writing was good. I did skim, but overall it was a good book. I don't really watch reality T.V., but this was a cute spin off of it. Monica was a good character, but put up with a lot of stuff. 4 stars overall.
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