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Secret Lives Of Daytime Divas #1
Take on Me
On prom night, Dylan Anderson caused the biggest humiliation of Sadie Post's life. Getting over her crush on him took a while, but now she's grown up and moved on. Until Dylan moves into her workplace, that is. Suddenly it's high school revisitedcomplete with her lustful thoughts about him.
But she's his boss and finally has the upper handshe won't let her sexy fantasies change that. Too bad the tension spiking between them is so high, it's inevitable they hit the sheetsor the nearest desk. And once they do, Dylan is better than she'd ever imagined. She promised herself to leave him begging for morebut does she really want to?
But she's his boss and finally has the upper handshe won't let her sexy fantasies change that. Too bad the tension spiking between them is so high, it's inevitable they hit the sheetsor the nearest desk. And once they do, Dylan is better than she'd ever imagined. She promised herself to leave him begging for morebut does she really want to?
256 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2007
13 people are currently reading
481 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Mayberry
159 books1,150 followersSarah Mayberry was born in Melbourne, Australia, and is the middle of three children. From the time that she first “stole” paper from kindergarten and stapled it together to make “books,” Sarah has always wanted to be a writer. In line with this ambition, on graduation from high school she completed a bachelor of arts degree majoring in professional writing, then sat down to write a book. When inspiration didn’t strike, she began to wonder if, perhaps, she needed to live some life first before writing about it.
This still left the burning question of how to pay the rent. She found her way into trade journalism, working off the principle that it was better to write anything for a living than nothing at all. Her time there lead to the opportunity to launch a new decorator magazine for one of Australia’s major retailers, an invaluable and grueling experience that she found very rewarding.
But the opportunity to write fiction for a living soon lured Sarah away. She took up a post as storyliner on Australia’s longest running soap, Neighbours. Over two years she helped plot more than 240 hours of television, as well as writing freelance scripts. She remembers her time with the show very fondly — especially the dirty jokes and laughter around the story table — and still writes scripts on a freelance basis.
In 2003 she relocated to New Zealand for her partner’s work. There Sarah served as storyliner and story editor on the country’s top-rating drama, Shortland Street, before quitting to pursue writing full time.
Sarah picked up a love of romance novels from both her grandmothers, and has submitted manuscripts to Harlequin many times over the years. She credits the invaluable story structuring experience she learned on Neighbours as the key to her eventual success — along with the patience of her fantastic editor, Wanda.
Sarah is revoltingly happy with her partner of twelve years, Chris, who is a talented scriptwriter. Not only does he offer fantastic advice and solutions to writing problems, but he’s also handsome, funny and sexy. When she’s not gushing over him, she loves to read romance and fantasy novels, go to the movies, sew and cook for her friends. She has also become a recent convert to Pilates, which she knows she should do more often.
This still left the burning question of how to pay the rent. She found her way into trade journalism, working off the principle that it was better to write anything for a living than nothing at all. Her time there lead to the opportunity to launch a new decorator magazine for one of Australia’s major retailers, an invaluable and grueling experience that she found very rewarding.
But the opportunity to write fiction for a living soon lured Sarah away. She took up a post as storyliner on Australia’s longest running soap, Neighbours. Over two years she helped plot more than 240 hours of television, as well as writing freelance scripts. She remembers her time with the show very fondly — especially the dirty jokes and laughter around the story table — and still writes scripts on a freelance basis.
In 2003 she relocated to New Zealand for her partner’s work. There Sarah served as storyliner and story editor on the country’s top-rating drama, Shortland Street, before quitting to pursue writing full time.
Sarah picked up a love of romance novels from both her grandmothers, and has submitted manuscripts to Harlequin many times over the years. She credits the invaluable story structuring experience she learned on Neighbours as the key to her eventual success — along with the patience of her fantastic editor, Wanda.
Sarah is revoltingly happy with her partner of twelve years, Chris, who is a talented scriptwriter. Not only does he offer fantastic advice and solutions to writing problems, but he’s also handsome, funny and sexy. When she’s not gushing over him, she loves to read romance and fantasy novels, go to the movies, sew and cook for her friends. She has also become a recent convert to Pilates, which she knows she should do more often.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
March 14, 2015
I don't know how (because it's in red and emblazoned across the top), but I managed to miss that this was a Blaze title when I purchased it. I did notice before I started, but I like Sarah Mayberry enough I chose to ignore that and read it anyway. (Blaze is one stop past my normal steam tolerance level)
For the sake of the story, I'm glad I did. This was a really slow start because Dylan was such an ass up front. I get the hurt and pain of an undiagnosed disorder in high school (even if my own was so much less serious than his). And I get the whole proving yourself against all those who told you how disappointed they are and how worthless you were. But his actions in the past were pretty far past sympathetic and his continuing belief in his own ill-use was so strong that it made being in his head rather painful. And this part went on way, way too long, only fully resolving around the half-way point.
Fortunately, Mayberry doesn't need to hang on to every relationship grudge or roadblock for her stories to work, so it did fully resolve (and with sincere regret and emotional catharsis) and that smoothed the ride out immensely. Also fortunately, Sadie was a clear delight right from the start. Not that she was perfect, or even pure in their little drama back in High School, but she is kind and courageous and funny and that came through in spades from the start. So even while I was frustrated with Dylan, my trust in Mayberry to make it work and having Sadie to hang onto in the meantime got me past the whitewater opening and into the great story that was on the other side.
I suspect that there are other stories featuring her two friends. I wish I could enjoy them, but my tolerance for Blaze books has now be used up for the foreseeable future...
A note about Steamy: Way past my tolerance, as expected. It's only really four full-on explicit scenes but they go on for chapters (or they feel that way, anyway) and that's not including various sexy interludes and near-misses. More than that, though, the sex hits a lot earlier in the emotional arc and I often find that off-putting as well (and this book is a good example of that being the case).
For the sake of the story, I'm glad I did. This was a really slow start because Dylan was such an ass up front. I get the hurt and pain of an undiagnosed disorder in high school (even if my own was so much less serious than his). And I get the whole proving yourself against all those who told you how disappointed they are and how worthless you were. But his actions in the past were pretty far past sympathetic and his continuing belief in his own ill-use was so strong that it made being in his head rather painful. And this part went on way, way too long, only fully resolving around the half-way point.
Fortunately, Mayberry doesn't need to hang on to every relationship grudge or roadblock for her stories to work, so it did fully resolve (and with sincere regret and emotional catharsis) and that smoothed the ride out immensely. Also fortunately, Sadie was a clear delight right from the start. Not that she was perfect, or even pure in their little drama back in High School, but she is kind and courageous and funny and that came through in spades from the start. So even while I was frustrated with Dylan, my trust in Mayberry to make it work and having Sadie to hang onto in the meantime got me past the whitewater opening and into the great story that was on the other side.
I suspect that there are other stories featuring her two friends. I wish I could enjoy them, but my tolerance for Blaze books has now be used up for the foreseeable future...
A note about Steamy: Way past my tolerance, as expected. It's only really four full-on explicit scenes but they go on for chapters (or they feel that way, anyway) and that's not including various sexy interludes and near-misses. More than that, though, the sex hits a lot earlier in the emotional arc and I often find that off-putting as well (and this book is a good example of that being the case).
April 12, 2017
Take on Me by Sarah Mayberry is the first story in her Secret Lives of Daytime Divas series. Originally published in 2007, it’s been re-released in digital format with a new cover. While the era of the TV soap opera is waning, I used to be a devoted fan (General Hospital and Days of Our Lives were my favorites), and this sexy story showcases a bit of what it would be like to work behind the scenes on a daily drama, while providing a delightful enemies to lovers trope romance.
Dylan Anderson and Sadie Post have a history, and it’s not a particularly good one. Students at the same high school, Sadie’s crush on Dylan was cruelly thwarted when a misunderstanding led to a public humiliation at their prom. Years later, the effects of those days are part of what’s made them who they are today, and brought them back into each other’s orbits – only this time Sadie is Dylan’s boss, as the script producer on a daytime soap where Dylan’s been hired temporarily as a story editor to replace one of her staff. Old feelings of resentment and anger are quick to rise up, but so are new ones of unwanted sexual attraction. Can they find a way to put the past behind them for the sake of the show, and their own second chance?
For more of this review please visit Harlequin Junkie: http://harlequinjunkie.com/review-tak...
A copy of this story was provided by the publisher for review.
Dylan Anderson and Sadie Post have a history, and it’s not a particularly good one. Students at the same high school, Sadie’s crush on Dylan was cruelly thwarted when a misunderstanding led to a public humiliation at their prom. Years later, the effects of those days are part of what’s made them who they are today, and brought them back into each other’s orbits – only this time Sadie is Dylan’s boss, as the script producer on a daytime soap where Dylan’s been hired temporarily as a story editor to replace one of her staff. Old feelings of resentment and anger are quick to rise up, but so are new ones of unwanted sexual attraction. Can they find a way to put the past behind them for the sake of the show, and their own second chance?
For more of this review please visit Harlequin Junkie: http://harlequinjunkie.com/review-tak...
A copy of this story was provided by the publisher for review.
September 1, 2019
This one had a really interesting backstory. I liked that both characters had legit reasons to hold a grudge against each other. I could've used more build up before they jumped into bed together, but as friend reviews reminded me, this is Harlequin Blaze!
Oh, and the heroine being ditched at the alter at the beginning was unnecessary for the story. There was enough going on and mostly I forgot about it and so did the story.
I have the rest of the series on my Kindle and am looking forward to reading it! Most of the Mayberry's I've read have been stand alones or had very loose connections to each other. So it'll be fun to read a series.
Fulfills "Prom" for 2019 Ripped Bodice Bingo
Oh, and the heroine being ditched at the alter at the beginning was unnecessary for the story. There was enough going on and mostly I forgot about it and so did the story.
I have the rest of the series on my Kindle and am looking forward to reading it! Most of the Mayberry's I've read have been stand alones or had very loose connections to each other. So it'll be fun to read a series.
Fulfills "Prom" for 2019 Ripped Bodice Bingo
June 11, 2017
The fact that this was inadvertent dual bullying didn't make that aspect better for me. I like the daytime soap stuff, though, and wish that the fact that the industry is almost dead meant I'm increasingly less likely to ever find stuff set in these worlds. Just not a good book to reader match.
May 16, 2010
This is another favorite. As far as i can see, Sarah Mayberry is on a role. Her stories are light and fresh with enough depth in her characters to fall in love with them. She makes wonderful characters and her settings are normal, but totally ingenious. SM needs no drug lords or abusive family members/boyfriends to keep her writing exciting.
In this book, There's Sadie, the tall, skinny, and flat-chested brain turned bombshell and Dylan, her crush and hunky troubled boy who callously humiliated her during Prom. But he's back, this time working under her as one of her employees. It doesn't help that she's humiliated him too and they're both holding the grudge.
What was surprising in this book was the excess sex. Not that it was bad, but the story didn't need that much of it to be great. Still, the constant tension actually worked. There was some contrived events, like the random camping (WTF?) and high school reunion (double WTF?), but they were done so well, I couldn't help but enjoy them too.
SM does a wonderful job portraying her H/H that you understand them and care about them. The H/H both humiliated each other during high school for completely different reasons, but they are undeniably attracted to each other and have to settle some old wrongs. They have great chemistry and their wounds are common but not cliche. I loved the part when they both figured out why the other hates each other. And it was genius about Sadie's ex-fiance. I've never seen such a circumstance played so well.
The end was a little kooky, but totally forgivable because they are such a great couple and deserve to be together, even if it means after a high school reunion. (I was thinking Romy and Michelle's High School Reunion at that part)
A worthwhile enemies-to-lover, office-love romance. Though I still wonder what 'rangy' means.
In this book, There's Sadie, the tall, skinny, and flat-chested brain turned bombshell and Dylan, her crush and hunky troubled boy who callously humiliated her during Prom. But he's back, this time working under her as one of her employees. It doesn't help that she's humiliated him too and they're both holding the grudge.
What was surprising in this book was the excess sex. Not that it was bad, but the story didn't need that much of it to be great. Still, the constant tension actually worked. There was some contrived events, like the random camping (WTF?) and high school reunion (double WTF?), but they were done so well, I couldn't help but enjoy them too.
SM does a wonderful job portraying her H/H that you understand them and care about them. The H/H both humiliated each other during high school for completely different reasons, but they are undeniably attracted to each other and have to settle some old wrongs. They have great chemistry and their wounds are common but not cliche. I loved the part when they both figured out why the other hates each other. And it was genius about Sadie's ex-fiance. I've never seen such a circumstance played so well.
The end was a little kooky, but totally forgivable because they are such a great couple and deserve to be together, even if it means after a high school reunion. (I was thinking Romy and Michelle's High School Reunion at that part)
A worthwhile enemies-to-lover, office-love romance. Though I still wonder what 'rangy' means.
March 8, 2015
I read this For Science, guys. To compare to the Singh book when it comes through, in terms of workplace relationships. I actually really liked how this handled a workplace relationship - usually I hate those, but this was balanced by the casual LA scriptwriting environment, which I loved. I will say the seriousness they ascribed to soap opera writing was hilarious, though their professionalism was commendable.
February 22, 2012
and right up until the very last lines of the book, the author continued to put Australian slang into the mouths of these American characters....."I really stuffed it up." "I'm making a complete hash of it."
Other than the many many instances of regional slang distracting me SOOO completely, the story was decently diverting--maybe a bit too predictable, but this type of story is meant to be.
Other than the many many instances of regional slang distracting me SOOO completely, the story was decently diverting--maybe a bit too predictable, but this type of story is meant to be.
March 28, 2019
I can’t believe I’m giving a Blaze title 4 stars, but Sarah Mayberry wrote this and her chick lit voice worked very well with the material.
H/h went to high school together. He was the “bad boy” with undiagnosed Dyslexia. She was the geeky girl with a flat chest and a huge crush on the hero. She humiliated him in American Lit class. He humiliated her at prom when he pulled the tissues out of her dress in front of everyone.
They meet again ten years later. The heroine is the script producer of a soap and hero has been hired as a story editor. Heroine was stood up at the altar and went on her honeymoon alone. She returns to find hero working with the writing team.
Both the H/h have skewed views of the past. Hero thinks the heroine ruined his chance to graduate from high school and that she did it to make herself look good. He had no idea she had a crush on him. Heroine thought the hero was cocky and lazy and had no idea that he struggled and that he got kicked out of school for low grades.
They discover and talk about the truth of high school (150 pages in) during a discussion of the soap plot that mirrors their experience. Oh, and since this is a Blaze, they’ve already had hate sex on a desk and have vowed to never repeat it.
But repeat it they do. Because the author resolved the high school hurt early in the story, she has ample time to give them more conflict. Hero doesn’t want commitment – he still has to prove himself to everyone. Heroine is afraid to get her feelings hurt. They get lost in the woods during a team building exercise. They have lots of sex, which I skimmed over.
The heroine’s ex shows up to try to win her back. There is a side plot with one of the heroine’s friends who will star in the next book in the series.
The H/h resolve their differences and put the past behind them after their ten-year high school reunion for a nice bit of symmetry. It’s the ultimate fantasy of anyone who has been humiliated or misunderstood in high school. The heroine has opted not to have a big wedding this time around.
I really enjoyed the inside look at writing a soap (it was Sarah Mayberry’s day job before writing romances). I also enjoyed the characters. SM rounded them out – even the ex who jilted the h. I’m not a fan of endless sex scenes, which is why I don’t usually read the Blaze line. But they worked well enough with these characters. This is set in the US, but I mentally switched to Australia because of the character dialogue. SM is an Aussie and it showed in the slang, etc. . . That was a small quibble, however. This was a delightful angst fest.
H/h went to high school together. He was the “bad boy” with undiagnosed Dyslexia. She was the geeky girl with a flat chest and a huge crush on the hero. She humiliated him in American Lit class. He humiliated her at prom when he pulled the tissues out of her dress in front of everyone.
They meet again ten years later. The heroine is the script producer of a soap and hero has been hired as a story editor. Heroine was stood up at the altar and went on her honeymoon alone. She returns to find hero working with the writing team.
Both the H/h have skewed views of the past. Hero thinks the heroine ruined his chance to graduate from high school and that she did it to make herself look good. He had no idea she had a crush on him. Heroine thought the hero was cocky and lazy and had no idea that he struggled and that he got kicked out of school for low grades.
They discover and talk about the truth of high school (150 pages in) during a discussion of the soap plot that mirrors their experience. Oh, and since this is a Blaze, they’ve already had hate sex on a desk and have vowed to never repeat it.
But repeat it they do. Because the author resolved the high school hurt early in the story, she has ample time to give them more conflict. Hero doesn’t want commitment – he still has to prove himself to everyone. Heroine is afraid to get her feelings hurt. They get lost in the woods during a team building exercise. They have lots of sex, which I skimmed over.
The heroine’s ex shows up to try to win her back. There is a side plot with one of the heroine’s friends who will star in the next book in the series.
The H/h resolve their differences and put the past behind them after their ten-year high school reunion for a nice bit of symmetry. It’s the ultimate fantasy of anyone who has been humiliated or misunderstood in high school. The heroine has opted not to have a big wedding this time around.
I really enjoyed the inside look at writing a soap (it was Sarah Mayberry’s day job before writing romances). I also enjoyed the characters. SM rounded them out – even the ex who jilted the h. I’m not a fan of endless sex scenes, which is why I don’t usually read the Blaze line. But they worked well enough with these characters. This is set in the US, but I mentally switched to Australia because of the character dialogue. SM is an Aussie and it showed in the slang, etc. . . That was a small quibble, however. This was a delightful angst fest.
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May 13, 2018as much as it pains me to dnf a Sarah Mayberry, I'm going to have to leave this one alone. what was a throwaway pop culture reference name drop in 2006 is now an atomic orange mood killer. also the workplace setup is squicky to me, and pushed well over my threshold when the first shag is in the office. big nope from me but ymmv
September 24, 2017
I love Sarah Mayberry, but oh my lord I want to be her beta reader for American slang.
March 22, 2015
Meh.
Plus, too cutesy at the end.
Plus, too cutesy at the end.
January 26, 2021
Fun romance with plenty of spark
5 stars
I've had this book on my shelf for ages and now that I've read it I can't believe I didn't pick it up before now. This is the first in a trilogy of books about the goings on behind the scenes of daytime tv soaps called Secret Lives of Daytime Divas. After this story are All Over You and Hot for Him, both also written by Sarah Mayberry,
This particular story gripped me from the start as I always like a couple who mask sexual tension behind a mask of dislike coupled with a good dose of banter. Sadie and Dylan rubbed each other the wrong way which leads to some excellent chemistry between the lead characters and a story that I didn't want to put down.
The conflict works well because it isn't drawn out and has many layers making it a book that keeps you guessing on the way to the happily ever after. The writing is fresh and witty and the sex scenes scorch the page with their heat.
If you're looking for a fun romance with plenty of spark then I would definitely recommend this to you.
August 27, 2019
I've read this trilogy in reverse order somehow. This is another good one; the hero and heroine both come off as sympathetic and realistic. There are a few too many Australianisms (marks instead of grades, that kind of thing) but given how thoroughly Americans butcher every other culture when they try to describe it, I think Mayberry gets a pass.
December 15, 2019
3.5 stars. The best part of this was the process of how a soap is written. There were some English inspired phrases that an American wouldn't use that didn't get noticed in the editing. It was ok. Looking forward to rest of series
May 30, 2017
2.5 stars
March 25, 2019
Fantastic book! It really hooked me in, and I could not put it down until I was done! Such a sexy steamy hot read!! Wow!
June 25, 2020
Fun book to read.
April 15, 2018
A really good story, with good characters and dialogue. It has an engaging and credible plot and romance, as well as a touch of originality which I rarely find in romance novels (still love them though)
September 6, 2016
Part of a trilogy, take on me is the first in a series about three best friends who work together at a daytime soap called ocean blvd. Since these books include 2 of my fave things, romance and soaps, I couldn't resist checking them out.
Sadie and Dylan are old high school nemeses who havr spent along time resenting the other for two of the most humiliating experiences they've ever had. Sadie got the worst of it, but the story picks up years later. Both are successful writers and end up at the popular daytime drama Ocean Blvd. Hot sexy chemistry, solid character building, and believable obstacles. One of the things that I enjoy about Ms. Mayberry's writing is that even if I get frustrated with her characters, I still understand the choices they make. Sign of good writing.
One of my minor quibbles, which doesn’t affect the enjoyment of the book, really, is the behind the scenes action on the soap opera. Considering this focuses on another one of my favorite hobbies, soap operas, I have more of a sense of the behind the scenes drama than your average reader. The setting of an American soap opera, at least the budget, seems more of a 90s soap than a modern day one in the US - most American soaps just don’t have the money for location shoots and a large group of writers, and you rarely (if ever) see a writer who has been on a successful, primetime show take a soap job. But going with the flow, it was a fun and different setting. Onto the next one...
Sadie and Dylan are old high school nemeses who havr spent along time resenting the other for two of the most humiliating experiences they've ever had. Sadie got the worst of it, but the story picks up years later. Both are successful writers and end up at the popular daytime drama Ocean Blvd. Hot sexy chemistry, solid character building, and believable obstacles. One of the things that I enjoy about Ms. Mayberry's writing is that even if I get frustrated with her characters, I still understand the choices they make. Sign of good writing.
One of my minor quibbles, which doesn’t affect the enjoyment of the book, really, is the behind the scenes action on the soap opera. Considering this focuses on another one of my favorite hobbies, soap operas, I have more of a sense of the behind the scenes drama than your average reader. The setting of an American soap opera, at least the budget, seems more of a 90s soap than a modern day one in the US - most American soaps just don’t have the money for location shoots and a large group of writers, and you rarely (if ever) see a writer who has been on a successful, primetime show take a soap job. But going with the flow, it was a fun and different setting. Onto the next one...
May 19, 2010
In Take on Me, the first of book in the Daytime Divas series, Sarah Mayberry takes a predictable storyline and turns it into a fun, hot read by using the enemies-to-lovers trope.
Sadie and Dylan end up working together on the popular soap opera Ocean Boulevard's writing team. Let me tell you, Sadie and Dylan stand each other!I love the witty, sarcastic dialogue between Sadie and Dylan... the internal hateful thoughts that cross their minds while they lust after each other, and the steamy sexual tension that just builds from all that hostility. This book is funny and hot! And I mean funny moments right in the middle or after their sexual encounters.
The "hate/lust"part of this story is resolved midway through the book and that's when the deeper development of the relationship really begins. Mayberry fleshes out these characters and this relationship while still having them go at it like bunnies -- after all this is a Blaze so they must.
The pacing during the second half of the book slowed down, and I missed that fast pace and tension that really had me going during their "hate/hate" lust-filled exchanges. Overall, Take on Me was a solid fun read with lots of steam and a sweet ending.
Sadie and Dylan end up working together on the popular soap opera Ocean Boulevard's writing team. Let me tell you, Sadie and Dylan stand each other!I love the witty, sarcastic dialogue between Sadie and Dylan... the internal hateful thoughts that cross their minds while they lust after each other, and the steamy sexual tension that just builds from all that hostility. This book is funny and hot! And I mean funny moments right in the middle or after their sexual encounters.
The "hate/lust"part of this story is resolved midway through the book and that's when the deeper development of the relationship really begins. Mayberry fleshes out these characters and this relationship while still having them go at it like bunnies -- after all this is a Blaze so they must.
The pacing during the second half of the book slowed down, and I missed that fast pace and tension that really had me going during their "hate/hate" lust-filled exchanges. Overall, Take on Me was a solid fun read with lots of steam and a sweet ending.
December 31, 2011
This is the last book I've read for the year 2011, and as much as I want The Son of Neptune to be the last book that I will read for this year, well, I think that will be the first book I will read (rather, finish. I'm on a two month hiatus for the second novel of the heroes of the Olympus series.) for 2012.
The thing with having your hope a little high, when not met, you will be a little crushed and disappointed...and this what did to me.'Her Best Friend' is the first novel that I've read from Sarah Mayberry and I laughed with the heroine's success and passion, cried the love and pain of loving someone from a distance and although in some ways, Her Best friend and Take on Me almost have the same theme, I think I prefer the former rather than the latter. Well, it's a matter of preference and where I identified myself most. HAHAHAHAHA.
Still, I'm looking forward for more Sarah Mayberry's novels in the future. :)
The thing with having your hope a little high, when not met, you will be a little crushed and disappointed...and this what did to me.'Her Best Friend' is the first novel that I've read from Sarah Mayberry and I laughed with the heroine's success and passion, cried the love and pain of loving someone from a distance and although in some ways, Her Best friend and Take on Me almost have the same theme, I think I prefer the former rather than the latter. Well, it's a matter of preference and where I identified myself most. HAHAHAHAHA.
Still, I'm looking forward for more Sarah Mayberry's novels in the future. :)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 23, 2013
*3.5 STARS
(Review originally posted here at The Book Barbies.)
I really liked the premise of this one because I used to love soap operas (Guiding Light specifically), and I am fascinated by the idea of how the making of them actually works. I know Mayberry used to (or still does?) work on an Australian soap opera, so it was nice to know what I was reading was at least fairly authentic. I just really enjoyed the whole atmosphere of writing and producing. Dylan and Sadie had great chemistry, and I believed the development of their relationship. I wish parts of it could have been dragged out a little longer, but I know Harlequin has pretty strict word limits for their category romance titles. I definitely liked how their history was woven into the story. I thought Dylan was a very complex character, but I enjoyed getting to know him. I could understand him more after seeing his struggles and what he had gone through to overcome them. Overall, while not my favorite Mayberry, Take on Me was still an enjoyable read.
(Review originally posted here at The Book Barbies.)
I really liked the premise of this one because I used to love soap operas (Guiding Light specifically), and I am fascinated by the idea of how the making of them actually works. I know Mayberry used to (or still does?) work on an Australian soap opera, so it was nice to know what I was reading was at least fairly authentic. I just really enjoyed the whole atmosphere of writing and producing. Dylan and Sadie had great chemistry, and I believed the development of their relationship. I wish parts of it could have been dragged out a little longer, but I know Harlequin has pretty strict word limits for their category romance titles. I definitely liked how their history was woven into the story. I thought Dylan was a very complex character, but I enjoyed getting to know him. I could understand him more after seeing his struggles and what he had gone through to overcome them. Overall, while not my favorite Mayberry, Take on Me was still an enjoyable read.
April 27, 2010
OK, for what Dylan did to Sadie, he deserved to die. For what Sadie did to Dylan, she deserved to be hated by him. Greg's just a weenis.
I've read the other two books in this three book series a couple of years ago and don't really remember much about them. Since I wasn't on GR then, I can't even look back to see what I thought. I guess I'll just have to re-read them and see.
Take on Me was OK. It made no sense to me whatsoever. I didn't get the feeling that anyone was a real character and some of the setups were just plain stupid. However, I'll give the extra star for the really fun 'I hate you sex'.
I've read the other two books in this three book series a couple of years ago and don't really remember much about them. Since I wasn't on GR then, I can't even look back to see what I thought. I guess I'll just have to re-read them and see.
Take on Me was OK. It made no sense to me whatsoever. I didn't get the feeling that anyone was a real character and some of the setups were just plain stupid. However, I'll give the extra star for the really fun 'I hate you sex'.
July 2, 2012
I think I need to quit Sarah Mayberry, is what I think. Meh romances that all sound the same, kind of crappy sex, overuse of the word "laved." Also, Mayberry is Australian and keeps trying to write stories based in the US, with American characters. You know, American characters who talk more like foreigners than the characters in Fifty Shades. THE WRITING IS ON THE WALL.
I QUIT YOU, SARAH MAYBERRY.
Seriously. Laved, you guys. I can't take it. LAVED. It's the least hot word in the English language, and it manages to make oral sex sound rough, unpleasant and generally, I don't know, SOAPY. LIKE LAVA SOAP. I QUIT YOU, SARAH MAYBERRY.
I QUIT YOU, SARAH MAYBERRY.
Seriously. Laved, you guys. I can't take it. LAVED. It's the least hot word in the English language, and it manages to make oral sex sound rough, unpleasant and generally, I don't know, SOAPY. LIKE LAVA SOAP. I QUIT YOU, SARAH MAYBERRY.
January 14, 2013
I liked Take On Me, but there is a lot of story crammed into this format. I think the story would have been better served with an extra 200 pages. The characters, Sadie and Dylan, are immediately likeable, but I was surprised at their first encounter. It seemed like such a fast development. There were a few other rough parts, but I thought it was due to the story's length. I do have to say that the scene where Dylan continues to cook with a frying pan seemed rather hazardous. You'll know the scene when you read it.
October 8, 2011
Agak-agak sebel sama Sadie sebetulnya. But then again, can't really blame her for being a bit bitchy. Dylan deserve more than a kick in his *** for doing such thing to Sadie at prom night. I wonder if I ever survived if it happened to me.
Plus point: hero with dyslexia.
Scene I like best: the moment Sadie came to realize that Dylan has dyslexia problem, and the moment Dylan realized that Sadie had crush on him back then.
Plus point: hero with dyslexia.
Scene I like best: the moment Sadie came to realize that Dylan has dyslexia problem, and the moment Dylan realized that Sadie had crush on him back then.
September 21, 2024
I re-read this as part of my goal to review all of my old reads. This was a well written book. I really liked the connection between Sadie and Dylan. I also liked the resolution of the high school drama. I liked that it was sorted with them believing and understanding each other instead of arguing who's version of events was right. I just found it a solid read.
August 15, 2013
A solid four - and my favourite of the Divas books, I think, mostly because their background story hits some of my favourite tropes and manages to avoid some of my least favourite ones in its execution/unfolding.
Shorter reviews for Mayberry books, because I am fucking racing through these. I'm embarrassing. I'm an embarrassment to everything.
Shorter reviews for Mayberry books, because I am fucking racing through these. I'm embarrassing. I'm an embarrassment to everything.
October 14, 2013
Rating: 4 1/2 stars – ive read a lot of sarah mayberry and so far, i’ve only been disappointed once (below the belt). this novel is fun and easy to read. i dont know why i love romance where the guy and girl keeps fighting. i guess it’s better than the boring, everything’s too perfect kind of relationship (i mean, who has that anyway in real life right?).
October 26, 2014
Sadie and Dylan went to high school together. Sadie had a secret crush on Dylan and was unaware of Dylan's 'problem'. Eventually they found their happily ever after. This story sounds trite, but as usual Sarah Mayberry brought the characters and the story to life with her brilliant descriptiveness. A very goodread!
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