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Secret Lives Of Daytime Divas #2
All Over You
Millions of women drool over soap star Mac Harrison.And scriptwriter Grace Wellington is no different—thehottie headlines all her wildest fantasies. She keeps himfirmly in his place there, however, because her days haveno room for such ego-driven men.
But when she and Mac are thrown together on a project,fantasy becomes blissful reality! All of her secret, naughtydesires come to life under his sizzling ministrations. Thisis one affair to remember—and to let go of when it's over.
Too bad Mac doesn't agree. He wants to move things fromjust sex to true commitment. Worse,he has all the right moves to convinceher real life is much better….
But when she and Mac are thrown together on a project,fantasy becomes blissful reality! All of her secret, naughtydesires come to life under his sizzling ministrations. Thisis one affair to remember—and to let go of when it's over.
Too bad Mac doesn't agree. He wants to move things fromjust sex to true commitment. Worse,he has all the right moves to convinceher real life is much better….
256 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published March 30, 2007
17 people are currently reading
445 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Mayberry
159 books1,149 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 46 reviews
October 8, 2009
This is the 2nd book in the Secret Lives of Daytime Divas but, as it happens, I only found this out after I finished reading it and decided to have a look at Sarah Mayberry's backlist. My OCD took a serious hit but I'm still alive, LOL.
Anyway, this was a nice and quick read, with an adorable hero and an OK heroine. Quite an enjoyable way to spend this rainy afternoon. :)
Anyway, this was a nice and quick read, with an adorable hero and an OK heroine. Quite an enjoyable way to spend this rainy afternoon. :)
August 5, 2009
(Audiobook - Gabra Zachman is the Reader: Reader Talent = 4*)
Just finished listening to Sarah Mayberry's "All Over You" while pulling an all nighter for work. I think this is about my 30th HQ Blaze (I seem to be on a “mission” with them! ;D), and my third by Sarah Mayberry. Overall she's one of the better regular Blaze series authors IMO. She consistently delivers a story "rich" enough to keep my attention, and emotional enough to allow me to believe the protagonists WANT to indulge in "all things hot and sweaty" together. The “"wham/bam" we're in bed" scenario, common in these types of stories, doesn't usually work for me unless there's an element that leads me to believe (or suspend my disbelief) there was more reasoning and familiarity behind it than just instant sexual attraction (“Hello/I love you/Let’s do it” type of writing doesn’t cut it!).
In "All Over You," Grace is a writer/editor for a television soap opera. Mack is the popular leading man soap character, who left with aspirations of “making it big” in Hollywood, but unfortunately had to come back to “daytime” having had his dreams dashed in the wake of overwhelming competition. This causes Mack to examine what he really wants in his career, and he realizes it was always the “vision” rather than acting to begin with, and decides he should pursue directing. Grace is the “plain” sister amongst a group of 4 girls growing up, and has always had to make herself stand out in a way to be noticed other than her looks. She carries around some big insecurities in this area, and one devastating event in her love life (that MOST of us would be utterly crushed by) has caused her to turn to a life of celebacy for the last four years (the old “guarding the heart” technique ;).
Naturally, Grace has engaged in some “singular-safe-sex” techniques (ya! ;) over the “dry-spell” years . . . and Mack’s on-screen “image” has heartily fed her need in that regard. He was gone during her tenure at the soap, so she’s not acquainted with him personally, which obviously makes it easy to objectify him for her “self-pleasure purposes.” He’s become her regular, No. 1 fantasy man. To Grace’s utter shock (and inner-embarrassment) Mack’s back at the soap she writes for, and he’s been assigned to work with Grace on a special soap “event” show as the director. Mack has really admired Grace’s writing in particular of all the scriptwriters on the soap, but hasn’t a clue as to why, when he's finally intoduced to her, Grace is so “prickly” every time she’s around him. It’s really annoying him, to say the least . . . as he finds Grace one sexy, brainy woman!
Mayberry visits the emotionally serious side of both Mack and Grace’s mental roadblocks on the road to love, and writes nice, witty “girl talk” scenes between Grace (whose a “card”) and her friends. I liked this Blaze and will purchase another by Mayberry without hesitation.
Just finished listening to Sarah Mayberry's "All Over You" while pulling an all nighter for work. I think this is about my 30th HQ Blaze (I seem to be on a “mission” with them! ;D), and my third by Sarah Mayberry. Overall she's one of the better regular Blaze series authors IMO. She consistently delivers a story "rich" enough to keep my attention, and emotional enough to allow me to believe the protagonists WANT to indulge in "all things hot and sweaty" together. The “"wham/bam" we're in bed" scenario, common in these types of stories, doesn't usually work for me unless there's an element that leads me to believe (or suspend my disbelief) there was more reasoning and familiarity behind it than just instant sexual attraction (“Hello/I love you/Let’s do it” type of writing doesn’t cut it!).
In "All Over You," Grace is a writer/editor for a television soap opera. Mack is the popular leading man soap character, who left with aspirations of “making it big” in Hollywood, but unfortunately had to come back to “daytime” having had his dreams dashed in the wake of overwhelming competition. This causes Mack to examine what he really wants in his career, and he realizes it was always the “vision” rather than acting to begin with, and decides he should pursue directing. Grace is the “plain” sister amongst a group of 4 girls growing up, and has always had to make herself stand out in a way to be noticed other than her looks. She carries around some big insecurities in this area, and one devastating event in her love life (that MOST of us would be utterly crushed by) has caused her to turn to a life of celebacy for the last four years (the old “guarding the heart” technique ;).
Naturally, Grace has engaged in some “singular-safe-sex” techniques (ya! ;) over the “dry-spell” years . . . and Mack’s on-screen “image” has heartily fed her need in that regard. He was gone during her tenure at the soap, so she’s not acquainted with him personally, which obviously makes it easy to objectify him for her “self-pleasure purposes.” He’s become her regular, No. 1 fantasy man. To Grace’s utter shock (and inner-embarrassment) Mack’s back at the soap she writes for, and he’s been assigned to work with Grace on a special soap “event” show as the director. Mack has really admired Grace’s writing in particular of all the scriptwriters on the soap, but hasn’t a clue as to why, when he's finally intoduced to her, Grace is so “prickly” every time she’s around him. It’s really annoying him, to say the least . . . as he finds Grace one sexy, brainy woman!
Mayberry visits the emotionally serious side of both Mack and Grace’s mental roadblocks on the road to love, and writes nice, witty “girl talk” scenes between Grace (whose a “card”) and her friends. I liked this Blaze and will purchase another by Mayberry without hesitation.
April 21, 2010
This was another winner from Mayberry. There were times when Grace came close to being too independent, but she always managed to pull it back.
Mac was the more grounded character. His ego took a beating when he left the soap to hit it big in Hollywood, but otherwise he doesn't bring much baggage to the relationship. He acted like an idiot with Grace in the beginning but he more than made up for it later. He's kind and patient with Grace, pushing her to look for more in life than what she has now.
For awhile I didn't think Grace was going to redeem herself. She was able to because she was so self-aware. Once she realized she'd been avoiding her problems instead of dealing with them, she really tried to make it right. Also, I loved the end. It was sweet and mushy and melted my heart, just a little bit.
Mac was the more grounded character. His ego took a beating when he left the soap to hit it big in Hollywood, but otherwise he doesn't bring much baggage to the relationship. He acted like an idiot with Grace in the beginning but he more than made up for it later. He's kind and patient with Grace, pushing her to look for more in life than what she has now.
For awhile I didn't think Grace was going to redeem herself. She was able to because she was so self-aware. Once she realized she'd been avoiding her problems instead of dealing with them, she really tried to make it right. Also, I loved the end. It was sweet and mushy and melted my heart, just a little bit.
May 8, 2010
A year or two ago when I was just getting into reading romances I started going through Blaze books like the proverbial shit through a goose. That's probably a fairly apt analogy as a goose ingests a large amount of material to get a limited amount of nutrition from it. If you live near a pond or lake with a large resident population of geese, you are already aware of the end product of eating so much food. In any event, I would grab a handful of Blaze books every week from the library with little to no thought as to author, order, or any other criteria. It was before I was introduced to GoodReads and there wasn't a good source of information as to what was worthy and what was not nor for what order anything shoudl be read. Now I try to use a Blaze book as a palette cleanser between genres or authors.
I was performing just such a brain flush last week with Take on Me. There we are introduced to Grace (our current heroine) and her problems with her sisters. We are also introduced to the setting and the background. I remembered reading about Grace from my time before and knowing that I had obviously missed something. I decided to track this one down through the library system and give it another go. I'm glad that I did.
Grace Wellington is a 50's pinup model throwback. She dresses the part and even drives a '57 Corvette. She's strong and independent. She is caring and quick witted. She can be a bit prickly and has real woman curves. In other words, just the type of heroine I love to read about. With a little bit more of the backstory filled in, I certainly enjoyed this one much more this go around. I also got a kick out of her outfits. "The hot weather dictated her wardrobe more than her mood, and she pulled on her black cherry-print hipster bikini, then topped it off with a fifties red-and-white gingham playsuit. Red plastic flip-flops, complete with a white silk daisy on each toe, completed her ensemble. She looked very Mary Ann from Gilligan's Island, but what the hey, she was in Hawaii."
Since I also now know there is a third in the series, I've ordered that one as well. If that ties up some of the open threads left dangling, I may have to come back and revise up to a four. Certainly 3.5 stars for this one.
I was performing just such a brain flush last week with Take on Me. There we are introduced to Grace (our current heroine) and her problems with her sisters. We are also introduced to the setting and the background. I remembered reading about Grace from my time before and knowing that I had obviously missed something. I decided to track this one down through the library system and give it another go. I'm glad that I did.
Grace Wellington is a 50's pinup model throwback. She dresses the part and even drives a '57 Corvette. She's strong and independent. She is caring and quick witted. She can be a bit prickly and has real woman curves. In other words, just the type of heroine I love to read about. With a little bit more of the backstory filled in, I certainly enjoyed this one much more this go around. I also got a kick out of her outfits. "The hot weather dictated her wardrobe more than her mood, and she pulled on her black cherry-print hipster bikini, then topped it off with a fifties red-and-white gingham playsuit. Red plastic flip-flops, complete with a white silk daisy on each toe, completed her ensemble. She looked very Mary Ann from Gilligan's Island, but what the hey, she was in Hawaii."
Since I also now know there is a third in the series, I've ordered that one as well. If that ties up some of the open threads left dangling, I may have to come back and revise up to a four. Certainly 3.5 stars for this one.
February 20, 2010
As I continue with my SM marathon, I end up reading Sadie's friend, Grace's story. I picked it up knowing that there will be some heartbreak moment that needs to be fixed. In this case, it was Grace's sister's betrayal with her ex-fiance.
Although this book wasn't amazing or anything, I did like Grace. The way she deals with her problems made a lot of sense and while she may seem really pigheaded and bitchy during the beginning of the book, its easy to figure out why she did that. Mac was a nice hero, an actor trying to make more of his life by trying his hand at directing. He's really a nice guy who was infinitely patient with Grace.
There were smidgits of Sadie and Dylan (who I loved) and hints of the last friend, Claudia's HEA. I kinda like this novel concept of a Soap setting, so I will be reading the next book.
Worth a read, but not when you are looking for a great story or anything. If you are craving for some type of family betrayal and angst and self-healing, this is a good book to get your fix.
Although this book wasn't amazing or anything, I did like Grace. The way she deals with her problems made a lot of sense and while she may seem really pigheaded and bitchy during the beginning of the book, its easy to figure out why she did that. Mac was a nice hero, an actor trying to make more of his life by trying his hand at directing. He's really a nice guy who was infinitely patient with Grace.
There were smidgits of Sadie and Dylan (who I loved) and hints of the last friend, Claudia's HEA. I kinda like this novel concept of a Soap setting, so I will be reading the next book.
Worth a read, but not when you are looking for a great story or anything. If you are craving for some type of family betrayal and angst and self-healing, this is a good book to get your fix.
May 24, 2011
After four years of celibacy, Grace Wellington is bound to have a few secrets, especially the man she has conjured up countless fantasies with soap star Mac Harrison. Mac has been dabbling with directing some shots or the soap he works for, when he finally gets the opportunity to meet his favorite screen writer to work on an upcoming project with he is slightly taken aback by the snarky but seductive woman before him. Little does he realize Grace's imagination keeps roving over his sinful body and new fantasies are bieng made every time he speaks.
I thought this was a hoot. Loved the whole book, funny at times and through the roof chemistry just elevated the story.
I thought this was a hoot. Loved the whole book, funny at times and through the roof chemistry just elevated the story.
October 1, 2019
I should've learned my lesson from the first one, but, wow, they jumped into bed quickly! There just wasn't enough time to develop the rest of the story.
Also there were several lines like "his gonads were hot to trot." His GONADS?
Also there were several lines like "his gonads were hot to trot." His GONADS?
April 25, 2010
I had absolutely no intention of liking this book at all. The setting is a soap opera, hero a has-been yet still hunky actor and the heroine a doesn’t-realize-she’s-beautiful writer, both with huge chips on their shoulders. And the first 30 pages were a little rough. But then all of a sudden, the quickfire wit, the lack of stupidity from the heroine, the actually believable emotional baggage from the hero, added up to me READING THIS BOOK WITH A FURY!!! And loving it.
March 28, 2019
Second in the series about the trio of behind-the-scenes people of a daytime soap. Heroine (with big boobs and an extensive vintage wardrobe) is a writer on the show. She has been celibate for four years, ever since she caught her gorgeous actress sister having sex with her artist boyfriend. She does have an active fantasy life (ie: masturbation – this is a Blaze) and the hero, star of the soap, is the one she fantasizes about even though she has never met him.
All that changes when she is tasked with producing a ratings-event wedding episode that hero is directing. Heroine is beyond rude to him during their first meeting and he calls her out on it.
They’re both attracted to each other, they have sex a few times, but heroine is a commitment-phobe. This was the saggy part of the story.
The drama picks up when the heroine’s betraying sister is cast in the wedding episode. Heroine hasn’t told the hero about her sister’s betrayal – in fact – she wouldn’t let him meet her family. Hero had no idea the heroine’s sister was an actress (she goes by a stage name) and is blindsided when the sister tearfully explains why she can’t accept the role. So hero is already angry that heroine didn’t trust him with this story. Then heroine sees the H and her sister talking together and assumes the worst. She storms in and slaps him and then runs off. Hero does not follow. He’s had enough.
Her sister follows and they finally have it out about the betrayal four years before. Heroine had “forgiven” for family peace, and went to all the family events, but she really hadn’t deal with any of it. She realizes she needs therapy and to stop burying her pain. Once she confronts her ex and then crawls back to the hero, she has her HEA.
The story ends with the H/h moving in together. I’m assuming the loose ends will be tied off in the last story of the series.
I enjoyed how the author handled the issue of instant forgiveness and how that is a lie that often does more damage beyond the initial betrayal. Heroine hadn’t forgiven her sister, hadn’t sought to understand anything. Instead she stayed frozen in time. The heroine was hard to take at times. She really was unfair to the hero on too many occasions. Hero was a good guy throughout.
All that changes when she is tasked with producing a ratings-event wedding episode that hero is directing. Heroine is beyond rude to him during their first meeting and he calls her out on it.
They’re both attracted to each other, they have sex a few times, but heroine is a commitment-phobe. This was the saggy part of the story.
The drama picks up when the heroine’s betraying sister is cast in the wedding episode. Heroine hasn’t told the hero about her sister’s betrayal – in fact – she wouldn’t let him meet her family. Hero had no idea the heroine’s sister was an actress (she goes by a stage name) and is blindsided when the sister tearfully explains why she can’t accept the role. So hero is already angry that heroine didn’t trust him with this story. Then heroine sees the H and her sister talking together and assumes the worst. She storms in and slaps him and then runs off. Hero does not follow. He’s had enough.
Her sister follows and they finally have it out about the betrayal four years before. Heroine had “forgiven” for family peace, and went to all the family events, but she really hadn’t deal with any of it. She realizes she needs therapy and to stop burying her pain. Once she confronts her ex and then crawls back to the hero, she has her HEA.
The story ends with the H/h moving in together. I’m assuming the loose ends will be tied off in the last story of the series.
I enjoyed how the author handled the issue of instant forgiveness and how that is a lie that often does more damage beyond the initial betrayal. Heroine hadn’t forgiven her sister, hadn’t sought to understand anything. Instead she stayed frozen in time. The heroine was hard to take at times. She really was unfair to the hero on too many occasions. Hero was a good guy throughout.
January 26, 2021
Enjoyable, easy read romance
4 stars
This is the second in the Secret Lives of Daytime Divas trilogy (after Take on Me and before Hot for Him) but it stands on its own just fine so reading the other two or in order isn't necessary to understand and enjoy this book.
Both Grace and Mac are likeable characters that have good chemistry together starting off antagonistic and moving onto romance and love. Grace's problems were slightly out of proportion to her strong, sassy character but probably realistic none-the-less.
The plot is fairly light but fun at the same time. In the end, the focus on the romance left some of Grace's family issues left as loose ends. But that wasn't too much of a problem for me as I always like to focus on the romance.
This is essentially a fun, enjoyable and romantic read that I would recommend to those who enjoy a Blaze romance or are just looking for a book to take them away for a couple of hours. 4 stars.
February 5, 2022
was i shocked to see the line 'and he produced a cellphone with a built-in camera' and it made me realise this book was from 2007? yes, yes i was
May 21, 2017
All Over You is the second book in Sarah Mayberry’s ‘Secret Lives of Daytime Divas’ series, now being re-released in digital format. It was first published in 2007 and its soap opera theme would definitely have been a hit then, not to mention that the author has a knack for writing sexy and compelling romances. Though soap operas don’t have the audience that they once did, I still found it a delightful behind the scenes look at the day to day operation involved in keeping a show like this on the air. Plus it’s got a theme that definitely appeals to the soap fan in me – ordinary girl and soap opera star find their happy ending together!
For more of this review please visit Harlequin Junkie: http://harlequinjunkie.com/review-all...
A copy of this story was provided by the publisher for review.
For more of this review please visit Harlequin Junkie: http://harlequinjunkie.com/review-all...
A copy of this story was provided by the publisher for review.
April 11, 2017
You can tell this was an early book by Sarah Mayberry. The story was completely one sided (very little conflict on the side of the hero) and there wasn't that chemistry that I'm used to in Sarah Mayberry books. Even the sex was pedestrian.
Grace's sisters are model-gorgeous and she's "merely" exotic, voluptuous, sexy, smart, successful and talented. So of course she feels like the ugly duckling! No man will want her ever!!
Instead of owning her strengths and talents, Grace is constantly comparing her looks to her sisters. This was so tiresome, specially since she didn't even take the time to look past the surface of her sisters' looks to know if they were happy. She felt left out because she wasn't conventionally beautiful so SHE pulled away from the family. Yes, one of her sisters did something horrible to her but instead of confronting her when she should have, she played the martyr for years and the poor hero had to pay for it. I wish he had given her a harder time before taking her back.
Overall, a decent romance but not Mayberry's best.
Grace's sisters are model-gorgeous and she's "merely" exotic, voluptuous, sexy, smart, successful and talented. So of course she feels like the ugly duckling! No man will want her ever!!
Instead of owning her strengths and talents, Grace is constantly comparing her looks to her sisters. This was so tiresome, specially since she didn't even take the time to look past the surface of her sisters' looks to know if they were happy. She felt left out because she wasn't conventionally beautiful so SHE pulled away from the family. Yes, one of her sisters did something horrible to her but instead of confronting her when she should have, she played the martyr for years and the poor hero had to pay for it. I wish he had given her a harder time before taking her back.
Overall, a decent romance but not Mayberry's best.
April 4, 2016
Millions of women drool over soap star Mac Harrison. And scriptwriter Grace Wellington is no different-the hottie headlines all her wildest fantasies. She keeps him firmly in his place there, however, because her days have no room for such ego-driven men.
But when she and Mac are thrown together on a project, fantasy becomes blissful reality! All of her secret, naughty desires come to life under his sizzling ministrations. This is one affair to remember--and to let go of when it's over.
Too bad Mac doesn't agree. He wants to move things from just sex to true commitment. Worse, he has all the right moves to convince her real life is much better.... A promising story, that will leave you wanting more. 5 stars,
But when she and Mac are thrown together on a project, fantasy becomes blissful reality! All of her secret, naughty desires come to life under his sizzling ministrations. This is one affair to remember--and to let go of when it's over.
Too bad Mac doesn't agree. He wants to move things from just sex to true commitment. Worse, he has all the right moves to convince her real life is much better.... A promising story, that will leave you wanting more. 5 stars,
November 29, 2018
Starts out ok, fizzles out quickly, picks up towards the end.
April 21, 2019
Definitely one of my favs of Sarah Mayberry - moved me to tears at the end.
I love this woman's writing! <3
I love this woman's writing! <3
July 18, 2019
Divertido, gostei.
Want to read
July 27, 2019I really want to read this. Gat me fantasizing already
December 30, 2019
3.5 stars. Didn't like as much as the first one, but was good! Looking forward to Claudia's story! Love the background of the soap world.
April 15, 2018
A good read with good characters and dialogue.
December 16, 2013
Yummy,yummy,yummy!!! I know right? I'm like a child whose been offered her fav treat. Above and beyond what I expected,this book. Or should I honestly say, 'twas exactly what I expected from Sarah M. She's one writer whose books I don't have to sample to buy. I don't have to dwell on how much they cost or consider the opportunity cost of the purchase. I simply go for it. Reason? She deliver 100% every single time! Lovely story about Mac and Grace. Grace has been celibate for years and Mac is this hunky soap star whose feeling washed up and wants an opportunity to dabble into directing because acting has lost it's appeal. Grace has a little secret, Mac has been the star of her sexual fantasies for a while even though they both haven't met officially.. After a bit of animosity, the sexual tension between them exploded into the 'inevitable', lol, they end up tearing each others clothes off. After the act, Mac kind of gets the impression that Grace wants more from their encounter and tries to give her the brush off. Eventually though, and this is interesting, it's Mac who ends up wanting more from her, Grace was burnt very badly from her last relationship and exposing her heart to Mac is really not what she'd rather do. What I like most about this story, is the fact that Mac who seems like the ultimate ladies man was sensitive enough to recognize that something pretty big must've happened in her last relationship to keep her soo closed off. Also, another highlight for me, is when Grace broke down in front of her pals Sadie and Claudia and told them that what hurt the most about her ex, was the fact that he never drew her(I needed tissue) it was so real and heart wrenching, I felt her pain, thirdly, is the insecurity she's always felt as the family 'mascot', always looked at as being less beautiful and having it thrown in her face repeatedly. All in all, the blend was really stellar, the highs , the lows and of course the sex was spectacular, SM nails both plot,sex and romance.
July 4, 2017
Again, Mayberry is really delightfully great at pulling out people who need to resolve some shit and not making that ununderstandable or distancing or too melodramatic - it's the opposite I feel for Susan Elizabeth Philips, who takes people with sadder backgrounds and fucks them up and doesn't give them them the proper resolution or the right time to figure themselves out. Like, Grace is clearly hurting and has clearly been through some shit, but it doesn't get into extremes - trauma, abuse - and still manages to make her reactions make sense, make her hurts make sense. Good.
Mac is a great guy. I'm mad how much I like these dudes.
ETA: Randomly reread this today and I think this is actually my favourite Divas book, not the first one as I'd said when I first read the series. I was struggling with a really long book with characters making let's-just-make-this-book-longer decisions, so how quick this was to read and how weirdly emotionally satisfied I was surprised me - even though this is exactly why I've repeatedly said I dig Mayberry books.
Mac is a great guy. I'm mad how much I like these dudes.
ETA: Randomly reread this today and I think this is actually my favourite Divas book, not the first one as I'd said when I first read the series. I was struggling with a really long book with characters making let's-just-make-this-book-longer decisions, so how quick this was to read and how weirdly emotionally satisfied I was surprised me - even though this is exactly why I've repeatedly said I dig Mayberry books.
October 26, 2014
This is one of my favorites. Perhaps it's because this is one of the first blaze I've read from Sarah Mayberry. Usually I have a problem with harlequin being too - exaggerated( for lack of a better word) for me. I related with Grace putting on a tough lady facade but underneath it she's just as vulnerable as the rest of us mortals. I loved the concept of Mac being a soap star yet feeling inadequate and wanting to pull his weight in other areas. And overall, I loved the twists with Grace and Mac both diving headlong into a fling, then one feeling smothered and eventfully they found the perfect balance. I felt them, I fell in love with them and I felt like I knew them, which is what reading is for me. Being able to relate with the characters and not feel like you are reading a fictional story.
July 12, 2010
Just typical and I didn't love the heroine emotionally...so I could take or leave this book. The hero - hottie hottie and sexy! The sex scenes were just okay. They went into more detail than some Harlequins (probably due to the Blaze) but the details were lackluster. They seemed more about describing the actions than about really connecting with the characters' emotions. That's the first time I have felt that from Sarah Mayberry in a Blaze novel, so I won't let it stop me from reading more for now!
December 30, 2010
Soap opera script writer/editor falls for hottie actor. She holds it against him that he's a hottie, which is unfair to him because he's actually much nicer than she is. But luckily he falls for her too, and eventually calls her on her crap, so that's good. I like Mayberry and she waltzes us through this familiar dance with a nice dip at the end. This is the 2nd Mayberry I've read set in the US (as she is an Australian writer) and as in the other one, the dialect was a bit off. What does "sooky" mean anyway? I think it means weepily sentimental or something like that but I'm really not sure.
March 4, 2012
I got this thinking it would be a fun read but it was average at best. The heroine was grating and the hero a little bit too good for me to really like. I enjoy the snappy types of romance where the couples spar, but these scenes were forced and almost painful to read. The sex scenes were boring and unemotional, too. There was just no real pay off in this book. I paid for this one and that is the only reason I didn't abandon it. It's a Harlequin and normally a 150 ish page book would have been finished right away, but it was kind of a chore to get through this.
January 28, 2013
I loved the book though I wished I had known it was book two of a series. Mac and Grace were wonderful counter points for one another. Grace was burned four years ago by her sister and boyfriend and left men behind because of it. Mac is at a stand still career and relationship wise and just wants more out of life. They are put together to help create the penultimate episode for the soap they work on. Sparks fly but are both to jaded to know a good thing when it comes around.
June 25, 2013
All Over You was ok. I was often frustrated with Grace. She had a lot of issues and I thought it was too bad that she wasn't able to work on them fully throughout the story. I also felt that Grace reacted immaturely to several situations and that her friends weren't as supportive as possible in helping with her issues. I did think Mac had a better handle on his own issues, was more mature, and incredibly patient with Grace. So, the two of them were a good match.
April 6, 2014
Cute! ALL OVER YOU was adorable, just like I knew it would be.
Grace was such a great character. I'm so glad that Mac was able to break down her walls.
I am really interested in going back and reading about the girls' stories that make up this series. ALL OVER YOU is actually is the second book in the Secret Lives of Daytime Divas series. So, I'll get to reading books 1 and 3 at some point.
Grace was such a great character. I'm so glad that Mac was able to break down her walls.
I am really interested in going back and reading about the girls' stories that make up this series. ALL OVER YOU is actually is the second book in the Secret Lives of Daytime Divas series. So, I'll get to reading books 1 and 3 at some point.
January 25, 2016
I seldom read Harlequin Blaze but this one was actually very good. It was just what I expected from Sarah Mayberry. This was supposed to be the second book from the series. I think I have to go back and read the first one now. Well as for this book, Mac was like really really really too good to be true. I almost hate Grace at her first encounter with Mac. Just too bitchy, though she had her own reasons. But fortunately she made it up after that.
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