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Dear Dwayne, With Love
Wannabe actress Dani Steele’s résumé resembles a cautionary tale on how not to be famous. She’s pushing thirty and stuck in a dead-end insurance job, and her relationship status is holding at uncommitted. With unbearably perfect sisters and a mother who won’t let her forget it, Dani has two go-tos for maple scones and a blog in which she pours her heart out to her celebrity idol. He’s the man her father never was, no boyfriend will ever be―and not so impossible a dream as one might think. When Dani learns that he’s planning a fund-raising event where the winning amateur athlete gets a walk-on in his new film, she decides to trade pastries and self-doubt for running shoes and a sexy British trainer with adorable knees. But when Dani’s plot takes an unexpected twist, she realizes that her happy ending might have to be improvised―and that proving herself to her idol isn’t half as important as proving something to herself. * * * This is a work of fiction. While Dwayne Johnson p/k/a The Rock is a real person, events relating to him in the book are a product of the author’s imagination. Mr. Johnson is not affiliated with this book, and has not endorsed it or participated in any manner in connection with this book.
380 pages, Paperback
First published January 23, 2018
505 people are currently reading
1073 people want to read
About the author
Eliza Gordon
25 books554 followersA native of Portland, Oregon, Eliza Gordon (a.k.a. Jennifer Sommersby) has lived up and down the West Coast of the United States. Since 2002, home has been a suburb of Vancouver, British Columbia.
When not lost in a writing project, Eliza is a copy editor, mom, wife, bibliophile, Superman freak, and the humble servant of three very spoiled tuxedo cats. Eliza writes stories to help you believe in the Happily Ever After; Jennifer Sommersby writes young adult fiction.
When not lost in a writing project, Eliza is a copy editor, mom, wife, bibliophile, Superman freak, and the humble servant of three very spoiled tuxedo cats. Eliza writes stories to help you believe in the Happily Ever After; Jennifer Sommersby writes young adult fiction.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 188 reviews
April 21, 2018
Y’ALL. This is a romance novel that centers around a girl’s obsession with Dwayne THE ROCK Johnson. I had no idea going in so I just about died reading this. It was hilarious and unassuming. 10/10 would recommend to someone wanting a light and fun story that at times is completely and totally ridiculous. I’m so about it.
January 23, 2018
Favorite Quotes:
Imagine the witch who gives Snow White the apple. Make her more than six feet tall. Braid the hairs growing from the mole. Give her the personality of Miss Gulch, the mean lady on the bike who yells at Dorothy’s aunt and uncle about little Toto. Boom. My boss. Joan the Crone.
Where are the real gigs, you know? Like tampon or feminine deodorant commercials? The residuals on those can be nuts—I knew a woman in LA who bought a house in the Hollywood Hills just from the residuals she earned on Massengill Douche ads. Sure, she was known as the Douche Lady, but she has an infinity pool and a pool boy named Sven. A clean vagina is no laughing matter.
My mother keeps sending me meal plans she finds online, designed specifically for people trying to conceive… I am really, really tired of beans and spinach. And I feel sorry for the other women sitting around me. So much farting.
I follow her to the Great Wall of Shoes… Susie talks me into two pairs: a zero-drop shoe for the gym (“ It will help you keep your balance, like being barefoot, when you’re squatting and deadlifting”— I have no idea what either of those things involve, but I’m guessing one might be for pooping and the other might be for carrying a corpse)…
I don’t even want kids. Georgette has three, and all she talks about is how her hair is falling out and she can’t poop alone and how her vagina has lost its pep. I don’t want my vagina to lose her pep. I have it on good authority my group health insurance won’t cover fixing that.
No time for doubts. Doubts are for cat tattoos and dubious marriages.
My Review
I giggle-snorted and smirked as I read this delightfully clever and deliciously amusing and quirky tale. I was quickly drawn into this vibrantly humorous, entertaining, and engaging story. The storyline was irreverently witty while also providing those occasional emotive heart-squeezes, and was simply brimming with oddly alluring and intriguing characters with my favorites being the Miraculously Beautiful Marco the personal trainer, and the soft-hearted and somewhat spineless heroine, Danielle Steele with an e, "Dani." Dani’s eccentric and conspiracy-prone mother had named all three of her daughters after her favorite romance authors. Tucked into the narrative were frequent and unexpected tricks and treats to keep reeling the reader into this well-crafted and smartly written story.
Dani’s family was all kinds of peculiar with her mother belonging to a UFO group named Greys (Alien) Anatomy, and sold magic healing space wands and her own homegrown medicinal herb (unlicensed) to “her friends” and those seeking relief from pain. Despite her unusual childhood, Dani was a sweet and thoughtful friend and co-worker, although she lacked backbone and knew it. She was also unflinchingly snarky in her inner musings and when writing in the private online diary she had kept since middle school using an unpublished blog website with her missives generally consisting of unsent letters and imagined conversations with her childhood idol Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, who had been her long-gone father’s favorite wrestler. But secrets often have a way of being revealed, with humorous results and uncomfortable and humiliating consequences.
I adored this amusing and cleverly crafted book from its very beginning to the gleefully satisfying end. Dani had transformed through setting a goal to meet her idol and despite several unforeseen setbacks, she had some major wins and a few tragic losses, with a boatload of humorous scenes, perceptive observations, and comically arched eyebrow lifts occurring in between. I will forever associate kittens on leashes, sports bras, and protein smoothies with this enticing and inventive tale, while I would never consider ever again drinking a kale smoothie as I agree with Dani; kale smoothies most certainly are the devil.
Imagine the witch who gives Snow White the apple. Make her more than six feet tall. Braid the hairs growing from the mole. Give her the personality of Miss Gulch, the mean lady on the bike who yells at Dorothy’s aunt and uncle about little Toto. Boom. My boss. Joan the Crone.
Where are the real gigs, you know? Like tampon or feminine deodorant commercials? The residuals on those can be nuts—I knew a woman in LA who bought a house in the Hollywood Hills just from the residuals she earned on Massengill Douche ads. Sure, she was known as the Douche Lady, but she has an infinity pool and a pool boy named Sven. A clean vagina is no laughing matter.
My mother keeps sending me meal plans she finds online, designed specifically for people trying to conceive… I am really, really tired of beans and spinach. And I feel sorry for the other women sitting around me. So much farting.
I follow her to the Great Wall of Shoes… Susie talks me into two pairs: a zero-drop shoe for the gym (“ It will help you keep your balance, like being barefoot, when you’re squatting and deadlifting”— I have no idea what either of those things involve, but I’m guessing one might be for pooping and the other might be for carrying a corpse)…
I don’t even want kids. Georgette has three, and all she talks about is how her hair is falling out and she can’t poop alone and how her vagina has lost its pep. I don’t want my vagina to lose her pep. I have it on good authority my group health insurance won’t cover fixing that.
No time for doubts. Doubts are for cat tattoos and dubious marriages.
My Review
I giggle-snorted and smirked as I read this delightfully clever and deliciously amusing and quirky tale. I was quickly drawn into this vibrantly humorous, entertaining, and engaging story. The storyline was irreverently witty while also providing those occasional emotive heart-squeezes, and was simply brimming with oddly alluring and intriguing characters with my favorites being the Miraculously Beautiful Marco the personal trainer, and the soft-hearted and somewhat spineless heroine, Danielle Steele with an e, "Dani." Dani’s eccentric and conspiracy-prone mother had named all three of her daughters after her favorite romance authors. Tucked into the narrative were frequent and unexpected tricks and treats to keep reeling the reader into this well-crafted and smartly written story.
Dani’s family was all kinds of peculiar with her mother belonging to a UFO group named Greys (Alien) Anatomy, and sold magic healing space wands and her own homegrown medicinal herb (unlicensed) to “her friends” and those seeking relief from pain. Despite her unusual childhood, Dani was a sweet and thoughtful friend and co-worker, although she lacked backbone and knew it. She was also unflinchingly snarky in her inner musings and when writing in the private online diary she had kept since middle school using an unpublished blog website with her missives generally consisting of unsent letters and imagined conversations with her childhood idol Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, who had been her long-gone father’s favorite wrestler. But secrets often have a way of being revealed, with humorous results and uncomfortable and humiliating consequences.
I adored this amusing and cleverly crafted book from its very beginning to the gleefully satisfying end. Dani had transformed through setting a goal to meet her idol and despite several unforeseen setbacks, she had some major wins and a few tragic losses, with a boatload of humorous scenes, perceptive observations, and comically arched eyebrow lifts occurring in between. I will forever associate kittens on leashes, sports bras, and protein smoothies with this enticing and inventive tale, while I would never consider ever again drinking a kale smoothie as I agree with Dani; kale smoothies most certainly are the devil.
January 8, 2018
Must Love Otters and it's predecessor were such fun and quirky reads that I couldn't wait to delve back into the crazy characters that Gordon knows how to create and draw you in with. And from the very first chapter, it didn't take me long at all to see that Dear Dwayne, With Love was going to be just as quirky and fun and crazy as her other books and I couldn't of been more excited about it.
I don't even know how to describe this, it really was so unique and just downright fun. I know I keep saying that word but it really is the best one possible to describe not only Dani's crazy obsession with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson but just about everything else that happens in this story.
Not only Dani's obsession but her inner monologue had me cracking up numerous times not to mention her imagined conversations with The Rock and her blog posts, seriously, crazy funny stuff.
I loved that not only was this about one woman’s crazy (and maybe over the top) obsession but it was almost like a coming of age story for Dani, even though she is well into her twenties and on her way to her thirties. I loved watching her grow, not only within herself, but with her family and friends as well and even though the whole “Mommy” thing still creeps me out when I think about it, it someone worked with the story and the madness that was Dani's whole family and life.
Another great story from Gordon that will be sure to please all of her fans and to create some new ones along the way.
*ARC was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
I don't even know how to describe this, it really was so unique and just downright fun. I know I keep saying that word but it really is the best one possible to describe not only Dani's crazy obsession with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson but just about everything else that happens in this story.
Not only Dani's obsession but her inner monologue had me cracking up numerous times not to mention her imagined conversations with The Rock and her blog posts, seriously, crazy funny stuff.
I loved that not only was this about one woman’s crazy (and maybe over the top) obsession but it was almost like a coming of age story for Dani, even though she is well into her twenties and on her way to her thirties. I loved watching her grow, not only within herself, but with her family and friends as well and even though the whole “Mommy” thing still creeps me out when I think about it, it someone worked with the story and the madness that was Dani's whole family and life.
Another great story from Gordon that will be sure to please all of her fans and to create some new ones along the way.
*ARC was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
October 2, 2018
2-1/2 Stars!
If I could split this book in half, I would rate the first half 2 stars and the second half 3 stars. (Thus, my 2-1/2 star rating!)
The thing about comedy is that its subjective and although I’m sure lots of people would find the humor in this book funny, I unfortunately did not. I’m not saying the whole thing was unfunny — I’m mostly referring to the humor in Dani’s blog. More specifically, the “scenes” she has with The Rock in her blog. Those just didn’t click with me and there were so many. I realized as I read on that the blogging was integral to the storyline but I much rather preferred Dani’s humor when she was out in “real life” interacting with the other characters. I would have liked more of that, which we seem to get in the second half of the book. The second half has more character interaction altogether. It’s more entertaining and made me laugh. I thought the ending was great and really liked the health transformation Dani went through.
If I could split this book in half, I would rate the first half 2 stars and the second half 3 stars. (Thus, my 2-1/2 star rating!)
The thing about comedy is that its subjective and although I’m sure lots of people would find the humor in this book funny, I unfortunately did not. I’m not saying the whole thing was unfunny — I’m mostly referring to the humor in Dani’s blog. More specifically, the “scenes” she has with The Rock in her blog. Those just didn’t click with me and there were so many. I realized as I read on that the blogging was integral to the storyline but I much rather preferred Dani’s humor when she was out in “real life” interacting with the other characters. I would have liked more of that, which we seem to get in the second half of the book. The second half has more character interaction altogether. It’s more entertaining and made me laugh. I thought the ending was great and really liked the health transformation Dani went through.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 26, 2019
Audible Review:
Overall 3 out of 5 stars
Performance 4 out of 5 stars
Story 3 out of 5 stars
It took me awhile, but I ended up enjoying it.
I'm going to give this an overall 3.5*, and round up to 4* on GR and Amazon.
Like my headline says, it took me awhile to finish this one- I started it very early in the year but just wasn't feeling it so I put it aside. Over the weekend I decided I wanted to start 2020 with a clean slate- either finish the couple of audiobooks I've had lingering, or close them out as dnf. And I have to say, I'm actually glad I jumped back into this one.
I'm not sure if I wasn't in the right head space when I started this book, or if it really was a tale of 2 halves, but I do know I liked the last few hours a lot more than the first half / 3/4. It was a really fun premise, but it just seemed to take too long to get where it was going. When it finally did, that's when I was able to fully enjoy it.
There was a lot going on in the book- with Dani's job, her training for the big event, her crush on her trainer, Howie, the unresolved feelings about her dad, her family relationships, the hacking of her blog, and most of all, her *obsession* with Dwayne Johnson. But Ms. Gordon did a nice job of weaving everything together in an entertaining way. After the rough start, I really did end up liking Dani's story and how everything worked out.
I enjoyed the narration by Carly Robins. She gave an entertaining perfomance and really had me invested in Dani's life by the end of the story. She did a good job with all the different voices, although I don't think anyone could do justice to Dwayne Johnson, other than Dwayne Johnson!
Overall 3 out of 5 stars
Performance 4 out of 5 stars
Story 3 out of 5 stars
It took me awhile, but I ended up enjoying it.
I'm going to give this an overall 3.5*, and round up to 4* on GR and Amazon.
Like my headline says, it took me awhile to finish this one- I started it very early in the year but just wasn't feeling it so I put it aside. Over the weekend I decided I wanted to start 2020 with a clean slate- either finish the couple of audiobooks I've had lingering, or close them out as dnf. And I have to say, I'm actually glad I jumped back into this one.
I'm not sure if I wasn't in the right head space when I started this book, or if it really was a tale of 2 halves, but I do know I liked the last few hours a lot more than the first half / 3/4. It was a really fun premise, but it just seemed to take too long to get where it was going. When it finally did, that's when I was able to fully enjoy it.
There was a lot going on in the book- with Dani's job, her training for the big event, her crush on her trainer, Howie, the unresolved feelings about her dad, her family relationships, the hacking of her blog, and most of all, her *obsession* with Dwayne Johnson. But Ms. Gordon did a nice job of weaving everything together in an entertaining way. After the rough start, I really did end up liking Dani's story and how everything worked out.
I enjoyed the narration by Carly Robins. She gave an entertaining perfomance and really had me invested in Dani's life by the end of the story. She did a good job with all the different voices, although I don't think anyone could do justice to Dwayne Johnson, other than Dwayne Johnson!
April 16, 2018
I usually enjoy Eliza Gordon but I just can't continue this one. I'm bored to tears.......DNF 40%
November 10, 2017
GAH! I have a HUGE issue with this book!
Here it is November and I’ve finished it, but it doesn’t come out until January. So I want to add it to my favorites of 2017, but it doesn’t even come out until next year…WHAT DO I DO?!? (2018 just got it’s first favorite!)
Dani is not only infatuated with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, but she’s used him as a muse as a sort of therapy, addressing all of her pre-pubescent journal entries to him. Her life has been turned upside down after she returns to Oregon, called home from Los Angeles due to her mother’s health issues. So when she finds out that she has the opportunity to compete to meet Dwayne and have a possible walk on role in one of his movies, she works to get in shape and win. Along the way she meets a super hot trainer, loses and gets back her friends and family, and finds out just who she is along the way.
I adore this book, everything about it--the characters, the storyline, all of it. It had me from the first page and it was one of those books that I didn’t want to put down, and the pile of laundry I have to catch up on is a testament to that.
Told from Dani’s point of view, Gordon has crafted a story using a multi-media type of approach with her storytelling and she does it masterfully. Through a series of diary entries, faxes, emails, and texts, we get an idea of the lunacy that is Dani’s life, whether it is her crazy work life or even crazier family. Each character is complex, no matter how minor, and adds something special to the story.
Dear Dwayne, With Love is side splitting and sweet. If you’re looking for something different, this is the book for you!
I received an advance copy of this title for review purposes. Thank you NetGalley!
Here it is November and I’ve finished it, but it doesn’t come out until January. So I want to add it to my favorites of 2017, but it doesn’t even come out until next year…WHAT DO I DO?!? (2018 just got it’s first favorite!)
Dani is not only infatuated with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, but she’s used him as a muse as a sort of therapy, addressing all of her pre-pubescent journal entries to him. Her life has been turned upside down after she returns to Oregon, called home from Los Angeles due to her mother’s health issues. So when she finds out that she has the opportunity to compete to meet Dwayne and have a possible walk on role in one of his movies, she works to get in shape and win. Along the way she meets a super hot trainer, loses and gets back her friends and family, and finds out just who she is along the way.
I adore this book, everything about it--the characters, the storyline, all of it. It had me from the first page and it was one of those books that I didn’t want to put down, and the pile of laundry I have to catch up on is a testament to that.
Told from Dani’s point of view, Gordon has crafted a story using a multi-media type of approach with her storytelling and she does it masterfully. Through a series of diary entries, faxes, emails, and texts, we get an idea of the lunacy that is Dani’s life, whether it is her crazy work life or even crazier family. Each character is complex, no matter how minor, and adds something special to the story.
Dear Dwayne, With Love is side splitting and sweet. If you’re looking for something different, this is the book for you!
I received an advance copy of this title for review purposes. Thank you NetGalley!
March 30, 2018
Danielle Steele (with an -E, not like the romance author) is soon to be 30 years old. She's an aspiring actress (little success so far), a lover of junk food, worker at a dead-end job, and member of a somewhat dysfunctional family. Dani has had a major crush on Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson most of her life, and when her father deserted her family, consisting of Dani, her two sisters and their mother, when she was a young girl, she took to confiding all her worries and troubles to The Rock in unsent letters and later, as she grew older, in a private blog.
This book has a slight plot that probably shouldn't be discussed much. It just needs to be read. Suffice it to say that Dani must get into great physical shape for a charity event sponsored by her crush "The Rock". The winner of the event will get a walk-on part in his next movie. So she joins a gym where she is to work with super-hot trainer Marco.
This is partly romance but mostly it's a journey of personal growth for Dani and it's entertainingly told by author Gordon. All the characters, main or secondary, are quirky and fun, and the dialogue is clever and breezy. My biggest issue with the story is the fact that Dani is almost thirty but seems, especially at first, more like a teenager in her maturity level. She whines quite a bit about her family and job, and, although she is also a caring person, sometimes she comes across as much too self-absorbed.
Although the plot is a bit juvenile and many of the characters too immature for my taste, the story is funny and written in an entertaining manner and I can see it appealing to a younger reader. Read it for a escape from real life, to chuckle over Dani's messed-up life and to be glad for her when she gets a few things straightened out and her priorities prioritized.
This book has a slight plot that probably shouldn't be discussed much. It just needs to be read. Suffice it to say that Dani must get into great physical shape for a charity event sponsored by her crush "The Rock". The winner of the event will get a walk-on part in his next movie. So she joins a gym where she is to work with super-hot trainer Marco.
This is partly romance but mostly it's a journey of personal growth for Dani and it's entertainingly told by author Gordon. All the characters, main or secondary, are quirky and fun, and the dialogue is clever and breezy. My biggest issue with the story is the fact that Dani is almost thirty but seems, especially at first, more like a teenager in her maturity level. She whines quite a bit about her family and job, and, although she is also a caring person, sometimes she comes across as much too self-absorbed.
Although the plot is a bit juvenile and many of the characters too immature for my taste, the story is funny and written in an entertaining manner and I can see it appealing to a younger reader. Read it for a escape from real life, to chuckle over Dani's messed-up life and to be glad for her when she gets a few things straightened out and her priorities prioritized.
March 9, 2018
I loved this book! It just checks all the boxes for me. It's quirky and fun, full of awesome characters and a great story. Danielle has a crazy family, a boring job, aspirations to be an actress, and an obsession for Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson. When events turn her life upside down, she rebuilds herself, finds love, and still has a healthy obsession for DJ. This was a fun and entertaining book and I highly recommend it!
March 13, 2018
Dear Dwayne Johnson, I have a confession to make! I just adored this book to bits.
I am in a real Eliza Gordon mood, I am so happy I found out about her through doing a promo post on this book. Because she sure can write!
I am still a bit tired, but I do want to write a review, so I will do a good/not-so-good review (though it will mostly be a good review).
Say hello to Danielle, a girl with a job she doesn't like, a relationship that is mostly just for the (terrible) sex, a big fondness of delicious baked goods (and who can blame her), a dream to become an actress, and a big love for Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson.
Good/Amazing/Awesome:
-I just adore the MC's name. Huge plus-points to that. And no, I won't tell you why I am loving her name so much. :P
-Her determination is just amazing. True, she had a few days that just didn't go right, but can we blame her? I would also take a day or more off if that crap would happen to me. Your whole world is crashing down. But she still keeps going on. Maybe also a bit because she has a giant crush on her trainer. ;) But I think mostly it is because she loves seeing herself getting fitter, she has a real family at the gym, and she just can't wait to meet The Rock.
-The contest and what it entails. Gee, I would want to participate even if I am not in for the winning. It always has been one of my dreams to do an obstacle course!
-I love that her diary is addressed to Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. That is just too cute! I wish I had thought to use a celebrity to address my diary entries to when I was still writing my diary. Instead I just went with the lame Dear Diary/Lief Dagboek.
-The diary entries. I had lots of fun reading them.
-The romance/sparks between Danielle and Marco. I just adored those two together and I can tell that from the moment their eyes met I was rooting for them to get together. Kiss. All the other things. I am happy with the writer and that she build the romance up and didn't just let them BOOM go for romance. Sure, I was definitely shouting at times that they should just kiss for once already, arghhh!
-The book club at Danielle's work. Or I should say "book club" as these girls just mostly eat, gossip and eat some more.
-Howie! I wasn't sure at times, but he seemed to be a great guy and I just loved how happy he seemed to spread knowledge and talk books.
-On that point I also love how Danielle was there for him, talked with him about books, read his book suggestions, gave him food. She did all sorts of things for him.
-The cover!
-The FBI/hacking stuff. Yes, it did feel a bit out of place, but now that I have read the whole book I can say that it does fit. Plus it gave Danielle new opportunities, gave her a chance to talk to her mom and sisters, and several other things.
-Minotaur/several other people in the gym. They were just the greatest and I love how protective and kind they were.
-That thing that happened in the ending (and no I cannot spoil it). That was so sweet of Marco to do that, it must have been terribly hard to keep silent about it.
-The auditions. I would have liked to see a few more, but I am already happy we saw a few of them.
-The ending! Perfection!
Bad:
-How people reacted when Danielle's online + not published diary got online. Some reactions were sweet, but mostly I was just pissed at how no one would believe her that she got hacked and that this stuff was meant for her eyes only.
-Trevor. My word, what a dickwad that dude is. I don't even want to go into all the reasons why he is just the worst human in this book.
-The mom. My lord that woman... :|
Well, I could probably rave on and on about this book, but I think I have said/mentioned everything I wanted to mention, so I will just say that I would highly recommend this book to everyone. A very dedicated MC, a cute romance, a crazy as hell family, auditions, and more!
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
I am in a real Eliza Gordon mood, I am so happy I found out about her through doing a promo post on this book. Because she sure can write!
I am still a bit tired, but I do want to write a review, so I will do a good/not-so-good review (though it will mostly be a good review).
Say hello to Danielle, a girl with a job she doesn't like, a relationship that is mostly just for the (terrible) sex, a big fondness of delicious baked goods (and who can blame her), a dream to become an actress, and a big love for Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson.
Good/Amazing/Awesome:
-I just adore the MC's name. Huge plus-points to that. And no, I won't tell you why I am loving her name so much. :P
-Her determination is just amazing. True, she had a few days that just didn't go right, but can we blame her? I would also take a day or more off if that crap would happen to me. Your whole world is crashing down. But she still keeps going on. Maybe also a bit because she has a giant crush on her trainer. ;) But I think mostly it is because she loves seeing herself getting fitter, she has a real family at the gym, and she just can't wait to meet The Rock.
-The contest and what it entails. Gee, I would want to participate even if I am not in for the winning. It always has been one of my dreams to do an obstacle course!
-I love that her diary is addressed to Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. That is just too cute! I wish I had thought to use a celebrity to address my diary entries to when I was still writing my diary. Instead I just went with the lame Dear Diary/Lief Dagboek.
-The diary entries. I had lots of fun reading them.
-The romance/sparks between Danielle and Marco. I just adored those two together and I can tell that from the moment their eyes met I was rooting for them to get together. Kiss. All the other things. I am happy with the writer and that she build the romance up and didn't just let them BOOM go for romance. Sure, I was definitely shouting at times that they should just kiss for once already, arghhh!
-The book club at Danielle's work. Or I should say "book club" as these girls just mostly eat, gossip and eat some more.
-Howie! I wasn't sure at times, but he seemed to be a great guy and I just loved how happy he seemed to spread knowledge and talk books.
-On that point I also love how Danielle was there for him, talked with him about books, read his book suggestions, gave him food. She did all sorts of things for him.
-The cover!
-The FBI/hacking stuff. Yes, it did feel a bit out of place, but now that I have read the whole book I can say that it does fit. Plus it gave Danielle new opportunities, gave her a chance to talk to her mom and sisters, and several other things.
-Minotaur/several other people in the gym. They were just the greatest and I love how protective and kind they were.
-That thing that happened in the ending (and no I cannot spoil it). That was so sweet of Marco to do that, it must have been terribly hard to keep silent about it.
-The auditions. I would have liked to see a few more, but I am already happy we saw a few of them.
-The ending! Perfection!
Bad:
-How people reacted when Danielle's online + not published diary got online. Some reactions were sweet, but mostly I was just pissed at how no one would believe her that she got hacked and that this stuff was meant for her eyes only.
-Trevor. My word, what a dickwad that dude is. I don't even want to go into all the reasons why he is just the worst human in this book.
-The mom. My lord that woman... :|
Well, I could probably rave on and on about this book, but I think I have said/mentioned everything I wanted to mention, so I will just say that I would highly recommend this book to everyone. A very dedicated MC, a cute romance, a crazy as hell family, auditions, and more!
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
February 2, 2018
**You can see this full review and more at Book Briefs: https://bookbriefs.net**Dear Dwayne, With Love is a standalone romantic comedy by the hilariously funny Eliza Gordon. Eliza's book, Must Love Otters is one of my favorite romantic comedies. It is so seriously awesome, I recommend it to everyone. I am such a big fan of her books, that I read them all! She never fails to crack me. Her books always feature relateable, quirky characters and an adorable heart racing romance. They are the epitome of funny, feel good reads. And Dear Dwayne, With Love is no different.
I was drawn into this story from the very first page. Dear Dwayne is the story of Dani, a girl who is a self proclaimed Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson fanatic. She has been writing letters to Dwayne for the better portion of her teenage and adult life. Let me tell you, her letters completely cracked me up. She even forms responses and has conversations with Dwayne in her head, which are equally funny. We get to watch as Dani balances her real life with fantasy life with Dwayne, but don't worry. Dani is not just a crazy person, soon she embarks on a fitness journey (end goal: meet Dwayne, obviously.) but she finds love along the way.
I just love Dani. I love everything about her. The best part about Eliza Gordon's books are that her writing is hilarious and she writes the best characters. Characters you just can't help but love. I don't want to reveal too much about this book because watching Dani find herself is part of the fun. I will admit there was a point at about 15% into the story, that I was having a great time. The writing was super funny and I was really engaged, but I did think to myself, what is the point of this story? And that is what I want you to find out for yourself. Trust me, by the end of the journey you will have laughed your butt off! Dear Dwayne, With Love is just what expect from Eliza Gordon's books- funny, smart romances.
This review was originally posted on Book Briefs
I was drawn into this story from the very first page. Dear Dwayne is the story of Dani, a girl who is a self proclaimed Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson fanatic. She has been writing letters to Dwayne for the better portion of her teenage and adult life. Let me tell you, her letters completely cracked me up. She even forms responses and has conversations with Dwayne in her head, which are equally funny. We get to watch as Dani balances her real life with fantasy life with Dwayne, but don't worry. Dani is not just a crazy person, soon she embarks on a fitness journey (end goal: meet Dwayne, obviously.) but she finds love along the way.
I just love Dani. I love everything about her. The best part about Eliza Gordon's books are that her writing is hilarious and she writes the best characters. Characters you just can't help but love. I don't want to reveal too much about this book because watching Dani find herself is part of the fun. I will admit there was a point at about 15% into the story, that I was having a great time. The writing was super funny and I was really engaged, but I did think to myself, what is the point of this story? And that is what I want you to find out for yourself. Trust me, by the end of the journey you will have laughed your butt off! Dear Dwayne, With Love is just what expect from Eliza Gordon's books- funny, smart romances.
This review was originally posted on Book Briefs
January 28, 2018
Perfect quirky rom-com for the middle of winter. I laughed, swooned, and rooted with Dani throughout the entire story. I will definitely be looking up Eliza Gordon's other works. If you need a laugh and a dose of inspiration, pick this one up! Thanks to Goodreads for this Kindle win!
Read
December 31, 2017I beta read this one and LOVED it. Eliza Gordon strikes again with a witty, sometimes awkward, and always fun ride on the road to Relationshipville, this time with Dwayne Johnson as your tour guide. Okay, he’s not really in the book much, but he’s there just enough to keep your appetite for hot, fit dudes with trademark smiles stoked.
I recommend this one for readers who enjoy light romance with a lot of humor.
I recommend this one for readers who enjoy light romance with a lot of humor.
July 8, 2018
This story is smart and funny, witty and touching and completely entertaining.
Dani, Danielle Steele-with an e, has been obsessed with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson ever since she was a young girl. She starts training for a competition who’s prize is a chance to meet and work with The Rock.
“So you need to make a commitment, right here, right now. Everyone has a story. You just have to decide how you want the next chapter to be written.”
Dani observes and records everything and the only thing she doesn’t see is just how special she is.
Dear Dwayne, With Love is a marvelous slow burn (close door, fade to black but not lacking in swoon) romance.
“Seriously, what is the point of a relationship anyway? You find someone you don’t want to murder, and you marry them because you’re afraid your biological clock is going to leak battery acid all over the stash of eggs you were born with?”
-5 Stars!-
Dani, Danielle Steele-with an e, has been obsessed with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson ever since she was a young girl. She starts training for a competition who’s prize is a chance to meet and work with The Rock.
“So you need to make a commitment, right here, right now. Everyone has a story. You just have to decide how you want the next chapter to be written.”
Dani observes and records everything and the only thing she doesn’t see is just how special she is.
Dear Dwayne, With Love is a marvelous slow burn (close door, fade to black but not lacking in swoon) romance.
“Seriously, what is the point of a relationship anyway? You find someone you don’t want to murder, and you marry them because you’re afraid your biological clock is going to leak battery acid all over the stash of eggs you were born with?”
-5 Stars!-
November 10, 2017
Eliza Gordon is definitely one of my favourite authors, and for good reason. Every one of her books brings something new to the table, and they're incredibly fun to read. Gordon brings her characters to life and you can't help but laugh at some of the situations they end up in! She also had me crying by the end of the prologue. Dear Dwayne, With Love was such a colourful and poignant read. I'll definitely be rereading it in the near future!
I received an advance copy of the book for review purposes.
I received an advance copy of the book for review purposes.
February 8, 2018
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson is one of the few actors that, in my opinion, can make a bad or poorly thought film better than ever expected. Going off with that idea, I thought that the idea of a main character writing a blog to him and trying to get a role in his film would be a lot of fun.
Danielle, the main character and narrator of the book, was a relatable and humorous character. Her struggles with finding acting roles as she gets older, familial expectations, and co-workers/bosses made for laugh out loud moments and some thoughtful ones. There's the question of what to do when your dream seems to be fading, rallying behind your ideals and defending them to those who profess to have your best interests at heart and yet their ideas are vastly different than yours.
I liked the portions of the books that had mock script pages illustrating conversations between Danielle and The Rock. While I could almost here him saying these lines, they were really more Danielle talking to herself and working things out as opposed to real conversations. She may have doubts at times, but these script pages showed her pushing through.
There was more than a little talk about Danielle's weight, from the clerk at Dick's Sporting Goods when she's buying workout clothes to her boyfriend Trevor and his past and present comments that are belittling. A lot of it brought up emotions in Danielle that she suppressed and other times she let it go. These moments didn't make up a lot of the novel, but there was enough that I was uncomfortable.
I'll say this, the author certainly made a good villain in that I hated Trevor's guts even before some of his more disgusting behavior. Every moment he was on the page, my stomach felt uneasy and I was glade to be rid of him when his scene was over. He was a jerk turned up to 11 at least. I wish that Danielle had been able to get rid of him sooner because she seemed to understand that he wasn't a good person, certainly not for her to be in a relationship with, and yet she held herself back.
There were some times when I felt that the humor was a bit stale: jokes about the only curls Danielle knows are lifting a bearclaw to her mouth, that sort of thing. Lines like that felt tired and detracted from the book. I wasn't particularly happy with the pacing, either, hence the lower rating. Things slogged for awhile in the middle, making for a frustrating reading experience. The ending was a happy one, but I could've done with getting to the point faster.
All in all, Dear Dwayne, With Love has a cute premise, a sometimes funny main character, exuberant & overbearing family members, and an attractive love interest that make a palatable book.
I received a copy of this book as part of Rockstar Book Tours in exchange for an honest review.
Danielle, the main character and narrator of the book, was a relatable and humorous character. Her struggles with finding acting roles as she gets older, familial expectations, and co-workers/bosses made for laugh out loud moments and some thoughtful ones. There's the question of what to do when your dream seems to be fading, rallying behind your ideals and defending them to those who profess to have your best interests at heart and yet their ideas are vastly different than yours.
I liked the portions of the books that had mock script pages illustrating conversations between Danielle and The Rock. While I could almost here him saying these lines, they were really more Danielle talking to herself and working things out as opposed to real conversations. She may have doubts at times, but these script pages showed her pushing through.
There was more than a little talk about Danielle's weight, from the clerk at Dick's Sporting Goods when she's buying workout clothes to her boyfriend Trevor and his past and present comments that are belittling. A lot of it brought up emotions in Danielle that she suppressed and other times she let it go. These moments didn't make up a lot of the novel, but there was enough that I was uncomfortable.
I'll say this, the author certainly made a good villain in that I hated Trevor's guts even before some of his more disgusting behavior. Every moment he was on the page, my stomach felt uneasy and I was glade to be rid of him when his scene was over. He was a jerk turned up to 11 at least. I wish that Danielle had been able to get rid of him sooner because she seemed to understand that he wasn't a good person, certainly not for her to be in a relationship with, and yet she held herself back.
There were some times when I felt that the humor was a bit stale: jokes about the only curls Danielle knows are lifting a bearclaw to her mouth, that sort of thing. Lines like that felt tired and detracted from the book. I wasn't particularly happy with the pacing, either, hence the lower rating. Things slogged for awhile in the middle, making for a frustrating reading experience. The ending was a happy one, but I could've done with getting to the point faster.
All in all, Dear Dwayne, With Love has a cute premise, a sometimes funny main character, exuberant & overbearing family members, and an attractive love interest that make a palatable book.
I received a copy of this book as part of Rockstar Book Tours in exchange for an honest review.
November 18, 2017
Dear Dwayne, With Love is a book I will definitely be recommending to everyone I know. Danielle Steele with an 'e' is a character I can relate to on so many levels, much the same as Hollie Porter in Eliza Gordon's 2 other novels that I read this year. Dani has a crazy family, a job she does to pay the bills, a love of sweets, a not so great boyfriend and a lifelong love of Dwayne, the Rock, Johnson. When circumstances and opportunity take her on a journey of self-improvement we get to go along for the ride and it is a super fun ride! I love the humour, family relationships and romance in this book and I loved getting to share in her journey. If Hollie Porter made me want to live on a coastal island and hang out with the local wildlife, Dani inspires me improve myself inside and out and not give up on my dreams! And I'm sure the other commuters wondered what the heck the lady staring at her phone was giggling about on my way to work for the last week!
May 2, 2018
This was not the type of book I usually read at all! But I wanted to read something that was light & fun, with a good dose of comedy, and I wasn't disappointed. Fun story and a really satisfying ending.
December 31, 2020
I adore this book.
It was such a feelgood book.
Made me laugh a lot.
4,5 stars
It was such a feelgood book.
Made me laugh a lot.
4,5 stars
February 11, 2018
Rating: 4.5 stars
I laughed and I laughed.
Review done.
Ok, but seriously, after a bit of a wobbly start for me, I really enjoyed this. It's just as fun as the cover suggests!
Dani is an aspiring actress and reluctant health insurance professional, stuck in Portland as the least successful daughter of "Mommy". She's obsessed with the Rock and sees him as the "perfect man", a useful stand-in for the father that abandoned them and the less-than-perfect semi-boyfriend she's got because she has no other prospects. She loves pastries and burgers and all sorts of things her Amazing Big Sister – a plastic surgeon – tells her not to eat, and she doesn't own exercise clothing. Basically, she is a Very Normal Person, and I immediately loved it.
I was nervous about the whole "weight loss makes everything amazing" factor, but it actually wasn't an issue at all. If anything, this book is incredibly relatable and even motivational without making you feel like crap! I know!
There are so many little quips like this about exercise and being Healthy(TM), and I could have cried at how much I thought "same, girl, same". And then add in the fact that her personal trainer is a gorgeous man with a sexy British accent? I would have bailed. I clearly need a Lady Macbeth (Dani's agent) in my life to motivate me (and tell me I'm a chickenshit).
Anyway, back to the whole getting healthy thing. First of all, Dani knows she's not the fittest person, but she doesn't go in with the idea of Losing Weight to become a Better Person. There's none of that (except from some relatives, but then who doesn't have to deal with that?). She wants to get fitter (note: not lose weight) so she can win a competition to meet her idol. There's almost no mention of losing weight or getting thinner; it's all about getting healthier, which is totally ok! Everyone should aspire to being healthy, remembering that a number on the scales is not an indicator of health!
Enough ranting. Let's talk about the characters! Dani was, of course, a snarky, flawed, but oh so Me character, and I loved it. Her interactions with her family and friends were fun to read, especially in all their weird and wonderful mediums (e.g. faxes from Mommy to the work fax machine). Everyone was a bit wacky, except for maybe Marco, the hunky British personal trainer. He was just swoon-worthy; so sweet, so sexy, so encouraging. I would both love to have him as a personal trainer and hate it because I don't like people seeing me exercising. (So red. So sweaty. So wobbly. So unfit.) And yes, there's a bit of romance in here, but it's so secondary it barely counts (but is delicious just the same).
Of course, we need to talk about Dwayne. Or rather, Dani's interactions with her imaginary Dwayne. Not only does she have an unpublished blog filled with letters to Dwayne (affectionately nicknamed "DJ"), but she also has pretend interactions with him, written in script form. These conversations are often hilarious, but they were also a great way for Dani to sort out her life little by little, with Dwayne offering encouragement, advice, and tough love. All of this was coming from inside Dani's head, and therefore herself, but it helped her to "hear" it from someone else. It's much like how we can give our friends love and support, but we struggle to give that to ourselves. Imagining it coming from someone else helps.
This little snippet isn't exactly encouraging, but it is humorous, so enjoy...
And on that note, read this book (it's on Kindle Unlimited!), and avoid kale smoothies.
I laughed and I laughed.
Review done.
Ok, but seriously, after a bit of a wobbly start for me, I really enjoyed this. It's just as fun as the cover suggests!
Dani is an aspiring actress and reluctant health insurance professional, stuck in Portland as the least successful daughter of "Mommy". She's obsessed with the Rock and sees him as the "perfect man", a useful stand-in for the father that abandoned them and the less-than-perfect semi-boyfriend she's got because she has no other prospects. She loves pastries and burgers and all sorts of things her Amazing Big Sister – a plastic surgeon – tells her not to eat, and she doesn't own exercise clothing. Basically, she is a Very Normal Person, and I immediately loved it.
I was nervous about the whole "weight loss makes everything amazing" factor, but it actually wasn't an issue at all. If anything, this book is incredibly relatable and even motivational without making you feel like crap! I know!
Apparently, there’s an obstacle course: “a program designed to push you to your limits, the ultimate test of endurance, stamina, strength, and mental fortitude.”
Okay, I have none of those things. Can you buy that stuff at the sports store at the mall? Is there some pill I can take?
There are so many little quips like this about exercise and being Healthy(TM), and I could have cried at how much I thought "same, girl, same". And then add in the fact that her personal trainer is a gorgeous man with a sexy British accent? I would have bailed. I clearly need a Lady Macbeth (Dani's agent) in my life to motivate me (and tell me I'm a chickenshit).
Anyway, back to the whole getting healthy thing. First of all, Dani knows she's not the fittest person, but she doesn't go in with the idea of Losing Weight to become a Better Person. There's none of that (except from some relatives, but then who doesn't have to deal with that?). She wants to get fitter (note: not lose weight) so she can win a competition to meet her idol. There's almost no mention of losing weight or getting thinner; it's all about getting healthier, which is totally ok! Everyone should aspire to being healthy, remembering that a number on the scales is not an indicator of health!
Enough ranting. Let's talk about the characters! Dani was, of course, a snarky, flawed, but oh so Me character, and I loved it. Her interactions with her family and friends were fun to read, especially in all their weird and wonderful mediums (e.g. faxes from Mommy to the work fax machine). Everyone was a bit wacky, except for maybe Marco, the hunky British personal trainer. He was just swoon-worthy; so sweet, so sexy, so encouraging. I would both love to have him as a personal trainer and hate it because I don't like people seeing me exercising. (So red. So sweaty. So wobbly. So unfit.) And yes, there's a bit of romance in here, but it's so secondary it barely counts (but is delicious just the same).
Of course, we need to talk about Dwayne. Or rather, Dani's interactions with her imaginary Dwayne. Not only does she have an unpublished blog filled with letters to Dwayne (affectionately nicknamed "DJ"), but she also has pretend interactions with him, written in script form. These conversations are often hilarious, but they were also a great way for Dani to sort out her life little by little, with Dwayne offering encouragement, advice, and tough love. All of this was coming from inside Dani's head, and therefore herself, but it helped her to "hear" it from someone else. It's much like how we can give our friends love and support, but we struggle to give that to ourselves. Imagining it coming from someone else helps.
This little snippet isn't exactly encouraging, but it is humorous, so enjoy...
DANIELLE
Yeah? Well, where were you earlier when that angry woman in Tigard yelled at me because Imperial H&W won’t pay for her labiaplasty? I was just trying to do my job too, but she was super rude and kept screaming at me about how her labia “flap in a strong breeze because she birthed a child the size of Godzilla,” and we should pay to have this fixed.DWAYNE “THE ROCK” JOHNSON
That image will never leave me. Thanks so much.
And on that note, read this book (it's on Kindle Unlimited!), and avoid kale smoothies.
March 26, 2018
What do you read after you have the book hangover of all book hangovers? Well, an Eliza Gordon rom-com of course! It was different. It was laugh out loud funny and yet it still made me cry. It was the perfect palate cleanser to get me over that hangover!
Danielle Steele is our main character and boy is she a hoot. She has a crazy family with characters that are just as colorful as she is. And her mom?! Wow she is one for the books (no pun intended).
So if you're family is always at the forefront of your life and you have no one to talk to, you write those feelings down in a journal, right? But let's add the comedic genius of writing to Mr Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson instead of "Dear Diary". It added the perfect element to a story and family that was made to be written about.
"I know what you're thinking: Why spend so much time and energy talking to someone who doesn't know I exist? Because he listens, without judgement or comment or disapproval. He doesn't tease, snicker, reprimand, or shake his head quietly. The Rock is always there."
Danielle comes from a family of women that are named after romance writers. Her mom is a little out there, obviously and this is only the tip of the iceberg. Danielle has done lots of small jobs in the acting industry, but has never really succeeded. Her idea of success would be to win that tampon commercial. But after moving back to Oregon to help with her mother, acting is kind of put off to the side in order to survive and pay the bills. But what happens when an opportunity arises that she just HAS to do? You train for it and go all out because the job would feature meeting and working with your idol! The ROCK!!
"And I can hear DJ in my head: Find the good in this mess. Silver lining and all that jazz."
The meat of the story is filled with a bit of drama caused at Danielle's work thanks to a boyfriend and co-worker. It'll still have you laughing because it is so now and people actually DO this stuff. It causes quite the storm in Danielle's life. It turns it completely upside down and side to side. But let's make the best out of it and who the new characters that we are about to meet and that will change her life. Her gym people!
This book had me gasping for breath from laughing one minute and then doing sad face at Danielle's predicaments she was put in. But as DJ said before...silver lining and all that jazz. You make the most out of what you're given and sometimes you just have to go for it. Whether it be helping a friend in need or getting to the gym when you don't want to. You do it and do it with a smile. That smile can change lives.
"When Danielle Steel with an e walks into the fitness center, the entire place lights up like sunshine has burned through the ceiling.....That is why we're here tonight. It's because of you. Your friends wanted to give you what you give to them every single day just by being you."
If you're ready to laugh, kick and scream at characters for them to just go for it, fall in love with a crazy crew, wish for love in the midst of chaos and even have a few tears shed, then pick this one up. Danielle, her family and her gym family will have you laughing out loud and rooting for this crazy character that seems a bit familiar (we write about what we know, correct Miss Gordon?). Dwayne, I think you will approve of this one!
Danielle Steele is our main character and boy is she a hoot. She has a crazy family with characters that are just as colorful as she is. And her mom?! Wow she is one for the books (no pun intended).
So if you're family is always at the forefront of your life and you have no one to talk to, you write those feelings down in a journal, right? But let's add the comedic genius of writing to Mr Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson instead of "Dear Diary". It added the perfect element to a story and family that was made to be written about.
"I know what you're thinking: Why spend so much time and energy talking to someone who doesn't know I exist? Because he listens, without judgement or comment or disapproval. He doesn't tease, snicker, reprimand, or shake his head quietly. The Rock is always there."
Danielle comes from a family of women that are named after romance writers. Her mom is a little out there, obviously and this is only the tip of the iceberg. Danielle has done lots of small jobs in the acting industry, but has never really succeeded. Her idea of success would be to win that tampon commercial. But after moving back to Oregon to help with her mother, acting is kind of put off to the side in order to survive and pay the bills. But what happens when an opportunity arises that she just HAS to do? You train for it and go all out because the job would feature meeting and working with your idol! The ROCK!!
"And I can hear DJ in my head: Find the good in this mess. Silver lining and all that jazz."
The meat of the story is filled with a bit of drama caused at Danielle's work thanks to a boyfriend and co-worker. It'll still have you laughing because it is so now and people actually DO this stuff. It causes quite the storm in Danielle's life. It turns it completely upside down and side to side. But let's make the best out of it and who the new characters that we are about to meet and that will change her life. Her gym people!
This book had me gasping for breath from laughing one minute and then doing sad face at Danielle's predicaments she was put in. But as DJ said before...silver lining and all that jazz. You make the most out of what you're given and sometimes you just have to go for it. Whether it be helping a friend in need or getting to the gym when you don't want to. You do it and do it with a smile. That smile can change lives.
"When Danielle Steel with an e walks into the fitness center, the entire place lights up like sunshine has burned through the ceiling.....That is why we're here tonight. It's because of you. Your friends wanted to give you what you give to them every single day just by being you."
If you're ready to laugh, kick and scream at characters for them to just go for it, fall in love with a crazy crew, wish for love in the midst of chaos and even have a few tears shed, then pick this one up. Danielle, her family and her gym family will have you laughing out loud and rooting for this crazy character that seems a bit familiar (we write about what we know, correct Miss Gordon?). Dwayne, I think you will approve of this one!
November 10, 2017
I was lucky enough to get my hands on a preview copy of this novel, and oh man is it good! The story is super engaging, and the characters are fun and quirky and likable. It's a real page-turner and sucked me in so much that I almost missed my flight. It made me laugh and cry, and I finished it with a satisfied sigh and a smile on my face. It's been a while since I read a novel that just made me feel so *good*.
Eliza Gordon writes hilarious dialogue, and reading the interactions between characters is like watching a Wimbledon match. It has the added benefit of being incredibly motivational for getting in shape. If you want to read a fun, inspiring, uplifting story with a great plot and characters you wish were your friends, this is the book for you!
Eliza Gordon writes hilarious dialogue, and reading the interactions between characters is like watching a Wimbledon match. It has the added benefit of being incredibly motivational for getting in shape. If you want to read a fun, inspiring, uplifting story with a great plot and characters you wish were your friends, this is the book for you!
November 20, 2017
This was a wonderfully delightful read. This was my first time reading a book by this author. I really enjoyed this story and the characters. It was seriously comical in some parts and emotional in others. The title and book cover are an excellent fit and choice for this story. My favorite characters are Howie and Marco.
January 12, 2018
My Review of “Dear Dwayne With Love”, by Eliza Gordon
Did you ever feel like talking to someone and revealing your dark deepest secrets? Then realized you didn’t feel you could trust a person, but you could write it on a secret blog or diary? In “Dear Dwayne With Love”, by Eliza Gordon, Dani Steele with an “e” does exactly that. In this novel that is fiction, Dani has been writing to a Celebrity Idol, that we shall leave unnamed for now. Dani is 30 years old has been writing to her idol for many years, since her father had abandoned her family. Dani works in an insurance office, but her dreams are to be an actress.
Eliza Gordon describes are characters as complicated, complex, quirky, and dysfunctional. Dani dreads her boyfriend who at times repulses her, and her overbearing dysfunctional family leaves her feeling overwhelmed with responsibilities and expectations.
When Dani learns that her celebrity confident in her diary is hosting a fund-raising event where the winning new athlete gets to be part of his new film, Dani decides to try to win. Isn’t that what Dani’s goals are , to meet her secret confidante, that she has been writing all of heartfelt thoughts and problems?
I appreciate that the author describes the importance of self -worth and working for goals that you believe in. The author talks about the importance of family, friends , emotional support, love and hope. I would recommend this novel for readers who enjoy an entertaining story. I received an Advanced Reading Copy for my honest review.
Did you ever feel like talking to someone and revealing your dark deepest secrets? Then realized you didn’t feel you could trust a person, but you could write it on a secret blog or diary? In “Dear Dwayne With Love”, by Eliza Gordon, Dani Steele with an “e” does exactly that. In this novel that is fiction, Dani has been writing to a Celebrity Idol, that we shall leave unnamed for now. Dani is 30 years old has been writing to her idol for many years, since her father had abandoned her family. Dani works in an insurance office, but her dreams are to be an actress.
Eliza Gordon describes are characters as complicated, complex, quirky, and dysfunctional. Dani dreads her boyfriend who at times repulses her, and her overbearing dysfunctional family leaves her feeling overwhelmed with responsibilities and expectations.
When Dani learns that her celebrity confident in her diary is hosting a fund-raising event where the winning new athlete gets to be part of his new film, Dani decides to try to win. Isn’t that what Dani’s goals are , to meet her secret confidante, that she has been writing all of heartfelt thoughts and problems?
I appreciate that the author describes the importance of self -worth and working for goals that you believe in. The author talks about the importance of family, friends , emotional support, love and hope. I would recommend this novel for readers who enjoy an entertaining story. I received an Advanced Reading Copy for my honest review.
January 25, 2018
I loved Must Love Otters. I adored Neurotica. I hungrily waited for Hollie Porter Builds a Raft. I DEVOURED this book.
I admit, I was unsure about the incorporation of one of my favourite wrestlers of all time, Dwayne Johnson otherwise known as the Rock who I have loved for many many many many years.
The man is good on the mic what can I say, and Eliza Gordon? Well she's good with a pen (or keyboard). This story brings in the wit, and touching nature of her previous novels and amps it up to eleven.
The thing I love about Eliza Gordon's writing is that her characters are not perfect. In fact they are perfectly imperfect.
Some of them don't know how to commit, some of them don't know how to talk about their feelings except to write them down, and all of them are characters I love.
This is a story of personal triumph, of realizing what you need to do to better yourself, and yes I was inspired while reading it. Without spoiling too much Dani's story is one of personal adversity, and yes, getting in your own way. She does however manage to grow a whole lot, but not change completely.
Please just read it. Or any of her books, really, you won't be disappointed.
Received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I admit, I was unsure about the incorporation of one of my favourite wrestlers of all time, Dwayne Johnson otherwise known as the Rock who I have loved for many many many many years.
The man is good on the mic what can I say, and Eliza Gordon? Well she's good with a pen (or keyboard). This story brings in the wit, and touching nature of her previous novels and amps it up to eleven.
The thing I love about Eliza Gordon's writing is that her characters are not perfect. In fact they are perfectly imperfect.
Some of them don't know how to commit, some of them don't know how to talk about their feelings except to write them down, and all of them are characters I love.
This is a story of personal triumph, of realizing what you need to do to better yourself, and yes I was inspired while reading it. Without spoiling too much Dani's story is one of personal adversity, and yes, getting in your own way. She does however manage to grow a whole lot, but not change completely.
Please just read it. Or any of her books, really, you won't be disappointed.
Received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
February 19, 2018
Witty, quirky and honest. This book made me laugh out loud twice, and cry once. It starts off appearing superficial, but then takes a hard right turn and ends with a decent romance. Throughout the book, the main character's wit and charm shine through, and in spite of her quirkiness, her fundamental empathy makes her truly loved. Great book!
Although a touch out of my normal reading routine, it was compelling, and very difficult to put down. It reminded me of a mature Sophie Kinsella, or maybe Carl Hiassen but more insightful.
I highly recommend it.
Although a touch out of my normal reading routine, it was compelling, and very difficult to put down. It reminded me of a mature Sophie Kinsella, or maybe Carl Hiassen but more insightful.
I highly recommend it.
November 20, 2017
I recieved this ARC through NetGalley. This was a wonderfully delightful read. This was my first time reading a book by this author. I really enjoyed this story and the characters. It was seriously comical in some parts and emotional in others. The title and book cover are an excellent fit and choice for this story. My favorite characters are Howie and Marco.
April 2, 2018
Sometimes you need a fun, escapist read, and this totally fit the bill during the dark days of late winter. The characters are quirky but relatable, and I totally rooted for Danielle as she undertook her quest to meet The Rock while re-evaluating and transforming her life.
August 21, 2018
I feel like this is a harsh rating, but it’s true. The book was totally formulaic, and also repetitive. You would read what happened, and then have to read it again in a letter to the Rock. The only good part of this book was the obsession with The Rock.
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