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How Nancy Drew Saved My Life
Broken, smashed and stomped in the mud. That's how Charlotte Bell's heart ended up the last time she let her emotions heat up on a nanny assignment. So taking a new position in frigid Iceland, working for Ambassador Edgar Rawlings, might be just what Charlotte needs in order to heal up—and chill out. This time, she's determined to be intrepid and courageous. She's even read all fifty-six original Nancy Drew books in preparation. Unfortunately, she's neglected to find out anything about Iceland or to look into the background of her oddly compelling employer.
When Charlotte stumbles onto the trail of a mystery that only she can solve, she'll need every shred of Nancy's wisdom to keep her life—and her heart—safe!
When Charlotte stumbles onto the trail of a mystery that only she can solve, she'll need every shred of Nancy's wisdom to keep her life—and her heart—safe!
295 pages, Paperback
First published August 31, 2006
28 people are currently reading
782 people want to read
About the author
Lauren Baratz-Logsted
53 books471 followersLauren grew up in Monroe, CT, where her father owned a drugstore at which her mother was the pharmacist. She is a graduate of the University of Connecticut at Storrs, where she majored in psychology. She also has what she calls her “half-Masters” in English from Western Connecticut State University (five courses down, another five to go…someday!).
Throughout college, she worked semester breaks as a doughnut salesperson, a job that she swears gave her white lung disease from all the powdered sugar she breathed.
Upon graduation, she began work at the venerable independent spacebookseller, now sadly defunct as such, Klein’s of Westport. There, she bought and sold for the better part of 11 years.
In November 1994, Lauren left the bookstore to finally take a chance on herself as a writer. Success did not happen over night. Between 1994 and May 2002 – when Red Dress Ink called with an offer to buy THE THIN PINK LINE – Lauren worked as a book reviewer, a freelance editor and writer, and a window washer, making her arguably the only woman in the world who has ever both hosted a book signing party and washed the windows of the late best-selling novelist Robert Ludlum.
Since Red Dress Ink’s call in 2002, Lauren has been kept very busy with writing more novels and checking her Amazon ranking on a daily basis. She still lives in Danbury, with her husband and daughter, where she has lived since 1991.
In addition to writing, Lauren’s daughter keeps her busy, accounting for the rest of her time.
Lauren’s favorite color is green.
Lauren’s favorite non-cat animals are penguins.
Lauren wants you to know that, however you are pronouncing her last name, you are probably pronouncing it wrong.
Throughout college, she worked semester breaks as a doughnut salesperson, a job that she swears gave her white lung disease from all the powdered sugar she breathed.
Upon graduation, she began work at the venerable independent spacebookseller, now sadly defunct as such, Klein’s of Westport. There, she bought and sold for the better part of 11 years.
In November 1994, Lauren left the bookstore to finally take a chance on herself as a writer. Success did not happen over night. Between 1994 and May 2002 – when Red Dress Ink called with an offer to buy THE THIN PINK LINE – Lauren worked as a book reviewer, a freelance editor and writer, and a window washer, making her arguably the only woman in the world who has ever both hosted a book signing party and washed the windows of the late best-selling novelist Robert Ludlum.
Since Red Dress Ink’s call in 2002, Lauren has been kept very busy with writing more novels and checking her Amazon ranking on a daily basis. She still lives in Danbury, with her husband and daughter, where she has lived since 1991.
In addition to writing, Lauren’s daughter keeps her busy, accounting for the rest of her time.
Lauren’s favorite color is green.
Lauren’s favorite non-cat animals are penguins.
Lauren wants you to know that, however you are pronouncing her last name, you are probably pronouncing it wrong.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 119 reviews
March 27, 2012
This book was so horrible that my friends and I started a Terrible Book Club where we passed around a copy in which we wrote snarky comments in the margins.
July 27, 2011
This book really had nothing going for it. The main character was not lovable, deep or interesting. At 23 she develops this weird obsession with Nancy Drew (for no good reason) then goes to Iceland where it seems that all Icelanders carry a copy of some Nancy Drew book around with them--although it is never quite explained why this is the case as you read the book. I would also venture to guess that this little "tidbit" is totally untrue. The main character is naive and doesn't seem to get what love is. Her rocky relationship with her father and even worse relationship with her aunt seem to be merely hinted at, although they are the driving force of the main character's actions. The character she sits next to on the plane serves no purpose other than to be mostly rude, annoying and crazy. I don't like to not finish a book, so I did read the entire thing, but I didn't find myself enjoying it until the last two or three chapters...if that. This one is definitely a "don't bother."
September 30, 2015
It took me a long time to read this chick-lit book because I picked up my book club book and read it, and didn't bother to pick this up again until I finished that book.
How Nancy Drew Saved My Life was pretty bad. I feel it's more of a 1-1/2 rating rather than a generous 2 that I've given it, not quite "I didn't like it" or an "It was okay" rating.
I grew up loving Nancy Drew books. I loved the TV show too. So I was pretty excited that I came across this in a second hand bookstore. The name of the book is what drew me to purchasing it. Thankfully, I paid no more than a dollar for it, because it was pretty lame.
The back of the book has the last sentence describing the story as "When Charlotte stumbles onto the trail of a mystery that only she can solve, she'll need every shred of Nancy's wisdom to keep her life--and her heart--safe!". I kept waiting for the mystery to happen, it never did. At least not like Nancy Drew would had had to solve. I guess the noise in the forbidden room was the "big" mystery? Oh boy, talk about being on the edge of your seat, I can hardly wait to see what happens. No, that didn't happen at all in this "mystery" novel. What turns out to be the mystery noise was just plain stupid, which lead to the next silly and lame outcome. Which turns out it was about as exciting as watching wet paint dry. The outcome was very....disappointing. Hardly worth all the effort of reading the story.
Why a 23 year old female would ask herself to basically anything she's doing, of"What would Nancy Drew do?" is anyone guess? Especially in this day and age, where I doubt really any or many 23 year old have read this series. How many times Nancy Drew was referred to was exhausting and driving me batty. And why exactly do the people of Iceland all seem to read or carry Nancy Drew books with them, seemed so unbelievable.
The ending, left me feeling very disappointing and about the only surprise in the book, because it was more that it came out of nowhere, and I felt like it didn't fit in with rest of the story. It was like reading two different novels. If you thought the book was just ho hum, the poor ending makes it even worst.
My recommendation: pass on reading this book.
How Nancy Drew Saved My Life was pretty bad. I feel it's more of a 1-1/2 rating rather than a generous 2 that I've given it, not quite "I didn't like it" or an "It was okay" rating.
I grew up loving Nancy Drew books. I loved the TV show too. So I was pretty excited that I came across this in a second hand bookstore. The name of the book is what drew me to purchasing it. Thankfully, I paid no more than a dollar for it, because it was pretty lame.
The back of the book has the last sentence describing the story as "When Charlotte stumbles onto the trail of a mystery that only she can solve, she'll need every shred of Nancy's wisdom to keep her life--and her heart--safe!". I kept waiting for the mystery to happen, it never did. At least not like Nancy Drew would had had to solve. I guess the noise in the forbidden room was the "big" mystery? Oh boy, talk about being on the edge of your seat, I can hardly wait to see what happens. No, that didn't happen at all in this "mystery" novel. What turns out to be the mystery noise was just plain stupid, which lead to the next silly and lame outcome. Which turns out it was about as exciting as watching wet paint dry. The outcome was very....disappointing. Hardly worth all the effort of reading the story.
Why a 23 year old female would ask herself to basically anything she's doing, of"What would Nancy Drew do?" is anyone guess? Especially in this day and age, where I doubt really any or many 23 year old have read this series. How many times Nancy Drew was referred to was exhausting and driving me batty. And why exactly do the people of Iceland all seem to read or carry Nancy Drew books with them, seemed so unbelievable.
The ending, left me feeling very disappointing and about the only surprise in the book, because it was more that it came out of nowhere, and I felt like it didn't fit in with rest of the story. It was like reading two different novels. If you thought the book was just ho hum, the poor ending makes it even worst.
My recommendation: pass on reading this book.
April 28, 2009
This book is about a girl who gets involved with the father of the children she nannies, it goes south and she decides she needs to make a new life for herself. She gets another job as a nanny/governess and goes to Iceland. She continually talks about Nancy Drew and what would Nancy Drew do in her position.
This is where I started to hate the book, but I kept reading thinking maybe it'll get better. I was very frustrated with the end and that the relationships didin't build very well, it went from "hello, nice to meet you" to "we're in love and best friends forever."
This is where I started to hate the book, but I kept reading thinking maybe it'll get better. I was very frustrated with the end and that the relationships didin't build very well, it went from "hello, nice to meet you" to "we're in love and best friends forever."
October 1, 2020
I will give this a 2.5. The characters were quite undeveloped and I felt like the author just threw in references to Nancy Drew. I wanted Charlotte to have had this love for Nancy Drew but that never really showed. Also I had to reread the synopsis because it said there was a mystery that she would have to solve. The mystery was such a subplot of a subplot that I was about 85% in when it really started taking place.
September 3, 2021
I finished it but felt dumber after I read it.
April 29, 2022
had potential but turned out to be one big eye roll. glad she chose herself in the end.
January 3, 2011
So, I’m going to be honest. I loved Nancy Drew as a girl, and that is why I picked this book up at some random library book sale. Plus I haven’t yet met a Red Dress Book I didn’t love. This might have been the exception. It had a cute little plot and story but basically the main character Charlotte just drove me nuts. She is the type of girl I absolutely cannot stand. It starts out that Charlotte is a Nanny for this well to do couple in NYC. So of course she has to start sleeping with the husband, and quits when she finally realizes after 3 years that he’s a complete D-Bag and is never going to leave his wife (duh, do they ever). So she has to go back home to live with her evil aunt (think wicked step-mother) since her mother died when she was a baby and her dad has been digging for bones in Africa or something since she was 5. Tired of her bitchy aunt Charlotte finds another Nanny job (since the first one worked out SO well for her) but there’s a catch it’s in Iceland. So of course the dumb you know what packs like she’s going to Florida and heads of to Iceland and country she can’t even find on a map (no really). The last 100 pages or so introduce a mystery. Which if you ask me why not just MAKE the book a mystery and have it be a mystery all along? So basically there’s a beeping noise that’s bothering her, she’s stupid thinks it’s a ghost it’s a fax machine. Everything she thought was going on in Iceland is a lie. The End. Yep Complete waste of the 8 hours or so it took me to read this book.
May 14, 2015
It's been ages since I read this book, and I only remember that I liked it over all, though the ending left me flat. I don't remember details. It is silly and unbelievable. I usually read serious heavy books, or established well-thought-of, highly recommended classics with a good reputation. But, I allowed myself to stray when I saw this whimsical title. I was searching for Nancy Drew books for my daughter about ten years ago on our library's website, and this came up in the search as well. I couldn't let it go. I had to know how Nancy Drew could save anyone's life. It is on level with a fun (slightly trashy) rom-com. I didn't love how it ended, but I enjoyed the journey. If you are wanting to read but just don't have it in you to take on anything heavy, you could read this instead of flipping on Netflix and watching something for the heck of it when you come to the end of your favorite series and are desperate to find something to fill the void. Then you can move on to better things.
January 10, 2012
I read a few reviews of this book when I started it and I saw a lot of "okays." I didn't think that it was that bad. It was based upon Jane Eyre. In fact, the book kinds of makes fun that it's like Jane Eyre which is what is so funny. The movement in the story happened and the ending was kind of anti-romantic. I still liked it and the message that it sent.
Charlotte (hat off to Ms. Bronte) having had her heart crushed by her employer, embarks on an adventure to Iceland as a nanny, her previous occupation. There she sets off to just live her life but finds she needs the gospel according to Nancy Drew to help her survive and things get loopy and she starts falling in love with her "Master."
It was an easy read and I like it a lot. It was like having a tuna salad sandwich on a sunny day with chips when you really wanted it. No more, no less.
Charlotte (hat off to Ms. Bronte) having had her heart crushed by her employer, embarks on an adventure to Iceland as a nanny, her previous occupation. There she sets off to just live her life but finds she needs the gospel according to Nancy Drew to help her survive and things get loopy and she starts falling in love with her "Master."
It was an easy read and I like it a lot. It was like having a tuna salad sandwich on a sunny day with chips when you really wanted it. No more, no less.
January 11, 2013
Gosh, this was bad. It took me forever to just get a hundred pages in and when it takes that long, its time to chuck the book across the room and start again with a new book. A better book. The writing was blah, the character was blah, the character of Edgar was totally unbelievable and don't get me started on the whole WWNDD? or the fact that all Icelanders are devout Nancy Drew fans. Proves that anyone with a semi-understanding of the English language can write a book.
February 17, 2017
it's Jane eyre with a less satisfying ending. the entire nancy drew angle was odd. pass.
December 31, 2025
Not recommended:
The idea of the plot and premise has potential, lots of it, especially since it explicitly used Nancy Drew and Jane Eyre as references and inspiration. I mean, as a Nancy Drew enthusiast, the title alone enticed me to read this book hoping for a light, mystery entertainment.
But sad to say, by a fourth of the book, I was beginning to crash out--my passionate annotations show this downward spiral. I know not all lead characters should be likeable, but Charlotte Bells (I often forget her name though) is straight up shallow and pretentious. A lot of things don't add up to her personality, character, and principles. She's a 23 year old woman who considers herself an orphan due to having a neglectful father and an indifferent aunt. The writer eliminates realistic adversities (concerning survival) by making her a former baby food commercial child star with a trust fund, BUT she remains dependent on her aunt. With that kind of financial resource, it is a wonder that she is also unskilled and untrained; she assesses that being a nanny is the only thing she's qualified professionally--that, and being a delusional homewrecker. (She claims to want to become a writer but doesn't really write; she mocks herself for this, but that's just lousy).
The main character is the fatal flaw in this book. I don't expect her to be perfect; but at the very least, as a reader, I expect her to be human--a robust multi-dimensioned character. If Charlotte Bells is who she claims she is--a financially secure woman who is changed by family estrangement and jaded by heartbreak, who has ambitions to become a writer (good with words and reads widely), who intentionally made Nancy Drew a role model, the plot could have been saved.
For someone who claims to be widely-read, the character has questionable stance on female empowerment and foreign people and places. She never acknowledges that her sexual relationship with her former employer is wrong; she actually believes that being a good nanny will make her a better mother to her lover's kids. She is unapologetic with her choice; all she laments is how it hurt her, never how it showed that her morals aren't intact. And see, so when faced with a similar situation, she falls for her charge's father again BEFORE confirming if his wife is still alive. She is delusional.
The epilogue attempts to tie all loose ends and rushes into Charlotte Bells' defense on why there's no character development within the plot (it implies that all the character development happened after the plot), yet it comes off as lazy writing. Also, the male lead's character is so flat. He's like an NPC with unremarkable personality, that the real mystery here is how Charlotte Bells fell in love with him. Like, what? Really? She just sees the man on an irregular basis and banters uncreatively with him, and then boom, feelings? That is the real mystery.
If the author would write a sequel that would put Charlotte Bells in a similar situation BUT this time, with character development, that would be one way to redeem the lead character.
The idea of the plot and premise has potential, lots of it, especially since it explicitly used Nancy Drew and Jane Eyre as references and inspiration. I mean, as a Nancy Drew enthusiast, the title alone enticed me to read this book hoping for a light, mystery entertainment.
But sad to say, by a fourth of the book, I was beginning to crash out--my passionate annotations show this downward spiral. I know not all lead characters should be likeable, but Charlotte Bells (I often forget her name though) is straight up shallow and pretentious. A lot of things don't add up to her personality, character, and principles. She's a 23 year old woman who considers herself an orphan due to having a neglectful father and an indifferent aunt. The writer eliminates realistic adversities (concerning survival) by making her a former baby food commercial child star with a trust fund, BUT she remains dependent on her aunt. With that kind of financial resource, it is a wonder that she is also unskilled and untrained; she assesses that being a nanny is the only thing she's qualified professionally--that, and being a delusional homewrecker. (She claims to want to become a writer but doesn't really write; she mocks herself for this, but that's just lousy).
The main character is the fatal flaw in this book. I don't expect her to be perfect; but at the very least, as a reader, I expect her to be human--a robust multi-dimensioned character. If Charlotte Bells is who she claims she is--a financially secure woman who is changed by family estrangement and jaded by heartbreak, who has ambitions to become a writer (good with words and reads widely), who intentionally made Nancy Drew a role model, the plot could have been saved.
For someone who claims to be widely-read, the character has questionable stance on female empowerment and foreign people and places. She never acknowledges that her sexual relationship with her former employer is wrong; she actually believes that being a good nanny will make her a better mother to her lover's kids. She is unapologetic with her choice; all she laments is how it hurt her, never how it showed that her morals aren't intact. And see, so when faced with a similar situation, she falls for her charge's father again BEFORE confirming if his wife is still alive. She is delusional.
The epilogue attempts to tie all loose ends and rushes into Charlotte Bells' defense on why there's no character development within the plot (it implies that all the character development happened after the plot), yet it comes off as lazy writing. Also, the male lead's character is so flat. He's like an NPC with unremarkable personality, that the real mystery here is how Charlotte Bells fell in love with him. Like, what? Really? She just sees the man on an irregular basis and banters uncreatively with him, and then boom, feelings? That is the real mystery.
If the author would write a sequel that would put Charlotte Bells in a similar situation BUT this time, with character development, that would be one way to redeem the lead character.
April 5, 2024
Now, it's a funny thing. I have read all fifty-six Nancy Drew novels and all fifty-eight of the Hardy Boy novels throughout grade school. My sister's [ex-?]boyfriend has been to Iceland, as far as I heard.
I am waiting patiently to see what is in Europe.
The figure on the cover is a sprite on every chapter, except the Prologue has a picture of luggage. I suppose it is an invitation to discard your expectations at the door.
I've never been to Reykjavik, but I'm sure it is pretty.
My mother had described her (and father's) trip to New Orleans in lush, avid detail, though. I have also not been there.
The author's dedication is to her mother Lucille, and my mother had liked the actress Lucille Ball!! Wiki says she died the month before my birth. That is the I Love Lucy actress!
This book is most likely dedicated to the author's mother and not to the actress.
Nancy Drew may have saved my life too, and could do the same to you, if you just turn the (e-)page!
Anyway, this is a cutesy story and it seems aimed at readers of a potentially younger age range than something for me.
But the cover is such an appealing shade of purple and it mentions Vikings (which... were my high school's mascot).
I am waiting patiently to see what is in Europe.
The figure on the cover is a sprite on every chapter, except the Prologue has a picture of luggage. I suppose it is an invitation to discard your expectations at the door.
I've never been to Reykjavik, but I'm sure it is pretty.
My mother had described her (and father's) trip to New Orleans in lush, avid detail, though. I have also not been there.
The author's dedication is to her mother Lucille, and my mother had liked the actress Lucille Ball!! Wiki says she died the month before my birth. That is the I Love Lucy actress!
This book is most likely dedicated to the author's mother and not to the actress.
Nancy Drew may have saved my life too, and could do the same to you, if you just turn the (e-)page!
Anyway, this is a cutesy story and it seems aimed at readers of a potentially younger age range than something for me.
But the cover is such an appealing shade of purple and it mentions Vikings (which... were my high school's mascot).
April 26, 2019
This book was... stupid. First thoughts - complete modern re-write of Jane Eyre, but didn't want to fully acknowledge that it was. Character actually mentions it a couple of times, but then denies that is what the situation is mimicking. Why? If you're writing a re-write, then own it! Fully. Happens and is almost a sub-genre, so why run away from it.
And the whole Nancy Drew thing? I could not see the point of it. It was like the author came up with the title, liked and then tried to somehow make it fit in the story. I don't think there are enough people still familiar with the Nancy Drew books to have made this a selling point or a draw to read this book.
To top it all off, the main character was weak and not very likable. I didn't like her at the beginning, she didn't grow on me, and her final life decision was supposed to be female empowering, but didn't work for me.
Some books you regret investing the time and effort you put into reading them. This is one of them.
And the whole Nancy Drew thing? I could not see the point of it. It was like the author came up with the title, liked and then tried to somehow make it fit in the story. I don't think there are enough people still familiar with the Nancy Drew books to have made this a selling point or a draw to read this book.
To top it all off, the main character was weak and not very likable. I didn't like her at the beginning, she didn't grow on me, and her final life decision was supposed to be female empowering, but didn't work for me.
Some books you regret investing the time and effort you put into reading them. This is one of them.
December 14, 2019
1.5 stars... Just know that there is hardly any set up for a “mystery”, nor any real tie into Nancy Drew (in fact, the main character Charlotte seems quite apathetic and dismissive about Nancy/the series until randomly deciding she must “be more like Nancy”). Furthermore, from a chick lit standpoint, this is so subpar. Charlotte comes across as kind of boring and helpless, which you’d expect to play a role in some big lesson for her to learn but that character development doesn’t happen. For the longest time the story drags on through nothing significant until a weird, suddenly professed “love” that is founded on...??? Honestly, I have no idea, it makes no sense based on what I read and the last minute “mystery” is equally half-baked and frankly, stupid. Ultimately, literally at the very end, Charlotte’s “revelation” about her purpose and happiness just seems fickle, just like the romantic relationships the author tried to write.
April 23, 2023
There were parts of this book that I really liked and other parts where I thought the author sort of lost her way. The premise of the book was fun and catchy. A young woman who has a job as a Nanny gets involved with her boss and ends up heartbroken and jobless. She then decides to read all the Nancy Drew mysteries to help take her mind off of things and also to help her to start putting one foot in front of the other in her own life.
While this and most chick lit books are quite predictable in what is going to happen. I felt that the relationship Charlotte and her new boss develop came on awfully abruptly. Even in the world of chick lit meeting a person three times and then deciding to get married is a bit much.
I found the twists at the end worked in the context of the book, but still ended up feeling disappointed. Especially since I've read a lot of posts of people who so enjoyed this book.
While this and most chick lit books are quite predictable in what is going to happen. I felt that the relationship Charlotte and her new boss develop came on awfully abruptly. Even in the world of chick lit meeting a person three times and then deciding to get married is a bit much.
I found the twists at the end worked in the context of the book, but still ended up feeling disappointed. Especially since I've read a lot of posts of people who so enjoyed this book.
August 22, 2018
2.5
I'm not quite sure where to start with this one. I hope this was the author's debut novel. If so, I think with time and some good editing, this writer will bloom. However, I don't think it is. It was just very okay book. I didn't feel anything for Charlotte Bell (I had to look up her name, that was the impression she left me with). I found her to be annoying, selfish and couldn't relate, and could tolerate her. The writing just smacked with absurd situations that I didn't find humorous or realistic. And that ending...uggh.
I'm not quite sure where to start with this one. I hope this was the author's debut novel. If so, I think with time and some good editing, this writer will bloom. However, I don't think it is. It was just very okay book. I didn't feel anything for Charlotte Bell (I had to look up her name, that was the impression she left me with). I found her to be annoying, selfish and couldn't relate, and could tolerate her. The writing just smacked with absurd situations that I didn't find humorous or realistic. And that ending...uggh.
December 31, 2016
Um... was this a debut novel? Was it written by someone who just finished college, and hadn't seen much of life? This book was painfully bad, but not dangerously bad, so I gave it two stars instead of only one.
June 15, 2019
Brain candy. Overly sticky sweet, zero nutritional benefit, and easily devoured in one sitting. This book was campy and silly in all the right places; it was a paperback telenovella. Despite it's quirkiness and outlandishness, I, quite frankly, still really liked this book.
January 18, 2021
While this started off fun and strong for me, the ending was rushed. The relationship between the nanny and Edgar really developed quickly into a marriage proposal, and I thought that odd. The ending was too pat.
March 4, 2021
It doesn't make sense... I get its fictional but the unrealistic dialogue and circumstances are just too out there. .... like excuse me.... the beginning and the middle is so repetitive and filled with irrelevant details while the ending is rushed and shoved into the last few pages
March 31, 2022
This book had been on my shelf for years. I give every book a chance before I discard it as I thought I would do with this one. However, it grabbed me right away and I really enjoyed it. It’s a lot of fun. Only three stars because of the uneven writing, but still worth reading.
November 4, 2018
C. fiction, Iceland, nanny, affair, espionage, inane
September 4, 2019
It was a quick read. I think it would make a cute movie.
August 14, 2020
Cute but lame ending.
September 21, 2021
Cute story
August 3, 2024
DNF 67%
Scattered sort of TSTL MC and I think they really take Nancy Drew's name in vain.
Scattered sort of TSTL MC and I think they really take Nancy Drew's name in vain.
July 19, 2012
One of the many joys of reading is the travel destinations. For the first time ever, I got to travel to Iceland with Charlotte Bell when she accepts a nanny position with the U.S. Ambassador. Initially, this story is very vague where Charlotte is concerned. Though Charlotte was a child celebrity, she had a less than happy childhood, growing up in her Aunt’s home. She never feeling accepted and is someone who is looking for love and acceptance, usually in the wrong place. Unfortunately, she wears her heart on her sleeve and falls for the wrong guy. When she returns home after a very painful breakup, she is left to ponder her life and the choices she makes. Why can’t her life run smoothly? She begins to think she needs to be more like Nancy Drew, who never has a hair out of place and always find the answers. Charlotte even purchases every book in the Nancy Drew series to try to figure out what she needs to do.
Charlotte accepts a nanny position with the U.S. Ambassador to Iceland and though she’s pretty confident she knows how Nancy Drew will respond in any given situation, Charlotte has no clue about the country she will be living in, the language or the people she will be interacting with. I found this part amusing.
Upon first meeting him, I was less than impressed with Charlotte’s employer, Edgar Rawlings. Maybe it’s the fact he’s referred to as “The Master” that put me off. I did enjoy the scene when they first meet only because they don’t know who each other is. My favorite character is Annette. She comes across much wiser than her years and isn’t, at all, a brat. My biggest annoyance with this book is that Charlotte has fallen for and slept with, not one, but TWO of her employers! Charlotte has some serious Daddy issues. Charlotte’s mother died in childbirth and her father pretty much abandoned her in a loveless home while he took off to Africa to work. Nobody’s life is perfect, but why does she have to sleep with her boss?
Once I could get past the whole integrity flaw of sleeping with her boss, I was able to enjoy the story, for the most part. Charlotte learning how to drive was amusing. In spite of her bad decisions with her love life, Charlotte is a survivor and shows a lot of determination and some fearless courage when she has to.
The story ends with a lot of questions for me. I wish there had been more closure as to what happens with Charlotte, Edgar and Annette. If you are looking for some light summer reading and sleeping with your employers do not bother you, you could give this one a try. If you are wondering what Nancy Drew would do, check out her books instead.
Charlotte accepts a nanny position with the U.S. Ambassador to Iceland and though she’s pretty confident she knows how Nancy Drew will respond in any given situation, Charlotte has no clue about the country she will be living in, the language or the people she will be interacting with. I found this part amusing.
Upon first meeting him, I was less than impressed with Charlotte’s employer, Edgar Rawlings. Maybe it’s the fact he’s referred to as “The Master” that put me off. I did enjoy the scene when they first meet only because they don’t know who each other is. My favorite character is Annette. She comes across much wiser than her years and isn’t, at all, a brat. My biggest annoyance with this book is that Charlotte has fallen for and slept with, not one, but TWO of her employers! Charlotte has some serious Daddy issues. Charlotte’s mother died in childbirth and her father pretty much abandoned her in a loveless home while he took off to Africa to work. Nobody’s life is perfect, but why does she have to sleep with her boss?
Once I could get past the whole integrity flaw of sleeping with her boss, I was able to enjoy the story, for the most part. Charlotte learning how to drive was amusing. In spite of her bad decisions with her love life, Charlotte is a survivor and shows a lot of determination and some fearless courage when she has to.
The story ends with a lot of questions for me. I wish there had been more closure as to what happens with Charlotte, Edgar and Annette. If you are looking for some light summer reading and sleeping with your employers do not bother you, you could give this one a try. If you are wondering what Nancy Drew would do, check out her books instead.
January 4, 2015
As usual, I was browsing titles in my local library and came across this book. As a huge Nancy Drew fan, I had to add it to my stack.
The premise was cute, the writing was fine: typical chick-lit prose. There were a few spots with language that really bothered me. I try not to swear personally (but I used to have a BAD habit of doing so and there are times when they come back. Such a hard habit to break!) and I can usually skip over them without them really bothering me. It just didn't seem to fit the character....and most of them were at the beginning of the book so maybe they were gratuitous.
It is hard to give a star rating for this book. As I was reading it, I enjoyed it and while it wasn't a "stay up all night" story, I was curious to know what happened. Then the ending came and it lost a star. It might be the worst ending I've ever read in a romance book. There is no HEA - not a clear one or a satisfying one for me as a reader. I can see that the author might have a HEA.
But in writing this review, I think back and realize that there was no clear development of a relationship between the heroine/hero. Nor did I see a lot of personal growth in the heroine - just her realization that she needs some. Which kinda makes me want to give it a one star rating. But I didn't hate it so I can't give it just one.
Maybe 1.5 is better.
What I do know is I wanted this book to be more --- and it fell short.
On another note, I do not know who did the cover illustration - but feel like they got Catherine Bell perfect based on the author description of her. That doesn't always happen.
The premise was cute, the writing was fine: typical chick-lit prose. There were a few spots with language that really bothered me. I try not to swear personally (but I used to have a BAD habit of doing so and there are times when they come back. Such a hard habit to break!) and I can usually skip over them without them really bothering me. It just didn't seem to fit the character....and most of them were at the beginning of the book so maybe they were gratuitous.
It is hard to give a star rating for this book. As I was reading it, I enjoyed it and while it wasn't a "stay up all night" story, I was curious to know what happened. Then the ending came and it lost a star. It might be the worst ending I've ever read in a romance book. There is no HEA - not a clear one or a satisfying one for me as a reader. I can see that the author might have a HEA.
But in writing this review, I think back and realize that there was no clear development of a relationship between the heroine/hero. Nor did I see a lot of personal growth in the heroine - just her realization that she needs some. Which kinda makes me want to give it a one star rating. But I didn't hate it so I can't give it just one.
Maybe 1.5 is better.
What I do know is I wanted this book to be more --- and it fell short.
On another note, I do not know who did the cover illustration - but feel like they got Catherine Bell perfect based on the author description of her. That doesn't always happen.
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