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Pursuing Pandora
Corporate lawyer Winter Carlyle is the first to admit that she’s become jaded with romance after a very messy public breakup.
When her bossy aunt asks her to visit a high-end nightclub to check on her young cousin, Winter reluctantly agrees. Poking her nose into her cousin’s love life is the last thing she wants to do. So what if he has a giant crush on Pandora, a lounge singer thirteen years his senior? The cougar just might teach him a thing or two.
For Pandora, the sultry siren with the slinky low-cut gown façade is all an act. It’s showbiz. She dislikes the adulation and the numerous advances, especially from the Russian gangster and the aging playboy. Besides, she has an ulterior motive for being at the club, and romance is definitely off the agenda.
But uptight, reserved Winter is a complication she hasn’t foreseen. And even with the best intentions, love has a way of striking at the most inopportune times.
When her bossy aunt asks her to visit a high-end nightclub to check on her young cousin, Winter reluctantly agrees. Poking her nose into her cousin’s love life is the last thing she wants to do. So what if he has a giant crush on Pandora, a lounge singer thirteen years his senior? The cougar just might teach him a thing or two.
For Pandora, the sultry siren with the slinky low-cut gown façade is all an act. It’s showbiz. She dislikes the adulation and the numerous advances, especially from the Russian gangster and the aging playboy. Besides, she has an ulterior motive for being at the club, and romance is definitely off the agenda.
But uptight, reserved Winter is a complication she hasn’t foreseen. And even with the best intentions, love has a way of striking at the most inopportune times.
249 pages, Paperback
First published April 21, 2020
38 people are currently reading
197 people want to read
About the author
Maggie Brown
15 books115 followersBorn and bred in Queensland, Australia, Maggie Brown has always been an advocate for women’s rights. An avid reader, she only discovered lesbian literature ten years ago, which opened a whole new world to her. A long-term artist, she turned her hand to writing for a different challenge. It’s become her passion, and she now has eight books on the shelves, two of which were finalists in the Golden Crown Literary awards. Her novels vary from thrillers to romances. Maggie loves dotting her pages with lots of interesting characters, and writes about relationships with a humorous eye. When she’s not writing, she’s a golf hacker, card sharp and movie buff, and particularly likes to chill out at night with a glass of wine and a good book.
Librarian note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Librarian note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
April 13, 2020
'ARC provided by both NetGalley and The Publisher in exchange for a honest review'
**'Sometimes a single sentence or just a good dialogue can be enough to fill the imagination completely: And sometimes a book's title is enough..'
I must say that I'm real gullible for any story that incorporates both intrigue & Love as one of the characters, and then as an important cog in the wheels of the narrative. And that's what 'PURSUING PANDORA' does and more on every page; where Pandora appears to readers, as fascinating, conspicuous and forthright at a moment's notice --- while Winter is astute, unfairly manipulated and has a charming personality. Add to this, Winter's ability to love her friends, families: both good & antagonistic, and Pandora: even with all her inherent secrets & mysterious background -- also makes her a deep and sometimes provocative protagonist for this storyline.
Furthermore, everything else that's alluding to the entire storytelling does culminate with it being the perfect backdrop for such a sensual, friendship & family driven and emotional ride that both main character had to endure to finally end up being together.
This book that Ms.Brown has written will definitely draw all interested readers in and that perception of any emotional turmoil it evokes might even stay with you long after you put it down.
Highly recommended!
**'Sometimes a single sentence or just a good dialogue can be enough to fill the imagination completely: And sometimes a book's title is enough..'
I must say that I'm real gullible for any story that incorporates both intrigue & Love as one of the characters, and then as an important cog in the wheels of the narrative. And that's what 'PURSUING PANDORA' does and more on every page; where Pandora appears to readers, as fascinating, conspicuous and forthright at a moment's notice --- while Winter is astute, unfairly manipulated and has a charming personality. Add to this, Winter's ability to love her friends, families: both good & antagonistic, and Pandora: even with all her inherent secrets & mysterious background -- also makes her a deep and sometimes provocative protagonist for this storyline.
Furthermore, everything else that's alluding to the entire storytelling does culminate with it being the perfect backdrop for such a sensual, friendship & family driven and emotional ride that both main character had to endure to finally end up being together.
This book that Ms.Brown has written will definitely draw all interested readers in and that perception of any emotional turmoil it evokes might even stay with you long after you put it down.
Highly recommended!
April 21, 2020
This was another good read. I’m a Maggie Brown fan. Even if I don’t love one of her books, I always enjoy them. I feel like I can really count on her as an author, which is nice to know. I also like that she writes in many different genres so her story ideas never feel recycled. For this book Brown decided to write romance with a little intrigue.
Brown writes well and I soon found myself hooked into the story of a repressed lawyer and the charismatic lounge singer. Two people almost polar opposites, yet their attraction absolutely sparked. I ended up reading this book in one sitting since I just didn’t want to put it down.
What I was most impressed with was the characters. The whole cast of characters in this book is wonderful. Every friend, family member, you name it had an important role to play. Everyone had unique personalities and there were no cardboard cut-outs in sight. Even the characters you hate were extremely well done. The ex in this story is perfect for dramas sake. I was so caught up in these characters that I really hope there is a spinoff or maybe even two. How about Detective Anderson and say Veronica? That could open all sorts of ideas. There is also another couple that gets together in the epilogue so I would love to see their story actually play out. There is just a ton of potential here and I hope Brown will revisit this world.
I also had a lot of fun with this book since it had a good amount of baby angst. From “the ex” to lots of plain old jealousy, this book is not smooth sailing for the main couple. It’s the kind of angst that I really enjoy so it kept me flipping the pages. And when the mains where actually together, they had a good amount of chemistry and heat so the romance was enjoyable too.
The intrigue part of the story is on the smaller side. This really is a romance first and foremost. The tiny mystery involved is very easy to figure out and chances are you will early on, but that part of the storyline is just a little bonus to keep the pages turning. It’s a way for Brown to throw in some “will they or won’t they” suspense so I was all for it. Just don’t go into this book thinking it is all mystery, this is really a romance.
Brown doesn’t disappoint and I’m happy to say that this was another enjoyable read. I have been lucky that with being home due to Covid I’m on a streak of good reads. As a publisher, Bella is three for three this month so that really helped. If you are looking for a good romance with a little intrigue, give this book a shot. I also want to highly suggest Brown’s book In the Company of Crocodiles. It is a really fun action-romance and I think the perfect kind of book to get your mind off of what is going on in the world right now. I’m actually tempted to reread it myself since it is that entertaining.
A copy was given to me for a honest review.
Brown writes well and I soon found myself hooked into the story of a repressed lawyer and the charismatic lounge singer. Two people almost polar opposites, yet their attraction absolutely sparked. I ended up reading this book in one sitting since I just didn’t want to put it down.
What I was most impressed with was the characters. The whole cast of characters in this book is wonderful. Every friend, family member, you name it had an important role to play. Everyone had unique personalities and there were no cardboard cut-outs in sight. Even the characters you hate were extremely well done. The ex in this story is perfect for dramas sake. I was so caught up in these characters that I really hope there is a spinoff or maybe even two. How about Detective Anderson and say Veronica? That could open all sorts of ideas. There is also another couple that gets together in the epilogue so I would love to see their story actually play out. There is just a ton of potential here and I hope Brown will revisit this world.
I also had a lot of fun with this book since it had a good amount of baby angst. From “the ex” to lots of plain old jealousy, this book is not smooth sailing for the main couple. It’s the kind of angst that I really enjoy so it kept me flipping the pages. And when the mains where actually together, they had a good amount of chemistry and heat so the romance was enjoyable too.
The intrigue part of the story is on the smaller side. This really is a romance first and foremost. The tiny mystery involved is very easy to figure out and chances are you will early on, but that part of the storyline is just a little bonus to keep the pages turning. It’s a way for Brown to throw in some “will they or won’t they” suspense so I was all for it. Just don’t go into this book thinking it is all mystery, this is really a romance.
Brown doesn’t disappoint and I’m happy to say that this was another enjoyable read. I have been lucky that with being home due to Covid I’m on a streak of good reads. As a publisher, Bella is three for three this month so that really helped. If you are looking for a good romance with a little intrigue, give this book a shot. I also want to highly suggest Brown’s book In the Company of Crocodiles. It is a really fun action-romance and I think the perfect kind of book to get your mind off of what is going on in the world right now. I’m actually tempted to reread it myself since it is that entertaining.
A copy was given to me for a honest review.
April 11, 2020
I really liked this book, but I don’t care for the cover.
Winter just finalised her split with the nasty Christine when her aunt pulls her into a plot to get her cousin out of the claws of a woman. Winter goes to the club where Pandora is a singer and her cousin a frequent visitor. It becomes clear very quickly Pandora is way out of Michael’s league and not interested in the boy, but she is afraid he might do something rash if she is too hard on him. Winter and Pandora make a plan that involves Winter’s best friend Jessie, who is a notorious flirt. Winter and Pandora strike up interest in each other and hang out a lot. Winter is pretty smart and figures out Pandora is not who she seems, but understands she can’t share all the details. The story unfolds very nicely.
I must admit at first I was a but put off if the story was only to get Michael to come to his senses, I was happy it involved so much more and so many interesting characters. I really liked how Winter wasn’t made out to be some fool in love, but was respected with her intellect and efficient ways (great powers of deduction). There is some mystery there and it’s nice.
I don’t care for the name Pandora, but to each their own.
Aside from the story being nice the writing style is great as well. This was my first book by this author, but I am sure to check some of her other books out.
*ARC received in exchange for an honest review*
Winter just finalised her split with the nasty Christine when her aunt pulls her into a plot to get her cousin out of the claws of a woman. Winter goes to the club where Pandora is a singer and her cousin a frequent visitor. It becomes clear very quickly Pandora is way out of Michael’s league and not interested in the boy, but she is afraid he might do something rash if she is too hard on him. Winter and Pandora make a plan that involves Winter’s best friend Jessie, who is a notorious flirt. Winter and Pandora strike up interest in each other and hang out a lot. Winter is pretty smart and figures out Pandora is not who she seems, but understands she can’t share all the details. The story unfolds very nicely.
I must admit at first I was a but put off if the story was only to get Michael to come to his senses, I was happy it involved so much more and so many interesting characters. I really liked how Winter wasn’t made out to be some fool in love, but was respected with her intellect and efficient ways (great powers of deduction). There is some mystery there and it’s nice.
I don’t care for the name Pandora, but to each their own.
Aside from the story being nice the writing style is great as well. This was my first book by this author, but I am sure to check some of her other books out.
*ARC received in exchange for an honest review*
April 25, 2020
Wow, this book is masterpiece!
Not often you read book, that moves you to the core. I felt all what Winter felt. Her happiness and her self doubt. This story grabbed me from the begining and it was extremely hard to out it down. I liked the secrets, and innuendos, the harmony between Pandora and Winter. Loved the attraction from the beginning. This story is really wonderful. Epilogue, wow, never saw that coming, and because of that I felt like I had a happy closure.
Not often you read book, that moves you to the core. I felt all what Winter felt. Her happiness and her self doubt. This story grabbed me from the begining and it was extremely hard to out it down. I liked the secrets, and innuendos, the harmony between Pandora and Winter. Loved the attraction from the beginning. This story is really wonderful. Epilogue, wow, never saw that coming, and because of that I felt like I had a happy closure.
April 9, 2020
This is an interesting book but I am a bit conflicted about it. I enjoyed it, it has a good plot, well rounded characters but there are just a few too many plot holes for it to be truly excellent. Plus, one of the main characters is called "Winter", while another is described as being "wildly handsome" - a term that litters certain genres within lesfic seemingly without anyone really knowing what it actually means. Also in the negative column is the description "More a strapping tavern wench of Irish folklore", eh no. Irish folklore is full of queens, warriors, faeries, mythical beasts, magic, people with only one eye, druids, giants, expanding cloaks, talking swans but exactly zero taverns or wenches!
Ok, now that the rant is out of my system there are some very good things about this book too; namely Winter's aunt Gussie and her bridge club are utterly hilarious, Pandora is a very good character with just the right amount of mystery and kick-ass sexiness about her and Winter's ex is a brilliant pantomime villain. Winter herself is a bit of fool at times it is fun to watch her relationship with Pandora unfold, with many twists and turns.
I'm not sure I would have picked this up without being in quarantine but it definitely helped pass the time and I flew through it, no problems picking it up again. If you want something easy to read and a bit of fun, you won't go far wrong here.
Ok, now that the rant is out of my system there are some very good things about this book too; namely Winter's aunt Gussie and her bridge club are utterly hilarious, Pandora is a very good character with just the right amount of mystery and kick-ass sexiness about her and Winter's ex is a brilliant pantomime villain. Winter herself is a bit of fool at times it is fun to watch her relationship with Pandora unfold, with many twists and turns.
I'm not sure I would have picked this up without being in quarantine but it definitely helped pass the time and I flew through it, no problems picking it up again. If you want something easy to read and a bit of fun, you won't go far wrong here.
April 5, 2020
Winter just got out of a messy relationship with her ex Christina. When her aunt Gussie ask her to check out this woman her son Michael has become infatuated with at this club called Sliver Fox she is reluctant to get involve and thinks maybe this woman can teach him thing of two.
Pandora is a lounge singer at the club but she more then that she there for a reason. When she meets Winter it doesn’t go smoothly especially when she realize she there to see if she is bad news what both didn’t expect was the attraction that comes between them. When they decide on plan to have Michael see that he doesn’t have a chance with Pandora a relationship start forming between them even though they both know it’s temporary they start falling for each other.
This was engaging romance with a little bit of intrigue. Ps. Winter ex is a trip
I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.
Pandora is a lounge singer at the club but she more then that she there for a reason. When she meets Winter it doesn’t go smoothly especially when she realize she there to see if she is bad news what both didn’t expect was the attraction that comes between them. When they decide on plan to have Michael see that he doesn’t have a chance with Pandora a relationship start forming between them even though they both know it’s temporary they start falling for each other.
This was engaging romance with a little bit of intrigue. Ps. Winter ex is a trip
I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.
August 3, 2020
I don’t usually read thrillers, so I have no idea if Pursuing Pandora is a good thriller. I just know that I had a lot of fun reading it and I had a very hard time putting it down. I honestly don’t know if I recommend Pursuing Pandora, though. On the one hand, I was often frustrated by the characters, especially how they treated each other, and there was likely more going on in the book than there needed to be. On the other hand, it held my attention, keeping me well distracted from my pandemic panic. For that, I am truly grateful. The best I can say is this: if you pick it up, make sure you have a friend standby, so you can share some of your WTF energy with them too.
Full review: https://smartbitchestrashybooks.com/r...
Full review: https://smartbitchestrashybooks.com/r...
August 27, 2021
Really enjoyed this- thought it was lagging in the middle when suddenly it took an unexpected turn and reinvented itself. Excellent, highly recommended.
April 7, 2020
Wow. This is a great book. It’s action packed and had me enthralled right to the end. I got very attached to Pandora and Winter, two spunky women who knew their own minds and weren’t afraid to show it. As usual from Maggie Brown, it’s first class writing and she’s becoming one of my favourite authors. Its a fabulous romance between two likeable women. There is a mystery element as well, though this doesn’t overshadow the love story. The book has a lot of other memorable characters and some funny situations. Very entertaining read.
This was a ARC for an honest review.
This was a ARC for an honest review.
April 20, 2020
I have to go against the grain here - it seems that people are enjoying this book, but there are a lot of places where it fell flat for me. It is billed as a thriller on Bella Books' webpage, but I don't see where the thrill is. Granted, Pandora is a mystery, as it is obvious that it is her stage name for her Lounge Singer persona, but when we know what Pandora is really doing, it feels flat. There's almost no sense of mystery - just characters questioning about backgrounds and such, but there's no true digging around until the end. When Winter does actually start looking around, it is mostly done off screen, after she puts everything together. I do wish that Winter was intrigued enough to put her considerable smarts to the task of finding out who Pandora is, though.
Also, this has the bare bones makings of a film noir mystery, and oh my god I think I would have loved that. Film noir about a lounge singer, corporate lawyer who falls for her and tries to dig into her identity? Yes please! To spice things up, the Russian mob? Yes, please! It just didn't happen like that with this book. All those things are there, but the focus is definitely on Winter, our intelligent, awkward, corporate lawyer. Its more about Winter's sexual awakening, and her separating from her emotionally abusive ex, than the Russian mob running some kind of illegal operation through a lounge named The Silver Fox. What a great, campy name!
Granted I did love the romance between Pandora and Winter. Both of them have equal footing here, and it gives them a huge amount of footing. Pandora can be a little too charming, especially at the beginning, where everyone was basically panting at her. I love some of the side characters, especially Jessie, Winter's best friend. I just wish that they weren't pitted against each other for Pandora's affection.
I think I am a little harsh on this because I thought I was getting one thing, but got another. This one isn't for me, but there are things here that romance fans will love. I just didn't get the film noir camp I was looking for.
I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Also, this has the bare bones makings of a film noir mystery, and oh my god I think I would have loved that. Film noir about a lounge singer, corporate lawyer who falls for her and tries to dig into her identity? Yes please! To spice things up, the Russian mob? Yes, please! It just didn't happen like that with this book. All those things are there, but the focus is definitely on Winter, our intelligent, awkward, corporate lawyer. Its more about Winter's sexual awakening, and her separating from her emotionally abusive ex, than the Russian mob running some kind of illegal operation through a lounge named The Silver Fox. What a great, campy name!
Granted I did love the romance between Pandora and Winter. Both of them have equal footing here, and it gives them a huge amount of footing. Pandora can be a little too charming, especially at the beginning, where everyone was basically panting at her. I love some of the side characters, especially Jessie, Winter's best friend. I just wish that they weren't pitted against each other for Pandora's affection.
I think I am a little harsh on this because I thought I was getting one thing, but got another. This one isn't for me, but there are things here that romance fans will love. I just didn't get the film noir camp I was looking for.
I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 12, 2020
So glad to have another book by Maggie Brown to read. It’s been a while and I kind of forgot what a great author she really is.
Pandora( Hope Collins) loved to sing and had her heart set on taking the stage to show just how good she really was. But life never seems to go the way you want and that’s exactly what happened to Pandora. She spent her childhood moving from one place to another, along with the rest of her family seeing that her father was in the army. But even that changed when her father was killed in an accident. She still managed to get a scholarship and after studying she was more than ready to start her music career. But it was at this time her mother got sick so instead of singing on stage she found she had no choice but to take another kind of job, so she could help support her family. Then she landed a job she never thought of. She started working, doing undercover work for the government. It was just what she was doing when she first met Winter.
Winter Carlyle works as a corporate lawyer, a career she loved but her love life left her battle weary dealing with her ex, Christine, who it turns out was a user. All she really wanted was Winter’s money and making Winter’s life a living hell. Even when the divorce was final she could still hear Christine tell her how unlovable she was.
Then Winter’s aunt wants her to check out the woman her young son seems enamored with. Turns out it’s Pandora. Now Winter has to go to the nightclub to investigate just who this woman was and put a stop to her cousin's antics. He won’t leave Pandora alone. But how was she going to do that. Let the fun begin. This is truly a wonderful read. If you are like me you won't want to put down the book. Nicely paced, with believable dialogue along with some hot and steaming sex thrown in. Very, very enjoyable read.
ARC via NetGalley/ Bella Books
Pandora( Hope Collins) loved to sing and had her heart set on taking the stage to show just how good she really was. But life never seems to go the way you want and that’s exactly what happened to Pandora. She spent her childhood moving from one place to another, along with the rest of her family seeing that her father was in the army. But even that changed when her father was killed in an accident. She still managed to get a scholarship and after studying she was more than ready to start her music career. But it was at this time her mother got sick so instead of singing on stage she found she had no choice but to take another kind of job, so she could help support her family. Then she landed a job she never thought of. She started working, doing undercover work for the government. It was just what she was doing when she first met Winter.
Winter Carlyle works as a corporate lawyer, a career she loved but her love life left her battle weary dealing with her ex, Christine, who it turns out was a user. All she really wanted was Winter’s money and making Winter’s life a living hell. Even when the divorce was final she could still hear Christine tell her how unlovable she was.
Then Winter’s aunt wants her to check out the woman her young son seems enamored with. Turns out it’s Pandora. Now Winter has to go to the nightclub to investigate just who this woman was and put a stop to her cousin's antics. He won’t leave Pandora alone. But how was she going to do that. Let the fun begin. This is truly a wonderful read. If you are like me you won't want to put down the book. Nicely paced, with believable dialogue along with some hot and steaming sex thrown in. Very, very enjoyable read.
ARC via NetGalley/ Bella Books
March 1, 2020
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. This is classic Maggie Brown, with a fast moving plot and a troupe of entertaining characters. It has a touching love story, with some side action and intrigue.
The novel starts off with corporate lawyer, Winter Carlyle, going through a very acrimonious breakup. Her ex, Christine, is a well-known television newsreader and their split becomes very public. Jaded from the experience, Winter is wary of any future romantic attachments.
When her Aunt asks her to go to The Silver Fox, an upscale nightclub, to check out their lounge singer, Pandora, whom her young cousin has a crush on, she goes reluctantly. She has no wish to interfere in anyone's love-life.
Preparing to dislike the singer, to her dismay she is also attracted to her. When she gets to know Pandora, together they devise a plan to stop her cousin's infatuation. But Winter soon begins realize that Pandora has secrets.
And so it goes from there. Throw in a Russian mobster, a suave playboy, Winter's womanizing friend, Jessie, and a crew of interesting secondary characters including her vile ex, and we have a tightly woven story of love, betrayal and double-dealings.
This ARC was received for an honest review.
The novel starts off with corporate lawyer, Winter Carlyle, going through a very acrimonious breakup. Her ex, Christine, is a well-known television newsreader and their split becomes very public. Jaded from the experience, Winter is wary of any future romantic attachments.
When her Aunt asks her to go to The Silver Fox, an upscale nightclub, to check out their lounge singer, Pandora, whom her young cousin has a crush on, she goes reluctantly. She has no wish to interfere in anyone's love-life.
Preparing to dislike the singer, to her dismay she is also attracted to her. When she gets to know Pandora, together they devise a plan to stop her cousin's infatuation. But Winter soon begins realize that Pandora has secrets.
And so it goes from there. Throw in a Russian mobster, a suave playboy, Winter's womanizing friend, Jessie, and a crew of interesting secondary characters including her vile ex, and we have a tightly woven story of love, betrayal and double-dealings.
This ARC was received for an honest review.
February 1, 2021
This is a fun escapist romcom starring lovely leading ladies with awesome chemistry.
Read the full review @https://bestlesficreviews.blogspot.co...
Read the full review @https://bestlesficreviews.blogspot.co...
April 11, 2020
Winter Carlyle, has finally gotten herself out of a really bad relationship when her aunty asks for her help in her cousin's infatuation with Pandora, a lounge singer in an infamous nightclub. Once Winter lays eyes on Pandora, she develops an attraction to Pandora as well.
This is my first Maggie Brown book and it's a winner. Brown definitely knows how to write a great story. There's continual twists and turns that you don't see coming, the characters are great, the sub characters are interesting and she even manages to make Winter, the boring, corporate lawyer interesting as well. It was a fast paced romance/mystery and I'll be definitely adding more of Brown's books to my collection.
This is my first Maggie Brown book and it's a winner. Brown definitely knows how to write a great story. There's continual twists and turns that you don't see coming, the characters are great, the sub characters are interesting and she even manages to make Winter, the boring, corporate lawyer interesting as well. It was a fast paced romance/mystery and I'll be definitely adding more of Brown's books to my collection.
May 15, 2020
OMG AWESOMENESS!!!!
Pandora is a high class night club singer. She is sexy and sultry and ever so tired of the unwanted advances she gets from aging playboys, a Russian mobster and the young man who has developed an obsessive crush on her. Winter is jaded from her messy break up with a TV News personality. As she tries to get her life back on track, she is summoned by her bossy, snobby aunt. Her son has decided he is in love with a lounge singer (GASP) who can only be after the young man for his money. Winter could not care less but her aunt insists she investigate the hussy. It doesn’t take long for the women to become acquainted and things get more and more interesting…
This book was so fantastic that I accidentally stayed up all night reading it! It was one of the best books I’ve read in a while and that is saying a LOT because there are some truly fantastic books out there in just the last few months alone! I loved Winter so much! She was so bold but yet so insecure… almost broken in some respects. Pandora was so much stronger than she let on yet there is a side of her that longs for things she thinks she can’t have. The magic the two of them have is off the charts! They are vibrant, sexy, talented and fascinating. I could not get enough of them. The story is so full of drama and angst, love and lust, jealousy and joy, anger and acceptance and even a bit of danger. It is a definite must read and re-read and then read it again sort of book and you will love it too!
Pandora is a high class night club singer. She is sexy and sultry and ever so tired of the unwanted advances she gets from aging playboys, a Russian mobster and the young man who has developed an obsessive crush on her. Winter is jaded from her messy break up with a TV News personality. As she tries to get her life back on track, she is summoned by her bossy, snobby aunt. Her son has decided he is in love with a lounge singer (GASP) who can only be after the young man for his money. Winter could not care less but her aunt insists she investigate the hussy. It doesn’t take long for the women to become acquainted and things get more and more interesting…
This book was so fantastic that I accidentally stayed up all night reading it! It was one of the best books I’ve read in a while and that is saying a LOT because there are some truly fantastic books out there in just the last few months alone! I loved Winter so much! She was so bold but yet so insecure… almost broken in some respects. Pandora was so much stronger than she let on yet there is a side of her that longs for things she thinks she can’t have. The magic the two of them have is off the charts! They are vibrant, sexy, talented and fascinating. I could not get enough of them. The story is so full of drama and angst, love and lust, jealousy and joy, anger and acceptance and even a bit of danger. It is a definite must read and re-read and then read it again sort of book and you will love it too!
April 8, 2020
I was given this Arc copy for an honest review via NetGalley and its publisher...many thanks!
This was a great read with a very happy ending. I finished it in one sitting..that’s how good it was for me.
Winter Carlyle, a corporate attorney, had recently gotten out of a bad relationship and wants nothing to do with love. Her aunt enlists her for help because her cousin seems to have developed a huge crush for some nightclub singer who is 13 years his senior and that’s when she meets the beautiful and mysterious Pandora. Pandora is used to the amorous looks, flowers and unwanted advances from the club’s patronage which she dislikes very much. However, she has never met anyone like Winter before and she is interested to know more.
I loved that this story had so many twists and turns in the plot.
This is a re-read for me and happy to have it in my library.
This was a great read with a very happy ending. I finished it in one sitting..that’s how good it was for me.
Winter Carlyle, a corporate attorney, had recently gotten out of a bad relationship and wants nothing to do with love. Her aunt enlists her for help because her cousin seems to have developed a huge crush for some nightclub singer who is 13 years his senior and that’s when she meets the beautiful and mysterious Pandora. Pandora is used to the amorous looks, flowers and unwanted advances from the club’s patronage which she dislikes very much. However, she has never met anyone like Winter before and she is interested to know more.
I loved that this story had so many twists and turns in the plot.
This is a re-read for me and happy to have it in my library.
June 5, 2020
I wasn't as impressed with this book as most people are. It was just OK for me.
It also included a phrase that apparently a lot of lesfic writers think is amusing. I cringe every time I read this:
Notes:
This book includes the over-used phrase: ‘She was in so much trouble.’ You would think lesfic writers by now, would be as sick of writing this phrase as lesfic readers are of reading it. Although you normally see that old chestnut in much older books.
Writers, please. Enough is enough. Give us some variety and think for yourselves. Stop coping your fellow writers.
It also included a phrase that apparently a lot of lesfic writers think is amusing. I cringe every time I read this:
Notes:
This book includes the over-used phrase: ‘She was in so much trouble.’ You would think lesfic writers by now, would be as sick of writing this phrase as lesfic readers are of reading it. Although you normally see that old chestnut in much older books.
Writers, please. Enough is enough. Give us some variety and think for yourselves. Stop coping your fellow writers.
April 18, 2020
Pursuing Pandora (and its gorgeous cover) is exactly the book I needed this week. A mix of romance, comedy, and intrigue ... what could be better? Winter and Pandora had chemistry that crackled on the page, and the side characters (including Gussie, Christine, and Jessie) were fun to read as well. I have read and enjoyed Maggie Brown's books before, so I was thrilled to get the chance to read this one about a lounge singer. A fantastic way to end my fifth week working from home!
September 18, 2023
Very readable. I really enjoyed this. Romantic with a background of intrigue. I liked the main characters and the supporting cast, including the dynamics between the best friends and exes. And of course, the very happy ending.
April 14, 2020
It’s nice to find a book that is not in the usual formulaic cast that saturates the market now. This novel is so much more, with an interesting complex storyline and a cast who have well formed personalities. Not only has Ms Brown given her two main protagonists depth, she has paid as much attention to her minor characters. The action moves quickly, not letting the reader’s attention flag. The romance between Winter, a corporate lawyer, and Pandora, a lounge singer at a nightclub, is tender and extremely sensual. Some of the other characters are classics. I love how Winter is so understanding with her friends and family, even though they try her patience sometimes.
The touch of intrigue is the icing on the cake for this thoroughly enjoyable book.
The touch of intrigue is the icing on the cake for this thoroughly enjoyable book.
April 12, 2020
Fab book. It begins with Winter, a corporate lawyer, finalizing an acrimonious divorce with Christine, a TV presenter. Christine was cheating on her with their pool guy and Winter catches them with their pants down!
Seven months later, Winter's aunt asks her check on her younger cousin who has a crush on a lounge singer, Pandora. And so it goes on from there. Brown certainly know how to write an entertaining story:so many twists and turns in the plot, and hosts of interesting people. I thought Gussie, Winter's interfering aunt, and the bitchy Christine particularly good characters. It's mainly a romance with a side dish of intrigue.
There's really great chemistry between these two likable women, and the love story is charming. Can recommend as a good read.
Seven months later, Winter's aunt asks her check on her younger cousin who has a crush on a lounge singer, Pandora. And so it goes on from there. Brown certainly know how to write an entertaining story:so many twists and turns in the plot, and hosts of interesting people. I thought Gussie, Winter's interfering aunt, and the bitchy Christine particularly good characters. It's mainly a romance with a side dish of intrigue.
There's really great chemistry between these two likable women, and the love story is charming. Can recommend as a good read.
April 9, 2020
Really entertaining book. Great story, lovely leading ladies and an excellent supporting cast. Gussie was a trick and Winter’s ex deliciously vile. There were serious parts, but some funny scenes as well. I had a good belly laugh at the scene outside the nightclub. Can recommend to readers. A definite re-read for me.
This was from an ARC.
This was from an ARC.
April 10, 2021
*I received a free digital ARC via NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
A not-to-be-missed romance-come-mystery
This book was quite delightful, in so many ways. We have sultry Pandora, who isn’t at all what she seems. Recently burnt Winter, who is happy to finally be able to move on from her controlling ex. Then Winter’s array of family and friends, some who really don’t appear to have her best interests at heart.
Winter ends up meeting Pandora after her aunt cajoles her into going to an upscale nightclub to check on her nephew, who insists he’s going to marry Pandora. Only problem is, instead of disliking her, Winter is attracted to her. As is her best friend, Jessie. Although Winter assumes that Pandora wouldn’t be interested in her, noting all the male attention she gets at the club. Oh how wrong could she be!
So, she gets to know Pandora, whilst setting up a trap for her nephew, unfortunately involving Jessie. Now, will everything go to plan there?
And of course, the intelligent Winter is able to discover some of Pandora’s secrets. Yet whether it will all be too much for both of them, when Pandora finally has to move on, is a secret that I’m not revealing.
Sometimes it’s quite frustrating finding out the details as I go along, rather than them being laid bare from the beginning, yet in this instance, it worked quite well. The only thing I will say that I disliked was how mean both Winter’s aunt and Jessie were to her! Considering how badly Winter was treated by her ex, I had expected better treatment from her family and friends.
Anyway, it’s still a worthwhile read. And also really nice to experience a little bit of Australia as a change!
Final rating: ★★★★☆ – Really liked
April 1, 2025
I loved it! It started off as a typical romance, even with the hints laid out in the synopsis, but it steadily developed from there, and while it is still, mostly, a typical romance, it is also more, with quite a few twists along the way. The dance between Pandora and Winter is adorable, the spice wholesome, and the story engaging and intriguing. It kept me hooked the entire way through, and makes me keen to read more of her books.
April 22, 2020
Absolutely delightful romance with two charming leading ladies. Corporate Lawyer, Winter, is asked by her Aunt Gussie (a great character study) to check up on her younger cousin, Michael, who is infatuated with Pandora, a lounge singer at the Silver Fox nightclub. The story evolves from there into a very entertaining tale of finding true love, dealing with family relations, and the pitfalls of female relationship triangles, with a little intrigue thrown in.
I love how Ms Brown develops her secondary characters, making the story well-rounded and grounded in reality.
A captivating read.
I love how Ms Brown develops her secondary characters, making the story well-rounded and grounded in reality.
A captivating read.
April 20, 2020
Enthralling book. Great romance with fast moving action. Winter and Pandora are two lovely ladies who find unexpected love. Interesting sub thriller plot and wonderful supporting cast of characters.
December 19, 2022
This has been a story that mixed romance with some action in a pretty engaging way. Of the two main characters, Pandora is a singer in a nightclub in Brisbane, Australia. She is gorgeous and mysterious and has everyone, male and female, pursuing her. And the other is Winter, a serious and formal corporate lawyer who has just ended a relationship with a famous television presenter who cheated on her - in fact, the story begins with them signing their divorce. Pandora and Winter don't seem like they can be compatible, and to make matters worse Winter has to deal with a family matter involving Pandora and a cousin of Winter. So when they meet at the nightclub and plan the strategy to solve the issue of Winter's cousin, a series of deceptions and misunderstandings begin that are further exacerbated by the irresistible attraction that Pandora and Winter feel for each other. But then there are secrets that surround Pandora's life and that explain much of her behavior.
So the story unfolds based on pretense, half truths, uncontrollable passion and finally commitment and it must be said that as a whole it has been quite interesting and entertaining.
There are some surprises and some other fun situations. The passion between them has been warm and sweet, despite how difficult they had to overcome their current situations and their reluctance to accept a commitment, each for different reasons. But they have fought to try and that has been nice to witness.
So overall this has been an entertaining story and highly recommended from my point of view.
An advanced reading copy has been sent to me by the publisher Bella Books through Netgalley for my honest review
So the story unfolds based on pretense, half truths, uncontrollable passion and finally commitment and it must be said that as a whole it has been quite interesting and entertaining.
There are some surprises and some other fun situations. The passion between them has been warm and sweet, despite how difficult they had to overcome their current situations and their reluctance to accept a commitment, each for different reasons. But they have fought to try and that has been nice to witness.
So overall this has been an entertaining story and highly recommended from my point of view.
An advanced reading copy has been sent to me by the publisher Bella Books through Netgalley for my honest review
May 17, 2020
4 Stars- Liked it, would read again.
This is the second novel that I have read from this author- the first being Reinventing Lindsey, which had some tie in to this novel- and in both reads I have found this author to have a consistently pleasant writing style.
The characters in this story have good, believable chemistry, and the initial "getting to know you" phase is not rushed. There is a twist which I was not expecting, but which did add another interesting aspect to the characters and their development.
One slight complaint I had was that the character who was not central to this plot twist just "sensed" that there was something which was being kept from her but chose to blindly accept it, no questions asked. Consdering the past mentions of insecurities or trust issues, this just seemed a little unrealistic to me. That said, the rest of the book is cute enough that I'm willing to overlook it.
Overall, a nice, light read with a cute main couple and nice supporting characters.
This is the second novel that I have read from this author- the first being Reinventing Lindsey, which had some tie in to this novel- and in both reads I have found this author to have a consistently pleasant writing style.
The characters in this story have good, believable chemistry, and the initial "getting to know you" phase is not rushed. There is a twist which I was not expecting, but which did add another interesting aspect to the characters and their development.
One slight complaint I had was that the character who was not central to this plot twist just "sensed" that there was something which was being kept from her but chose to blindly accept it, no questions asked. Consdering the past mentions of insecurities or trust issues, this just seemed a little unrealistic to me. That said, the rest of the book is cute enough that I'm willing to overlook it.
Overall, a nice, light read with a cute main couple and nice supporting characters.
February 25, 2024
LOVED IT!
I loved both of the main characters. Winter is a corporate attorney who is much more successful in her career than in her personal relationships and her evil ex continued to add conflict even after their breakup. Pandora, the beautiful, sexy singer in a club with nefarious ties to the Russian mob, has a few secrets of her own, but they cannot deny their attraction for one another.
The side characters were delicious, the plot was filled with exciting twists and turns and the setting in Australia was a nice change for me. Author Maggie Brown is terrific at writing drama, intrigue, humor, and of course, romance. I highly recommend her!
I loved both of the main characters. Winter is a corporate attorney who is much more successful in her career than in her personal relationships and her evil ex continued to add conflict even after their breakup. Pandora, the beautiful, sexy singer in a club with nefarious ties to the Russian mob, has a few secrets of her own, but they cannot deny their attraction for one another.
The side characters were delicious, the plot was filled with exciting twists and turns and the setting in Australia was a nice change for me. Author Maggie Brown is terrific at writing drama, intrigue, humor, and of course, romance. I highly recommend her!
March 5, 2021
I've been wanting to read this book for a while and I'm glad I finally did. This is my first book by this author and I will certainly check her other books.
The story has mystery, intrigue, danger and a real nice love story. It was well paced, it didn't have a rushed ending and it is a very entertaining read. I loved the MCs. Pandora is a nightclub singer with a secret double life, Winter is a corporate attorney with self image issues. They couldn't be more different but it works. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more from this author.
The story has mystery, intrigue, danger and a real nice love story. It was well paced, it didn't have a rushed ending and it is a very entertaining read. I loved the MCs. Pandora is a nightclub singer with a secret double life, Winter is a corporate attorney with self image issues. They couldn't be more different but it works. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more from this author.
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