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The Model Man
Single mom and romance novelist Kelly Michaels has no time for a man in her life. But when mega-famous cover model Derek Calavicci puts the moves on her at a romance writers' conference, she succumbs to temptation. Common sense prevails, however, and after a few passionate kisses she turns him down; she has impressionable teenagers at home, after all, she doesn't need a one-night-stand with a much younger man, no matter how hot he is. When photos of their passionate moonlight kiss hit the tabloids, her agent has to do some fast footwork to save her reputation. Will the notorious bad boy go along with her scheme? Derek rarely hears a woman say "no" - it's been that way his entire life. If Kelly isn't interested, he's not going to push her-- even if she does melt like ice cream on a hot sidewalk every time he touches her. But when an unexpected opportunity falls into his lap by way of Kelly's scheming agent, he jumps at the chance. Pretend he's in love with Kelly Michaels for two weeks? No problem. After all, the lady may say she's never going to sleep with him... but he's got two weeks to convince her otherwise.
360 pages, Paperback
First published March 28, 2008
36 people want to read
About the author
Nicole McCaffrey
9 books18 followersFor as long as she can remember, Nicole McCaffrey has heard voices in her head. Fortunately, they're just characters wanting to tell her their stories. She wrote her first short story at age five (with a little help) and has never looked back.
She has been married to Peter, her best friend, for 22 years and together they have raised two amazing sons. When she is not reading, writing, or buried nose deep in a research book, chances are she is baking, gardening (aka planting things for the neighborhood deer to gobble up) or just spending time with her favorite guys.
Please visit her blog https://nicolemccaffrey.blogspot.com/ for news, reviews, excerpts of published works and sneak peeks at upcoming releases.
Find Nicole on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nmccaffreyau...
Follow Nicole on Twitter: https://twitter.com/NicMcCaffrey
She has been married to Peter, her best friend, for 22 years and together they have raised two amazing sons. When she is not reading, writing, or buried nose deep in a research book, chances are she is baking, gardening (aka planting things for the neighborhood deer to gobble up) or just spending time with her favorite guys.
Please visit her blog https://nicolemccaffrey.blogspot.com/ for news, reviews, excerpts of published works and sneak peeks at upcoming releases.
Find Nicole on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nmccaffreyau...
Follow Nicole on Twitter: https://twitter.com/NicMcCaffrey
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
August 20, 2011
I thought the storyline sounded okay...42-yr-old divorced romance author hooks up with the 30-yr-old model who graces the covers of her novels. But the prudish author with very little personality pushed my willingness to suspend disbelief past the boundaries. With her 2 teenaged children staying the summer with her cheating ex and his new gf, Kelly Michaels plays the prick tease card with Derek during their stay at a romance writers' convention. Why? She has insecurities (which are understandable), she worries that Derek is only in this for a fling (and the problem with that is?) and she insists on being a June Cleaver role model for her children. Unfortunately, that lasted over half of the book and I just wasn't feeling the sexual tension that I am sure the author intended to project. When the couple finally made love, it was rather unremarkable.
The second half of the book did pick up as Kelly's inhibitions began to melt away; however, what bothered me was that Kelly, her ex, Alan, and their 2 kids together presented quite the dysfunctional family. First of all, while at the convention, Kelly learned that her 16-yo daughter, Mia, was seeing a 19-yo guy and promptly grounded her from 3000 miles away - even though Mia was staying with her father who had given his permission. In a state of rebellion, Mia slipped out of her dad's home, got drunk, had her naval pierced and promptly laid the guilt at Kelly's feet. When Alan brings the kids home & finds Derek at the house, Alan starts in with the insults about Kelly's "boy toy", Mia hurling remarks about Kelly being a hypocrite and wailing that she wants to live with "daddy". Infuriated, Kelly picks up "the first thing she can find" and throws the box of kleenex at Alan. Good thing it wasn't a paperweight. Later, Derek punches Alan when he boasted that his new gf taught him what good sex was because Kelly was such a dead lay. Alan storms over to Kelly's house to show her what "the neanderthal" did and Mia scowls at Kelly with contempt...urging her father to press charges. Kelly raises her hand to strike her ex but at the last minute refrains.
Ladies and gentlemen: June Cleaver has left the building...
...and this family needs some serious counseling! Derek, the package of total perfection...what is he willingly getting himself involved in? And, more importantly...why?
At this point, having listened to 6 hours of the 9-hr audio book and not being any more invested in the story than I was at the onset, I pitched the book into the dnf pit. Thunk!
The second half of the book did pick up as Kelly's inhibitions began to melt away; however, what bothered me was that Kelly, her ex, Alan, and their 2 kids together presented quite the dysfunctional family. First of all, while at the convention, Kelly learned that her 16-yo daughter, Mia, was seeing a 19-yo guy and promptly grounded her from 3000 miles away - even though Mia was staying with her father who had given his permission. In a state of rebellion, Mia slipped out of her dad's home, got drunk, had her naval pierced and promptly laid the guilt at Kelly's feet. When Alan brings the kids home & finds Derek at the house, Alan starts in with the insults about Kelly's "boy toy", Mia hurling remarks about Kelly being a hypocrite and wailing that she wants to live with "daddy". Infuriated, Kelly picks up "the first thing she can find" and throws the box of kleenex at Alan. Good thing it wasn't a paperweight. Later, Derek punches Alan when he boasted that his new gf taught him what good sex was because Kelly was such a dead lay. Alan storms over to Kelly's house to show her what "the neanderthal" did and Mia scowls at Kelly with contempt...urging her father to press charges. Kelly raises her hand to strike her ex but at the last minute refrains.
Ladies and gentlemen: June Cleaver has left the building...
...and this family needs some serious counseling! Derek, the package of total perfection...what is he willingly getting himself involved in? And, more importantly...why?
At this point, having listened to 6 hours of the 9-hr audio book and not being any more invested in the story than I was at the onset, I pitched the book into the dnf pit. Thunk!
August 17, 2011
This was such a sweet romance. And Derek/Dante really was a great guy. Sure, maybe he was a dog earlier in his life, but there are few men with looks like his that wouldn't be. Now, he's grown up, and he's grown tired of the life he lives, or at least the life the press expects him to live. He's tired of women ogling and pawing at him. He's tired of the meaningless sex. And he's been intrigued by Kelly based on her picture in her books. Kelly has never attended a romance writers conference before because she's very shy and reserved, but her friend and critique partner talk her into going to this one. As soon as Derek and Kelly meet in person, Kelly becomes a ball of goo, lol. She's affected by him as much as the women who ogle him, but for some reason, he doesn't mind it from her. Plus, he's been affected by her as well. Meeting in person makes him all that much more intrigued, especially when she really doesn't want to spend any time with him.
Initially, she's a challenge that he thinks he can conquer and then just move on. But he slowly finds he doesn't want to move on. Yet she pushes him away. I wanted to smack her eventually, though I suppose I could understand her hesitation. Her ex-husband did a number on her self worth, so she doesn't see how she could possibly hold Derek's attention for more than a nanosecond. Rather than put her heart out there to get crushed, she makes Derek work hard for every little inch he gains. And she continues to push him away.
Derek really was the model man. He looked good, he took care of himself, and he genuinely cared for the people in his life. He wasn't the shallow womanizer the press made him out to be -- at least not anymore -- and he was so great with his family as well as Kelly's family. I loved how Kelly's son took so quickly to Derek and how much Derek enjoyed spending time with him. He stood up for Kelly time and again -- I loved how he decked her ex. I also loved how Derek purposefully called him Al instead of Alan. Just a subtle disrespect.
Ultimately it all worked out -- it IS a romance. I was glad of how it worked out in the end. I'd definitely read more from this author.
Initially, she's a challenge that he thinks he can conquer and then just move on. But he slowly finds he doesn't want to move on. Yet she pushes him away. I wanted to smack her eventually, though I suppose I could understand her hesitation. Her ex-husband did a number on her self worth, so she doesn't see how she could possibly hold Derek's attention for more than a nanosecond. Rather than put her heart out there to get crushed, she makes Derek work hard for every little inch he gains. And she continues to push him away.
Derek really was the model man. He looked good, he took care of himself, and he genuinely cared for the people in his life. He wasn't the shallow womanizer the press made him out to be -- at least not anymore -- and he was so great with his family as well as Kelly's family. I loved how Kelly's son took so quickly to Derek and how much Derek enjoyed spending time with him. He stood up for Kelly time and again -- I loved how he decked her ex. I also loved how Derek purposefully called him Al instead of Alan. Just a subtle disrespect.
Ultimately it all worked out -- it IS a romance. I was glad of how it worked out in the end. I'd definitely read more from this author.
March 11, 2012
There are some incredible sex scenes in this book. But it is a really long romance book where once again the female character is wracked with guilt for being a sexual person. Why is it that these romances can't have strong woman that is actually able to be fully aware of her sexuality without have the man "rescue" her from her life situation? Other than that pet peeve, this is a decent romance novel.
April 23, 2013
This book started out real slow and it finally picked up close to the end. If you looking for a long drawn out romance then this is the book for you. The ending was kind of a quick end.
December 13, 2021
I tried to listen audio book, but the reader sounded like she was rushing through her work into order to leave. Narrating a book is not a foot race. First one done is not always the winner.
Want to read
November 17, 2021What an incredilby fun story!
September 29, 2014
An ok quick read a little unbelievable at times
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews