Venus Guy Trap

by Shannon McKelden

Haydee Miller is on the brink of panic. when she was sixteen, she swore that she’d be married by her thirty-third birthday. It’s part of Haydee’s grand Plan, which saved her sanity when her mother died and her father was too overcome by grief to remember he had a teenage daughter. The Plan has guided Haydee for half her life and never failed her. Until now.
With her birthday looming and no Prince Charming in sight, Haydee is surprised to discover that her bookstore’s newest employee is the gorgeous Goddess of Love, Venus herself.
Venus is certain that Haydee’s One True Love is the darkly handsome Derek, a world-renowned photographer who has returned to his hometown to settle down. The only problem? Derek and Haydee fell in love ten years ago—before he abandoned her without a word of farewell, leaving her with a broken heart and a secret she has never revealed.
Somehow Venus must heal this damaged woman and reunite her with her True Love. It won’t be easy. Every man in town, married or not, is pursuing Venus, even when she makes herself over into the ugliest woman on earth. Are her goddess powers malfunctioning? Can she make a Love Match without them?

Genres: Romance, Chick Lit, Fantasy, Magic, Fiction

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

Developmental and copy editor of fiction and nonfiction, including NY Times and USA Today Bestselling authors, with decades of experience!

Author and editor, Shannon McKelden Cave loves nothing more than seeing a writer blossom as it all starts to come together with encouragement and confidence-building!

On a more personal note, she's infatuated with Starbucks, collecting recipes she’ll probably never make, and loves side hustles! She's also owner of an Etsy shop called The Write Life, where you can find fun stuff for writers, like mugs, journals, t-shirts, and more!

She has two adult children and lives with her husband, four cats, two dogs, and a flock of hens in the Pacific Northwest, between gorgeous Mount Rainier and the fabulous Pacific Ocean.

Reviews

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Really wasn't at all enamored about this book. I picked it up because the woman next to me at a book sale raved about how good it was. Since it was set in a bookstore, I had hopes it might be interesting (and it was a book from Tor, one of my favorite publishers.) Plus, I thought that maybe some of my chick-lit loving friends would like it but after struggling to read it myself, cannot offer it to them. I found the main characters annoying, each in their own way. When you find yourself thinking that the back-story to a book sounds waaaay more interesting than the book you're reading, it's time to put put the book down and back away slowly (preferably to your bookshelf, where you'll find something better to read.)

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

New god-child,the same rules, same goddess, new ideas. Venus discovers that it is not 1-2-3 I'm Outta-here! with her new charge in this follow up to "Venus Envy". She actually reads the rule book this time and chaos insues. Funny and warm.

[Jayla A · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it, it’s more of a 3.75, but it’s closer to a four which is why i did four stars. It’s good if you’re not into heavy romance and like to have some humor.

[Diana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Haydee Miller has a life Plan that she follows faithfully. Any deviation leads to disaster--such as when her high school sweetheart Derek left her suddenly to pursue a career in photography. Heartbroken and betrayed by his departure, Haydee has fully committed to her plan, which involved being married by her 33rd birthday. With just six weeks to go and dismal prospects, she is surprised by the appearance of Venus, the Goddess of Love who promises to match Haydee with her true love.

First off, Haydee is an annoying name. Just wanted to get that out there. I don't see 'confident businesswoman' with that name, I see teenybopper cheerleader, which Haydee is definitely not. I wanted to like the book more than I did. But the secret pregnancy, weird estrangement with her dad, very weird meddling with Derek's mom, entirely bitter friend, and Haydee's entire annoying outlook on life, I just couldn't get as into it as the first book. Venus is still a fun narrator and she really lifted the book up (to only 3 stars, granted, but without her it would have been much lower).

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, I think Venus' story is more interesting than those of her god-children. Maybe because I kind of know what is going to happen for the god-children (TRUE LOVE and HAPPILY EVER AFTER) but Venus is becoming more and more human and therefore more intriguing...

This is not to discount the god-children, their stories are always fun to read; after all the heartbreak, they deserve something good.

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this one better than the first one. There seemed to be more depth to the characters (both male and female) and their romance made complete sense. There were many laugh-out-loud moments and many serious, reflective, sad movements too. It was very well balanced. Venus wasn't as annoying in this one, which means she's growing as a character, I think. Also, Haydee (yes that is a silly name) runs a book store, which is pretty awesome.

[Sandy · Rating 2 out of 5]

An ok book. I got tired of hearing the fairy godmother moan and groan because she is so beautiful. And the main character who had to get married because it was on her list. I liked Derrek, he was the right one. He was the only character I liked.

[Katri · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would've given this four stars had the author taken out the Venus character. She bugged me. And it made the novel a bit ridiculous. I read it only to find out what happens with Haydee. I liked her story.

[Paulina]

hated it. only like the chapters from Venus' point of view but even that got tiring. I hate it when women characters fight so hard not to love the person they really love, it just get's me frustrated! I wanna yell "just go with it"

[Kelley Kostelecky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very fun read. I can't wait to check out Venus Envy now that I am hooked.

[Elizabeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is definitely for mature readers. Don't read it unless your old enough. I had to skip a part in this book, and wouldn't really suggest it to others. It wasn't that interesting although the story line was great. It focused on one main plot point the whole time, which in my opinion, wasn't that interesting because it dragged it out further than it needed to be. So overall, I didn't love this book, although the the story line was interesting. It just wasn't my type of read.