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Mansell Brothers #1
Doing the Right Thing
Doing the Right ThingBarbara ElsborgAddie Winter is single—just one more reason for disappointment in her permanently disapproving mother’s eyes. There’s nothing she wants more than to be loved but when her own mother can’t bring herself to love her, she wonders if anyone can. What she needs is a man—real would be ideal, but she’ll settle for pretend. Anything to shut her mother up.Will Mansell chokes on his drink when Addie offers to pay him to spend the night in her room. Tall, dark-haired and the epitome of Addie’s “hero”, he can’t believe his luck because women usually go for his blond-haired brother. Ed Mansell is a serial playboy with an electric smile who waltzes through life and through women. Lucky for Will and Ed, they don’t have the same taste in women. But that was before they met Addie.Far from pretending, Will and Ed set out to prove Addie is worthy of love—but Addie finds too much love can be just as painful as none at all.
434 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 24, 2009
18 people are currently reading
470 people want to read
About the author
Barbara Elsborg
100 books1,675 followersBarbara Elsborg lives in Kent in the south of England. She always wanted to be a spy, but having confessed to everyone without them even resorting to torture, she decided it was not for her. Volcanology scorched her feet. A morbid fear of sharks put paid to marine biology. So instead, she spent several years successfully selling cyanide.
After dragging up two rotten, ungrateful children and frustrating her sexy, devoted, wonderful husband (who can now stop twisting her arm) she finally has time to conduct an affair with an electrifying plugged-in male, her laptop.
Her books feature quirky heroines and bad boys, and she hopes they are as much fun to read as they are to write.
After dragging up two rotten, ungrateful children and frustrating her sexy, devoted, wonderful husband (who can now stop twisting her arm) she finally has time to conduct an affair with an electrifying plugged-in male, her laptop.
Her books feature quirky heroines and bad boys, and she hopes they are as much fun to read as they are to write.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
December 31, 2011
Something Barbara Elsborg has a true gift for is creating cute, spunky, wounded and LIKABLE heroines. Addie was no exception to her mold. This is the 5th book by Barbara Elsborg that I've read, and she hasn't let me down yet in this area. To me this is an extremely important facet in the books that I love. The other thing that I've seen is characteristic to a Barbara Elsborg book is an imperfect hero. I have mixed feelings about Doing the Right Thing when defining who in fact is the hero of this book because this one (kind of) had two.
Addie needs a man. And not just any man. In a matter of sheer desperation to get her mother off her back about it, she has created a tall, dark and handsome fictional boyfriend. Things become exceedingly bad when Addie's family (who haven't met her mystery man) begin to question whether or not he exists. He doesn't of course, but that doesn't stop Addie from bringing him home to show her brother that "Noah" is a real person.
Ed and Will Mansel are at a hotel gym when they see Addie. Ed is the first to notice this tall, clumsy and absolutely lovely woman. Addie notices Ed as she tumbles off the treadmill, however this beautiful BLOND man is not what she needs. When she spots Ed's dark haired brother Will, she embarrassingly asks him to spend the night and pretend to be her boyfriend Noah. He agrees, and so it begins.
Addie quickly falls for Will in all his gentlemanly, handsome glory. But when she gives in and lets him have her virginity, she's not prepared for the beautiful, crazy (almost) ex-wife that comes along with him.
If I didn't follow exactly how wounded Addie truly was, I would almost accuse her of being TSTL. But with the way she has been shunned and shut down her entire life, it was obvious to see why she behaved the way she did, and continuously let Will come back to her bed and her heart again and again. She so wanted to be loved and claimed by someone. Will would offer her his tenderness and devotion for a isolated amount of time, but then he would quickly pull his affection back every time his crazy ex-wife would wrap her manipulative tentacles around him.
I didn't completely blame Will for running hot and cold with Addie. He was torn, between a new love and tying up the loose ends with the old one. He had been hurt, manipulated and let down by his ex so many times, that his perception of reality was severely distorted. But even with my (slight) understanding of why Will would run full throttle toward Addie and then just as quickly back up and run in the opposite direction, I couldn't bring myself to like him. He was a moron for continuously falling for Vee (the ex's) crap. In just about every situation where he was forced to make a decision which involved Vee, I disagreed with his solution and wanted to kick him in the nuts for it. He continuously crushed Addie's heart. At no time did I feel bad for Will and his emotional turmoil. At no time did I not think he deserved everything that happened to him and more for bringing it all on himself. Again, he was a complete, spineless, dumbass. Hurt me once shame on you, hurt me twice, three, four, infinity times, shame on me. This book had that cliche' in spades.
The only person throughout the entire book who showed Addie complete kindness is Will's brother Ed. He is a playboy with a reputation for loving and leaving women, but he loves his brother, and he just wants his brother to find happiness. And more than anything, get away from Vee. Though he really had a backseat position to Will and Addie, Ed was my favorite character.
In the end I enjoyed Doing the Right Thing but the only times I was truly moved and heart sick were the times when Ed would either think or express his feelings. Those times were usually followed by a sense of helplessness and hopelessness that he would ever really have Addie's heart. But because of his lack of page time I felt the relationship between Addie and Ed was rushed and left me wanting more. Almost the entire book was Will's drama followed up with Will's drama and a little more Will drama on the side. Poor Ed, if you went by sheer page time and the time he was given to build a relationship with Addie, he shouldn't have stood a chance. In the end I was overjoyed with Addie's choice, but felt left wanting more. More of Addie and Ed. And the way Addie's choice played out, with all the love showering on Will throughout almost the entire book, and the lack of attention given to Ed, I just couldn't buy the reasoning behind why she chose the way she did.
Addie needs a man. And not just any man. In a matter of sheer desperation to get her mother off her back about it, she has created a tall, dark and handsome fictional boyfriend. Things become exceedingly bad when Addie's family (who haven't met her mystery man) begin to question whether or not he exists. He doesn't of course, but that doesn't stop Addie from bringing him home to show her brother that "Noah" is a real person.
Ed and Will Mansel are at a hotel gym when they see Addie. Ed is the first to notice this tall, clumsy and absolutely lovely woman. Addie notices Ed as she tumbles off the treadmill, however this beautiful BLOND man is not what she needs. When she spots Ed's dark haired brother Will, she embarrassingly asks him to spend the night and pretend to be her boyfriend Noah. He agrees, and so it begins.
Addie quickly falls for Will in all his gentlemanly, handsome glory. But when she gives in and lets him have her virginity, she's not prepared for the beautiful, crazy (almost) ex-wife that comes along with him.
If I didn't follow exactly how wounded Addie truly was, I would almost accuse her of being TSTL. But with the way she has been shunned and shut down her entire life, it was obvious to see why she behaved the way she did, and continuously let Will come back to her bed and her heart again and again. She so wanted to be loved and claimed by someone. Will would offer her his tenderness and devotion for a isolated amount of time, but then he would quickly pull his affection back every time his crazy ex-wife would wrap her manipulative tentacles around him.
I didn't completely blame Will for running hot and cold with Addie. He was torn, between a new love and tying up the loose ends with the old one. He had been hurt, manipulated and let down by his ex so many times, that his perception of reality was severely distorted. But even with my (slight) understanding of why Will would run full throttle toward Addie and then just as quickly back up and run in the opposite direction, I couldn't bring myself to like him. He was a moron for continuously falling for Vee (the ex's) crap. In just about every situation where he was forced to make a decision which involved Vee, I disagreed with his solution and wanted to kick him in the nuts for it. He continuously crushed Addie's heart. At no time did I feel bad for Will and his emotional turmoil. At no time did I not think he deserved everything that happened to him and more for bringing it all on himself. Again, he was a complete, spineless, dumbass. Hurt me once shame on you, hurt me twice, three, four, infinity times, shame on me. This book had that cliche' in spades.
The only person throughout the entire book who showed Addie complete kindness is Will's brother Ed. He is a playboy with a reputation for loving and leaving women, but he loves his brother, and he just wants his brother to find happiness. And more than anything, get away from Vee. Though he really had a backseat position to Will and Addie, Ed was my favorite character.
In the end I enjoyed Doing the Right Thing but the only times I was truly moved and heart sick were the times when Ed would either think or express his feelings. Those times were usually followed by a sense of helplessness and hopelessness that he would ever really have Addie's heart. But because of his lack of page time I felt the relationship between Addie and Ed was rushed and left me wanting more. Almost the entire book was Will's drama followed up with Will's drama and a little more Will drama on the side. Poor Ed, if you went by sheer page time and the time he was given to build a relationship with Addie, he shouldn't have stood a chance. In the end I was overjoyed with Addie's choice, but felt left wanting more. More of Addie and Ed. And the way Addie's choice played out, with all the love showering on Will throughout almost the entire book, and the lack of attention given to Ed, I just couldn't buy the reasoning behind why she chose the way she did.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 4, 2012
This book did not feel like a romance. The actual hero had very little page time, which made the ending feel insignificant and anticlamatic. Very disappointing read.
December 19, 2013
That should be the title of this book. I was so frustated with the "hero" and annoyed with the heroine. Won't say much about the story line because it would spoil everything. It's that kind of book which better be read without knowing what to expect.
However, it would be a 4-5 star story if the relationship and emotions were explored further. With the ending as it is, I'm dissapointed. Not dissapointed of how it turned out because I agree with the choice. I AM dissapointed of the journey, there was almost none of it. Seriously? I can say I met some of the biggest idiots in this book.
May 6, 2012
Gosh, I don't even know how to explain this book. Basically hero and heroine meet, have an affair, find out he's her boss and that he's married. Hero falls in love with her and she with him but heroes wife comes back and he takes off from the heroine, treating her horribly. Well the "hero" turns out not to be the hero at all, his brother actually is and he falls in love with the heroine too. So in the end she had to pick and she picked hero number two, which was the first heroes brother. Complicated Mais Oui? Yeah it was a head spinner but it was pretty effin awesome on all accounts. I'm glad she chose the right brother though, (Ed, brother she chose) he treated her better and how she should of been treated from the start.
February 12, 2016
I actually feel stupid after reading this book. What the fuck did I just read??!! Not only was the hero, not the hero, but the non-hero (who is probably one of the worst heroes I've read in a while...and I've read some really shit books lately!) was a complete dick who treated the downtrodden heroine like shit. The guy who ended up being the hero wasn't even in it all that much and the storyline was just stupid. And seriously? The non-hero guy gets his own book?? Definitely not something I am even remotely interested in. I try really hard not to rant about books that piss me off because no doubt the author has spent a lot of time and effort into writing the book, but I'm directing nothing at Ms. Elsborg personally....just this story.
Fucking waste of time. And that's putting it nicely!
Fucking waste of time. And that's putting it nicely!
November 9, 2012
The heroine got on my nerves after a while. But she had nothing on the "hero" of this novel. I literally wanted to stab him.
While being an all around ditz, there were a few likable qualities about Addie. She was funny at times and there were even moments I could relate to her. I hate that she forgave Will nearly every time he was an asshole, and there were many, many times. I also hate that she was everyone's puppy to kick around. It seemed almost everyone in this novel went out of their way to be mean and hateful to her. In hindsight, I can kind of understand that she was desperate for someone to love her and that's why she kept going back to him, but there has to come a time when you say enough is enough. When you're feeling worse being in a relationship than you are out of it, it's time to let it go.
Will on the other hand was an all around douche bag. He lied to Addie constantly by omitting the truth because he was a spineless little worm. Every time after he slept with her he treated her horribly after, pushing Addie aside for his ex-wife every time she sniveled and threw a hissy fit. He should have known his ex-wife Vee was up to something. People that are that manipulative and constantly lying don't just become that manipulative and lying overnight. The whole time I was like: "Um, hello... She was your ex-wife for a reason!!" And yet, he pretty much clung to the woman's every word, believed her with little to no doubt that she was telling the truth. You would think that if you didn't like someone very much you would try your hardest to get rid of them any way you could. Vee was a habitual liar and none of her lies were ever very believable. I don't see how Will couldn't see through her lies when Ed saw through her shit with no problem.
Which brings me to the saving grace of the book. Ed, though made out to be a bit of a man whore, was actually a nice guy and the only one with half a brain. He was more attentive to Addie's feelings and was more considerate to her than her boyfriend, Will. Even before Addie and Will started going out Ed was more sympathetic to Addie. From the beginning he told Will to get rid of Vee, to not believe anything that she spewed because she was a deceitful bitch. He was always the one picking Addie up and patching together her self-confidence after Will made her feel like she wasn't good enough or that she was just a quick and easy lay.
In the end I wish he would have been in the book more than Will, to whom I wished that batshit ex-wife of his would have stabbed him and ended his pathetic existence. The author could have cut out half of his parts and filled it in with Ed and the book would have been much better. He's the only reason Do the Right Thing gets two stars. I'm glad the book ended the way it did.
While being an all around ditz, there were a few likable qualities about Addie. She was funny at times and there were even moments I could relate to her. I hate that she forgave Will nearly every time he was an asshole, and there were many, many times. I also hate that she was everyone's puppy to kick around. It seemed almost everyone in this novel went out of their way to be mean and hateful to her. In hindsight, I can kind of understand that she was desperate for someone to love her and that's why she kept going back to him, but there has to come a time when you say enough is enough. When you're feeling worse being in a relationship than you are out of it, it's time to let it go.
Will on the other hand was an all around douche bag. He lied to Addie constantly by omitting the truth because he was a spineless little worm. Every time after he slept with her he treated her horribly after, pushing Addie aside for his ex-wife every time she sniveled and threw a hissy fit. He should have known his ex-wife Vee was up to something. People that are that manipulative and constantly lying don't just become that manipulative and lying overnight. The whole time I was like: "Um, hello... She was your ex-wife for a reason!!" And yet, he pretty much clung to the woman's every word, believed her with little to no doubt that she was telling the truth. You would think that if you didn't like someone very much you would try your hardest to get rid of them any way you could. Vee was a habitual liar and none of her lies were ever very believable. I don't see how Will couldn't see through her lies when Ed saw through her shit with no problem.
Which brings me to the saving grace of the book. Ed, though made out to be a bit of a man whore, was actually a nice guy and the only one with half a brain. He was more attentive to Addie's feelings and was more considerate to her than her boyfriend, Will. Even before Addie and Will started going out Ed was more sympathetic to Addie. From the beginning he told Will to get rid of Vee, to not believe anything that she spewed because she was a deceitful bitch. He was always the one picking Addie up and patching together her self-confidence after Will made her feel like she wasn't good enough or that she was just a quick and easy lay.
In the end I wish he would have been in the book more than Will, to whom I wished that batshit ex-wife of his would have stabbed him and ended his pathetic existence. The author could have cut out half of his parts and filled it in with Ed and the book would have been much better. He's the only reason Do the Right Thing gets two stars. I'm glad the book ended the way it did.
February 11, 2011
I like my drama in my books not in my life, and this book ensured that I won't have any real life drama for at least... 2 days. Guaranteed
Drama drama drama drama. Holy crap. Our heroine here is in this impossible situations and I'm not even sure how she navigated her way out of it. I was a little stressed for her while I was reading. I'm probably going to have to read this book again to see how it all developed. I feel kind of like I did the first time I watched Fight Club.
The author uses the 'look over there' method and pulls a bit of a fast one on us. Because of that, I felt like the HEA romance was a bit understated and one sided. (We see the unrequited love build with one character while the other is occupied with other things.)
It's increasingly clear that Barbara Elsborg loves to make things get worse when you'd think they could get no worse. Oh man, there is quite the chain of unjust tragedy in this book, so much so that it almost numbed me as the reader. I was sitting there thinking 'holy shit, just leave - going somewhere and starting again has got to be better than this' and then of course something else terrible would happen.
If authors write about what they know, I'm suspecting that Barbara Elsborg is a tall, quirky woman who is down on her luck and does not feel loved (don't worry Barbara. I love you!). In almost all of her stories the heroine's all have this in common. But other than that, so far her books have all been very different. Her writing style is the same in that there isn't just one pivotal conflict, but what the conflicts are and how the characters react is always different.
This was a gripping and emotional read. Plays on the Cinderella theme wherein the innocent gem of a heroine is abused and despised by the 'evil step-mother' character. But everything works out in the end. Yay.
Drama drama drama drama. Holy crap. Our heroine here is in this impossible situations and I'm not even sure how she navigated her way out of it. I was a little stressed for her while I was reading. I'm probably going to have to read this book again to see how it all developed. I feel kind of like I did the first time I watched Fight Club.
The author uses the 'look over there' method and pulls a bit of a fast one on us. Because of that, I felt like the HEA romance was a bit understated and one sided. (We see the unrequited love build with one character while the other is occupied with other things.)
It's increasingly clear that Barbara Elsborg loves to make things get worse when you'd think they could get no worse. Oh man, there is quite the chain of unjust tragedy in this book, so much so that it almost numbed me as the reader. I was sitting there thinking 'holy shit, just leave - going somewhere and starting again has got to be better than this' and then of course something else terrible would happen.
If authors write about what they know, I'm suspecting that Barbara Elsborg is a tall, quirky woman who is down on her luck and does not feel loved (don't worry Barbara. I love you!). In almost all of her stories the heroine's all have this in common. But other than that, so far her books have all been very different. Her writing style is the same in that there isn't just one pivotal conflict, but what the conflicts are and how the characters react is always different.
This was a gripping and emotional read. Plays on the Cinderella theme wherein the innocent gem of a heroine is abused and despised by the 'evil step-mother' character. But everything works out in the end. Yay.
March 19, 2012
Amazing...Amazing...Amazing. This book is just...Amazing (yeah, I said it again.) Ms. Elsborg is just awesome. I loved this book with all my heart. Addie was freaking hilarious, someone I could see myself befriending. Ed...Oh, Ed. How I wish my future husband will be like him. I thought Will (as many I think also think) was a supremely weak man. I loved him at first but then I grew to tire of him and his running back to that vile Vee. This is one author who knows her stuff. I'm infatuated, thank you for making my day.
August 30, 2015
This is one of the books i have ever cried so much......Usually i cry for death scenes but this.....it was so emotional(For me i think).....But i got to say this...Addie mother was a real pain in the a**....(Whatever the mother's "SECRET" was..) No child has to go through childhood the way Addie was bought up....i really wished she was adopted....
As for Will, he had too much on his plate and i know he should have ditched the "EX" and i also know he could be a real jerk at times.....but still it was heartbreaking at the end..to see his brother who had women falling at his feet...to love the same girl he loved.....It was a wonderful book though and Will's brother ED was really a sweetheart....WHO WOULD NOT FALL FOR HIM..???????....:)
As for Will, he had too much on his plate and i know he should have ditched the "EX" and i also know he could be a real jerk at times.....but still it was heartbreaking at the end..to see his brother who had women falling at his feet...to love the same girl he loved.....It was a wonderful book though and Will's brother ED was really a sweetheart....WHO WOULD NOT FALL FOR HIM..???????....:)
May 4, 2012
This book...Im speechless.
I felt for the heroine throughout the story and every little heartbreak she endured made me love her even more, because she got up again and didnt let it break her. Yes there was a lot of drama ,but it all fit and in the end it was perfect and I love Barbara Elsborg for ending it so beautifully. The end was truly amazing and exactly like I wanted it. Especially in the romance/erotica genre its really rare to find this kind of quality in the writing and story.
I felt for the heroine throughout the story and every little heartbreak she endured made me love her even more, because she got up again and didnt let it break her. Yes there was a lot of drama ,but it all fit and in the end it was perfect and I love Barbara Elsborg for ending it so beautifully. The end was truly amazing and exactly like I wanted it. Especially in the romance/erotica genre its really rare to find this kind of quality in the writing and story.
December 14, 2012
Ok, this was an odd book. Addie is with Will throughout most of the book, but picks Ed at the end? Could we have a little more time in the book showing Ed and Addie? Some relationship development would have been great on that end. Not a very satisfying read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 29, 2023
I. Need. More. Ed!!
I absolutely loved the ending because Addie chose the right man!! I was rooting for him all throughout. I’m glad their relationship started out as acquaintances to friends to more.
Gosh if she ended up with Will I would’ve pulled out my hair so hard 🤣 he’s NOT bad per se, he loved Addie sure, cared for her, wanted her, but not enough that he made her his priority, not enough to be honest with her.
This would’ve been perfect if there’s more extended ending or Ed got more screen time 😭. But beggars can’t be choosers, besides the right man won soo I’m satisfied!
I absolutely loved the ending because Addie chose the right man!! I was rooting for him all throughout. I’m glad their relationship started out as acquaintances to friends to more.
Gosh if she ended up with Will I would’ve pulled out my hair so hard 🤣 he’s NOT bad per se, he loved Addie sure, cared for her, wanted her, but not enough that he made her his priority, not enough to be honest with her.
This would’ve been perfect if there’s more extended ending or Ed got more screen time 😭. But beggars can’t be choosers, besides the right man won soo I’m satisfied!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 15, 2014
I'm so torn on this one!! It was good and unexpected. I like to find books on my Kindle where I don't quite remember the blurb, lol. Then it's a total surprise! I started to remember the blurb in the middle of this one, but wasn't sure which way it was going to go. It was surprising, angsty, heart-breaking, witty, cute, and ultimately satisfying.
My heart broke for all three characters at different times in the story. Mostly for Addie, who feels like she's unlovable. She's a virgin, never been on a date, kissed once by a drunk Australian who then puked. Not a great track record with men. Her mom is just horrible to her. We find out why, but even that was so heartbreaking. While I have a sliver of understanding about that, for the most part, I think it's horrible. Oh, it just broke my heart. That she felt like she needed to "invent" a boyfriend to get her mom off her back was sad in itself.
And so she finds Will to pretend to be her made-up boyfriend. Will is excited she chose him over his brother, who is a man slut and normally the object of women's attention. Will doesn't know, at first, that she chose him because he had dark hair while his brother, Ed, had light hair, so he matched the description Addie had made up. But there's a definite spark between them, even though Addie is the clumsiest heroine I've ever read, lol. She's also so in control and witty when she's not nervous. So he spends the night with her (platonic), kisses her (to make it look legit for Addie's brother, though it feels like it's so much more significant), plays with her nipple briefly which causes her to orgasm (because she's just that responsive), then leaves when she hightails it back to her room in mortification about said orgasm.
And then the next workday, it turns out he's with the company that bought the place where she works part-time. More mortification. More nervousness and extreme clumsiness. And Will doesn't know how to deal with it, so he's really mean to her. And then he apologizes, they go to his house, she loses her virginity (without telling him she was a virgin), and his ex-wife shows up trying to reconcile. Whom Addie knew nothing about. And she feels tossed aside. Rinse, lather, repeat a few times. Will was so torn. He's the responsible one. And he's torn between what he wants to do and what he feels like is the "right thing". His ex-wife does NOT help things, but she was there to get Will back. And Addie didn't fit into her plans at all.
Every time Will lets Addie down, Ed is there to sort of pick up the pieces. And somewhere along the way, he realizes he really wants her. But she's Will's. Right? And he's the man slut. Right? Except Addie makes him feel things he hasn't felt in a really long time. So he's conflicted between what he wants to do and what he feels like is the "right thing". He does enough good things for Addie to start questioning her feelings toward Ed.
Ultimately, it becomes something akin to the story of Solomon wanting to split the baby in half.
Like I said, I'm torn. I'm sad for the one she didn't end up with, but it made sense. And I was happy for the one she did end up with. And I was happy with how Addie finally realized that she was lovable and she stuck up for herself when Vee's lies threatened to ruin her. She'd never get love from her mom and never had it from her dad, but she'd found it with someone who loved her very much.
My heart broke for all three characters at different times in the story. Mostly for Addie, who feels like she's unlovable. She's a virgin, never been on a date, kissed once by a drunk Australian who then puked. Not a great track record with men. Her mom is just horrible to her. We find out why, but even that was so heartbreaking. While I have a sliver of understanding about that, for the most part, I think it's horrible. Oh, it just broke my heart. That she felt like she needed to "invent" a boyfriend to get her mom off her back was sad in itself.
And so she finds Will to pretend to be her made-up boyfriend. Will is excited she chose him over his brother, who is a man slut and normally the object of women's attention. Will doesn't know, at first, that she chose him because he had dark hair while his brother, Ed, had light hair, so he matched the description Addie had made up. But there's a definite spark between them, even though Addie is the clumsiest heroine I've ever read, lol. She's also so in control and witty when she's not nervous. So he spends the night with her (platonic), kisses her (to make it look legit for Addie's brother, though it feels like it's so much more significant), plays with her nipple briefly which causes her to orgasm (because she's just that responsive), then leaves when she hightails it back to her room in mortification about said orgasm.
And then the next workday, it turns out he's with the company that bought the place where she works part-time. More mortification. More nervousness and extreme clumsiness. And Will doesn't know how to deal with it, so he's really mean to her. And then he apologizes, they go to his house, she loses her virginity (without telling him she was a virgin), and his ex-wife shows up trying to reconcile. Whom Addie knew nothing about. And she feels tossed aside. Rinse, lather, repeat a few times. Will was so torn. He's the responsible one. And he's torn between what he wants to do and what he feels like is the "right thing". His ex-wife does NOT help things, but she was there to get Will back. And Addie didn't fit into her plans at all.
Every time Will lets Addie down, Ed is there to sort of pick up the pieces. And somewhere along the way, he realizes he really wants her. But she's Will's. Right? And he's the man slut. Right? Except Addie makes him feel things he hasn't felt in a really long time. So he's conflicted between what he wants to do and what he feels like is the "right thing". He does enough good things for Addie to start questioning her feelings toward Ed.
Ultimately, it becomes something akin to the story of Solomon wanting to split the baby in half.
Like I said, I'm torn. I'm sad for the one she didn't end up with, but it made sense. And I was happy for the one she did end up with. And I was happy with how Addie finally realized that she was lovable and she stuck up for herself when Vee's lies threatened to ruin her. She'd never get love from her mom and never had it from her dad, but she'd found it with someone who loved her very much.
April 15, 2013
I can't believe it ended the way it does. I don't really considered it, because I didn't read the sypnosis of the second book. The last few chapters is really an emotional roller-coaster for me, from being happy, to practically pissed off and seething, then shock. Sylvie is really a b*tch, that I hate her character so much. Anyway, I'm happy that I've enjoyed this story and almost all of Miss Elsborg's books.
January 28, 2013
Just finished and oh my god. Barbara Elsborg knows how to play with emotions. I can't believe.. Oh my god.
Basically, this book tells about a girl with imaginary boyfriend because her mom was a freakin' bitch and harassed her all the time. So she starts looking for a guy who's willing to be paid to be his "one day" boyfriend and he met one. The complication occured when the brother of the guy fall for her too.
So many angst in this book, just the way I liked it. The ending's not what I expected, but still. It's romantic and I like it.
Way to go, Miss Elsborg! Can't wait to read another her works. ;)
Basically, this book tells about a girl with imaginary boyfriend because her mom was a freakin' bitch and harassed her all the time. So she starts looking for a guy who's willing to be paid to be his "one day" boyfriend and he met one. The complication occured when the brother of the guy fall for her too.
So many angst in this book, just the way I liked it. The ending's not what I expected, but still. It's romantic and I like it.
Way to go, Miss Elsborg! Can't wait to read another her works. ;)
September 27, 2011
I love ms Elborg's books, but this one kind of put me on the fence. It made me more sad then anything else. Will is just such a damaged man, but you want to root for him and hope that he can do better. But he proves time and again he cant, and that was just so dissapointing, I kept waiting for some redeeming characteristics. Which then frustrated me with Addie and her reaction towards him despite this. I dont know, I am far from unhappy with her writing, but this is one of hers that I will not be rereading.
January 12, 2014
Awesome read!
February 10, 2023
Wow, I'm not even sure where to start! Barbara Elsborg fans will understand why this book is so marvelous... definitely not your traditional romance, that's for sure.
I rarely read reviews before starting a new book, I'd rather read them after, and I'm so glad I did that with Doing the Right Thing.
The whole way through I kept hoping and hoping that the story would go my way. (If anyone would go there, it would be Barbara Elsborg.) Well, I'm not going to spoil anything. And trust me when I tell you "Do Not Read Any Reviews of this book before you read it!" LOL, too good to be true!
I rarely read reviews before starting a new book, I'd rather read them after, and I'm so glad I did that with Doing the Right Thing.
The whole way through I kept hoping and hoping that the story would go my way. (If anyone would go there, it would be Barbara Elsborg.) Well, I'm not going to spoil anything. And trust me when I tell you "Do Not Read Any Reviews of this book before you read it!" LOL, too good to be true!
May 15, 2023
My only wish is that we get Ed (the other man) more screen time cuz Will just pisses me off and not to mention the next book is ABOUT HIM like can’t I get I break from this guy??
But was overall glad that she picked the right man for him. Team Ed!
But was overall glad that she picked the right man for him. Team Ed!
October 10, 2017
Um......um.....um.......huh?
June 29, 2025
thank God, the choice was the right one.
the first MMC was turning out to be purely spineless while the other one was too good to be true!
the first MMC was turning out to be purely spineless while the other one was too good to be true!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 17, 2016
Football analogy coming up.
You'll be pleased to know (if you've read my status updates) that the football game turned out ridiculously fine. Actually, I think this whole book ran exactly in parallel with this football game.
You'll be pleased to know (if you've read my status updates) that the football game turned out ridiculously fine. Actually, I think this whole book ran exactly in parallel with this football game.
September 6, 2012
sebenernya pas baca sinopsis ebook ini aku sama sekali ngga punya harapan ceritanya bakal seintens ini... selama ini taunya buku terbitan ellora cave's itu yaa eroro aja...
ngga nyangka buku ini bisa bikin aku nangis, ketawa, nyengir-nyengir, kesel, geregetan, ngga bisa stop baca sampai selesai karena penasaran sama endingnya... baca e-book 301 hal dari jam 8 malam sampai jam 4 pagi dari bb lumayan bikin mata jereng
oke kita mulai yaa reviewnya:
Addie, perempuan yang pintar menguasai berbagai bahasa asing tapi harus bekerja di perusaahaan yang tidak menghargai kerja kerasnya maupun kemampuannya, Addie tidak pernah merasa dicintai dan diinginkan oleh kedua orangtuanya, dia harus terus menerus menerima kritikan dari ibunya (ayahnya yang seorang polisi sudah meninggal dunia), tidak ada yang pernah benar dimata ibunya... (Her Mom is real B*tch
)karena kesal dan juga meresa tertekan sama sikap ibunya yang selalu menanyakan soal pacar, Addie akhirnya menciptakan sosok pacar khayalan yang perfect bernama Noah Sanders, dia mulai mengirimkan bunga, coklat,kartu, boneka kepada dirinya sendiri sehingga seolah itu terlihat dikirimkan oleh Noah.
tapi setelah 6 bulan ibu dan kakak-kakaknya (4 orang kakak laki-laki, yang semuanya berprofesi sebagai polisi) mulai meragukan sosok Noah karena mereka ngga pernah liat sosok Noah, Addie ngga bisa menunjukan foto Noah, waktu ditanyain Addie bilangnya kalau Noah ngga suka difoto... mulai lah si ibunya si Addie mengkritik bahkan mencurigai kalau Addie berhungan dengan pria yang sudah beristri mangkanya dia malu menunjukan sosok pacarnya itu... karena kesal dan udah ngga tahan sama ibunya, terpaksa Addie mencari cowok yang sesuai dengan deskripsi dia soal Noah... Addie mulai hunting di Gym... pas disana dia ketemu sama 2 kakak beradik Will dan Ed...
Will yang berambut gelap tinggi dan bermata abu-abu memenuhi karakteristik Noah jadilah si Addie mendekati Will dan mengajaknya minum dan meminta bantuan (menyewa)Will buat pura-pura jadi si Noah, cukup didepan David kakak Addie yang No 4 yang juga berpacaran dengan Lisa, teman serumah Addie... karena si David mulutnya "ember" jadi pasti bakal tersebar sampai ke telinga ibu dan kakak"nya yang lain kalau Noah itu nyata...
rencananya setelah si David liat si Noah abis itu si Addie mau pura-pura berantem sama Noah trus putus gara" si Noah pindah kerja ke Qatar... but we know plans never go that smooth, right?! setelah Addie dan Will ciuman didepan David (buat menyakinkan di David yang masih curiga sama Noah), ternyata Addie dan Will merasakan chemistry sampai" Addie orgasm cuma gara" ciuman
...
buku ini tuh bener" kayak jet Coaster, emosinya bener-bener naik turun... cerita cinta segi 3 Addie, Will dan Ed it's complicated but Barbara elsborg yang mati ide buat menjaga ceritanya ngga membosankan sampai akhir...
Simply LOVE it
ngga nyangka buku ini bisa bikin aku nangis, ketawa, nyengir-nyengir, kesel, geregetan, ngga bisa stop baca sampai selesai karena penasaran sama endingnya... baca e-book 301 hal dari jam 8 malam sampai jam 4 pagi dari bb lumayan bikin mata jereng
oke kita mulai yaa reviewnya:
Addie, perempuan yang pintar menguasai berbagai bahasa asing tapi harus bekerja di perusaahaan yang tidak menghargai kerja kerasnya maupun kemampuannya, Addie tidak pernah merasa dicintai dan diinginkan oleh kedua orangtuanya, dia harus terus menerus menerima kritikan dari ibunya (ayahnya yang seorang polisi sudah meninggal dunia), tidak ada yang pernah benar dimata ibunya... (Her Mom is real B*tch
)karena kesal dan juga meresa tertekan sama sikap ibunya yang selalu menanyakan soal pacar, Addie akhirnya menciptakan sosok pacar khayalan yang perfect bernama Noah Sanders, dia mulai mengirimkan bunga, coklat,kartu, boneka kepada dirinya sendiri sehingga seolah itu terlihat dikirimkan oleh Noah.tapi setelah 6 bulan ibu dan kakak-kakaknya (4 orang kakak laki-laki, yang semuanya berprofesi sebagai polisi) mulai meragukan sosok Noah karena mereka ngga pernah liat sosok Noah, Addie ngga bisa menunjukan foto Noah, waktu ditanyain Addie bilangnya kalau Noah ngga suka difoto... mulai lah si ibunya si Addie mengkritik bahkan mencurigai kalau Addie berhungan dengan pria yang sudah beristri mangkanya dia malu menunjukan sosok pacarnya itu... karena kesal dan udah ngga tahan sama ibunya, terpaksa Addie mencari cowok yang sesuai dengan deskripsi dia soal Noah... Addie mulai hunting di Gym... pas disana dia ketemu sama 2 kakak beradik Will dan Ed...
Will yang berambut gelap tinggi dan bermata abu-abu memenuhi karakteristik Noah jadilah si Addie mendekati Will dan mengajaknya minum dan meminta bantuan (menyewa)Will buat pura-pura jadi si Noah, cukup didepan David kakak Addie yang No 4 yang juga berpacaran dengan Lisa, teman serumah Addie... karena si David mulutnya "ember" jadi pasti bakal tersebar sampai ke telinga ibu dan kakak"nya yang lain kalau Noah itu nyata...
rencananya setelah si David liat si Noah abis itu si Addie mau pura-pura berantem sama Noah trus putus gara" si Noah pindah kerja ke Qatar... but we know plans never go that smooth, right?! setelah Addie dan Will ciuman didepan David (buat menyakinkan di David yang masih curiga sama Noah), ternyata Addie dan Will merasakan chemistry sampai" Addie orgasm cuma gara" ciuman
...buku ini tuh bener" kayak jet Coaster, emosinya bener-bener naik turun... cerita cinta segi 3 Addie, Will dan Ed it's complicated but Barbara elsborg yang mati ide buat menjaga ceritanya ngga membosankan sampai akhir...
Simply LOVE it
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 7, 2013
Young woman with no self-esteem, lets men do what they want with her so she feels noticed or loved. Young men (brothers) who have no notion of how to be men mess with this girl over and over. In the end she picks one of them and it's HEA.
That's if I take a negative perspective.
Otherwise...
Funny, quirky, socially awkward young woman painfully figures out how to tell the difference between a man who pursues her for his selfish gratification and a man who can pursue no other.
Ummm... was this a love story? Cuz I didn't see anybody doing any real loving.
End result is this author has some talent but her story runs away with her. Kinda' weird.
That's my review and I'm sticking to it!
That's if I take a negative perspective.
Otherwise...
Funny, quirky, socially awkward young woman painfully figures out how to tell the difference between a man who pursues her for his selfish gratification and a man who can pursue no other.
Ummm... was this a love story? Cuz I didn't see anybody doing any real loving.
End result is this author has some talent but her story runs away with her. Kinda' weird.
That's my review and I'm sticking to it!
August 13, 2015
I'm giving this book a 4 instead of a 5. I WOULD have given it a five since it made me cry and care about the characters, but I didn't not like the twist. Well, ok that's a lie. I loved the twist, but I just wish I had gotten to know Ed as well as I did Will. I'm actually really happy that Addie ended up with Ed. I liked him better. Will was a jackass. Also, I felt so bad about the relationship between Addie and her mom. I can't imagine how her mom felt, but to treat your own blood that way. Just sad.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 7, 2013
This book was just ok...I liked it but I didn't love it. Elsborg is fantastic at creating complex situations with deep characters. The book started out great but by halfway there were several times that the main characters started to get on your nerves. You just wanted to slap sense into them. You could see where it was going and because of this you wanted more time to be spent inside Ed's head and with him, unfortunately that was my biggest disappointment.
May 22, 2015
I honestly don't know if I can now read Will's story, I truly hated the guy after this book... I agree that there should have been more about Ed, he didn't feature enough for me, and by the time he did I was so caught up in what an idiot his brother was I failed to appreciate anything.
I did enjoy the story line however and it really wasn't a bad read, he just rubbed me the wrong way completely!
I did enjoy the story line however and it really wasn't a bad read, he just rubbed me the wrong way completely!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 10, 2012
made me so damn sad!! but damn i am glad she ended up with the right guy!! Finally a heroine that grows a freaking back bone and knows when to move on stop taking 2nd best
I downgraded it as yes it was a really good book, the amazing part was finally a heroine that kicked the asshat to the curb and didn't stay in a damaged relationship
I downgraded it as yes it was a really good book, the amazing part was finally a heroine that kicked the asshat to the curb and didn't stay in a damaged relationship
April 26, 2012
This book was pretty good. I was a bit surprised with how clumsy the character Addie was, but then again speaking personally, who am i to complain. I'm glad that Addie went for ed, even though he was a blondy(at the beginning she preferred dark haired dudes). And Will is just a doormat and an Ass!!
March 29, 2016
I absolutely LOVED this book!!!
Merged review:
I first read this book about 3 years ago, and it left such a good impression, that I was thinking about it the other day. Because I knew the ending, I enjoyed it even more this time. Loved the ending! I can't wait to re-read book #2 again.
Merged review:
I first read this book about 3 years ago, and it left such a good impression, that I was thinking about it the other day. Because I knew the ending, I enjoyed it even more this time. Loved the ending! I can't wait to re-read book #2 again.
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