What do you think?
Rate this book
Really Something
They say you can't go home again and when home is Tempest, Indiana, "Litter Box Capital of the World," who'd want to? Not Allie Dean. She couldn't wait to leave the place that made her feel worthless when she was at her most vulnerable. Seven years later and 170 pounds lighter, Allie's back, scouting locations for an indy flick. It's the perfect opportunity to exact the sweet revenge that comes with looking seriously hot. And the guy who broke her heart just happens to have made himself very available... Duncan Henry isn't used to being stood up, though the gorgeous blond who just ditched him looks like she does it all the time. Still, Duncan's determined to win the stranger over, if only to get close to someone with no connection to Tempest. The truth is, Duncan hasn't had anyone he could really talk to since Allison left. Yeah, there are plenty of things the ex-jock-turned-weatherman would change if he had the chance and maybe his chance is closer than he thinks... Now, with Allie getting ready to shoot and Duncan trying to score, something's gotta give. The question is, who will give in first?
296 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 1, 2007
3 people are currently reading
95 people want to read
About the author
Shirley Jump
441 books743 followersShirley Jump is a writing instructor and an award-winning, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Amazon, and USA Today bestselling author who has published more than 80 books in 24 countries. She has spoken all over the world about the power of narrative and how to create compelling books. A former reporter and communications director for a marketing agency, she uses her diverse background to help clients create impactful books that readers can’t down.
She knows the path to publication isn’t all rainbows and unicorns, so to help writers write their best possible book, she offers monthly Manuscript Masterminds through her website, www.WritingCompellingFiction.com.
On her channel, https://YouTube.com/@WritingCompellin..., she unlocks the secrets behind compelling novels and delves into the psychological aspect of overcoming creativity-stoppers like doubt and perfectionism. Follow her channel for more writing exercises, classes, and behind-the-scenes writing lessons or join her Manuscript Mastermind to build your tribe of like-minded writers and receive crucial feedback on your pages.
She knows the path to publication isn’t all rainbows and unicorns, so to help writers write their best possible book, she offers monthly Manuscript Masterminds through her website, www.WritingCompellingFiction.com.
On her channel, https://YouTube.com/@WritingCompellin..., she unlocks the secrets behind compelling novels and delves into the psychological aspect of overcoming creativity-stoppers like doubt and perfectionism. Follow her channel for more writing exercises, classes, and behind-the-scenes writing lessons or join her Manuscript Mastermind to build your tribe of like-minded writers and receive crucial feedback on your pages.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
September 24, 2008
This book was entertaining, but wasn't as good as most of the others I've read recently. I didn't find the heroine to be a particulary likeable person quite a bit of the time, which certainly influenced my opinion of the book. I found the hero to be a more sympathetic character than the heroine, but he was not portrayed as a very intelligent person. The hero had been a weatherman for five years, had no idea how to work any of the computer programs he was supposed to use, and secretly used a Magic 8 Ball toy to predict the forecast. This characterization made it hard for me to admire him. This book had some good scenes, but overall, I was disappointed.
Allison Grey left Tempest, Indiana terribly overweight and heartbroken after high school. Tired of being either ridiculed or ignored, she moved to L.A., lost weight, and began working for a film production company. As Allie Dean, she returns to Tempest, Indiana bent on gaining revenge on those who treated her badly. Heading up her list is Duncan Henry, the boy she loved who asked her to prom and stood her up. She decides she will win him over and then dump him so he will know how she felt in high school. As Allie gets to know Duncan again, she is surprised by the man he has become. He is besieged by his own problems, and has much more character than she would have expected. Allie tries to keep herself from falling for Duncan again, but she can't deny the feelings she has for him. They become physically involved, but even knowing she cares for him deeply doesn't alter Allie's decision to leave Duncan as planned. When Duncan figures out her identity before she discloses it to him, Allie must deal with the repercussions.
There were some enjoyable parts to this book, but I had a hard time getting beyond the heroine's belittling attitude toward her hometown. She didn't seem to me to be a particularly nice person. Experiencing poor treatment as she was growing up didn't make her especially sensitive to others as I would have expected, but made her desire vengeance. The hero made a mistake toward her in high school, but he seems to have grown up and become a caring individual - just one who is not very smart. Even though he has been inundated with family problems, it seems as if he would have learned something about how to do his job after five years. I didn't dislike this book, but it could have been much better.
Allison Grey left Tempest, Indiana terribly overweight and heartbroken after high school. Tired of being either ridiculed or ignored, she moved to L.A., lost weight, and began working for a film production company. As Allie Dean, she returns to Tempest, Indiana bent on gaining revenge on those who treated her badly. Heading up her list is Duncan Henry, the boy she loved who asked her to prom and stood her up. She decides she will win him over and then dump him so he will know how she felt in high school. As Allie gets to know Duncan again, she is surprised by the man he has become. He is besieged by his own problems, and has much more character than she would have expected. Allie tries to keep herself from falling for Duncan again, but she can't deny the feelings she has for him. They become physically involved, but even knowing she cares for him deeply doesn't alter Allie's decision to leave Duncan as planned. When Duncan figures out her identity before she discloses it to him, Allie must deal with the repercussions.
There were some enjoyable parts to this book, but I had a hard time getting beyond the heroine's belittling attitude toward her hometown. She didn't seem to me to be a particularly nice person. Experiencing poor treatment as she was growing up didn't make her especially sensitive to others as I would have expected, but made her desire vengeance. The hero made a mistake toward her in high school, but he seems to have grown up and become a caring individual - just one who is not very smart. Even though he has been inundated with family problems, it seems as if he would have learned something about how to do his job after five years. I didn't dislike this book, but it could have been much better.
September 27, 2010
Above average story about a fat girl getting revenge. Nice plot, nice ideas, good things happen, somewhat predictable.
STORY BRIEF:
Allison weighed nearly 300 pounds as a teenager. She grew up in pain from being bullied and taunted by the kids at school. At that time, Duncan became a friend while she tutored him in math. He asked her to the prom and then stood her up to take another girl. Allison never forgave him. Seven years later, Allison comes to town for revenge and also to find a house to use in a movie. She works for a B-movie producer/director. She has lost 170 pounds, is thin and gorgeous. At first, no one recognizes her. She uses the name Allie Dean, from her ex-husband. Duncan owns the house she wants to use in the movie, but he won’t agree to it.
REVIEWER’S OPINION:
I enjoyed the story. It was nicely done, but nothing jumped out at me as being creatively different. It was entertaining, even though it was a cookie cutter romance novel. To rate it higher, I would have liked more surprise and delight. I loved how Allie affected Katie who was paralyzed. Allie’s pain while growing up gave her inner strength, experience and understanding which allowed her to connect with and help Katie. I was annoyed with one event described in Spoiler below.
DATA:
Story length: 292 pages. Sexual language: none to mild. Number of sex scenes: one, 5 pages long. Setting: current day small town Tempest, Indiana. Copyright: 2007. Genre: contemporary romance.
CAUTION SPOILER:
Throughout the book, I wanted to know why Duncan hurt Allie at the prom seven years earlier. When I finally learned the details I was disappointed. It didn’t fit because Duncan was a better person than that and because of his feelings for her at that time. He could have at least apologized to Allie the day after the prom. He claimed that he didn’t know what to say. I didn’t buy it. That incident was the major reason Allie wanted revenge. The author used the flimsy conflict device of vague communication as the basis for this book.
STORY BRIEF:
Allison weighed nearly 300 pounds as a teenager. She grew up in pain from being bullied and taunted by the kids at school. At that time, Duncan became a friend while she tutored him in math. He asked her to the prom and then stood her up to take another girl. Allison never forgave him. Seven years later, Allison comes to town for revenge and also to find a house to use in a movie. She works for a B-movie producer/director. She has lost 170 pounds, is thin and gorgeous. At first, no one recognizes her. She uses the name Allie Dean, from her ex-husband. Duncan owns the house she wants to use in the movie, but he won’t agree to it.
REVIEWER’S OPINION:
I enjoyed the story. It was nicely done, but nothing jumped out at me as being creatively different. It was entertaining, even though it was a cookie cutter romance novel. To rate it higher, I would have liked more surprise and delight. I loved how Allie affected Katie who was paralyzed. Allie’s pain while growing up gave her inner strength, experience and understanding which allowed her to connect with and help Katie. I was annoyed with one event described in Spoiler below.
DATA:
Story length: 292 pages. Sexual language: none to mild. Number of sex scenes: one, 5 pages long. Setting: current day small town Tempest, Indiana. Copyright: 2007. Genre: contemporary romance.
CAUTION SPOILER:
Throughout the book, I wanted to know why Duncan hurt Allie at the prom seven years earlier. When I finally learned the details I was disappointed. It didn’t fit because Duncan was a better person than that and because of his feelings for her at that time. He could have at least apologized to Allie the day after the prom. He claimed that he didn’t know what to say. I didn’t buy it. That incident was the major reason Allie wanted revenge. The author used the flimsy conflict device of vague communication as the basis for this book.
September 20, 2009
The story started out a bit slow. I enjoyed the plot and the characters - Duncan and Allie had some serious chemistry and there was more to both of them than just a pretty face. But there was a lot of history and story behind their relationship, or previous relationship and I would have really liked to find out more of their history earlier on in the book. Instead, you read through their present life with very vague references to past hurts and traumas. You are left until the end to wonder what they really talking about, but finally in the last few chapters the details come out and you are clued in to the true depth of their history and that of the supporting characters. By the end I was touched and teary eyed.
April 2, 2012
Fairly predictable but overall light and fun. I liked it but it wasn't one I'll remember a year from now.
August 14, 2014
It surprised me.
March 2, 2016
A very good read.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews