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Winning Mr. Wrong
Whoever said the quest for love wasn't comical never met Charlene Randall. Charley is looking for a man who wants to start a family, a man who will take her to the temple. Problem is, she has never dated a man for longer than three months. When she reads an internet article called "Ten Ways to Win Your Man," she decides to try it on her new coworker, Maxwell Harrington. Max was her crush in high school, but the superstar sports anchorman doesn't even remember her. Enter ladies' man Damien Giovianni, Charley's handsome neighbor, who agrees to help her win Max over. What follows is a hilarious tale of mishaps and misunderstandings where Charley learns that what she really needs may be right in front of her.
202 pages, Paperback
First published July 30, 2010
6 people are currently reading
940 people want to read
About the author
Marie Higgins
241 books449 followersMarie Higgins is an award-winning, best-selling author of clean romance novels.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews
May 28, 2011
I really enjoyed this book. It was fun and comical. I will definitely read anything she writes in the future.
October 1, 2012
I pulled this from my blog here: http://sherylcsjohnson.blogspot.com/2...
Winning Mr. Wrong
I finally got my hands on Winning Mr. Wrong by Marie Higgins. I knew I had to read it the moment I saw the cover on Amazon.com. My first thought was, Who cares what it's about? It's the cutest book cover I’ve ever seen, it must be owned and read!
Often you’ll find families that possess one common skill they excel in. Down the street from us there’s a family that oozes musical talent. Down the street from them, there’s another that has athletic prowess. Even further down the street there’s a family of high fashion. Our family of six…well, we’re good at maniacal laughter, even the kindergartener. When we’re thrilled about something, it isn’t rare to see one of us hunched over, brows pulled together, mischief glinting in our eyes, and a trilling, “Mwah ha ha ha,” filling the air as we rub our hands together. I'm sure I was in such a position when I opened the box containing Winning Mr. Wrong.
My children gathered around, hoping I’d ordered a game for the Wii. When I pulled out the book and clutched it to my breast they rolled their eyes and scattered. All the better for me! I only had a few spare minutes to begin reading before it was time to cook dinner. I can have a good book in my possession, ready to read…. Or I can cook dinner well. These are mutually exclusive situations. One or the other. At dinner I finished my Lemon Herbed Chicken Helper Whole Grain Pasta before everyone else. They stared dejectedly at the slimy lumps of starch on their plates. Being too polite to read at the table, I pushed my chair back just enough to satisfy decorum, and opened my book.
The sound of forks pushing food into piles on plates was punctuated by my delighted giggles. No longer was it just the thrill of owning the book with the darling cover. Now I was getting to know Charlene Randall. She is a delightful creature. I dare say she is the most vibrant and endearing main character I’ve ever read. One of the most satisfying things in this book is the feeling of uncontrived humor. So often you can feel an author trying to be funny. In this book, you don’t feel the author at all because the main character is so engaging.
Mr. Wrong could be one of two characters. Damien Giovianni, president of a company that creates hair and skin care products, inactive Latter Day Saint, Charlene’s neighbor, and woman magnet extraordinaire is candidate number one. He’s sensitive. He speaks that language usually known only to females, i.e. make-up, emotions, and style. He’s got better taste than the Queen of England. And if he’s enamored with you, he might even do your hair, bulging muscles straining against his shirt as he gets it just right. Though he would seem a perfect catch, Charlene is looking for a forever love and she’s seen him go through women like tissues in cold season. However, he makes a great best friend and advisor when she sets her sights on candidate number two.
Charlene’s old high school crush, Maxwell Harrington, reminds me of the Jeffry I had a crush on when I was nine. My grandmother sat me down on the couch one day, worried about my crazed fixation, and explained a principle that basically destroyed any hope I had of a normal crush for the rest of my life. These are words of wisdom that make you less jealous of Angelina Jolie, put high school popularity in perspective, and level the playing field of life in a way nothing else can. Grandma looked at me, merry blue eyes sparkling, love in her maternal smile, and said, “He sits on the toilet like everyone else.” Let me just give you a moment to picture someone you idolize, and let this sink in…… (Might I suggest a President, George Clooney - who would still look really good sitting on porcelain, or Taylor Swift).
Throughout the book I began to wonder if poor Max could survive Charlene’s crush. This is where my snorting laughter comes in. My husband would stir from wherever he was in the house and come to loom over my shoulder every half hour or so. “Is it really that funny?” I’d just nod and push him away as I cuddled further into the couch, biting my lip, completely lost in Charlene’s newest quandary.
I've read that laughter is alkalizing and can kill cancer. I think I’ll read this book every year just in case. Winning Mr. Wrong is a fresh spin on romance. It is delightful seeing the world through Charlene Randall’s eyes. My daughter is reading it now and I’m magnetically drawn to the laughter. I stand over her shoulder, still giggling with delight when I think of the story line, and ask, “What part are you on?” I read over her shoulder for a while before I can pull myself away, glad that Charlene Randall and her antics can keep me laughing days later. Thank you Marie Higgins for boosting health at the Johnson house.
Winning Mr. Wrong
I finally got my hands on Winning Mr. Wrong by Marie Higgins. I knew I had to read it the moment I saw the cover on Amazon.com. My first thought was, Who cares what it's about? It's the cutest book cover I’ve ever seen, it must be owned and read!
Often you’ll find families that possess one common skill they excel in. Down the street from us there’s a family that oozes musical talent. Down the street from them, there’s another that has athletic prowess. Even further down the street there’s a family of high fashion. Our family of six…well, we’re good at maniacal laughter, even the kindergartener. When we’re thrilled about something, it isn’t rare to see one of us hunched over, brows pulled together, mischief glinting in our eyes, and a trilling, “Mwah ha ha ha,” filling the air as we rub our hands together. I'm sure I was in such a position when I opened the box containing Winning Mr. Wrong.
My children gathered around, hoping I’d ordered a game for the Wii. When I pulled out the book and clutched it to my breast they rolled their eyes and scattered. All the better for me! I only had a few spare minutes to begin reading before it was time to cook dinner. I can have a good book in my possession, ready to read…. Or I can cook dinner well. These are mutually exclusive situations. One or the other. At dinner I finished my Lemon Herbed Chicken Helper Whole Grain Pasta before everyone else. They stared dejectedly at the slimy lumps of starch on their plates. Being too polite to read at the table, I pushed my chair back just enough to satisfy decorum, and opened my book.
The sound of forks pushing food into piles on plates was punctuated by my delighted giggles. No longer was it just the thrill of owning the book with the darling cover. Now I was getting to know Charlene Randall. She is a delightful creature. I dare say she is the most vibrant and endearing main character I’ve ever read. One of the most satisfying things in this book is the feeling of uncontrived humor. So often you can feel an author trying to be funny. In this book, you don’t feel the author at all because the main character is so engaging.
Mr. Wrong could be one of two characters. Damien Giovianni, president of a company that creates hair and skin care products, inactive Latter Day Saint, Charlene’s neighbor, and woman magnet extraordinaire is candidate number one. He’s sensitive. He speaks that language usually known only to females, i.e. make-up, emotions, and style. He’s got better taste than the Queen of England. And if he’s enamored with you, he might even do your hair, bulging muscles straining against his shirt as he gets it just right. Though he would seem a perfect catch, Charlene is looking for a forever love and she’s seen him go through women like tissues in cold season. However, he makes a great best friend and advisor when she sets her sights on candidate number two.
Charlene’s old high school crush, Maxwell Harrington, reminds me of the Jeffry I had a crush on when I was nine. My grandmother sat me down on the couch one day, worried about my crazed fixation, and explained a principle that basically destroyed any hope I had of a normal crush for the rest of my life. These are words of wisdom that make you less jealous of Angelina Jolie, put high school popularity in perspective, and level the playing field of life in a way nothing else can. Grandma looked at me, merry blue eyes sparkling, love in her maternal smile, and said, “He sits on the toilet like everyone else.” Let me just give you a moment to picture someone you idolize, and let this sink in…… (Might I suggest a President, George Clooney - who would still look really good sitting on porcelain, or Taylor Swift).
Throughout the book I began to wonder if poor Max could survive Charlene’s crush. This is where my snorting laughter comes in. My husband would stir from wherever he was in the house and come to loom over my shoulder every half hour or so. “Is it really that funny?” I’d just nod and push him away as I cuddled further into the couch, biting my lip, completely lost in Charlene’s newest quandary.
I've read that laughter is alkalizing and can kill cancer. I think I’ll read this book every year just in case. Winning Mr. Wrong is a fresh spin on romance. It is delightful seeing the world through Charlene Randall’s eyes. My daughter is reading it now and I’m magnetically drawn to the laughter. I stand over her shoulder, still giggling with delight when I think of the story line, and ask, “What part are you on?” I read over her shoulder for a while before I can pull myself away, glad that Charlene Randall and her antics can keep me laughing days later. Thank you Marie Higgins for boosting health at the Johnson house.
December 29, 2010
This was such a fun book! It kept me smiling and laughing throughout. For the first time in quite a while I stayed up late reading a book I didn't want to put down. Yes it was quite predictable. Just reading the title you know Charley's trying to win the wrong man through the help of the ridiculous Internet article. And yes the "right man" is so amazingly perfect he couldn't exist in real life, let alone live next door. But that's what makes this such a fun book. I kept thinking the article should have been called How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days.
http://iamareadernotawriter.blogspot....
http://iamareadernotawriter.blogspot....
December 7, 2010
cute fast read about being yourself and telling the truth about who you are in the dating world. This story is about a 30 year old research assistant at a tv station, Charleen or Charley that hasn't had luck with men. She finds an internet how to catch a man and decides to try it on the next man she goes after. The man happens to be a new coworker and her old high school crush, Max. Her list following does quite the opposite of what she wants. Instead of drawing her closer to max, she is drawn closer to Damien her next door neighbor and best friend through his helping catch Max's attention. What she doesn't realize until later is that Damien isn't the womanizer she once thought and he is ready to go back to Church and settle down with the right woman and he thinks she is the right woman, but wants her to want him too. Damien doesn't reveal that he is the owner of GIO and that he is wealthy and has a past with an ex-wife not an ex- girlfriend. He does this to protect himself from getting hurt from woman that have only his money as a factor in getting close to him. He knows that Charley is different but he doesn't tell her of his past soon enough and she finds out from his vindictive ex-wife about their past. Charley is hurt naturally and it takes Max, telling her about his past betrayal for Charley to understand Damien's reasons for his not telling her everything. She forgives him and found her Mr. Right.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 6, 2010
If you are looking for a short, escape reality, book, then this is the book for you. Higgins created a really cute story. I enjoyed reading about the characters and I wanted to find out what happened. The main characters, Charley was very funny and her experiences made me laugh.
However, there were some things that I didn't like.
One, this is supposed to be an lds novel. While it did speak of lds desires, these discussions felt forced. It really felt like the lds topic was inserted into the book after it was written. Causing an unlikely feel or even an afterthought. I feel this book would have been better without all the religion added to it.
Second, the main character, Damien, was too good to be true. He is described as handsome, strong, your best friend, a master chef, highly into designer tags and what is "in", but at the same time, a woman's man. Really, if this type of guy exists, would be a dream come true for many women, but Damien, as it were, is highly unlikely to really exist. Too perfect.
Other than those flaws,for me, this book was a cute, short story that did it's job well and made me able to escape reality for a time.
However, there were some things that I didn't like.
One, this is supposed to be an lds novel. While it did speak of lds desires, these discussions felt forced. It really felt like the lds topic was inserted into the book after it was written. Causing an unlikely feel or even an afterthought. I feel this book would have been better without all the religion added to it.
Second, the main character, Damien, was too good to be true. He is described as handsome, strong, your best friend, a master chef, highly into designer tags and what is "in", but at the same time, a woman's man. Really, if this type of guy exists, would be a dream come true for many women, but Damien, as it were, is highly unlikely to really exist. Too perfect.
Other than those flaws,for me, this book was a cute, short story that did it's job well and made me able to escape reality for a time.
January 1, 2012
Charlene, aka Charley, is determined to date a guy for longer than three months. She is a joke at her news station job because of this. Her suave Italian neighbor, Damien, only adds to her aggravation, since he's always dating some new "Barbie" and seems so perfect. When her old high school crush, Max, gets a job at the station and seemingly doesn't remember her, she decides to try out some dating rules she stumbled across on the Internet to see if she can't win him over. Damien helps her out, but things go wrong at every turn, which turns this story into one hilarious mess.
Charley is super clumsy and is always doing or saying the wrong thing. I think she's really likable because she's not perfect. Damien however...he seems extremely perfect, but what's not to like? Max is full of himself but is pretty decent. A cute, quick, funny, clean romance.
Charley is super clumsy and is always doing or saying the wrong thing. I think she's really likable because she's not perfect. Damien however...he seems extremely perfect, but what's not to like? Max is full of himself but is pretty decent. A cute, quick, funny, clean romance.
March 15, 2011
I am not a huge fan of modern lds fiction but this was still a cute story.
Amazon Product Description:
Whoever said the quest for love wasn't comical never met Charlene Randall. Charley is looking for a man who wants to start a family, a man who will take her to the temple. Problem is, she has never dated a man for longer than three months. When she reads an internet article called "Ten Ways to Win Your Man," she decides to try it on her new coworker, Maxwell Harrington. Max was her crush in high school, but the superstar sports anchorman doesn't even remember her. Enter ladies' man Damien Giovianni, Charley's handsome neighbor, who agrees to help her win Max over. What follows is a hilarious tale of mishaps and misunderstandings where Charley learns that what she really needs may be right in front of her.
Amazon Product Description:
Whoever said the quest for love wasn't comical never met Charlene Randall. Charley is looking for a man who wants to start a family, a man who will take her to the temple. Problem is, she has never dated a man for longer than three months. When she reads an internet article called "Ten Ways to Win Your Man," she decides to try it on her new coworker, Maxwell Harrington. Max was her crush in high school, but the superstar sports anchorman doesn't even remember her. Enter ladies' man Damien Giovianni, Charley's handsome neighbor, who agrees to help her win Max over. What follows is a hilarious tale of mishaps and misunderstandings where Charley learns that what she really needs may be right in front of her.
October 1, 2011
As I read "Winning Mr. Wrong," I kept think to myself how inicredibly clever it is. Clever is probably too weak of a word to describe this excellent book. Marie has a great gift for taking the reader inside her stories by interemingling vivid description with excellent dialogue and a depth of emotion that grows throughout the book. Ahh, and now I will never get this book out of my head because of the hero's reference to his heroine as mi amore. It left a real iimpact on my heart. I will never forget it. "Winning Mr.Wrong" is a wownderful book that will truly delight the sincere romantiic. After reading two of Marie's books, I am a fan for life.
August 18, 2014
When Charley sets out to win the man of her dreams through a series of internet fail-proof steps, she is lead into one disaster after another. Damien, the womanizing neighbor tries to help her, which makes matters even worse. You will get plenty of laughs out of Charley's antics to win Max. I won't spoil it and tell you who she ends up, but you'll enjoy her discoveries about herself and why she can't seem to keep "Mr. Right" for more than three months. This sweet romance is refreshing and delightful. Lots of quippy dialogue and romantic tension. A fun summer read for sure!
July 17, 2011
I absolutely LOVED this book. Because I do contract editing, I don't read for pleasure often, and I rarely enjoy what I read when I do. This book has a wonderful, sweet storyline that is so light and funny, you'll want to read another one. Ms. Higgins characters are charming and authentic. The LDS background in the story isn't preachy or in-your-face; a reader of any faith will enjoy this Christian romance. A beautiful cover, a delectable voice and a fun story you won't want to end. When it does, you'll wear a smile on your face the rest of the day!
December 11, 2010
I normally do not read LDS Novels. This one I won as a Goodreads Giveaway. I found it charming, sweet and cute.
It is a story about a woman who follows a list to try and win the heart of a guy she thinks she has a crush on. In the end she learns the right one for you could be staring you right in the face and not know it.
I would recomend this book to read, even if you are looking for a general romance novel.
It is a story about a woman who follows a list to try and win the heart of a guy she thinks she has a crush on. In the end she learns the right one for you could be staring you right in the face and not know it.
I would recomend this book to read, even if you are looking for a general romance novel.
December 3, 2012
Cute LDS romance. Charley is ready to settle down and get married, and reads an article on the 10 ways to win a man. She begins using each step to win Maxwell Harrington, her crush from high school that has moved back into town and works at the TV station with her now. This story made me laugh at all of Charley's hilarious bloopers as she tries to win the wrong man with the help of her womanizer neighbor, Damien Giovanni.
July 17, 2011
This book was funny. I have been reading quite a bit of humor lately and loving it. This girl is a disaster waiting to happen and she strikes quite frequently. Reminds me of my dating days. By the end of the book she found someone who made her feel comfortable and so have I. Good thing people can change.
January 11, 2011
I laughed out loud to this book over and over again. I liked almost all of this book, but toward the end the writing didn't seem to me to be consistent or lacked the same certain something from the rest of the book. But overall a great read.
December 9, 2010
Funny, sweet romance about second chances and learning to trust again. Had me laughing out loud several times! Great characters that you were cheering on to find happiness. Great lessons about honesty:) Loved it!
December 17, 2010
Her next door neighbor just happens to be a gourmet cook, know everything about hair, make-up clothing and decorating, good looking, LDS and Italian. A bit unbelievable, but what romance has a believable man in it. Cute book though and quite funny.
January 8, 2011
My MIL lent me this book during the holidays. (The author is from where my MIL lives.) I didn't get a chance to pick it up until a couple of days ago. It's a fun little romance novel. It's a little predictable but it's cute :)
April 25, 2011
If you like cheesy romance than this is a good read. I liked the quirky situations that the protagonist gets into (at times a bit overdramatic). It is an LDS novel so it is clean and also it is easy read when you’re in the mood to be entertained.
May 21, 2011
I really enjoyed this book! There was a lot of humor and just plain "goofiness!" The stuff that happens when she's trying to catch her guy are a whole lot crazy! I would hope that you would do more research into a guy before you try to "catch" him! The romance was sweet.
February 17, 2012
Great read! Very fun...down to earth, easy to believe story of two people who fall in love. Damien helps Charley, his next door neighbor try to win the affections of Max, one of Damien's ex friends...simply to find the two of them falling in love instead. Fun story!
September 3, 2012
They need to make a movie from this book!
So CUTE!
Girl trying to get guy...
Other guy trying to get girl by helping girl get first guy...
I won't spoil the ending...but...If you want romance with a good splattering of humor...
This book is for you!
So CUTE!
Girl trying to get guy...
Other guy trying to get girl by helping girl get first guy...
I won't spoil the ending...but...If you want romance with a good splattering of humor...
This book is for you!
March 8, 2013
This book was so much better than Hearts Through Time that I wish there were 1/2 stars. That one should have been 2 1/2 and this one 3 1/2. The writing was tighter and I actually laughed out loud a couple of times. A sweet LDS romance with a completely likable heroine.
October 23, 2010
This was just too adorable not to love.
October 11, 2010
Love it!
December 14, 2010
This was a really cute story, if a bit predictable in the end. I still enjoyed it though.
December 5, 2010
A full review coming soon on my blog. This book made me laugh so much. It also had a very sweet romance. :)
January 10, 2011
This was easy, fun reading. I read through it quickly and felt good in the end. A good reminder here that love can change a person, hurt hearts can heal, and happy endings are, well, HAPPY. :)
January 9, 2011
This book was constantly funny and equally surprising.
January 20, 2011
This is a cute book with a light plot. I liked the characters and there were some pretty funny scenes. Perfect for someone who likes a quick read.
February 22, 2011
Cute, sweet little love story. Fast/easy read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews