Rating: 
Summary: Very highly recommended
Review: Lavender "Vinnie" Hart's boss fires her only fifty-nine minutes after beginning her new job. With a twelve-year-old brother who needs tuition money to worry over, Vinnie desperately seeks a new position. After several disastrous interviews, Vinnie meets with Nicholas Wright who seeks someone to care for his newly acquired dog. A wealthy architect, Nick knows more about design then he does the care of a four footed animal -- especially when his aunt bequeaths a detailed journal including instructions for pedicures and sweaters for the dog named Daffodil. The pooch turns into a powerful matchmaker, but even she may not be enough when the intrepid ex-girlfriend Dana Dvorak attempts to rid Nick of both his dog and Vinnie. Author Karen Kendall has a gift for the turn of phrase in SOMEONE LIKE HIM. Prose reads like poetry with gems like "In the evening, she'd swear the smell of weariness hung in the air." Yet the comedic elements of the novel likewise sparkle with her original style that readers will treasure. A wonderful cast of characters keeps the pages turning with outrageous and unexpected antics. Vinnie's self-conscious awareness of class issues weighs heavily in this otherwise light hearted romp, revealing unexpected depth of characterization. With Daffodil's antics keeping the tone light, SOMEONE LIKE HIM provides a delightful afternoon's read, coming very highly recommended.
Rating: 
Summary: So, so......
Review: The premise of the book is interesting but I think the story was not developed well. The Hero is corny and sappy, actually kind of a sissy. The heroine is cheap and an IDIOT that has serious self esteem issues. There was no chemistry between the main characters. I'm going to buy "Something about Cecily" (?) I hear that one is very good, but this one was rather disappointing :( nt.
Rating: 
Summary: Really not worth it!
Review: The premise of the book is interesting but I think the story was not developed well. The Hero is corny and sappy, actually kind of a sissy. The heroine is cheap and an IDIOT that has serious self esteem issues. There was no chemistry between the main characters. I'm going to buy "Something about Cecily" (?) I hear that one is very good, but this one was rather disappointing :( nt.
Rating:
Summary: Entertaining, yet predictable...
Review: This book was a quick and easy read. Not too much thought needed, very predictable-yet, surprisingly entertaining! I am giving it three stars only because it was SO cheesy.....
Rating: 
Summary: Can cultural opposites make a go of it?
Review: This is the first book by Karen Kendall that I have ever read and I enjoyed this story. Transplanted from rural Kansas to Manhattan, Vinne Hart is entirely out of her element. She's blown several interviews but desperately needs a job in order to supplement the scholarship her young brother has won to a prestigious private school. Desperate she answers an ad for a dog sitter - how picky can they be and how could she blow this? Up and coming architect Nicholas Wright is totally focused on his career and achieving goals - mainly partner in his architectural firm. But when he inherits a high maintenance dog from his eccentric late aunt (think Auntie Mame!) he needs serious help. He advertises for a dog sitter who turns out to be a sexy blond who exudes a farm girl type of charm. Vinnie moves into Nick's penthouse and the differences in their upbringing and lifestyles is vast. He's boarding school, prep school, Ivy League and designer chic. She's high school grad, minimum wage and K-Mart. Moving to New York has been a difficult adjustment for both Vinnie and her little brother Adam. Vinnie's issues are more cultural and economically driven. But Adam was used to being the smartest kid in his class back in Kansas. Now, he is just one of lots of smart kids in this exclusive school and his difficulties fitting in break Vinnie's heart. Nick can identify with the kid's problems, but figures the experience will "build character" and toughen him up. He thinks Vinnie is too soft-hearted with Adam - and with everyone. Vinnie is horrified that Nick could be so callous but then she learns about his childhood, his cold and distant parents and she comes to understand his succeed-at-any-cost attitude. But she begins to see that he his, underneath it all, not fulfilled by designing boring box-like office buildings and the like. She knows deep down, he'd rather be using his talents for more creative pursuits, but that's not where success lies. And he needs success, praise, one more achievement that might just make his parents proud - show them how he made something of himself without them. Meanwhile, he is becoming increasingly attracted to Vinnie and she to him. Their late night architectural tours of Manhattan are particularly charming but both are trying hard not to let this relationship turn sexual. Of course they fail (their first sexual encounter was a bit wild for their first!) and then they must begin to deal with where their relationship can ever go. And when Adam is bullied in school and moves in for a few weeks, a weird sort of family vibe takes hold. Nick begins to like Adam and together they design and build a home for Adam's pet frog. But can two people from such different worlds really make it in the long term? You'll hope so! Though at times the humour seemed forced, silly and often unneccesary, I could overlook it in light of the wonderful way the author shows Vinnie's perceived shortcomings and lack of cultural flash and Nick's deep seated but long denied need for love and acceptance. A recommended read.
Rating:
Summary: Can cultural opposites make a go of it?
Review: This is the first book by Karen Kendall that I have ever read and I enjoyed this story. Transplanted from rural Kansas to Manhattan, Vinne Hart is entirely out of her element. She's blown several interviews but desperately needs a job in order to supplement the scholarship her young brother has won to a prestigious private school. Desperate she answers an ad for a dog sitter - how picky can they be and how could she blow this? Up and coming architect Nicholas Wright is totally focused on his career and achieving goals - mainly partner in his architectural firm. But when he inherits a high maintenance dog from his eccentric late aunt (think Auntie Mame!) he needs serious help. He advertises for a dog sitter who turns out to be a sexy blond who exudes a farm girl type of charm. Vinnie moves into Nick's penthouse and the differences in their upbringing and lifestyles is vast. He's boarding school, prep school, Ivy League and designer chic. She's high school grad, minimum wage and K-Mart. Moving to New York has been a difficult adjustment for both Vinnie and her little brother Adam. Vinnie's issues are more cultural and economically driven. But Adam was used to being the smartest kid in his class back in Kansas. Now, he is just one of lots of smart kids in this exclusive school and his difficulties fitting in break Vinnie's heart. Nick can identify with the kid's problems, but figures the experience will "build character" and toughen him up. He thinks Vinnie is too soft-hearted with Adam - and with everyone. Vinnie is horrified that Nick could be so callous but then she learns about his childhood, his cold and distant parents and she comes to understand his succeed-at-any-cost attitude. But she begins to see that he his, underneath it all, not fulfilled by designing boring box-like office buildings and the like. She knows deep down, he'd rather be using his talents for more creative pursuits, but that's not where success lies. And he needs success, praise, one more achievement that might just make his parents proud - show them how he made something of himself without them. Meanwhile, he is becoming increasingly attracted to Vinnie and she to him. Their late night architectural tours of Manhattan are particularly charming but both are trying hard not to let this relationship turn sexual. Of course they fail (their first sexual encounter was a bit wild for their first!) and then they must begin to deal with where their relationship can ever go. And when Adam is bullied in school and moves in for a few weeks, a weird sort of family vibe takes hold. Nick begins to like Adam and together they design and build a home for Adam's pet frog. But can two people from such different worlds really make it in the long term? You'll hope so! Though at times the humour seemed forced, silly and often unneccesary, I could overlook it in light of the wonderful way the author shows Vinnie's perceived shortcomings and lack of cultural flash and Nick's deep seated but long denied need for love and acceptance. A recommended read.
Rating:
Summary: So, so......
Review: This was an easy book to read and had some humerous parts in it. I think the thing that bothered me the most about this book was the obsession the heroine had with not having a college degree and she was always so down on herself that it got old after a while. This was my first Karen Kendall book and might not be my last but I think I'd rather read Patti Berg, Susan Andersen or Julie Ortolon.
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