Perfect Switch

Rating:
Summary: Perfect Switch is Perfectly Awful
Review: As the mother of twins this story line was of some interest to me. Unfortunately, this book was overwritten (three words, at least, in seemingly every descriptive phrase--where was the editor?) and ponderous. Further, the supposed issues Meredith had with her family and twin just melted away as though they were of no consequence. Overall, a dull and disappointing read.

Rating:
Summary: Perfect Switch is Perfectly Awful
Review: Courtesy of WWW.Loveromances.Com

PERFECT SWITCH by Lisa Plumley

If you happened to be the identical twin sister of a famous television star, would you trade places with her? In Lisa Plumley's PERFECT SWITCH, Meredith Madison, a plain, quiet, historian that had never wanted to be compared to her more glamorous sister, decides to take advantage of her sister Marley's star status, replaces her at a "fantasy camp" and manages to fool almost everyone.

The novel opens with Meredith riding in a luxury limo with Tony Valentine, a very sexy man that Meredith is not aware is the head of the once successful Valentine Studios in Hollywood. She thinks she's on her way to a fantasy escape vacation, taking Marley's position since Marley is on her honeymoon, unknown to the general public. Tony fills Meredith in (since he thinks her agent has apparently forgotten to tell her what is going on) that this is not a vacation, but two weeks of work. Meredith is to be the star attraction at a fantasy acting camp, where the average Joe can attend classes and learn how to put on a television show. Her job is to help teach various classes on the art of being an actress and a star. The success of this camp will determine the future of Valentine Studios, so there is a lot at stake, and a lot of responsibility on Meredith's shoulders. Meredith has a heart attack but does not let Tony know that she is not her famous sister Marley. She's gotten herself into this mess, and she vows she'll get herself out.

Meredith does her best to be the Marley replacement, and while most of the acting camp including Tony cannot figure out what is wrong with "Marley," Meredith thinks she has them all fooled. She thinks her clothes are glamorous and does not understand that hairy legs and belching in public does not make her into a star. Tony does eventually find out the truth from Meredith, after a lot of convincing, although at first he is not totally persuaded there is a twin. But after a while he is able to tell that Meredith is no Marley. Meredith's choices in outfits, her makeup, especially her hairy legs, prove that she is a fraud. Her behavior in public was another indicator that she was not Marley.

PERFECT SWITCH is a comedy romance, with Meredith being the main act. There were plenty of funny scenes that left this reviewer giggling. However, despite the light tone that is felt throughout the book, it is also a story about a woman who is struggling to find her own identity, having always lived in the shadows of her famous sister. As Tony and Meredith get to know one another, there is an obvious spark that ignites between them, and while Tony falls in love with Meredith, Meredith firmly believes he loves her for her "Marley" look, and not for who she really is underneath the clothes and the makeup.

While this reviewer enjoyed most of the book, there were parts that appeared to go on too long. Part of the problem was not enough action, too many contemplative scenes with either Meredith or Tony "thinking out loud." Another problem in some scenes was not enough dialogue, and too much narrative for a romance of this genre. Otherwise, it was a fun ride to tinsel-town, a behind-the-scenes look at the world of show biz, with two unlikely romantic partners finding their way toward each other. A reader could do worse. Three and a half stars goes to PERFECT SWITCH. This reviewer would definitely consider reading another book by Lisa Plumley in the future.

Rating:
Summary: Not the perfect book but...
Review: Courtesy of WWW.Loveromances.Com

PERFECT SWITCH by Lisa Plumley

If you happened to be the identical twin sister of a famous television star, would you trade places with her? In Lisa Plumley's PERFECT SWITCH, Meredith Madison, a plain, quiet, historian that had never wanted to be compared to her more glamorous sister, decides to take advantage of her sister Marley's star status, replaces her at a "fantasy camp" and manages to fool almost everyone.

The novel opens with Meredith riding in a luxury limo with Tony Valentine, a very sexy man that Meredith is not aware is the head of the once successful Valentine Studios in Hollywood. She thinks she's on her way to a fantasy escape vacation, taking Marley's position since Marley is on her honeymoon, unknown to the general public. Tony fills Meredith in (since he thinks her agent has apparently forgotten to tell her what is going on) that this is not a vacation, but two weeks of work. Meredith is to be the star attraction at a fantasy acting camp, where the average Joe can attend classes and learn how to put on a television show. Her job is to help teach various classes on the art of being an actress and a star. The success of this camp will determine the future of Valentine Studios, so there is a lot at stake, and a lot of responsibility on Meredith's shoulders. Meredith has a heart attack but does not let Tony know that she is not her famous sister Marley. She's gotten herself into this mess, and she vows she'll get herself out.

Meredith does her best to be the Marley replacement, and while most of the acting camp including Tony cannot figure out what is wrong with "Marley," Meredith thinks she has them all fooled. She thinks her clothes are glamorous and does not understand that hairy legs and belching in public does not make her into a star. Tony does eventually find out the truth from Meredith, after a lot of convincing, although at first he is not totally persuaded there is a twin. But after a while he is able to tell that Meredith is no Marley. Meredith's choices in outfits, her makeup, especially her hairy legs, prove that she is a fraud. Her behavior in public was another indicator that she was not Marley.

PERFECT SWITCH is a comedy romance, with Meredith being the main act. There were plenty of funny scenes that left this reviewer giggling. However, despite the light tone that is felt throughout the book, it is also a story about a woman who is struggling to find her own identity, having always lived in the shadows of her famous sister. As Tony and Meredith get to know one another, there is an obvious spark that ignites between them, and while Tony falls in love with Meredith, Meredith firmly believes he loves her for her "Marley" look, and not for who she really is underneath the clothes and the makeup.

While this reviewer enjoyed most of the book, there were parts that appeared to go on too long. Part of the problem was not enough action, too many contemplative scenes with either Meredith or Tony "thinking out loud." Another problem in some scenes was not enough dialogue, and too much narrative for a romance of this genre. Otherwise, it was a fun ride to tinsel-town, a behind-the-scenes look at the world of show biz, with two unlikely romantic partners finding their way toward each other. A reader could do worse. Three and a half stars goes to PERFECT SWITCH. This reviewer would definitely consider reading another book by Lisa Plumley in the future.

Rating:
Summary: amusing contemporary romance
Review: In Los Angeles, museum advertising historian Meredith Madison takes over her glamorous actress sister's identity for a couple of weeks while house-sitting in Hollywood. Deciding to accept an invitation sent to Marla, she goes to a party escorted by a hunk Tony Valentine. However, this no ordinary gala as Marla signed a contract to star in Valentine Studio Fantasy Acting camp.

Meredith explains to Tony she is not Marla, but he refuses to believe her though she acts very unglamorous and knows nothing about performing. Knowing he needs the money to keep the family studio alive, Tony hates the fact that he is attracted to this bonehead Marla until he realizes that she is telling the truth. As Meredith agrees to pretend to be Marla, but does a poor job of it, they fall in love, but will he realize what she knew in their first car ride that they belong together forever?

Though twins are currently a relatively large segment of the novel population and identity switch is older than the printing press, fans will appreciate this amusing contemporary romance that uniquely focuses on pretending to be someone else is not easy. The story line is fun to follows as Tony realizes his blunder and his extended family offers advice and matchmaking. Meredith is a delightful protagonist who struggles to wear Marla's shoes making for a fine tale.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: Marley/Meredith?? Do you know?
Review: In PERFECT SWITCH we get the shy, quiet twin's story - Meredith wants a little of Marley's great times. Meredith is house sitting for Marley & Jake they're on their perfect honeymoon when she gets an invitation "Are You Ready For The Fantasy Of A Lifetime", now how could any of us turn that down? Well Meredith gets picked up in a limo by hunky Tony Valentine not knowing that Marley is to be the headlining celebrity instructor at the actor fantasy camp at Valentine Studios. Meredith tries but has to come clean with Tony--she's not Marley of course - he knew it! Wonderful story reading of Meredith and Tony's adventures in this fantasy camp and finding their way in real life to each other.I love both PERFECT TOGETHER & PERFECT SWITCH.

Rating:
Summary: Very highly recommended
Review: While her twin sister sports glitzy sequence and glamour, Meredith Madison prefers her Birkenstocks. Neverthelss, the museum advertising historian decides to assumes her twin sister Marley's glamorous movie star identity for a couple of weeks and some pizzazz to her life. The invitation she co-opted includes a limo and a hunky escort named Tony Valentine. But Meredith does not realize that the invitation also includes a contract to teach movie star insider inforation at Valentine Studio's actors fantasy camp.

Meredith immediately explains the case of switched identity; unfortunately, Tony does not believe her. That is, until the first day on the set when she makes ridiculous mistakes and displays a decided lack of star glamour. But with Marely honeymooning and Valentine studios in financial straights, Tony has no choice but to persuade Meredith to transform from klutz to sophisticate. Meanwhile, the sizzling chemistry between them is enough to create an inferno.

Author Lisa Plumley has a gift for comedic romance, delighting yet again with PERFECT SWITCH Although twin tales seem to be all the rage at the moment, Plumley manages to add her own unique twists for a refreshingly different approach. Meredith quickly reveals her identity to Tony, who refuses to believe her until her decided lack of acting skills proves her word. Tony needs Meredith to successfully play the part of her sister or his entire family will suffer the effects of the financial difficulties plaguing the studio. Meanwhile, Tony's matchmaking family provides plenty of laughs with their determined antics and eccentricities. The perfect blend of tender romance, witty dialogue, and outrageous antics, PERFECT SWITCH comes very highly recommended.