Not Quite as Advertised (Flipside)

Rating:
Summary: Funny and Poignant
Review: This book had everything I want - especially because both Hugh and Joss grew and became better people. The characters seemed like real people with problems I could understand. Joss had a mother who drove her nuts (who couldn't relate to that?) and I really liked how the writer worked the relationship between them.

Hugh and Joss also acted like adults - there were real reasons for the way they acted. There were no silly misunderstandings. One of the reasons I picked up this book was because they were a couple in the past, and the writer really made this story interesting. They were both hurt by their relationship, and reading about them working through that was half the fun.

There were times I laughed out loud - and Hugh had the kind of guy humor that makes me want to read romance novels.

Rating:
Summary: amusing contemporary romance
Review: Visions Media Advertising expert Joss McBride is a perfectionist so coming in second two years in a row in the prestigious ADster Gold Award hurts, but adding to her sense of failure is that her former lover Hugh Brannon won both times. At this year's banquet Hugh flirts with Joss, but she writes him off as just another inane ad campaign though she admits to herself she remains attracted to him.

Hugh knows his previous drive for perfection cost him Joss in their rivalry, but he has changed his life ambitions ever since his brother suffered an eye awakening heart attack. Now his plan is to win the heart and mind of his beloved before she strokes out. The merging of their companies provides him the avenue, but he must convince Joss that he is the real deal.

Surprisingly this often amusing contemporary romance contains a deep serious theme on what is most important in life. The lead couple is extremely deep as Hugh realizes how fortunate he is to have learned his lesson. Hugh prays that his Joss does not follow in his sibling's footsteps as he struggles to convince her that he truly loves her.

Harriet Klausner