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Summary: Romance novels usually gag me!
Review: I'm not normally a fan of romance novels. They're usually sappy and shallow. However, I stumbled into a SEP novel a couple of years ago and have now read all of her books. This one was, like all of the others, very good! The plot sounds a little far-fetched when you read a description, but the author is so good at developing her characters that I end up believing any plot twist she throws my way. The characters are far from perfect (like real people!) but by the end of the book, you love each of them and them you'll miss them when you've finished the book. I never make it through a SEP novel without a few tissues! What a great read!
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Summary: Another winner from Susan Elizabeth Phillips
Review: First Lady is an awesome book! I had a hard time putting it down for the night! Keep'em coming!
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Summary: Expectations were too high
Review: I just finished First Lady and I did enjoy it but I had psyched myself up for it for so many months that there was no way it was going to live up to expectations. I have read all of SEP's books and usually the book pulls me inside and I'm lost until I read the last page. Matt and Neally's story didn't do that. It still is a great book and far outshines most books I have read except other SEP's books like Heaven Texas, Kiss and Angel and It Had to be You.
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Summary: SEP has got another winner!
Review: No inside scoop with this review. You are going to have to read it. As with all other SEP books you can't put it down. The review that is a little dissappointed with the ending? It's the perfect ending. "You go Nealy" This story is light hearted and you can't help but cheer on all the characters. When it comes time for Lucy's story...it should be a real hoot!
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Summary: Susan Elizabeth Phillips does it again!
Review: Just when I thought she can't outdo herself, SEP proves me wrong. FIRST LADY is an incredibly touching, funny, romantic story that makes you want to shut out the world for a few hours and just savor it. Sparks fly and romance blossoms between a First Lady on the run and a man at a cross-roads in his life. And let's not forget a smart mouthed teenager and her baby sister along for the ride. Be ready to laugh out loud and shed a tear or two along the way. Definately worth haunting the stores waiting for its release. Now, of course, I'll have to have a binge of re-reading her classics to help make that feel-good feeling last!
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Summary: A Good Read - But a little disappointing at the end
Review: As a die-hard Susan Elizabeth Phillips fan who has read and LOVED all of her books, I was a little disappointed with "First Lady." Typical of SEP's books, the characters are well drawn (especially Lucy and Button), and the story moves along quickly with great dialog and SEP's unique humor.As the widow of an assasinated President who is persuaded to continue in her role as First Lady, Nealy Case is fed up with being a revered public icon and escapes to enjoy the freedom of being an ordinary person. She delights in everyday experiences that most people take for granted or even find annoying, and seems to blossom as she sheds her well groomed, perfectly mannered exterior. Along the way, she meets up with Mat Jorik and his two charming charges - Lucy, a surly teenager, and her adorable baby sister, Button. They travel together headed for Iowa where Mat hopes to leave the children with their grandmother. Naturally, along the way the dynamics between Mat, Nealy and the children evolve in humorous and touching ways. This part of the book gets 5 Stars! My problem is with the conclusion of the book. Given Nealy's desire to escape from her controlled existance (first as the daughter of a Vice President and then as the widowed First Lady) and her delight at experiencing "real" life first hand, it didn't seem logical that she would reverse course completely and return to an even more restricted existence - not only for herself but for Lucy and Button as well. I loved the interaction between Mat and the two children. Actually, Mat's relationship with Lucy and Button was more interesting and believable than his relationship with Nealy. And like another reader, I didn't understand how Mat would or could give up his role as a journalist and let his strong personality be absorbed by someone like Nealy who until the very end of the book didn't seem to really know who she was. It should be said that SEP on a bad day is FAR BETTER than many writers on their best days; so I'm glad that I've read this one. But I'm looking forward to her upcoming work that brings back Kevin Tucker and Molly Sommerville. If it's anything like "Heaven Texas", "It Had To Be You" "Nobody's Baby But Mine" or "Dream A Little Dream", it should be a great book!
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Summary: A FUNNY AND TOUCHING BOOK** SEP delivers again !
Review: Just as in every other Susan Elizabeth Phillips book I've read (and I have read them all), I came away from this book with such an appreciation for this author. Not only is this book touching and very funny, but you truly become immersed in the lives of all 4 of the major characters, Nealy, Mat, Lucy, and the cute as a button <g> Button on their road trip to a new life. Unlike most romances these kids don't annoy the reader but are instead, integral and enjoyable. Ms. Phillips is such a great author it is so hard to wait a year in between each book, but I guess it is not quantity, but QUALITY and this book has it.
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Summary: First Lady
Review: I absolutely adored this book. It moves fast, and has great, witty dialogue, something we've come to expect with Ms. PHillips. The characters were so real, and I fell in love with the hero, definitely a sensitive but quite masculine male. I thought Nealy truly could represent a coddled, protected woman wrapped in her husband's (and fathers's) politics. We tend to forget they are human beings just like us. But all that aside, the ending was superb! I just didn't see it coming, being so engrossed in the happiness of the characters. This is definitely worth keeping with my most treasured romances.
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Summary: Funny, satisfying romance
Review: First Lady is an enjoyable, entertaining read. I really liked the main characters, and the kids were great. Read this if you enjoy romance with real characters and a sense of humor. Much better than the disappointing Laby Be Good.
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Summary: "First Lady" is truly first class...
Review: She's an American aristocrat with Mayflower blue blood running through her veins. Raised in the public eye, she yearns to break free and take control of her life. She succeeds - at a price. Now, the widowed First Lady of the United States finds herself on the run from the entire nation, determined to finally discover the purpose of her life. He's a hard-nosed journalist with fiery Slovak blood running through his veins. Raised in a demanding, boisterous family, he yearns to break free and take control of his life. He succeeds - at a price. Now, the once-respected columnist finds himself at a crossroads, determined to rediscover the purpose in his life. Cornelia "Nealy" Case and Mat Jorik - two individuals with a plan and a purpose. They've made their plans, and they're determined to pursue their dreams. Neither of them expects love, family, and a once in a lifetime trip. Life, however, has a plan of its own. "First Lady" is one of those rare romances that lingers long after it's been read. There are moments of humor done in SEP's inimitable style, but there are also poignant scenes that touch the heart and warm the spirit. The plot itself is fresh and innovative, and the writing is nearly flawless. SEP manages to be eloquent without being pretentious. Instead, FL has an approachable, down to earth feel that's both endearing and unique. The dialogue matches the mood of the book - sometimes funny, sometimes sad, but always intriguing. The characters are some of the most remarkable characters I've read in a long time. SEP possesses an incredible talent for characterization, and that talent is well displayed in FL. All of the secondary characters are interesting and beautifully drawn, from the cocky but admirable duo of Toni DeLucca and Jason Williams to Bertis and Charlie, the charming couple that becomes part of the crazy, makeshift Case-Jorik family. On that note, the four main characters embody the true spirit of family. Button is an adorable baby - she's not perfect, but she's a wonderful little girl. Lucy is an incredible character. Toughened by life, she manages to maintain a sense of integrity, responsibility, and a hope that pulls her through the darkest moments. It is a joy to watch her grow and develop, and one can only hope that SEP has future plans for her story. Nealy and Mat... A perfect couple. What more can I say? SEP's a master of the "opposites attract" storyline, and this is no exception. Somehow, these two people from very different backgrounds and scenarios manage to find the other half of themselves in each other. Nealy is one of the most admirable heroines I've read in awhile. She's warm, caring, funny, and down-to-earth with a refreshing lack of arrogance and pretention. Like Lucy, she is a character that grows throughout the book, and her development is truly a pleasure to read. Mat is the perfect compliment to Nealy - his edge, jaded ways, and cool reserve to her sweetness, optimism, and natural warmth. He's glad to be free of the crushing responsibilities of his family, but he can't stop himself from loving and protecting the many females in his life. He knows how to fight for himself, but he also knows how to fight for others. He's a hero with integrity, character, and wonderful strength. Together, these two become a couple whose joys and sorrows gave me both laughs and teary eyes. Once in awhile, a romance will come along that stands out from the others, a novel reminds all of us readers why we read romance in the first place. FL is one of those books - do yourself a favor and read it. I promise you, you won't regret it.
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