wannabaudrey's review against another edition
4.0
4.5. Loves this book and look forward to reading more from this author. I’m finding that I like the mixture of Romance and murder/suspense.
ccgwalt's review against another edition
4.0
Originally read Nov 2008.
A-/B+
Narration by Deborah Hazlett 4.5*
I originally read this book over three years ago and thoroughly enjoyed it. I recently bought the unabridged audiobook from audible. The narration bu Deborah Hazlett is excellent. She does the Alabama accents well, and really gets Daisy's personality. Her voice sounds just like a smart but somewhat shelters southern woman should. Daisy is a great character, somehow blending prim-and-proper with backbone and humor. After deciding to change her life with a make-over and new clothes, our inexperienced librarian vacillates between outrage and curiosity over the advances of police Chief Jack Russo. Russo is a big-city Yankee outsider who is trying to get used to living and working in a small southern town. At first he is mildly intrigued by Daisy, then decides if she's looking for a man, he's the one for the job.
I like the suspense story that's woven into the story, although the serious subject of human trafficking doesn't always fit well into an otherwise lighthearted story of a woman on the verge of spinsterhood breaking free and and learning to live. But overall the plotting of the suspense plot is well done and interesting.
A-/B+
Narration by Deborah Hazlett 4.5*
I originally read this book over three years ago and thoroughly enjoyed it. I recently bought the unabridged audiobook from audible. The narration bu Deborah Hazlett is excellent. She does the Alabama accents well, and really gets Daisy's personality. Her voice sounds just like a smart but somewhat shelters southern woman should. Daisy is a great character, somehow blending prim-and-proper with backbone and humor. After deciding to change her life with a make-over and new clothes, our inexperienced librarian vacillates between outrage and curiosity over the advances of police Chief Jack Russo. Russo is a big-city Yankee outsider who is trying to get used to living and working in a small southern town. At first he is mildly intrigued by Daisy, then decides if she's looking for a man, he's the one for the job.
I like the suspense story that's woven into the story, although the serious subject of human trafficking doesn't always fit well into an otherwise lighthearted story of a woman on the verge of spinsterhood breaking free and and learning to live. But overall the plotting of the suspense plot is well done and interesting.
muddypuddle's review against another edition
4.0
This book was a riot! I snickered and guffawed all the way through it. It was a mystery and it was a romance (quite sexy, actually, for its 2001 copyright) and it was a makeover story, all rolled into one...and it was loads of fun. The narrator, Deborah Hazlett, used just the right touch of southern/Alabaman accent to really pull the whole thing off. Greatly enjoyed it!
joanne_is_from_canada's review against another edition
2.0
I enjoyed the storyline of an early-thirties woman who never really bothered much with how she looks and dresses decides to move out of her mother's house, get a makeover and start going out and meeting people. This one is described as a bit of a thriller as Daisy witnesses a murder (without realizing at the time what she is seeing) and has to hide out from some men who want her out of the way.
I thought this one was alright. Based on the description, I thought this one would have a bit more action and excitement. It was a bit tame, but still a cute story.
I thought this one was alright. Based on the description, I thought this one would have a bit more action and excitement. It was a bit tame, but still a cute story.
setaian's review against another edition
3.0
There are a couple of reasons why I shouldn't like this book;
1. In part it deals with the topic of sexual slavery. That is women and sometimes children being treated as a commodity to be bought, sold and if no longer useful to be disposed of. I really can't deal with this issue, it's just too heartbreaking.
2. It's something of a Pygmalion story...a mousy unattractive librarian gets a make-over by a man, and all of a sudden brawls are starting because of her.
So, why do I like it? Your guess is as good as mine, but I do.
1. In part it deals with the topic of sexual slavery. That is women and sometimes children being treated as a commodity to be bought, sold and if no longer useful to be disposed of. I really can't deal with this issue, it's just too heartbreaking.
2. It's something of a Pygmalion story...a mousy unattractive librarian gets a make-over by a man, and all of a sudden brawls are starting because of her.
So, why do I like it? Your guess is as good as mine, but I do.
ppchili93's review
dark
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
This was a perfectly competent romantic suspense book, but had nothing truly special or memorable. I liked that the FMC, Daisy, was a 34-year-old woman who wanted to reinvent herself and embrace life, sex, and love without shame. Her motivations were understandable and relatable, and I liked when she made it clear that she was making these decisions and challenging herself in order to get what she wanted - a man, good sex, and a family. The scene where she buys a giant box of condoms to stir up gossip and encourage men to approach her was particularly hilarious.
Jack was also a relatively likable MMC. I appreciated that he was into Daisy before her "makeover" and basically made the decision that he'd be whatever she wanted him to be early on. He never tried to talk her out of her wishes or goals and instead figured out how they could meld their lives together.
Now, was the human trafficking ring being run by the town's major believable? No. Was it horrific? Absolutely. The prologue was incredibly upsetting and the callous treatment of these poor women was awful. In terms of how everything wrapped up, I liked that Daisy and her dog follow instructions and remain safe during the novel's climactic action. I also appreciated that the mayor's wife, who I thought was being painted as a slut and addict, actually became a hero, risking her life to try and save Daisy's. What I hated was that one of the men working with the mayor - a literal human trafficker who is and has been aware of what these men are doing - gets to not only walk because he helps the police catch the leaders, but actually ends up with the mayor's sexually traumatized wife 😃 Happy ending for all! Even human traffickers!
Jack was also a relatively likable MMC. I appreciated that he was into Daisy before her "makeover" and basically made the decision that he'd be whatever she wanted him to be early on. He never tried to talk her out of her wishes or goals and instead figured out how they could meld their lives together.
Now, was the human trafficking ring being run by the town's major believable? No. Was it horrific? Absolutely. The prologue was incredibly upsetting and the callous treatment of these poor women was awful. In terms of how everything wrapped up, I liked that Daisy and her dog follow instructions and remain safe during the novel's climactic action. I also appreciated that the mayor's wife, who I thought was being painted as a slut and addict, actually became a hero, risking her life to try and save Daisy's. What I hated was that one of the men working with the mayor - a literal human trafficker who is and has been aware of what these men are doing - gets to not only walk because he helps the police catch the leaders, but actually ends up with the mayor's sexually traumatized wife 😃 Happy ending for all! Even human traffickers!