Review: Plain Jane by Paige Burns and Tiffany Aaron

by | Apr 18, 2007 | Review | 13 comments

Plain Jane by Burns/AaronGwen’s Review of faye.jpgPlain Jane by Paige Burns and Tiffany Aaron
Erotic romance novella published 1 Apr 07 by Liquid Silver Books

This new contemporary romance by the Burns & Aaron writing pair was surprisingly fun to read. The book’s premise is a not so attractive girl (not attractive in her mind, at least) and very attractive guy fall in lust, then love, and live happily ever after, despite hurdles introduced by misunderstandings and scheming family members. Here’s the book blurb:

Jane Van Poppel isn’t looking for a Prince Charming. With her insecurities and her track record with men, she thinks “happily ever after” only works in fairy tales. Unfortunately, her overactive imagination gets her into trouble with her boss, and she’s not sure if she wants out of trouble or not.

Josh Anderson has wanted Jane since he hired her. Regardless of his playboy reputation, he is cautious about approaching her. Until one night when she hits on him in the company gym and he decides to make his move. Suddenly he’s fighting not only Jane’s insecurities, but the malicious interference of his family.

Read An Excerpt Here

I enjoyed the book – the only complaint I have is the lack of character development. By the end of the book (about 100 pages too late, in my opinion), I finally came to care about the main characters. Not much time was spent prior to that telling me who they were, emotionally, and almost zero time before they hopped in the sack.

Adding to the difficulty developing the characters was the book was told from both main character’s first person voice, alternating smoothly between them. First person never lends itself to good storytelling unless you’re Nora Roberts/JD Robb, and have repeat characters that everyone already knows. [Hint to new authors – don’t write in first person unless you’re Super Author King/Queen of the Writing Universe – it just leads to disappointing results.]

All in all, it was a quick read with some nicely erotic scenes. Most of the dialogue was fun if not terribly snappy. (I’m a big fan of snappy dialogue.) Overall, I enjoyed it, though it did make me wish I had read it poolside, with a margarita in one hand and a cabana boy in the other.

Grade: C+

13 Comments

  1. Devon on April 18, 2007 at 9:54 am

    I was going to buy this last week, but as the excerpt went on, I was like, eh. Too much mental lusting and hopping on the desk too quick. Oh well, what I bought instead really stunk. Too bad for me.

    Have you ever read any of Tiffany Aaron’s Fallen series? I’ve been debating about those for awhile.

  2. Gwen on April 18, 2007 at 10:32 am

    No, not yet. I found the writing in this novella good enough to want to check out the authors’ other works, though. So I’ll probably pick one of the Fallen books up before long.

  3. Paige on April 18, 2007 at 2:41 pm

    Thanks Gwen and Sybil for the review! We knew the format was going to either be a hit or miss with some people, and you’re right about 1st person being a hard one for really good character development. In no way do I even think I’m on any level close to NR, but it was fun to write.

    Devon: I might be a little biased, but Tiffany’s Fallen Series is great. She does a fantastic job of mixing deep characters with hot sex.

  4. Gwen on April 18, 2007 at 5:16 pm

    You’re welcome, Paige. And don’t forget to have a cabana boy at hand when you write the next one. I’m pretty sure that was the missing link here. 😉

  5. Devon on April 18, 2007 at 9:40 pm

    I’ll be trying one out soon, Paige, thanks for the input. And I’m sure I’ll be trying Plain Jane as well. It calls to me.

  6. Gwen on April 18, 2007 at 10:18 pm

    And Devon, what will you have at/in hand while you read this? C’mon! I know you know!

  7. Devon on April 19, 2007 at 8:26 am

    Of course, and I’ll be wearing my biggest pair of Nicole Richie sunglasses, and sexiest bathing suit. Or one that still fits, at least.

  9. Tiffany Aaron on April 19, 2007 at 10:52 am

    Gwen,

    Thanks so much for reviewing Plain Jane. Ah…I knew we should have added a cabana boy in somehwere. 🙂 Maybe the next one will take place poolside.

    I have to admit though Paige brought out my funny side with PJ. My other books aren’t nearly as light and humourous…lol. If you pick up any of my Fallen books, I’d love to hear what you think of them.

    Thanks again.

  10. Jane on April 19, 2007 at 12:29 pm

    I lurv the first person, but I have never read a JD Robb/Nora Roberts book written in the first person.

  11. Devon on April 19, 2007 at 12:38 pm

    Nice pictures Gwen, but none of these guys are holding an umbrella or large palm frond, to keep me cool and protect my delicate complexion.

    BTW that second site had some beautiful men, but it was also one of the most fabulously gay things I’ve ever seen. I wonder if any straight men shop there. I tried to picture my husband looking at the “extreme thong” or the gauze caftan. He underwear shops at the flea market for factory seconds.

  13. Gwen on April 19, 2007 at 4:49 pm

    I doubt that site has seen a straight man EVAH! But the men are gorgeous!

    LOL about your husband. I have a photo of my ex asleep on the sofa wearing his underwear on his head. Holey undies, at that. His sense of humor was never the problem. 🙂