Limecello’s review of A Hickey for Harriet / A Cradle for Caroline by Nancy Warren
Contemporary romance released by Harlequin Duets 1 Apr 03
I’ve been meaning to buy this book for a few years, and finally got around to doing it. The titles aren’t the best things ever, but let’s hear it for alliteration of sorts, and cute stories. Nancy Warren is one of my go-to authors, and I know I’m going to get a good story when I pick up one of her books. The Duets book has a very light tone and is a nice, fun read.
A Hickey for Harriet
A story that isn’t what most readers would expect. A Hickey for Harriet had a number of potential pitfalls, but Ms. Warren navigates them masterfully. Harriet isn’t your typical heroine, and it’s nice that the story is rather realistic. She wants to be a cheerleader, and it has been one of her dreams since high school. Trained in ballet and gymnastics, she’s perfect for the part. However, it was never attainable until now. Harriet’s young – only 23 – but as she says, old for her age. Steve is a great “beta” hero. He’s a genuinely nice guy – sometimes a bit clueless, but that’s just how people are. The conflict is resolved in a very satisfactory manner, and definitely keeps the reader engaged.
Grade: B+
Hot sports reporter Steve Ackerman has his pick of women. When he finds out geeky co-worker Harriet MacPherson’s lifelong dream is to be a cheerleader, he’s determined to help her achieve her goal. It doesn’t hurt that she agrees to be the focus of a page one article in the Pasqualie Standard. But when Harriet earns her pom-poms, she becomes the cheerleader everyone—including Steve—wants to be seen with…
A Cradle for Caroline
Caroline and Jonathan are the perfect couple, with the less than perfect marriage. In fact, they’re currently separated. While the premise of the story is very serious, I like that the characters have a sense of humor, and are rather pragmatic and realistic. The secondary characters are very enjoyable, and I enjoyed reading all the crazy events that took place. It was nice that Caroline and Jonathan both had real emotions. Also, that their issues were resolved, rather than one or both of them going off to find someone new. I thought it was great that Ms. Warren wrote her story after most “happily ever afters” take place, and created a romantic story for the couple.
Grade: B+
Former model Caroline Kushner has the perfect life—a gorgeous husband, money and an amazing marriage. At least, she did have a great marriage. She and Jonathon aren’t exactly speaking right now, but not because her husband hasn’t tried everything from covert meetings to kidnapping! He’s determined to get Caro back in his life…especially when she finds out she’s expecting the unexpected!
I took into consideration the book was published in 2003, though I don’t think it makes that much of a difference. The stories are nice and sweet – well written, fun, humorous, but don’t have a lot of heat. Ms. Warren delivers a great story no matter the genre, and I can recommend this book to anyone who likes a lighthearted, engaging story.
Overall Grade: B+
