Holly’s review of Housekeeper To The Millionaire
by Lucy Monroe
Contemporary Romance released by Harlequin Presents 1 Apr 08
I started reading Lucy Monroe several years ago. If I’m not mistaken, it was towards the beginning of her career. Although I love pretty much everything she’s written, I feel she really excels at writing for the Presents line. Her stories are the perfect blend of sweet and intense, if somewhat predictable.
Although I enjoyed this one as much as I have her past novels, I was somewhat disappointed in the heroine. She’s rather insecure, but I found her reasons for being so to be rather contrived and – let’s face it – a bit on the ridiculous side. You see, Carlene Daniels has issues because she’s too pretty. She’s got killer curves and her whole life she’s been treated like a sex-crazed bimbo because of them. I believe she’s described as looking like a centerfold and as such people (read: men) don’t expect much from her outside of the bedroom.
Now, this is the first novel I’ve read where the heroine has a complex because she’s too pretty, but the way Carlene reacted to even being looked at with appreciation was odd. At times she’d enjoy the attention, and at others she’d cringe and feel dirty. I found the entire situation (her insecurities and her reactions to them) very contradictory. The author tried to give a credible reason for Carlene believing her looks were a curse, but it fell somewhat flat for me. I think a bit more time spent on Carlene finding peace with her looks would have worked better for me than the short amount of time spent on the issue did.
But the novel was saved for me, because though I felt the reasons behind Carlene’s issues weren’t the best, the relationship she developed with Win Garrison while in the role of his housekeeper was wonderful. I truly felt their connection and the sexual tension between them sizzled. Win doesn’t look at Carlene like she’s just a piece of meat – though he does make it clear right from the beginning that he’s interested in having a physical relationship with her – and I think that was a pivotal part of the story.
The conflict between them is something different, too. It didn’t come from outside the relationship, but rather from them wanting different things for their future. Win has been married once already and it wasn’t a good experience for him. That combined with the way his mother went through men before her death has convinced him he doesn’t want to go there again. But because of the way she was treated in the past, Carlene doesn’t want to start some tawdry, short term affair. And she doesn’t want to do a one night stand, either. I love that both characters felt passionately about their positions, but didn’t resort to treating the other badly because s/he didn’t agree with their choice. It was very refreshing.
Win’s niece and nephew provide some levity to the story and pulled some cute little stunts I couldn’t help but smile over. I also enjoyed some of the additional secondary characters, like Win’s sister Leah and his ranch hand Shorty. They played key roles in the story but still managed to stay in the background.
Although I think the reasoning behind the main conflict (Carlene’s insecurities and Win’s scars from his past) weren’t as fleshed out as they could have been, I still enjoyed it and would recommend it to others.
Grade: B+
Summary:
Vacancy: housekeeper needed for eligible millionaire!
Sexy Win Garrison wants a new housekeeper to make his life easy, not someone who tries to get a ring on his finger!
When curvy Carlene Daniels arrives on his doorstep, Win isn’t fooled by her oversized jumper and hastily pulled-up hair. She’s a knockout! So why is she trying to look like a frump? It makes him want to get her out of those clothes—and into his bed! Carlene doesn’t seem to want to play…but what this millionaire wants, he gets!
Read an excerpt here.
