Sandy M’s review of Accept this Dandelion by Brooke Williams
Contemporary Romance published by Prism Book Group 4 Feb 15
I’m not a fan of the reality show The Bachelor. I’ve tried watching it, and I roll my eyes throughout every time. So I no longer bother. With that insight, I can’t tell you why I even looked at this book to review. I’d hoped from the blurb it would be as quirky and fun as it sounds.
And I have to tell you, I wasn’t all that disappointed. I do like the main characters, Ben and Renee. Their scenes together are pretty fun, for the most part, though a time or two my eye rolling wanted to make a quick appearance.
Renee works for her local radio station, and with an opening on the morning show, she’s talked into auditioning for “The Bachelor.” Thinking this just might be the way to heighten her reputation with both boss and audience, she’s thrilled when she’s actually invited to be included on the show, which is now titled “Accept This Dandelion.” There’s a hesitation on her part at hearing the new title, because of comments she made during her audition. Little does she know, that’s exactly why they changed the name. Though that change doesn’t come from the quarter you might expect.
Wanting to finally find love, after being known for too many years as a player, wealthy and handsome Ben McConnell is taking this chance on the show to grasp what he now needs in his life. Short of that, he’s hoping to tone down the gossip that surrounds him and show people he’s more than what everyone seems to think of him. When he watches a bumbling Renee ready to walk off the set empty handed, he demands she be given a spot. There’s something about her that he just…likes.
When Renee discovers who the bachelor is, she’s not impressed – she’s heard the same gossip as everyone else. But she’s pleasantly surprised when she meets him and even more so after his reactions to a couple of her “mishaps” during filming. Renee also would like love in her life, and while she doesn’t have as many doubts as she did at the beginning of the show, she’s still not sure Ben could be the one. Of course, Ben feels the same toward Renee, mostly because there’s other women still competing against her and he wants to be fair.
Their “dates” are fun, and you wait to see what will happen next with Renee, just as Ben does. That’s part of her charm, and the show uses those bits and pieces regularly in their promos, which end up endearing her to the viewers. There’s one or two that could have been done differently, since they border just a bit on the silly side, but for the lightheartedness of the entire book, they work to a point.
One of my nitpicks is the time period of only several weeks isn’t enough to really show a growing love between Ben and Renee, and that’s also one of my issues with the original “The Bachelor.” I don’t see that working to build a long-term relationship, though there are exceptions to every rule. Of course, there’s the usual wrench thrown into their newfound happiness, and I’m vindicated in thinking these weeks aren’t enough for love, when things go south on the show. That’s another nitpick of mine, characters not having trust in their feelings and in love.
I’ve not read Ms. Williams before. The writing has a more simplistic feel to it than I like, so I thought maybe this might be a debut book. However, in checking out her web site, I find that is definitely not so. But for the whimsical and silliness that weaves throughout the story, simple goes right along with that. So I’m on the fence on whether I will read another of her books. I imagine it will depend on my mood, when the whimsical is needed for a respite from whatever may be happening at the time.
Grade: C+
Summary:
Renee Lockhart has her eye on a lofty goal…to fill the open position of morning radio show host at the radio station where she works. When her co-workers sign her up for a local TV version of “the Bachelor,” Renee goes along with it in order to raise her public profile. Ben McConnell, the most eligible bachelor in town, insists that Renee be placed on the show, despite her bumbling audition. Ben gets much more than he expected in Renee. He gets a girl who doesn’t bow to his every whim…and a girl who opens his eyes to true, unexpected love. When nothing goes right on the local program called “Accept this Dandelion”…hilarity ensues. Imagine your worst possible dates happening…on TV!
Read excerpt available.
