Mad About the Man

August 10, 2015
It’s unfortunate that this shallow third book in Warren’s Graysons contemporary series (after The Man Plan) comes too late for summer vacation, since it would be an ideal beach read. Handsome billionaire Maddox Monroe is the kind of guy who calls a woman a “creamy little cheese” in front of professional colleagues. Brie Grayson is the kind of woman who willingly accepts that treatment in exchange for making partner at her high-powered New York law firm. It’s hard to get too emotionally involved with these players, especially once Warren’s fans realize how much their scenario mirrors the setup of her 2015 Regency romance, The Bedding Proposal. Maddox, armed with all the social and financial power in their situation, tells Brie he’s going to have sex with her. She mocks his arrogance. Soon thereafter, she capitulates to his relentless advances, overwhelmed by lust. The plot is a slight thing, and it occurs mostly in the last few pages. But the intervening encounters are high-octane erotic, and the details of Maddox’s one-percenter lifestyle are luscious. Agent: Helen Breitwieser, Cornerstone Literary Agency.

Kate Turnbull's acting skills are front and center in this funny and enjoyable romance. When gorgeous and career-driven lawyer Brie Grayson runs into her childhood nemesis, sexy and successful hotel magnate Maddox Monroe, over a tennis net, she takes note as he's a client her firm desperately wants. Soon, romance may be in the offing--if the parties don't kill each other first. Although Turnbull uses slight tonal differences to identify each character, her strength lies in her effective delivery of dramatic pauses, barely suppressed humor or sarcasm infused in the dialogue, and varied pacing. This is a fun summer listen. A.C.P. © AudioFile 2016, Portland, Maine