Call Me Irresistible

November 15, 2010
Phillips crafts a laugh-out-loud and romantic story with panache that mostly makes up for some gaping plot holes. Onetime PGA star and smalltown mayor Ted Beaudine (met in 2005's Fancy Pants) is about to marry Lucy Jorik, the daughter of a former president, when she's persuaded to break it off by her best friend, Meg Koranda (2008's Glitter Baby), the aimless daughter of Hollywood royalty. Everyone in Wynette, Tex., loves Ted, but Meg feels Lucy deserves a passionate partner, not a god of self-control. After the disaster of calling off the wedding at the last minute, Meg's parents cut her off, stranding her in the hostile town. As Meg finds her own path and helps Ted discover his heart, the townspeople stoutly (and hilariously) defend their golden boy. However, some readers may not appreciate that Meg's good deed is punished so often and severely en route to happiness.

May 30, 2011
Phillips again delights her readers by moving on to the next generation of the characters she created in Glitter Baby, Fancy Pants, and First Lady. The handsome, personable, practically perfect Ted Baudine sees his next step is to take an equally perfect bride: the daughter of a former president of the U.S. His plans are thrown into tumult when the maid-of-honor, spoiled, flighty Meg Karanda, persuades the bride-to-be to jilt the groom. Meg earns the animosity of the town, and gradually she and Ted fall in love. Shannon Cochran gives a good performance creating the voices of the characters that Phillips describes so clearly. Slow Texas drawls and clipped British accents are equally believable, as are the variety of different personalities in strong, decisive women and big, powerful men. Cochran brings the wonderful romance to life. A Morrow hardcover.