Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Review: A Girl Like You by Maria Geraci


From the Publisher:
Every ugly duckling is a swan in waiting...

Emma Frazier is smart, hardworking, and loves her job as a journalist for a Florida lifestyle magazine. Emma knows she’s no great beauty, but she’s pretty certain she has a shot with her handsome new boss, Ben Gallagher—until Emma overhears a mutual acquaintance refer to her as the “ugly friend.” In an effort to reclaim her battered self-esteem, Emma decides to impress Ben at work by promising an exclusive interview with NASCAR legend, Trip Monroe.

Emma and Trip went to high school together and although it’s been fourteen years since they’ve spoken, Emma is certain she can score an interview with the elusive super star. But connecting with Trip turns out to be harder than Emma imagined. Her quest for the interview leads her back to her tiny hometown of Catfish Cove, where old secrets and a new romantic interest shake up Emma’s views on life and teach her that maybe the key to finding true love is as simple as accepting yourself for the person you were always meant to be.

“I have my pride. I might not be a beauty queen, but I too am a person… No matter how plain I might be, I am deserving of love. I refuse to pine after any man.” (from A Girl Like You, page 21)

All girls, it seems, have their fair share of men troubles. For Emma Frazier, attracting her friends’ cast-offs appears to be her lot in life. Until now. With several rather attractive and fit men showing an interest in her, Emma faces a different conundrum. Will she choose Boston Ben, her boss and crush for the past seven months? He is handsome, yet not too handsome, smart, kind to animals, and has a great laugh. But will Emma forget all about her beau from Boston when hometown hottie Nick Alfonso makes his moves? After all, Nick is a cop and cops exude sex appeal, right? Emma struggles with her feelings, refusing to settle for anything less than ardent love. Could one of these dreamboats be the one, or is there someone else who can make Emma’s dreams come true?

Relationship difficulties are not the only troubles for Emma. She needs to land an interview with NASCAR superstar and former classmate, Trip Monroe, for an upcoming edition of Florida!, the magazine where she works. However, how is Emma to do this when Trip refuses any interviews? While digging for nuggets of interesting information on Mr. Monroe from his relatives, Emma ‘s journalistic skills just may uncover more than just Trip’s secrets.

Maria Geraci paints a picture of characters with struggles, each with their own insecurities, hang-ups, and challenges. This is one quality of Geraci’s writing I have come to enjoy. Both male and female characters are so well developed, I could easily picture any of them, and their life circumstances, amongst our current society. At different times I was able to empathize with each of the ladies. Adding to the story’s familiar feel was the narrative voice. Even though Emma used a couple of phrases over and again, her thoughts helped to further develop the plot and engage me.

Even though I enjoy the steamy scenes Geraci has written in some of her other novels, A Girl Like You maintains a romantic feel without all the details, making this a great read for those who want the romance without the hot and heavy scenes. 


***Thursday will bring my A Girl Like You vlog! Don't miss it!***


Connect with Maria Geraci
Read It Now!
Kindle | Nook

6 comments:

  1. Being the 'funny' friend for all of my life, I do love it when us big girls get the guy. Meg Cabot & Jennifer Weiner do a good job on the subject. I'll have to add this one to my list. Thanks for sharing!

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    1. I hope you enjoy this one, Angie! I'd love to hear your thoughts once you read it.

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  2. Sounds like there is a lot going to happen until she knows who´s the right guy. Looking forward to getting a glimpse more into the novel via you vlog.

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    1. Thanks, Katrin! I hope it doesn't disappoint. :)

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  3. Sounds interesting! In high school, I always felt like the third wheel. Going back to your hometown can also be fun and intense! I wonder what's going to happen with Nick and what secrets does Trip have? I guess I'll have to read this one to find out who she end up with! :)

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    1. Me too, Candy (always the 3rd or 5th wheel). I guess you will just have to read it to find out. Won't ya? ;)

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