Sexiest Man Alive

I won this book as part of a prize pack a few months back. At the time I wasn't sure I would read it, as I don't read contemporary romances too often, but the fact that the main character Jasmine was as shy as I am piqued my interest.

Some of the most humorous parts of the novel came from when Jasmine would fangirl over a certain design or fabric. I have clothing designer friends, so I could easily picture how many tubs of extra fabric or how lovingly she takes care of her sewing machine.

The romance I think was just a shade too unbelievable. The chemistry was there, but I couldn't believe in Josh as a character, so it threw the romance flat. He didn't act like your typical Hollywood hunk, but he didn't act like a guy who wanted to prove show more himself either. He spent more time trying to get Jasmine to loosen up about her fear of men then he did practicing his so-called 'serious' acting.

Jasmine felt real, until the end at least, in her behavior and her mannerisms. Though the trauma that made her so afraid of men, or groups of people at all, seems flimsy it really is the small things that affect you the worst. I think she got over it a little too easily, but I could relate to it.

The backstory with her parents and two sisters was a confusing jumble. Her parents divorced when she was young, she was carted off with her mother to India while her two sisters went with their dad. Jasmine lived the life while they struggled. Then when she went to go live with them as a teenager something happened to make her realize that they didn't want her or could forgive her so she ran away again. It stayed like that for ten years until the sisters reunited. I have a feeling there is a first book I am missing that may have explained some of these things better.

Overall it was a fun diverting read that was perfect to just relax and not bother thinking too hard on. Jasmine was a likable character and I enjoyed reading about how she overcame her social anxieties. show less

Note: This book will be raffled on the 2nd at http://j-kaye-book-blog.blogspot.com/.

My Thoughts:

Diana Holquist’s book Sexiest Man Alive is a reminder why I no longer do research on author or the book prior to reading. The reason is I’m no good at prejudging a book. I’ll give you an example of what I mean.

Take the book cover. See the hunk of a fellow on the cover? Hot, right? The woman is grabbing him from the back made me think of the song by Arrow “Hot, Hot, Hot.” I conjured up graphic sex scenes. Imagine my surprise to find out the main character, Jasmine Burns, is actually shy, so much so that she has anxiety attacks anytime she is near a hunk. Right away, I knew this was going to be interesting.

To add to the mix, her show more sister, Amy, is a psychic and not just your Sylvia Browne model. Amy specializes in being able to hear the name of the person you are destined to be with, your life mate, if you will. Of course, there is a catch. When Amy hears the name, let’s say, John Smith. This could be the John Smith, a wino down the street or John Smith, the billionaire. What a twist!

Diana Holquist’s sense of humor tops the laugh charts in this comedy romance. The giggles started on page six turned to laugh-out-loud funny before the chapter was done. I even woke my husband from a dead sleep before I was done with my laughing jag. And the prologue at the end with the first chapter of her next book is completely priceless!

After reading Sexiest Man Alive, I discovered this was Diana Holquist’s second book. Her first, Make Me a Match, also has the gypsy sisters and it’s Cecelia Burns who finds her one true love. Her next book, titled Hungry for More will be out in fall of 2008. show less

Recieve this book for tha author and I absolutely LOVED it! The charaters were quite personalble. Bigger than life, yet so human they were relateable (wait, is that even a word?!) Had a few twists and turns, yet it turns out better that you hope. An excellent read! Couldn' put it down.