Knock Me Off My Feet

I have to wonder if this is a "I want to offend everyone" satire. This is three hundred pages and more of misogyny, sexism, bigotry, and a huge plot twist involving massive homophobia. Plus ableism in the form of Kiley. She's a stereotype right down to Autumn crying over the fact that she exists. I'm stunned the word "inspirational" wasn't used. People sometimes cry when I briefly mention my own health issues (not the same thing Kiley has) and I am regularly called inspirational for doing totally normal things, such as waking up to my alarm and looking for work. Apparently having hip and leg problems means I can't wake up to an alarm or look for work. Hm. Basic biology states those things are totally unrelated! Patrick, one of Quinn's show more brothers, is a priest because this book rams in a lot of Irish-American stereotypes. He...even wears a priestly collar to a family cookout. WHY. His stereotype could have been waaaay worse, though. For the constant yammering about Catholicism in this book, not a single character goes to church or talks about what their faith means, so why mention it? What was the reason? Autumn's Protestant, and they bicker. Why is this in here? It adds nothing because they never talk about what it means to them!

Part of the romance genre is the appeal of imagining yourself as one of the characters. The endless harping about Catholics and Protestants from Quinn's family had me instantly realize this family would have a coronary each if they ever figured out that Jewish, Muslim, modern-Pagan, atheist, and agnostic people exist, and their brains would short-circuit if they met a Jewish atheist, of which I am friends with several. I think the Quinn family's heads would explode if they ever met someone who didn't believe in Jesus, and ooooh someone would get kicked out of the family for dating one. This family is so narrow-minded..

The two leads in this book have zero chemistry. The author clearly tries for Enemies to Lovers but went too hard and too fast into insta-love. It was painful to read. They act like inexperienced teens despite having life and relationship experience and being in their 30s. The lack of Quinn's professionalism from start to finish blew my mind. They sleep together after a few weeks and he says he loves her within a month. Too fast! Seriously, build up to it! Build up to it, have him feel tons more inner conflict, and I'd be fine. Angst and unresolved sexual tension are some of my favorite, favorite tropes. THIS BOOK HAS NONE OF THAT. Autumn's just a weepy Not Like Other Girls fake-clumsy gal. Fake-clumsy so she can fall into her fella's arms in the literal sense, as this trope always goes. Barf. I have balance issues IRL and this is a portrayal that makes fun of people like me. Apparently the constant blushing, weeping and fake-clumsy tripping are super common heterosexual romance tropes. I don't read it often and this book reminds me why. show less

It was Ok. Somehow could'nt quite get my hooks into it. I think it might have been a little bit more of soft porn than was in the mood for.
The villian was predictable and motive too. Infact I was leaning in that direction as soon as the childhood stories started.

Sharp wit and great setting. Audie is a terrific character but the reader's enjoyment of this book will depend on their tolerance for head hopping.

Funny story of woman who inherits Martha Stewart type business but hates it. I always love it when hero determined to get heroine ... story, action, sex all good.

A great romance novel with an actual storyline. I loved the two main characters!

From BackCover:
WHEN YOU MIX ONE PART BUSINESS
Autumn Adams never planned to follow in her mother's footsteps as Chicago's answer to Martha Stewart—she can't cook, doesn't clean, and would rather play soccer than discuss the joys of white bathtub grout. Then some lunatic starts sending her threats in the mail and Audie finds herself under the protection of simmering, sexy Detective Stacey Quinn, a man determined to examine her every nook, cranny, and ex-boyfriend in his effort to find the stalker. A disarming combination of macho cop and sweet charmer, Quinn is hard to resist. But with Audie's bad luck at finding and holding on to Mr. Right, she thinks it's best to keep her distance...

WITH ALL PARTS PLEASURE,
Quinn soon discovers that show more the real Audie is an alluring blend of fantasy babe and tender-hearted female all wrapped up in what he can only hope is leopard-print underwear. She's not what he's always pictured for himself, but could she be everything he'll ever need?

THINGS CAN GET DOWNRIGHT DELICIOUS.
Digging through Audie's many layers could turn out to be the hottest, craziest, sexiest bit of detective work Quinn has ever attempted...if it doesn't kill him first. show less

The book moved a bit slow but was enjoyable. I never would have suspected the killer.