Customer Reviews

Ain't Too Proud to Beg

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

With her trio of co-workers and their motley crew of dogs, obit writer Josie Sheehan has sworn off men, But a chance encounter with pet store CEO Rick Rousseau has her rescinding her vows. But Rick has a checkered and tortured past and has sworn off everything - including woemn - for the past seven years. And when the two fall for each other - it's explosive. But Rick's past is catching up with him, putting Josie in danger too. Can the two rise above it and fulfill each other's happily ever after?

Donovan's latest returns to her early roots - quirky heroine and hunky hero combined with romance, lots of humor, and a side of underlying danger. Though the writing is not as crisp as say her first novel, Knock Me Off My Feet or her quirky Take a Chance on Me, it nevertheless is an engaging and entertaining story, with her trademark of spice. I did think the romance was a bit rushed, but it doesn't detract from the story. Heck - Donovan could write obits and I'd still be intrigued.

I won't go into the storyline again, but contrary to other reviewers, I really, really liked this book! It was hysterically funny and the strength of Susan Donovan is her ability to define her characters so well. Though Rick was almost too good to be true, he was born out of a deep, wrenching guilt over a horrible tragedy that resulted from his former destructive lifestyle. Josie was adorable, a sort of regular girl who is thrust into an extraordinary life with Rick. Their love story is tender and passionate and mature.

On the supporting side, Rick's best friend, Teeny, had some of the best lines. Josie's dog-walking buddies were a scream and I'm looking forward to the next book where another is featured in her own love story.

A couple of things bothered me. One was Donovan's use of the crazy ex-girlfriend who plots to put the hero in danger for revenge (though, in this book, she was never his girlfriend, but was illogically possessive of a man who rejected her advances). In "The Girl Most Likely To . . .," her previous book, it is almost exactly the same icky plotline.

I was also bothered by the abrupt ending to the suspense plot that had been built up continuously throughout the book. The resolution to that character was sorely lacking and should have been explored more fully.

Overall, a deep, emotional book that tugged at my heart. Definitely recommended.

Josie Sheehan works for a newspaper writing obituaries. She is now 35 and realizes that if anyone had to write her obituary it would be very sad indeed. Besides many failed relationships, the only thing Josie has right now is her Labradoodle Genghis. Along with three friends, Josie agrees that men are off the list of things to do for now and that it's better to just walk their dogs. That is until she meets her dream man at a new dog-grooming store.



Rick Rousseau can't believe he is anyone's dream man - more like their nightmare man. But when a woman bursts onto his life and then asks him out for coffee, Rick is helpless to refuse her. Unexpected circumstances make that an unfulfilled promise. Rick has secrets in his background that could harm anyone close to him. However, once he gets to know Josie, Rick isn't going to let that stop him from learning everything there is to know about this unusual woman and why she pulls him so much.



Josie believes Rick is a dog groomer only to discover he is the CEO instead. Something about Rick pulls Josie to act unlike herself unafraid - after all, Genghis loves Rick and he is a great judge of character. As their relationship deepens, Rick tells all of his secrets to Josie - the entire time worried that a budding relationship is about to go down in flames. Josie surprises Rick once again by accepting all he is. Lurking and coming closer by the hour is a danger that could not only crush their love but it could be deadly to one of both of them. Trust and love is what will keep Josie and Rick together or it might crumble in their hands.



Man's best friend and a wish to the universe brought them together, but only love can keep them that way. Ain't Too Proud to Beg is an unlikely love story between a man who had given up on the chance to love and a woman who constantly chose the wrong men. Josie is part of a pact between her dog walking friends to give up on men. Rick's past actions have made him turn his back on attempting to love. I laughed as Josie got up the nerve to ask for her dream man only for him to appear and laughed again as I watched Josie and Rick collide for the first of many times. The loving humor that was the backdrop to Rick and Josie was perfect when matched against the past that was trying to pull them apart. But when a wish and fate bring you together, anyone would be foolish to ignore it. Ain't Too Proud to Beg is a sweet and funny love story that proves everyone deserves a second chance at love.


Jo
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

May be I read a different book cause I really liked this story. I agree with the publisher's weekly review. While the very minor suspense plot fell short the charecters were so intriguing that it didn't bother me. I've re-read some of my favorite scenes several times so that says a lot.

Also it's amazing that I liked this book so much, because I'm so not a dog person and I still felt the hero and heroine were compelling. This is the first novel I've read by this author and she's now on my author to watch out for list.

Ain't Too Proud to Beg is the first story in a new series by Susan Donovan. The main characters/heroines of the series are introduced right away as 4 women friends and coworkers who have an informal dog-walking group together. The lead character in this story is Josie, a fairly average 35-year old single girl who writes for the local newspaper.

The story unfolds as Josie sends a letter out to "The Universe" describing her ideal man, and then goes on to unfold what happens to her when she meets a man that is exactly what she described. The man has a painful past and a few secrets, and there is a little bit of suspense and drama thrown in with the things that are in his past.

The four single girl friends have made a pact to swear off men and lead happy lives as single women. Once Josie starts falling for her new man wacky hijinx ensue as she is afraid to come clean to her friends that she has met someone.

If you like romantic comedies, wacky antics, funny characters, and misunderstandings, then you will enjoy this very cute and sweet story. But if you are looking for something highly romanticised, emotional, and epic, this is not your book. This is a great story in it's own right, but the characters are very normal everyday people, with normal jobs and normal lives. There is not much escapism or fantasy. But there is love, tenderness, forgiveness, and the excitememnt of two people who have been waiting their whole lives to find each other.

The writing and concept were good but something was missing. The concept was was that Josie has gone from one bad relationships to another until she is pushed to take a chance on love. Josie asks Rick out and they fall head over heal in love - BUT someone is out to get Rick for his past... It had a interesting 'magic/destiny' undertone - but I just did not like the characters. The fact that Rick had given up women for the past 7 years and was Sooo nice just was too 1970's Harlequin romance plot for me... My favorite character was psychic/matchmaker widow -she was great.

If you enjoy this genre - here are few suggestions to add to your reading list; He Loves Lucy, Mad, Bad and Blonde (Berkley Sensation) and The Summer Hideaway (The Lakeshore Chronicles).

I have read and enjoyed most of Susan Donovan's books. This one was not up to her usual caliber. And what's with this "ask the universe" nonsense??? Skip this one. If the sequels in the trilogy are similar, they won't be good reading either.

Susan Donovan's Ain't To Proud To Bed is another sexy and funny story by this delightful author.

Josie Sheehan has had one to many failed relationships. She and her dog-walking group of friends decide on a no need for a man pact. All the man Josie needs is her dog Genghis. But that new rule is put to the test when she meets the CEO of Celestial Pet Rick Rousseau.

Rick Rousseau had put his dating life on a permanent freeze after a serious accident many years ago. That resolve is broken when he meets Josie. Rick thinks maybe he can have it all with Josie at his side.

But there is someone from his past that is determined not to let Rick or anyone he loves find happiness. With Rick and Josie drawing closer, Josie's life becomes in serious danger.

Ain't To Proud To Bed is full of humor and all out sexual sparks. Rick and Josie are gems, they connect on so many levels. Its a pleasure to read a couple falling in love and watch them overcome major obstacles. Susan Donavan is author that every romance reader should have on their auto buy list.

Sad. There was so much potential here. Donovan is one of my favorite authors and I have all her books. She has started down hill though.

In this particular book, all the characters and scenarios are in place for a truly interesting book. Ms. Donovan sets it all up and, then, just stops. The "crime" solution which could have been a truly meaningful and useful part involving, frankly, the most interesting of all the characters, was nothing. Threads left dangling. When I think of the "what could have been..." in story development and character interplay I almost cry with frustration.

The heroine started out being the focus of the book. Again, the character was really well set up but then, quickly, became a cookie cutter Mary Jane. The "paranormal" element was, IMO, just silly. The character involved could have been really interesting all on her own. Adding this "special" gift, frankly, dumbed down the book (and that character.) It, apparently, was established only to set up the next book in what is obviously going to be a series. Maybe Donovan will do better in the next offering of that series.

The hero was OK but his sidekick was the more interesting.

All in all. Very disappointing. Donovan can do and has done much better than this. In fact, even the publishing was bad. The paper is of noticeably poor quality and the type face resembles that of a college freshman's throw away draft term paper. Just can't understand what on earth went on in the editing decisions about this book - if there were any.

If I didn't hold such high-regard for most of Donovan's previous works, I may have been a little more accommodating. As it is, Ain't Too Proud to Beg is just not worth the money unless you like cookie-cutter romances and evidence of missed literary opportunity. If so, this will suit you well.

Ain't Too Proud to Beg is my third book by Susan Donovan and it may very well be my last. While it was well written, I never got the point. It was like spying on the neighbors. And not the kind of neighbors Jimmy Stuart watched in Rear Window either.

This is the story of Josie Sheehan an obituary writer and Rick Rousseau, the CEO of Celestial Pet. They meet at the dog grooming counter and immediately feel the sparks. They go for coffee, she makes him dinner, they make love. And that's it. The reader knows everything about everyone.

I liked Josie and Rick both separately and as a couple, but there was no reason to dislike them either. I did appreciate that Rick had a tattoo. Tattoos are dead sexy and it is rare in romance fiction that the hero or heroine for that matter, has one. Especially one with a personal meaning.

There is also a man named Bennett on a mission to kill Rick for the death of his daughter, Margot. Margot was in a coma for like 14 years. I didn't understand Bennett's motivation for this vendetta because he seemed like a decent enough guy. He and his wife should have entered therapy. I think this was supposed to be driving the plot, but it was silly.

Also, there is the perfect, rich, blond that has loved Rick from afar for many, many years. Gwen was pointless. There was a similar character in Ms. Donovan's last book, Girl Most Likely Too. . . Gwen added nothing to the overall story.

Josie also had the obligatory group of quirky gal pals and their equally quirky dogs. They swore off men and met for drinks once a week. They were supposed to cause conflict with Josie's relationship, she was lying to them about dating Rick. All of this came to nothing as well. They discover Rick's big secret but the reader and Josie have known it all along. Also pointless.

The reader is also introduced to Josie's family including her sister's marital problems. They even go to Olive Garden. I mean, come on. I go to the Olive Garden with my parents. I read fiction to escape these kind of things.

I wanted to like this book. Knock Me Off My Feet was wonderful and I think Ms. Donovan has a great talent for writing but good writing alone does not a story make. There has to be an interesting plot and this was disappointing.