Customer Reviews

Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You (Zebra Book)

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

What a cute book! Basic premise is super-rich beauty wants to "find" herself so she goes to a small town in Pennsylvania. Unbeknownst to her, her handsome bodyguard tags along to keep an eye on her. Shelby was so classy, so likable - I loved how she improved everybody's manners at the Diner. Quinn was one sexy protector and their relationship sizzled! Secondary characters - Brandy, Gary, Uncle Alfred - were amazingly real. I kept imagining Somerton, the brother, to look and act like Niles Crane from Frasier. I loved Brandy, who ate at the slightest sign of stress ( who can't relate to THAT?) This book was a real romp - tons of laughs, tons of fun but with a deep vein of warmth and sincerity.

This could be a "Poor Boy meets Rich Girl and falls in love" story, except the poor boy drives a Porsche. I laughed the whole way through, staying up until 2 a.m. last night to finish the book.

Rich girl heiress Shelby, a Philadelphia Main Line socialite, flees by bus to reconsider her pending marriage to rich boy jerk, Parker the IV. She lands in East Wapaneken, PA and decides to have a bit of an adventure. Having her platinum credit card canceled by the Jerk in a move to bring her back, puts the adventure in a new light. She successfully copes with learning "to go Dutch," shopping in a department store from the clearance racks, and earning a living working as a hostess in a family restaurant. During the course of the book, she develops a taste for Snapple, Tastykake snacks, and bowling.

Poor boy Quinn, who is actually co-owner of a security service, avoids handling the R and R (Rich and Repulsive) cases. But with his blue-blooded partner sidelined with an injury (you'll just have to read the book to discover what and how), he has to take this case of locating and protecting the heiress, without her knowing of course. He poses as a writer, rents an apartment in the same building as Shelby's, and falls in love.

Shelby's dysfunctional family consists of brother Somerton, who controls the money; his "very good companion" Jeremy, who lives in the family mansion; and Uncle Lush, er Alfred, who also winds up in East W., when Somerton pitches him out. Uncle, who is between allowance checks, takes a job as busboy in the same restaurant.

Roommate, Brandy; her fiancé of 12 years Gary, his Mama keeps postponing the wedding; elderly mayor Mrs. Brobst, who drives a '67 Caddy; the regulars, a group of graying unemployed Viet Nam Green Beret vets; Joseph and Francis, two goons who are making sure Uncle doesn't skip out on his gambling debts but assist with the music for the benefit Shelby organizes, among others augment the cast of characters.

I've had this book for a while, but had lacked the motivation to start it, despite the good reviews, because of the premise. Really, rich girl running away to experience real life - oh, come on, such an old idea(q.v. "The Prince and the Pauper" of fairy tale fame)! I finally started it, and after slogging through the first couple of pages and cringing a little, I got into the pace of the story. I also surprised myself, because although it wasn't the kind of book that I just couldn't put down until 3 AM, I kept drifting back to it night after night, wanting to see what would happen next. So, it kind of grew on me, I guess.

If you've read the other reviews, you already know that Shelby Taite is a poor little rich girl with a gay brother; she's engaged to marry, but the wedding is really more of a business merger. She had an alcoholic Uncle Alfred who inspires her to sample life's zest before she "settles," and a chauffeur named Jim who unwittingly points her in the direction of a small town (known as "East Wappy" to the locals). As the trailer says, "the bride takes a hike" - straight to nowheres-ville. Her relatives hire security expert and bodyguard Quinn Delaney to track her down and make sure she stays safe until she comes to her senses and returns. We get to watch what happens along the way.

This book felt like it was spending a lot of time pulling my leg. The characters start out so stereotyped that I felt as if I were watching a farce. HOWEVER - and here's where I got hooked - they all proved themselves to be more than their surface appearances. I liked watching Quinn's evolution from a cynical bodyguard, to a man hopelessly in love (and KM's writing during those scenes was beautiful). Somerton, Shelby's brother, turned out to be more than the sum of his parts, with some unexpected concern and gumption. Jeremy, Somerton's significant other, was just plain funny, although along with Shelby's fiance' from hell (Parker), he was among the most sterotyped of the characters. Uncle Albert, with his charmingly affectionate personality sadly flawed by too much love for alcohol, turned out to have surprising depth and an ability to reflect this back onto the others.

There isn't a real slam-bash ending to this book; in fact, it's fairly predictable and anticipated. The strength of the story lies in the character development and the evolution of the love relationship between Quinn and Shelby. This is a sweet story that kept me coming back for more and turned out to surprise me, so I gave it 5 stars. Enjoy it.

This is the story of a privileged woman, on the brink of a marriage of money, who dares to run off and experience the "real world." Of course, her protective brother sends along a bodyguard under disguise and, also of course, they end up falling in love. At first this book was a little annoying with the "poor little rich girl" theme. I mean really, how many rich women of 25 have NEVER tasted McDonald's French Fries? NEVER heard of bowling or TJMaxx? This book was a little unbelievable at times, but I guess that is what escapist reading is all about! The story really redeems itself in the characters of the townspeople, who fall under the spell of Shelby and her impeccable manners. From the cleaver-wielding diner owner, to the 80+ year-old nearly deaf mayor, to the Vietnam vets, this is really a story about how wonderful it is to live in a small town. If you are looking for a traditional romance novel with lots of heated looks and steamy scenes, you will be disappointed. However, read this book anyway, you will wish you lived in this little slice of Americana.

Having never read a Kasey Michaels novel, I wasn't sure what I was getting when I saw this book, but I was very pleasantly surprised. "Can't Take My Eyes Off of You" is a funny, endearing book with great primary and secondary characters who are charming, witty and completely believable. Quinn Delaney, the male protagonist, is just the right blend of real man and total romantic. Shelby Taite, the female protagonist, is not your typical filthy rich girl. While she is naive about how the real world works, she is not at all a spoiled brat and throws herself enthusiastically into learning about how the other half lives. This makes her completely endearing.

I couldn't put this book down. It's a fast read, but it grabs a hold of you and keeps you turning pages until the satisfying happy ending. If you're looking for a fun read, this is it. I can't wait until Ms. Michaels' next book, which involves Quinn Delaney's business partner, Grady Sullivan. He's one of the terrific and funny secondary characters in "Can't Take My Eyes Off of You." He should be a riot as the "star" of his own book.

I'm kind of an anomaly -- a guy who reads (occasional) romances. This was the second one I read, and after letting it sit for a week because I didn't have the something-or-other to get going on it, I finally started it -- and knocked it out in four days. The last night, I found myself unable to put it down, and read for three and a half hours, finishing somewhere between three and four in the morning. I must say it was a great read, and I found myself rooting for Quinn much of the time (mainly because I saw a lot of myself in him, and because I think he's the luckiest devil in the world to get Shelby Taite), although I also rooted for Old Uncle Lush -- er, Alfred, Somerton and once even for Parker. Every family should have an Old Uncle Alfred. I ultimately bought it. It definitely, for me anyway, is a "FOREVER KEEPER!"

I was a little hesitant to pick up this book because I wasn't too enamored with Ms. Michael's latest historical. However, she has a light touch in this book that had me laughing a number of times. Not only did I like the main characters, but the secondary characters were great. The small town that serves as a setting for most the book really comes alive. I do have to say that the bit with the fiance is far-fetched. But, hey, it's romance!

Shelby Taite is looking for an adventure before she marries. She wants to see how 'normal' people live. So she leaves her '30 million dollar trust fund' life behind and escapes to the small town her chauffeur is from. Quinn Delaney is a security expert assigned to watch over her but not bring her back until she has a chance at an adventure. What follows is the most hilarious and enjoyable few weeks in East Wapaneken anyone can imagine. I laughed out loud many times especially at Jeremy (the significant other to Shelbys brother Somerton).

Quinn was great! Smart, protective, hansome, and more snobbish AGAINST rich people than Shelby was AS a rich person. Shelby was charming, naive, and stronger than she knew. It was a riot watching her take a bus, shop at T J Maxx, find a job, work a cash register....etc. The romance between these two was terrific as it grew more and more as they got to know each other. It was amusing to watch them try to hide their real identities, both afraid of ruining the relationship.

A fun, witty, touching story! Very entertaining and HIGHLY recommended! KCS

I really had a fun time reading this book.

Shelby Taite, restless and bored with her high society life, decides to go on an adventure and see how the other half lives. She hops a bus (dragging no less than five suitcases) and ends up in her chauffeur's hometown of East Wapaneken. Quinn Delaney (ex-cop turned bodygurad) is sent to watch over and protect Shelby, but not interfere with her great adventure. What ensues is a laugh-a-minute good time. Lots of hilarious situations and quirky characters, but also tender moments and in the end a deep sense of accomplishment.

All in all this was a thoroughly enjoyable read, and well worth the price of admission.

What an intriguing premise! Rich girl runs away to taste "real life" while unbeknownst to her, her bodyguard (who detests rich people) is guarding her. Sadly, there was no chemistry between the hero and heroine. I liked the story, but the romance between the two seemed forced - as if there were no genuine emotion between them. I simply didn't believe that they ever LOOKED at each other, let alone fell in love. The secondary characters (Brandy and Gary, Jeremy and Somerton) felt real and seemed in love. So I can't recommend it as a romance, but as a novel, it's kind of cute.