Close to Perfect [Mass Market Paperback]

Tina Donahue (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 2008

Real estate mogul Josh Wyatt is hotter than hot. That body. That wicked grin. Those eyes. The man can melt panty elastic with just one look - hell, he could melt driveway ice with just one look. And the tabloid photos of him emerging - naked - from his very secluded Florida pool just got him voted the year's most delectable hunk by women all across America. Time to get a bodyguard and fast. But the minute he meets sultry, leggy ex-cop Tess Franklin, Josh knows he's met his match...Kick paparazzi butt? Check. Scare away his lust-crazed fans? No problem. Pretend to be his girlfriend? Sure. Practical Tess would never say no to an easy gig like that. But Josh is even hotter in person than he is in those amazing photos - and Tess Franklin is about to experience an extreme meltdown...in his arms.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

When a popular tabloid prints photographs of hunky Miami real estate mogul Josh Wyatt emerging from his private swimming pool in the buff, he decides to advertise for a bodyguard. Ex-cop Tess Franklin works for her dad's security company. Even though she's highly trained and proficient in the martial arts, she isn't Josh's idea of an enforcer, and, frankly, he feels as protective toward her as she does toward him. It's lust at first sight, with chemistry sizzling between them from the get-go. However, acting on their feelings is stymied over and over by Tess'father's staff and friends, who are dead set on keeping her away from this wealthy playboy. Laced with humor and ongoing jokes regarding the couple's mutual frustration; the legion of female fans who want to see more of Josh, literally; and Josh's puzzlement as to where Tess keeps her pistol, Donahue's eventually erotic romance is fluffy, frothy, fancy-free fun. Shelley Mosley
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Review

Donahue's eventually erotic romance is fluffy, frothy, fancy-free fun. --Booklist

For those cold wintry nights, curl up next to the fire and indulge in CLOSE TO PERFECT. It'll warm you from the inside out. --ROMANCE REVIEWS TODAY, Reviewer Kathy Samuels

Readers will enjoy this fun romp that showcases the impact of the media on the privacy of celebrities even those who prefer not to be in the news ever. (5 Stars) --Harriet Klausner

CLOSE TO PERFECT is a great tale that readers are sure to enjoy.  The love scenes are amazing and sensual, and the story line will have readers laughing out loud. (4.5 Stars) --Angel, ROMANCE JUNKIES

Donahue's CLOSE TO PERFECT is entertaining and so very sexy! The reader will enjoy the fireworks in this story. It is lighthearted reading and is the perfect story to lose yourself in. (4 Stars) --Lori Sears, Romance Reader's Connection

"A walk on the wild side for romance readers!"

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Brava (March 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0758213190
• ISBN-13: 978-0758213198
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,607,338 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Tina Donahue is a multi-published novelist in contemporary and historical romance. She was the editor of an award-winning Midwestern newspaper, worked in Story Direction for a Hollywood production company, served as public relations director for a California literary agency, and is currently the Managing Editor for a global business document concern.

She has also modeled professionally, appearing on billboards throughout the nation.

In November 2010, three of her current novels were simultaneously selected as finalists in the EPIC 2011 E-Book Awards: DEEP DARK DELICIOUS, ADORED, and LUSH VELVET NIGHTS.

You can reach her at [e-mail], and her website is at http://www.TinaDonahue.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Awful!, February 7, 2006

By 

SLO Amy "apcds99" (Central Coast, California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Close to Perfect (Paperback)

This is one of the worst books I have read in a long time. Josh has no personality at all and you wonder through the whole book how he became rich considering he is a total idiot. Plus, the characters change there mind so many times, it's impossible to figure out.who still wants who. All the two main characters is fantacize about explicit sex and the supporting characters are all just very annoying. Save your money!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Get it from the library, June 12, 2008

By 

Tracy Vest (Northern California) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Close to Perfect (Mass Market Paperback)

Real estate mogul Josh Wyatt finds that he's tabloid fodder when racy photos of him are published, causing a bevy of scantily clad females to stalk him. To protect him from these would be "Ms. Right Nows" and the paparazzi, his lawyer arranges to hire a bodyguard. Not just any bodyguard will work - he hires Tess Franklin, an ex-cop who can hold her own with any perp, but will also have to act as his girlfriend. But Tess' overprotective father might have a little something to say about their living arrangements, particularly when he notices that his daughter is falling for her assignment.

The characters are supposed to be 28-31, but both their thought processes are more in line with a 13 year old girl who can't decide if a boy likes her or not, which quickly became redundant. A minimal plot, lack of communication, and far too introspection made the eventual coupling pretty anti-climatic and unbelievable. I'd skip buying and get it from the library.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good Chemistry But..., April 3, 2006

By 

Kristi Ahlers (Illinois) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Close to Perfect (Paperback)

Ms. Donahue's second effort although entertaining seemed a bit contrived. If one doesn't take it to seriously...the reader will come away from a light read with a smile on their faces.

Josh Wyatt went from being poor to being a wealthy man who has managed to get his naked backside plastered on the cover of tabloid papers. He's being stalked by the paparazzi and he needs protection. He's against this idea until his sexy bodyguard walks into his office. Yeah, he'll agree to a bodyguard if she plays the role of his girlfriend. But it's not long before Josh starts feeling more then lust for his sexy bodyguard. But will he get to keep her at the end of the day?

Tess Franklin is a former police officer...highly decorated...and she knows more then most how important it is that she lands this job. She will do what she needs to do to keep Josh safe...even if she has to play at being his girlfriend. It won't be a hard task Josh is yummy and hot, hot, hot. But is it all an act or is Tess the only one that really feels the heat between them? What's going to happen when he doesn't need her anymore?

I admit to having problems liking both protagonists at different periods of time during the course of the read. The reader will need to have patience but it will be worth the effort. This is a light read that is steamy, with bouts of unbelievable moments between characters. Ms. Donahue is very able when it comes to creating sizzling chemistry between characters.