Customer Reviews

French Kiss (Berkley Sensation)

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

 

 

I have to agree with the other two people who reviewed the book that there was some sexy stuff going on throughout the book. I am a big fan of Susan Johnson and I just couldn't get into this book. I felt like there were many things mentioned in the book that you thought would hold some real significance later on but those things just ended up as loose ends never being mentioned again. I was truly disappointed with the ending of this story. Compared to other Johnson books this one just seemed choppy and not well put together. I wish I could praise it but I just can't.

I read this book and kept hoping that the main characters would fall in love! Well, they certainly fell into bed but I struggled to find the romance. The traditional end seemed a last minute add on. I really didn't get the impression that they loved one another in the true romance novel all-encompassing, gut wrenching way. Maybe I'm way off here, I guess you'll have to read it for yourself.

In Southern California successful wealthy record producer Johnny Patrick would do anything for his beloved nine years old daughter Jordi. Thus he hires architect Nicole Lesdaux to design a tree house for his adored child. Nicole finds herself attracted to her client and his preconscious offspring.

However, when Johnny's former wife drug addict Lisa on a whim takes their daughter to Paris, he panics as he knows her friends at best are not good for his little darling and she is unstable. He enlists his sexy architect who speaks a few more words of French to accompany him across the Atlantic to retrieve Jordi. Shocking herself by breaking the golden rule of never mixing business with pleasure, Nicole agrees to go to France with Johnny. In Europe the architect and the music mogul begin to fall in love, but first must rescue a preadolescent child whose mother has placed her in danger from her so-called predatory friends.

Though some will wonder why Nicole as he could have easily hired an interpreter who spoke fluent French, this is a fine heated erotic romantic suspense with the emphasis on the erotica. Profanity is overused and feels more like shock therapy. However, the lead couple is a solid pair and Jordi is a precocious youngster in trouble because of her mother's terrible judgment especially in her choice of friends. Susan Johnson keeps the heat beyond boiling as Johnny and Nicole share much more than just a FRENCH KISS.

Harriet Klausner

Nicole Lesdaux is an architect who specializes in tree houses. Her latest commission is for none other than hottie record producer Johnny Patrick's little girl. Johnny is a huge temptation but she is there for business and business only. But, when Johnny's ex takes their daughter to Paris without permission, Johnny asks Nicole to accompany him to Paris as his translator. She knows she should say no, but Johnny is more than she can ignore and the lure of helping puts her on a plane with the handsome man. Before they know it they are no longer fighting the attraction between them. Nickie knows that when they leave France her romance will end but despite her best efforts she can't help but fall for Johnny...and hard. Will there be a happy ending for them both once they return to life that they both are leading in California?

Ms. Johnson's latest contemporary is a sexy fun read that will draw the reader in from page one. Johnny and Nicole are not like her typical strong leads. Both are strong yet nursing hurts from their past and as a result this is a treat for her long time fans. The chemistry between the main characters is instant and hot and believable. Ms. Johnson is a very capable storyteller and her latest effort offers sexy locations, and entertaining characters, and steamy romance. It's exactly what fans of romance look for in a read.

This was my first Susan Johnson book and the first few pages of the book were really good. I enjoyed the story...however, I have to agree with other reviewers about the "encounters." It was way too graphic. The cover on this book says that this is a "contemporary romance," but there was NOTHING romantic about the way these two characters came together. By the end the story, I didn't care about either of them.

I like a steamy romance novel when it's done well. This wasn't. Bad writing, thin characters, flimsy plot--it had nothing, and the sex scenes read like soft core porn. If that's your thing, go for it, but you should know that's what you're getting.

The writing in this book is really choppy and awkward. The storyline started out well but then it just became stupid and suspending disbelief became incredibly hard to do.

When I started reading the romance genre again, this was one of the first books I picked up--and certainly the first by Susan Johnson. Instead of a summary, I'll list the reasons why I loved this book so much I've already read it twice.

1. The characters are actually likable. There are no major personality flaws with either of them, the type that would make you scream "OH GROW UP!" He's extremely promiscuous, not a great character trait with anyone IMO, but he's strong and willing to face his emotions. She's sweet and funny, and while she has a past of her own, she can meet him on his terms.

2. They both have their funny moments. After reading over 400 romances, this one thing has become important to me when it comes to the contemporary arena, and this book reminded me more of Lori Foster than the other Susan Johnson books I ended up ordering.

3. The sex/love scenes, while raunchy at times, were believable and truly "hot."

I've read other books by this author, but none of them have fired me up the way this one did. I just love it.

Nicole "Nicky" Lesdaux is an architect in L.A., she designs of all things -- tree houses. Not just any tree house, but fancy ones that you can live in. These are for the children of the very rich and famous, where money is no object.

Nicky will get a chance to design a wondrous tree house for Johnny Patrick's daughter, Jordi. This man could singe you with just one look; he is that hot and delicious. He is every woman's wet dream. And now, Nicky will get to work up close and personal with this hunky man.

FRENCH KISS is the latest release by authoress Susan Johnson. Ms. Johnson's sexual savvy is undeniable and unforgettable in this story of love. A story called FRENCH KISS.

Ms. Johnson has all the right moves with this smashing story of one man's life that may seem fantastic from the outside but is terribly flawed on the inside. With an ex-wife that cannot stay off drugs, to the internal turmoil of his working life, this story never slows down until you close the book.

Nicky will get more than she bargained for when she takes on the job of building a tree house for Jordi who is a sweet and gregarious child.

Johnny's ex-wife will take Jordi out of the country to Paris and since Nicky speaks French, he will whisk her away to help him get his daughter back from his ex-wife who has some serious addictions and dangerous friends.

The attraction between Johnny and Nicky will heat up as they learn about each other and find common ground in which they connect. Johnny is more than just a hot playboy and Nicky will surprise the heck out of him.

This is a must read contemporary for 2006! Ms. Johnson hit a home run with FRENCH KISS. It is smart, sassy, and sexual satisfying. The only thing you might not like about this book is that you will not be able to put it down!

Reviewed by Janalee Ruschhaupt, 2006
Courtesy of Love Romances

I will buy anything she writes. I am never unhappy with her books.