Customer Reviews

Hello, It's Me (Warner Forever)

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Annie and Andre Harlowe were head over heels in love, with two precocious children. When Andre suddenly dies and leaves Annie alone and pretty destitute, the one luxury she allows herself is to continue paying for his cell phone so that she can still hear his voice.

A year after his death, while she is calling his cell phone, someone answers, but from a very far off place. She suddenly gets the feeling that Andre is trying to talk to her from the grave, but what is he trying to tell her? Was it real, or was she imagining it?

To make ends meet, she takes an occasional job as a waitress for her caterer friend. At a stuffy party for a wealthy bachelor, she bumps into the host and manages to make a ruckus. Thom is immediately intrigued by her, despite the appearance of a wedding ring. When he returns her missing wedding ring, Thom finds himself falling for the whole family, and wants to take care of them. The only problem is she is still in love with her dead husband, and well, he has this fiance...

"Hello, It's Me" will tug at your heartstrings from the opening sentence to the very last page. Author Markham pulls out all stops to tell the charming story of two wounded souls destined to be joined. But rather than being a lighthearted romp like so many of her romantic comedies, this one takes on a more serious tone - dealing with the death of a spouse and the feelings of betrayal after moving on.

HELLO,IT'S ME by Wendy Markham
Edited May 19, 2005


HELLO IT'S ME by Wendy Markham was not what I had expected to find. A book that is a little more than the standard light-hearted romance, it delves into the topic of how to go on after the death of a spouse.

Annie Harlowe was married to the love of her life, Andre, and had two children together. They live a simple life on the beaches of Long Island, in a small village called Montauk. It is in the prologue that Annie learns of her husband's sudden death, helping to set the mood for the rest of the book.

The chapter after the prologue begins a year later, and Annie is trying to make ends meet by helping out with her best friend Merlin's catering company and serving food at parties that are held at exclusive summer homes owned by the rich and famous. This is not Annie's favorite thing to do but it helps to pay the bills. She also creates trinkets and other types of souvenirs that the beach crowd may want to buy before going back to their homes in the city. She's an artist first, and always will be, and she refuses to conform to society's expectations by working a 9-to-5 job. This was what she and Andre had always vowed, and she was not going to change now.


Annie has it in her mind that Andre does not want her to move on. Every day she calls Andre's old cell phone number, which she is still keeping active by paying monthly fees despite the fact that she can barely pay her other bills, and listens to his voice on the recording. One day she swears that Andre has picked up the other line and is trying to send her a message. What that message is, she does not know, but she tries to contact him again, knowing that anyone who knew what she was doing would think she'd finally cracked.

At one of Merlin's parties she meets Thom, a very wealthy man, and he finds himself very attracted to her. Annie doesn't realize it, but she too is also mutually attracted to him. Unfortunately, Thom is dating (and expected to marry) Joyce, who is supposedly the perfect woman for Thom. Annie, on the other hand, refuses to take off her wedding ring, feeling that she's expected to love Andre until the day she dies.

Despite these problems, Thom finds a way to get under Annie's skin. Luckily for him she loses her wedding ring at the party and now he HAS to deliver it to her personally. This is the start of their relationship: two people taking a chance on something very uncertain. Annie is not quite ready to move forward, but her kids have already taken it to heart that Thom is going to be their next daddy. This reviewer feels the kids steal the "show", so to speak, and there are a number of scenes that will leave the reader sniffling into a tissue.

HELLO, IT'S ME is a very delightful novel. The two children, Trixie and Milo, will be every reader's favorites. They were both very lovable little children (at the start of the book Milo is five years old, and Trixie is three) and in their innocent ways help bring Annie and Thom together. What was a surprise to this reader is that the novel is not your average light-hearted romance. This story works on many levels, and touches upon a topic that is not often seen in a typical romance, the subject of how to deal with the death of a spouse. This reviewer gives this novel by Wendy Markham four stars and recommends it to all who love a romance with a small box of tissues.

I love a story that makes me both laugh and cry! This story offers just that kind of read, but why not a higher score? Annie. Annie is a character that alternated between entertaining me and annoying me. Not a good trait in a main character.

Annie is a widow. A young widow who is trying to raise her two childeren off of the earnings she makes creating crafty items to be sold to the "city people" that come to the Hamptons for the summer. She has a fixer-upper that is falling apart around her and she is still not over the death of her husband. Enter her best friend Merlin. Merlin has asked her to help him one night at a rather posh party he is doing. Annie agrees despite her misgivings and need for cash. She has a thing against the "snooty" people that will be there and she doesn't want to leave her kids alone with a sitter. Still she goes and works and meets the most charming man in the world. The first man that makes her heart beat a little faster. Thom with an "H."

Thom is trying to find his place in life. He has a mother who is all about pedigree's, a sister that has forgotten how to smile and have fun, and a girlfriend that is just not working for him. Just when he thinks his party could not get any worse he is run over by a petit dark haired waitress. Ann is just the person he's been looking for...now if only he can convince her to take a chance with her heart again and allow him to lover her as he wants.

This is a complex love story to be sure. One person trying to move on from a tragic death, one trying to live period. Add two sweet little kids, a ghost, and a treasure hunt and you have "Hello, It's me." Now overall this was a good read but what kept it from being "Great" was Annie. Again she has her issues but her growth was slow going. The side story of husband Andre coming to Annie from the otherside was rather weak. I truly expected a little more there with that aspect of the story. Otherwise this was a light entertaining read you may want to add to your summer reading list.

Official Reviewer for www.romancedesigns.com

When I picked this book up ~~ I was really desperate for a light-hearted reading ~~ and thought this one would fit the bill. Plus, I had heard of Wendy Markham ~~ but none of her previous books rang a bell. Anyhow, I thought this would be a delicious romance novel that would just carry me away. Well, it did carry me away ~~ but it's more than just a light-hearted romance novel ~~ it was really sweet reading!

Annie has been the Widow Harlowe for almost a year ~~ her soul mate of ten years suddenly died the previous summer, leaving her a rickety house and two young children to raise alone. Barely making ends meet, she agrees to be one of the waitstaff for her best friend's catering service at this posh party. Little did she know that the host would end up being the guy chasing her ~~ turning her world upside down.

Thomas Brannock IV has everything his heart desires ~~ wealth, a thriving business, fancy home and cars ~~ but he finds his life missing something till he ran into Annie at his own party. And suddenly life is not so dull anymore.

This is a wonderful novel ~~ it did make me cry in places and laugh in others. It's just pure pleasure reading ~~ and if you like reading books that is about relationships, this book is definitely one of them. Don't be fooled by the book being shelved under the Romance section of the bookstore. It's just as entertaining as any contemporary fiction! And perhaps more.

11-21-05

Since Andre, her spouse of ten years passed away about a year ago, Annie Harlowe has hidden her need to grieve her loss because she knows she must remain strong for her two children six years old Milo and four years old Trixie. She brings in money by baking cookies for Merlin's Catering, but the bills are overwhelming. Her only self indulgence is keeping her husband's cell phone account so that she can hear his voice message and praying that one day he will come on with advice and encouragement, but that luxury will end shortly.

Merlin offers Annie a chance to make some additional money by waitressing at the Braddock shindig. She was going to refuse until Andre tells her to go on the cell phone. At the gala she meets Thomas Brannock IV, who is very kind to her. Afterward he finds a wedding ring that he traces through Merlin to Annie. He begins seeing Annie although their class background makes a relationship seem impossible. However, neither expected a heavenly matchmaker to intercede as Andre wants the best for his beloved and that happens to be Thom.

HELLO IT'S ME is an enjoyable paranormal contemporary romance with the heavenly elements used to enhance a fine tale. The story line stars two likable adults from different walks of life falling in love. The secondary characters augment the lead couple by providing insight into their motives, especially families and friends or matchmakers. Though the kids seem too precocious readers will appreciate this matchmaking from beyond romance.

Harriet Klausner

Story Brief:
Annie and Andre are married with two kids. Andre dies. Annie periodically calls Andre's cell phone so she can hear his voice message. A year later she calls; and instead of hearing his voice message, she hears him saying different words among a lot of static. This happens a few times during the story. Annie makes a living baking cookies for a caterer and selling art sculptures. She also occasionally waitresses for the caterer. At one of the catered events, she meets Thom. Thom finds her wedding ring the next day and returns it to her where he meets her children. He's a wealthy bachelor who is tired of wealthy women and gold diggers. He is drawn to Annie, but she is grieving too much and feels she will never be free to love another man.

Opinion:
I loved Thom. Annie was ok but I was annoyed with some of her thinking and actions. I was delighted and charmed with Thom and Annie's first day together. But I was soon let down by too much pondering and second guessing within the minds of both of the characters. Annie kept thinking Andre wouldn't want her to be with Thom. I was tired of Annie continuing to be sad and refusing to act on her feelings for Thom. I was also frustrated with Thom making his own inaccurate assumptions about Annie, telling himself she doesn't want to see him for this or that reason. More action, conversation and events would have been better. The part about Andre's ghost communicating with Annie also could have been better developed. I did not like Annie's inconsistencies. She believed Andre's ghost was talking to her via the telephone, but she wouldn't believe that his ghost was talking to her two children at night. Both children told Annie that Andre's ghost had said the same thing to each one of them separately. Yet she refused to believe them. I was also disappointed with something that wasn't answered. Erika told Annie to put on some of Erika's perfume. Annie chose the honeysuckle oil. Later Erika said she didn't own any honeysuckle fragrance. That mystery was never answered. There were two sex scenes which were nice but don't expect typical romance novel details. They were told rather than shown.

Data:
Story length: 372 pages. Swearing language: mild. Sexual language: none. Number of sex scenes: 2, told not shown. Setting: current day Long Island and Manhattan, NY. Copyright: 2005. Genre: contemporary romance with a touch of fantasy.

When an author sets out to write a story they never know who they may affect. While reading this story I found myself wondering if I would be in the same position. Of course, the romance part may seem unrealistic, but that is why we read these; right? We all want that perfectly wonderful prince charming epic in our own lives. The reason for the strange title of my review is because I did and felt these things as I was reading. I am a writer and thoroughly enjoy reading to take a break from writing. When I decide on a book, I will read the first two chapters. Hopefully, the book will "grab" me, because if it does not I'll still read it. I simply have to finish! Luckily, this book was an easy and fun read. I read it in about two hours. This is the first book by this author that I have had the pleasure of reading. It is all a matter of opinion of course, but I did like this and am in the process of ordering the rest of her books now. Thank you Ms. Markham.

What got my attention was the inside page when Annie calls her deceased husband's cell just to hear his voice on the voice mail and someone actually says "Hello".. I just had to buy it..

I love the fact that this book takes place in the Hamptons, Manhattan, and The Village. The author gives great detail into each of these areas and it really made me feel as if I were on the beach looking for buried treasure or in Thom's penthouse in Manhattan. Her friend Merlin is the best person to be with her and take care that she has work after Andre passes and she is now head of household. Her children are adorable and you can feel their lonliness at missing their father.

This is a definite must have if you love romance novels with great upbeat endings. I for one have added this to my library.

I really enjoyed this book, but I wish the author would write in the past tense, rather than the present. It's disconcerting to say the least. Aside from that, however, the book is touching and sad and happy and pretty much a lovely read. After having lost several of my close family members in a short period of time, it was also a bit cathartic. It's not a "downer" kind of book, but do keep your tissues handy!

For a simple little fast read, Wendy Markham is way above most romance writers. Her books aren't filled with cliched characters or language but are simple yet evocative. I loved this book and actually re-read in a year after the first read. For someone who writes romantic suspense, this book was emotionally refreshing -