Customer Reviews

It Takes a Rebel

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Put aside whatever errands you were going to do today and relax instead with Stephanie Bond's thoroughly enjoyable IT TAKES A REBEL. Her book starts with a meeting that had me laughing out loud and concludes with that sigh of contentment that is the hallmark of all really good romance novels. Bond's well-motivated characters Jack and Alex are endearing throughout. This story is a perfect balance of real emotional conflict between the hero and heroine and truly funny writing. If you were looking for a book that tugs your heartstrings and makes you laugh, you want IT TAKES A REBEL! You will not only love Jack and Alex, but also the secondary characters like Tuesday and Lana who help bring the humor to life.

Now, this isn't to say that Jack Stillman, hero of Stephanie Bond's "It Takes A Rebel" isn't an appealing character. He is. As Ms. Bond puts it, Jack is 'clodhopping his way through life' reveling in past athletic glories and having business opportunities handed to him on a silver platter because of those athletic feats. Until --- he comes up against Alexandra Tremont.

Part of the Tremont department store 'empire', Alex strives for her father's love and attention, while Mr. Tremont prefers to lavish attention on Alex's fiancé, Heath, and Jack Stillman, whose advertising firm (which is owned by Jack's brother, Derek, with Jack dropping in once in a while) is in the running for a lucrative new account for Tremont's store. Jack doesn't exactly get off to a stellar start with Alex on her first visit to the agency's office. He decides to fall back on his well-documented charm, with Alex fighting him all the way. Lots of fireworks and heated encounters ensue, with an especially steamy scene at the store as Jack models a thong, as Jack does his level best to convince Alex and her father to go with the Stillman agency for the account. Al Tremont wants immediate blanket approval but agrees to consider Alex's opinion after giving Jack a two-week trial run. Oh, and in addition, Al wants Jack (or 'Jack the Attack', as he was know in his college football days) to be the spokesmodel for the store.

I have to say that Jack's attitude toward Alex at times left me wishing she'd been a bit more outspoken against some of the things he did and said. And for Alex, I didn't agree with her repeated "make love to me, Jack/oh now I feel like slime for what I did to Heath" attitude. In my opinion, the first time should have been categorically the last time or she should have come clean with Heath immediately and returned the engagement ring. I didn't like the 'feel' of her having sex with Jack while wearing the ring of another man. Twice.

In the end, all in resolved: Al Tremont admits that he loves his daughter deeply (just didn't show it enough) and makes her President of the company, Stillman Agency gets the account, Heath resigns and takes a great job in Cincinnati and of course, Jack gets Alex.

I'm a big fan of Ms. Bond and though I had trouble with a few elements in "It Takes a Rebel", it definitely won't prevent me from picking up her next releases. Look for Ms. Bond's single title from St. Martin's - "Our Husband" - coming in November 2000. I had the privilege of receiving an advance reading copy of this book, and anyone who passes it by will be missing out on one of the truly great books of this year. Pre-order this book as soon as possible.

Admit it, you were in love with a college football hero, too. We all were.

Jack Stillman is not only a UK football hero with women and fans hanging on his every word, but he is a rebel to the bone. He rebels against the past sports hero image of going pro or sports anchor. He rebels against a desk job at the family advertising business. He rebels against creating a home base.

Some of his of "rebel" style is rubbing off on his new boss-- straightlace and by the book Alex Tremont.

There is an interesting side story about the father/daughter relationship. Well done.

This romance has you from the time they strut their stuff to the gates, as they race down the track, and finally their love blooms in the circle of roses. [no wide-brim hats, PLEASE]

So far, Stephanie Bond continues to please, with her spunky heroines and her gorgeous heros. Even her secondary characters are fun. If you don't love Tuesday, something is out of kilter in your funny bone. As for the booted automobile, that was a little too close to home. Glad my rescuer did not come on a motorcycle.

Derek Stillman was trying to enjoy his honeymoon, but still worried about the family advertising business while he was away. Derek's brother Jack is temporally running the firm in his usual lackadaisical way. Jack expects an IRS auditor, but instead Alex Tremont, Director of marketing and sales of Tremont Enterprises arrives. Jack mistaking Alex for the IRS and blows the account with his bum-like attitude. However, he gains a second chance when Alex's father insists on a formal meeting to fulfill a promise he once made.

The next day, Jack dresses to kill and with the help of his football past wins the account. Alex's dad assigns her to work with Jack on the ad campaign. As they work in close proximity, they fall in love. However, she is not only engaged to another management official, but Alex's goal of impressing her father is in jeopardy.

IT TAKES A REBEL is an enjoyable contemporary romance. The story line is fun as Jack and Alex battle one another to gain an edge on each other. Readers will bond with hunk Jack and admire Alex. Jack's new office assistant Tuesday Humphrey adds Chutzpah and humor to the tale, while another secondary character deserves having Stephanie Bond telling her story.

Harriet Klausner

As a former romance book snob, this the first romance book I have read in years... and I loved it! It was incredibly funny and progressive in nature. I really liked the fact that the heroine was smart and career oriented. This is by far the best romance book I have ever read. I look forward to reading more of her work.

I loved this book. Everything about it just "clicked" perfectly. A wonderful, funny, irreverent hero matching wits with a lovely, straight-laced executive--and the sparks really fly! Alexandra and Jack are terrific characters. They're both very real people who had me rooting for them the entire book. The story grabbed me right from the hilarious opening scene through to the end. But it wasn't just funny--it really touched my heart because the author made Jack and Alex so REAL--so three-dimensional. I highly recommend this wonderful story to everyone who loves a witty, romantic, and skillfully written love story. Great job, Stephanie Bond!

This book is the epitome of all Romance novels.
Its made me want to cry, just because of the passion the existed between Alex and Jack. I wish everyone could find their soulmate like they did. Granted its a book but a spellbounding one at that.