Just Like Heaven [Paperback]

Barbara Bretton (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 27, 2007

It all started with a red lace thong. Normally Kate is a twin set and pearls kind of girl who wouldn't be caught dead in such a thing. But that's exactly what happens when sudden chest pains leave her lying in a parking lot with her skirt hiked up around her hips for all of Princeton to see. It's a man in a Grateful Dead t-shirt who saves her life, and then disappears without a trace. A total stranger-and yet Kate would give anything to see him again. How is she to know that her mystery man is planning a new, far-away life for himself, one that doesn't include romance, even if he can't seem to get the woman in red lace out of his mind?

Romance isn't high on Kate's list of priorities either. But when the handsome good Samaritan shows up on her doorstep, they discover that even the strongest heart is no match for love...

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

*Starred Review* When Kate French, owner of French Kiss, a popular antiques shop, sets out to deliver some Revolutionary War documents to a client, she feels ill, pulls her car over, and begins to lose consciousness. One of the last things she remembers is a hunky man in a Grateful Dead T-shirt who claims to be a licensed EMT. Mark wants to return the metal box he found in Kate's car but doesn't know her name. Kate hasn't a clue about the identity of her good-looking savior but has other things to worry about: her health; Paul, her best friend since grade school who suddenly wants to marry her; Kate's daughter, who decides to drop out of college; and submitting to the care of Kate's mother, a Wiccan sex expert. When Mark finally finds Kate, the chemistry is strong, but can an atheist and an Episcopalian priest sustain a relationship? Very few romance writers create characters as well developed and realistic as Bretton's. Her books pull you in and don't let you leave until the last word is read. Shelley Mosley
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Jove (February 27, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 051514262X
• ISBN-13: 978-0515142624
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #996,439 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

In the month of February 1982 I wrote and sold my first novel. And no, I wouldn't believe it either if it hadn't happened to me. I sent in my manuscript on Thursday February 21, 1982 and four days later the telephone rang and I heard the amazing words, "We want to buy your book." How I wish you could have seen me. I was standing by the kitchen door of our North Babylon house, the picture of cool sophistication, as I listened to Vivian Stephens explain the terms of the deal to me. You would have thought I'd sold a first book every single day of my life. Yes, I said. Sounds wonderful. Thank you so much for calling. I look forward to our association. That cool sophistication hung on until I hung up the phone, took a deep breath, then promptly threw up on my shoes.

I was thirty-one years old, unagented, unschooled, unfamiliar with anything to do with the business of publishing. To put it mildly, I was in shock. My husband was working in Manhattan at the time (and finishing up his degree at night) so it would be hours until I could break the news to him. This was too exciting to waste on a phone call. I wanted to see his face when I told him that my dream had finally come true -- and came with a $6000 advance!

He pulled into the driveway at midnight. I was waiting in the doorway, holding a bottle of champagne and two glasses. I didn't have to say a word. He knew right away and the look of joy and pride in his eyes warms me now, years later, long after the advance faded into memory.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars True Romance (and Religion), April 6, 2007

By 

Butterscotch (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Just Like Heaven (Paperback)

This is a very romantic book - no doubt about it. It's a contemporary romance, and the main characters are grown adults with the ability to express and enjoy their feelings. Kate is a reluctant romantic whose life is turned upside down (romantically) when she meets Mark, a man who happens to save her life one day at a college. The two of them form a tight bond almost immediately and the book basically explores the problems and excitement that come with meeting someone new and different from your previous experiences. Kate has to integrate her new man into her home and family life and learns to express herself more fully because of her new relationship. The biggest ... well... deterrent in this book is that it is highly religious. I'm surprised no review has focused on just how much religion is central to this book. The title is the first indication, and so is Mark's profession (an Episcopalian priest); there are also countless references to God and religion and life paths, etc. I was definitely not expecting a religious book, so it was rather unexpected. At times it was too much but I overlooked all the religious references because of the interest I had in the story and its outcome.

14 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Bait and switch back cover blurb, August 22, 2007

By 

camille (Chicago) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Just Like Heaven (Paperback)

If I had known what to expect from this novel, I might have had different expectations and a different review. Actually, that's probably not true-- if the back cover description had been honest, I would not have read the book at all.

The back cover led me to believe that the novel was a contemporary romance novel between two forty-somethings. I was pleased to see a book about mature adults for a change, rather than Gen X yuppies on the prowl. In addition, the premise of the couple meeting over a heart attack was certainly unique and enjoyable to read.

One expects complications to ensue after the initial meeting. One does not expect pro-Catholic prosiness or lengthy discourses on the male protagonist's induction into the Episcopal priesthood and his attempts to get a new job. Honestly, if I wanted to read about a job hunt, I'd be reading employment chat sites and not a romance novel. In fact, by the time the author treated us to a line by line copy of service of the Episcopal induction into the priesthood, I was done with the book.

I certainly have nothing against spirituality in life or books, but I wish the back cover had provided more accurate information on the content to enable me to make reading choices appropriate to my interests.

In addition, I found the hypocrisy of Kate's daughter going to Catholic mass while living with her boyfriend ironic and the smug superiority of Kate's daughter and mother about what she really needed in her life was just annoying. I truly found the mother's insouciance about the impact of her life decisions on Kate, especially in regards to men, frustrating to read.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Barbara Bretton Does It Again, March 22, 2007

By 

Elaine Croteau "book maven" (Manchester NH) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Just Like Heaven (Paperback)

It's been a while since i've read a Barbara Bretton and i wasn't disappointed. I thoroughly loved this book. If I don't like a book i'll skip thru the pages to get to the best part but I devoured every single word and couldn't put it down. Kate French is having chest pains in a mall parking lot when she collapes and her red thong is exposed and a man in a Grateful Dead T-shirt helps her. She wants to meet this kind stranger to thank him and they finally meet and naturally sparks fly. I gave this a 5 but it deserves a 10!