Customer Reviews

Not So Snow White

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

 

 

Donna Kauffman is a fabulous adult fiction writer. I enjoyed every one of her books (some more than others, but enjoyed them all).

Tess Hamilton has been tennis pro since age 15. But after a shoulder injury during a game and loosing her sponsorship, Tess needs to find a new way of getting money. So, when her brother ends up in Wimbledon (and he's getting married), Tess decides to fly to London and try to get another sponsorship.

Gabrielle Fontaine has just become pro and in her eyes, is being held back by her brother. Now at Wimbledon she's seeking advice and help and a coach that isn't picked out by her brother.

Aurora is now trying to help Tess out by giving her a place to stay and hopefully a job. Although Tess thinks no one knows her financial status but herself, Aurora's a smart lady and knows something's up. Aurora is able to get Tess to help Gabrielle, even though Max isn't happy about it.

Watch sparks fly between Max and Tess. And see Gabrielle go to Wimbledon.

I had read 3 of Donna Kauffman's books (The Big Bad Wolf Tells All, Cinderella Rules, & Dear Prince Charming) before purchasing this one and loved them all. However, if you're looking for the kind of romance or sizzle that was in some of her previous books, skip this one. Or just read the last 75 pages. This is really a book about tennis masquerading as romance. I was so disappointed by this one that I am writing my first ever Amazon review about it.

I enjoy this author, and I usually buy her books. However, the last book, Sleeping with Beauty, wasn't really one of her best. I was disappointed when I read it and ended up giving it to a second hand bookstore--not what I usually do with a Kauffman book.

I liked this book a lot better.

Kauffman clearly has a love for tennis and that shows in this book. But also, she managed to write a character, Tess, whom I found believable and endearing. I also liked her hero and his little sister. These were much better characters than those in Beauty.

The Godmothers from Glass Slipper, Inc. were back in this book, but this time the focus is on Aurora. I am beginning to be tired of these mavens and hope Kauffman gets a new plot device, but unlike Beauty, I didn't find Aurora's appearance in this book overshadowing the romance.

And the romance is back in this book unlike Beauty. If I were to rank the books including the Godmothers, I liked Cinderella Rules, then Dear Prince Charmind, then this book, and Sleeping with Beauty a distant last.

The fairytales continue with Aurora, Mercedes and Vivian at the Glass Slipper as Aurora puts the company to good use to help get two friends of her family to notice each other.

The novel follows (mostly) the beautiful former tennis star and party-girl Tess Hamilton as she tries to find her place in the world after being retired from tennis (before 30). Whereas most retired tennis players of Tess' caliber would live off of their saved winnings, the hot-headed Tess spent hers as quickly as she got it and the IRS walked off with most of the rest. Not willing to let her family (or the public) know that she is almost broke Tess tries to stir up some advertising interest but doesn't have any luck until she is invited to her brother wedding just weeks before Wimbledon (the last place Tess wants to be).

Tess is taken in by Aurora who (sneakily) invites her to be the "mentor" of a young tennis prodigy with a temper much like Tess'. The only problem there is Gabrielle's big brother Max who is a patient as Tess is impatient and uninterested as far as relationships go. As with any good Donna Kauffman novel the characters win each other over (but with more than the normal amount of strife and tension) and win the reader over as well.

I spent the majority of the first part of the book upset at Tess for being such a hot-headed arrogant party-girl. After several chapters though she sort of becomes less evil and more pathetic as she tries to figure her way out of her financial predicament with her pride intact. I gained a lot more sympathy for her after that.

All in all the book was good and a fast read.

Donna Kauffman's books always make me laugh. They are a great escape from reality. Any of her books that brings in the Godmothers are sure to be a hit. This one is no exception. A must read for any Kauffman fan! If you like Janet Evanovich's novels you will like Donna Kauffman.

I found this book randomly thumbing through the shelves of book stores.. I buy a ton of books based on if i can read the first 2 chapters in the book without wanting to do other things instead.. this book lasted my 2 chapters but I was hooked on the relationship of the characters.
For anyone who has ever wanted to step out of their own world and have a feel good read that makes you happy this is the book for you! It took me almost no time at all and granted I was in finishing high school when I read this- but I enjoyed every second of it! By the second half of the book I was on vacation and I would not put it down! So now I am buying it for my kindle because I want to be able to read it at any time! I enjoy Donna Kaufman books and even bought her Cinderella after wards to hopefully continue the magic and it worked!
READ THIS BOOK!!!

This was my first read of hers and the style of writing in this book is painful. The majority of this book reads as thoughts from the character rather than actual conversation. I like the plot and storyline but am struggling to finish this book even when I'm 75 percent finished!

I read "The Big Bad Wolf Tells All" and couldn't put it down; however, I couldn't get into any more of Ms. Kauffman's books never finding that "umph" from the first book. I ordered this one b/c I'm a huge tennis fan and because the story seemed interesting. I was also looking for a light read on my vacation to London and really wanted to find another book by the author to like. While it does lack the sizzle that permeated through "The Big Bad....", this book presents a sweet, slow simmering romance that is fun to follow. The tennis backdrop plays nicely with the story and was a double bonus for me since I was actually in London while reading the book.

Tess Hamilton has been on top of the tennis world for years, but failed to plan on a post sports future as she thought she had years to go. Poor investments and bad spending habits leave her near broke even as an injury may have ended her career. A desperate Tess decides she needs some sponsors so she hides her injuries hoping to bluff her way through a few victories due to her unbeatable reputation.

Glass Slipper, Inc co-founder Aurora Favreaux knows something is wrong with Tess so she coaxes her friend to coach the new teenage phenomena fifteen years old Gabrielle Fontaine. Tess unenthusiastically accepts the job with plans to get back on the circuit as soon as possible. She finds her student is talented, but somewhat stubborn; worse she finds herself attracted to Gaby's over-protective over bearing, older brother Max, who manages her tennis career. Max reluctantly agreed to hire Tess, but has doubts about a woman who has been tabloid heaven or hell (perspective) for fifteen years starting the same age as his sister is now. Neither understood what love in tennis really is before.

The latest Glass Slippers tale (see SLEEPING WITH BEAUTY) is a fun sports romance starring an extremely responsible male and a great female athlete who knows what she has lost as her career begins to fade. Needing money due to poor financial management that left her broke and owing the IRS is why she took the job, but Aurora soon becomes more like a big sister to Gaby than just a coach and the soulmate to Max. Though some mixing of sports metaphors might Tee off fanatics NOT SO SNOW WHITE serves up a six love romance starring a couple of aces.

Harriet Klausner

I think this is one of my favorite donna books! READ IT!!!! I'd love to see this be a movie!