Customer Reviews

Pretty Woman

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

 

 

While I enjoyed Fern Michaels' incomparable writing style and the story was appropriately uplifting and romantic, I was dismayed and put off by the premise of the book. A dumpy, overweight woman, finally sick of being emotionally abused and cuckolded by her handsome-yet-useless husband kicks him out, and sets out to better herself. She wants to lose weight, she wants to look better, and she wants to get even.

My problem with this premise was the author's nudging the reader toward the idea that we should applaud Rosie and identify with her for all the trials she has to go through to finally get what she wants. My problem, although I genuinely liked Rosie's character, was that Rosie is rich, then wins the lottery to become STINKING rich, and really doesn't have to deal with any of the problems that overweight people have to face.

Rosie's "weight problem" is a whopping 20-30 lbs. What does she do? Orders a whole bunch of expensive exercise equipment for the mansion her parents LEFT her (in other words, she hasn't even had to buy this enormous palace, her family's always been rich), hires a personal trainer, and has her housekeeper/companion begin feeding her a prescribed diet. On top of which, she owns her own business, which apparently makes a ridiculous amount of money, selling weeds that she arranges, lacquers and spray paints into arrangements.... oh, with a staff, so she has time to go off for six hours at a time with her personal trainer. By the end of the book, she's competing in a triathlon...

How is the average person who works for a living, lives paycheck to paycheck (or maybe just slightly better off), and needs to get into better shape, supposed to identify with the poor little rich girl who has a staff and all the money in the world to throw at her problems? This really made me resent the author's view of weight problems, and also made me wonder if the author has ever been an ounce overweight. For the tens of thousands (probably more) who have struggled with their weight all their lives, it's downright insulting and demeaning.

While the writing style was Michaels' usual excellent work, and the characters were friendly and inviting, this huge glaring glitch ruined the book for me, and I couldn't bring myself to rate it higher than a 6

"Pretty Woman" is an entertaining story about an insecure young woman who discovers confidence and self esteem. Rosalie Gardener Bliss is a successful business woman, whose claim to fame is in the form of her extremely creative business of turning weeds into "Nature's Decorations." However, on a personal note, Rosie has hit rock bottom. After 3 years in a loveless marriage to Kent Bliss (a man about town), Rosie is ready to break loose and really become her own woman. She has allowed him to use and abuse her and now she has decided she is finished with his cheating and flamboyant lifestyle on her money. Coincidently, as Rosie makes up her mind to "throw the bum out," she becomes the winner of the $320 million Wonderball lottery. Controversy and scam play into the storyline when Kent finds out about his wife's amazing luck. He is determined to claim his spousal right on half her winnings, married or not, in any way he can, legal or not! Enter Jack Silver, Rosie's personal trainer and the man behind the idea to train Rosie for the Thanksgiving Triathlon (10-mile run, 5-mile bike ride and 3 mile canoe trip) to reclaim her self-confidence and stand up to the dark forces that surround her life. Jack's trust and faith in Rosie push her to begin a grueling three months of training. The fantasy portion of this story regarding Jack's deceased wife, Martha and the angel oak that took her spirit form, was somewhat over the top, but still I found it to be pleasurable. If you crave a few hours of comfort and relaxation, this book will do the trick!

This is a fantastic book. It's got everything I love.... a good story, fantastic characters and a wonderful message. The ending took my breath away. I felt on top of the world when I finished the book. AWESOME!

This woman went from obese to running a marathon in something like 3 months. She is crying through the whole book. She is rich and wins the lottery...poor baby!! There is a ghost that lives in a tree. The whole story was ridiculous!!!

The story premise is good, but the continual comments about a size 14 woman being "huge" is a mistake. A size 14 is not that huge! I guess we were to assume that the main character was that size because she ate so much and didn't exercise. At least she learned to eat properly and take better care of herself. However, some of us are a 14+, work out reguarly, and eat right, too.

I like that the main character feels better about herself as she becomes slimmer; however, when are we women going to appreciate that we don't have to be a size 4 or 6 to be beautiful?

I really loved the leading woman in this novel. Rosie is NOT a skinny blonde with the perfect dream body. In the beginning she is an overweight married woman with low self esteem, a character that most of us can relate to from time to time.

I was delighted by the way the author evolved the Rosie throughtout the book. Readers will not be disappointed. I'm still passing it around to all my friends.

I haven't finished a book in years but couldn't put this one down. I couldn't wait to get back to it and see what happened next. Rosie seemed so real and I hated her husband. I really thought he was going to do something really bad like commit murder or something. This is just a real feel good book and doesn't take long to read.

This was a great book! Very light and quick, and inspiring.

I read this book a few years ago and haven't forgotten it since. This book is gripping, heart-warming and aspiring. It is a great read!

I loved this book and have recommended it to many people. The story is very inspirational and very well written. I love Fern's righting style. Thanks Fern Michaels.