Customer Reviews

And Then He Kissed Me

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

 

 

I know others have loved this book so these remarks are definitely my own opinion. I gave 3 stars because of the flow of the words and the sparkly dialogue. But I had problems staying with the story.

My first problem is with the disguise thing. It was OK if you go for the hooker look My big complaint is the constant bubble gum. It drove me crazy very quickly. It wasn't needed and got in the way of the story. It was like hearing someone use the word "basically" to begin every sentence. Arrgh!

Next, I have a definite problem with h/h meeting and falling into bed shortly. Only to call it for real and everlasting love. 1 1/2 days before sex is pretty much shortly. Lust I can believe in. Not true love.

Editing is sloppy. When Cole's hippie parents arrive, we are told that Joplin re-named herself after her favorite OD'd rock star, Janice. This was corrected to Janis on the next page and not repeated. Then, more toward the end, the twins are mentioned. Huh? I believe the "twins" were triplets. Stuff like that just jerks me right out of any story. No excuse for it. What else do editors have to do but edit?

The whole story takes place in too short a time frame for all that Juliet/Autumn accomplishes. Tending bar at night, nanny to 5 small girls by day. 3 in diapers. And solving everybody's problems while she's at it. Painting Joe's Gas and Bait Shop in her spare time. Having hot sex with Cole whenever. All this in 3-4 days and without breaking a nail or chipping her pink polish. As far as I could tell, she only slept one night in the whole book. Wish I could do that.

I enjoyed the crazy villaness. She was pretty obsessive. Sort of reminded me of Ursula the sea witch in "The Little Mermaid". But she gets a nice comeuppance at the end.

I know there was at least 1 previous book set in Plentiful, Wyoming. I haven't read it. It doesn't really matter as this book stands alone. Even though characters from the previous book are here. And they are characters. Which is as it should be in a small town. Characters help the story move along.

A lot of stuff happens in this book. Too much, I think. The malpractice thing could have been left on the editing floor. It didn't really advance the plot.

I'm glad I read the book but it won't be going on my keeper shelf. But I will read future Berg books.

The book was somewhat entertaining, I guess, but it isn't great. And it definitely isn't one that I'll ever pull out for a second read. The main problem is that there is just way too much going on in the book. Let's see...you've got Juliet "on the run" with a secret identity, Juliet receiving threatening phone calls, Juliet's problem with the tabloids, Juliet's issue with her assistant, Cole's kids, Cole's vet practice, Cole's parents, and THEN you've got to fit the romance part of the story in there. Which basically leaves you with 8 little plots, none of which are developed very well (since there just isn't enough space for all of it). Plus, I think the whole story was supposed to take place in the span of about 2 weeks. The point is, everything in this book happens way too abruptly. Most romance novels are about quick-developing relationships, but there was something that was just too much about this one. The pace felt so unnatural that I was left turning the pages without any real interest in what was going on.

Patti Berg's second book on the town of Plentiful, Wyoming is good for light reading and it is quite enjoyable. I agree with some other reviewers who said she crammed quite a lot of information in this one book and everything seems to have happened within a few days.

There are quite a number of things that are underdeveloped and on hindsight, the book feels like Patti Berg had thrown everything AND the kitchen sink into the story and strung together the ones that stuck.

Juliet, for example, is a former B-grade actress and famous for 7 slasher movies, had the heroine of software game Amazonia modelled after her, is a famous mystery novelist, and can work as a bartender, as well as repaint a gas station and be a nanny to five girls including a set of triplets, after the previous 14 nannies quit. She was also estranged from her dad and could not make amends in time before he died, her tycoon of an ex-husband is in jail for embezzlement and her assistant has been betraying her for years.

Cole, the hero, is a vet, who was brought up by hippie parents and whose sister died leaving five orphaned girls. He is being sued for malpractice after a mare died giving birth to a foal. His parents, who were in Tibet and did not bother to come back when his sister died, want custody of the girls, and his father is currently in his 17th month of keeping silent, part of a five-year pledge not to talk.

I hope you get what I mean when I say she has crammed a lot of details and character developments, mostly unnecessary, in this book. Those things aside, like I said earlier, this is an enjoyable read. I recommend renting or borrowing the book instead of buying it.

As the other "honest reviewers" have said: There is WAY too much going on in this book. The "sub-plots" don't hold together well either. I was left with a host of unanswered questions:

1. When does this woman SLEEP?
2. Why is Cole attracted to her anyway - the description of her sounds VERY "hooker-like".
3. Why did she just slam the door in Nicole's face, she should have called the police on her and pressed charges.
4. Why do we get to hear about Scarlett's pregnancy, but never get to hear about the birth. (why bait us and then leave us hanging??)
5. How long a time span are we talking here for these two to "fall in love"? It seemed like about 3 days.
6. Why is Cole so easily forgiving of all her lies? That just wouldn't fly with me. Especially for someone in charge of his kids.
7. What about Ben? - also a bad subplot.
8. Why did Juliet have to work so long at the bar just to pay off a lunch? Wouldn't a few hours have sufficed? Didn't she make any tips she could've paid it off with?

I was pretty disappointed in this book. However the author is generally pretty good and I'll still give her a try with the next book she has to offer.

"And Then He Kissed Me" is the funniest Pretty in Pink, Blond Bomb Shell, Veterinary Medicine on a Ranch book I've read yet. Patti, you've done it again!

This is storyline that has been worked before but it was still a fun read. A movie star escapes hollywood to Plentiful Wyoming where she becomes a bartender, painter and nanny. She falls for the local Vet... A cute story not sure it was my favorite of this author. If you enjoy this genre, I would also suggest Body Check by Deirdre Martin , Wedding Survivor by Julia London, Glory Days by Irene Peterson and Squeeze Play by Kate Angell.

Juliet is a former b-move actress, videogame vixen, and now mystery author. To escape from the stress of the tabloids and scary phone calls her jailed stalker ex-husband, she dyes her hair and takes off on a road trip landing in Plentiful, Wyoming when her pink Mustang dies. Taking on a new persona, she goes by the name "Autumn Leeves" - now if that's not a great porno name, I don't know what is!

She is without her wallet and money so town vet Cole "rescues" her and in return she becomes nanny to the five nieces he inherited when his sister died. She also manages to work off other debts at the local cafe, paint the dilapidated gas & bait shop, as well as have a torrid affair with the vet (who is warding off a medical malpractice lawsuit and his hippie parents want custody of the children they have never met). All while she tries to figure out who is selling her out to the tabloids.

Ay yi yi. There is a reason this town is called Plentiful. But there is just too darned much going on, and not enough attention to detail to tie up all the loose ends. Berg tries to convey that Autumn/Juliet is empowered, but with the hooker clothes, f-me pumps, and the inability to know what is going on around her, it's hard to give this credence. The redeeming factor is the chemistry between Juliet and Cole, and well, those hot love scenes. Berg's prose is best when her characters turn up the heat!

Juliet Bridger is fed-up with fame and tired of the tabloids so it's high time this Blonde Bombshell take a break from the biz. After a dye-job and wardrobe makeover, she hits the road.

But when her car breaks down in Plentiful, Wyoming Juliet finds hiding out is anything but easy in this small town where the locals are overly eager to learn everything they can about this dark-haired stranger. Unwilling to risk another trashing in the tabloids, Juliet uses an alias and claims to be a schoolteacher on summer vacation. But even in disguise, taking a break from the fast-life won't be possible when faced with crazy challenges including a stalker on her tail, a blackmail scheme and taking up residence with the town's hot vet who sets her skin on fire.

With Berg's quirky characters, punchy dialogue and expertly woven storyline, you're guaranteed a stupendous and sexy read with AND THEN HE KISSED ME.

And Then He Kissed Me by Patti Berg, is about a famous actress/mystery author who escapes the celebrity spotlight by running away to find herself. Along the way, she finds unexpected love, and the truth about the people he trusted most. This is a scandalous novel filled with romance, revenge, and deceit. The author did a great job creating believable characters and events by incorporating realistic situations and experiences. She teaches her readers that being yourself is more important than fame and riches. This is demonstrated when the main character learns that people like her better when she isn't trying to please everyone and she speaks her true feelings. I recommend this book to those who enjoy reading about the Hollywood lifestyle and romance. However, this book is not suitable for young children due to its adult content.

Tired of being a tabloid darling, former actress Juliet Bridger has had enough of caviar society that has left her reputation tattered due to her ex husband Garrett Pierce who tried to have her accompany him when he was sent to prison. The star of Amazonia 2087 is bone weary of the paparazzi hiding in hope of catching her indecent. She needs to escape back to the potato salad crowd so she flees into the night.

In Plentiful, Wyoming, Juliet's car breaks down and she loses her wallet. The locals see her as a savior to their beloved veterinarian Dr. Cole Sheridan, who is suddenly raising five little nieces following the death of their mommy. Cole finds Juliet stuck on the side of the road in the sweltering heat though she uses the alias Autumn Leeves. When she meets his five renegades, Juliet finds her heat go out to them. Soon she also falls in love with her benefactor and the kind townsfolk, but wonders how her beloved will react when he learns she is the renowned Amazonia Juliet Bridger.

Fans will enjoy this amusing return to Plentiful due to the antics of the female terrorist quintet. The story line never takes itself too seriously yet has some underlying messages involving children and environment. Cole is the beleaguered Romeo wondering how he went from tending to animals to bobby socks and one gorgeous derriere so quickly. Patti Berg provides a funny story though a subplot involving a friend seems out of place in this warm tale of the bumpkin and the bimbo falling in love.

Harriet Klausner