Customer Reviews

Unbecoming Behavior

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

 

 

So far I've been very impressed with the new "Making It" imprint from Dorchesterpub.com. "Unbecoming Behavior" by Stephanie Rowe is the second book in the series, and hopefully there will be many more novels to come from her. If you are looking for a novel filled with a sharp sense of humor, witty dialogue and very interesting characters, look no further - you've found it.

Meet Shannon McCormick, the witty and endearing main heroine in Unbecoming Behavior. Much to the chagrin of her mother, she isn't a lawyer, but does work at a law firm catering to the every whim of the interns. Trying to evade dismissal for the "Unbecoming Behavior" that the firm often let people go for, she slugs away at her thankless job, deals with rude interns, a demanding and ridiculous boss, and the knowledge that she is disappointing her mother. Her only reprieve is Van, the funny, friendly security guard in the lobby of her company's building. Shannon knows she doesn't want to become a lawyer, as she cannot stand them, but what other options does she have? She's not happy in her job and she knows time is running out.

While dealing with her work issues, she is also juggling her love life. She has just broken up with long-time boyfriend Max, who can't seem to leave her alone. Then there is Noah, her brother's best friend who seems to be avoiding her; Blaine, the hot new guy in her office who seems to prefer her best friend Emma; and Van, who is supposed to only be her friend, but with whom she clearly has chemistry with. And of course there is the ever-present Max who refuses to leave her alone.

What's a girl to do?

I absolutely adored this book. With an endearing and quirky cast of characters, a plot that keeps you on your toes, and wonderful writing, it is a great chick lit read. I loved how the characters were all realistic and lifelike. Stephanie Rowe has done a fantastic job with balancing fun, romance, friendship, and career angst in this novel.

Overall I highly recommend this book to all chick lit fans. You will laugh, you will sigh, and you will smile while reading it. Don't even think about missing this one.

Shannon McCormick finds lawyers repugnant, but still,she works as the social director for a prestigious law firm. Her job of managing the interns and juggling egos as well as events becomes intolerable when a handsome new guy comes on the scene, appropriating all her secretary's time and making not only her work life difficult, but also her home life. He begins dating her roommate, driving a wedge between the long-time friends. The latest crop of interns is nothing if not pushy, demanding, whiny, and manipulative, on their best days. Shannon's ex-boyfriend refuses to accept his ex status, and her family is on his side. When she finds her friendship turning to something hotter with a long - time family friend, the guy realizes he would lose her entire family if they broke up, and she is just not worth the risk. The only one who understands Shannon and who is always there for her is Van, the security guard who is handsome, kind, and always has chocolate. Could there be something there? After all, what more could a girl want?

A popular store's commercials open with the classic rock song, Under Pressure; a feeling common to the heroine and the readers of her story. When that becomes your theme song, this is the perfect escape hatch. Everything is always going wrong for Shannon, and who hasn't felt things have gone so for them? Her story mirrors our own and offers a ray of hope.

Amanda Killgore

Really great book. And I don't really like plain jane romances, but this was something special. Totally identified with Shannon. She's confused, trying to decide whether to play it safe, or take a chance at true happiness in her love life and her career. Who can't identify with that! Kept you guessing who she should be with right up to the end, which drove me crazy in a good way! I love the very talented Stephanie Rowe and recommend all of her books!

It all begins with two little words: unbecoming behavior. Shannon McCormick is only one step away from being fired from her job at a snobby Boston law firm. So what if she accidentally flashed the newest hotshot attorney? The egomaniac spent his first day slamming doors in her face, usurping her secretary, and then going home with her roommate. And it's her behavior on trial!

Just to confirm there's no justice in the world, her younger sister, fresh out of college and starting Harvard Medical School in the fall, is about to become Mrs. Rich Plastic Surgeon; her mom invites her ex-boyfriend to all the wedding festivities to give Shannon one more chance at "Mr. Perfect"; and her crush for the last twenty years suddenly - now of all times! - notices her as a woman. And the only nice guy she knows - and her one true friend at the moment - she realizes she doesn't know at all.

Before she winds up unemployed and living in a cardboard box in the park, Shannon will have to take a stand and make a case for living on her terms. She's going to prove how far a little unbecoming behavior can take her.

I absolutely loved this book. Read it in 3 days. I laughed out loud and got very attached to the characters. I'm actually going to miss them a little. I absolutely suggest this book to anyone looking to bring a smile to their face and lighten their mood. I am a forever fan!

Initially this seemed like the kind of romance that I usually like. Quirky, funny heroine with a quirky best friend, overbearing parents, seemingly perfect siblings, stressful job, and horrible luck with previous men. That is the humorous romance formula. Problem is, other authors use that formula much more effectively than Stephanie Rowe did in this book. Rachel Gibson and Katie MacAlister and Jane Green pull this off with more panache.

I got two chapters into this book and asked myself "why is this main character so self-centered and thoughtless?" She works as the social director of a prestigious law firm in Boston and has a vivacious roommate who is living off of pin money from her parents. Her name is Shannon, by the way, but after a while I didn't really care what her name was...Her whole world seems to crumble with the arrival of a new herd of interns and a new senior partner in the law firm that she is initially attracted to, but who she thinks has it in for her. She proceeds to give him ample reason and manages to place herself into multiple situations to embarrass herself in front of him.

None of the characters are very likable here. And there are too many of them. Shannon's roommate Emma just kind of used Shannon to date the senior partner, Shannon kind of used the senior partner to impress her parents at her sister's engagement party, then Shannon proceeded to use her ex-boyfriend (who's stalking her) to get over being dumped by her brother's best friend. There's too much using going on here. Shannon's parents aren't lovable, either. I kept asking myself why she wanted to impress them if they were so adamant about putting her down, and so constantly. I also couldn't figure out why she never told her sister and brothers to stick it where the sun don't shine, they didn't seem to support her at all, or know her very well.

Katie MacAlister's heroines are occasionally flighty and venture into self-indulgence and high-maintenance behavior, but at least they grow up a little as the story progresses. Rachel Gibson's heroines aer flighty but not wishy-washy users that complain all the time. I would recommend any of their books before any of Rowe's after reading this one.

You won't root for any of the characters. You won't want a happy storybook ending. You will want the heroine to grow up, quit complaining and using other people, and to just get a life. Don't read this unless you are just browsing the library one day, do not waste a penny buying it, even used.

I wasn't sure if I'd like this book or not but got it anyways. I'm glad I did.
This is a very funny and romantic story about Shannon McCormick who's trying to find her way in life and love. With a mother who disapproves of her career and more of a disfunctional family it's no wonder she feels so poorly about herself.
This is for any chick lit fan who wants to enjoy a good book.

In Boston, Shannon McCormick is stunned that the "hotty", who just moved into the office next to her, has been given her secretary Isabel by the higher-ups because Blaine Hampton can bring in millions of dollars. Already angry with him, her friend Emma Jenson comes to the office, meets him, and invites the legal centerfold to join her and Shannon for drinks.

Her sister is getting married to "Mr. Plastic Surgeon" and her mother wants her back with perfect Max. Meanwhile Shannon also likes the look and friendliness of twenty-six years old security guard Van Reinhart, who commiserates with her since she and Max broke up. However, he refuses to be a rebound alternate as he wants Shannon to want him security guard and all.

As Shannon struggles to be able to do it her way, not her family's way or her firm's way, readers obtain a fun chick lit tale because her frenzied antics, insane escapades, and humorous asides along with her personality keep the story line focused. Van is also a likable character who brings out the best in Shannon. Though the other key players like her mom, sis, Emma, and Blaine seem two dimensional if that deep; sub-genre fans will appreciate Stephanie Rowe's Making It in Boston.

Harriet Klausner

This book was great! The characters were very real and the love interests in the story were very convincing as well. Rowe is a great writer and I can't wait to check out her other books!