Customer Reviews

You Had Me at Good-bye (Drama Queens Series #2)

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Every time I sat down to read You Had Me at Good-bye I had a big, goofy grin on my face. I cheered for the heroine, Dancy Ames, as she navigated work and family situations, and at times I really wanted to knock her parents' heads together. There were scenes that made me swoon. Yes, swoon. Talk about getting involved! This is the perfect book to sweep you away for a few hours of pure fun.

Dancy Ames is an editor at a top New York publishing house. She loves her job, but lately things haven't been going so well. For one thing, she had wanted to be a senior editor, but she was passed on the promotion in favor of an outsider. To make things worse, that outsider is none other than Jack Quinn, her brother's best friend from England. Forget the fact that he's got a sexy accent that makes Hugh Grant seem like a poor imitation in comparison, or that he's devastatingly handsome, or that he's always seemed amused by her since they were kids. He is the one responsible for her month-long "vacation" that leads to her eventual losing her job. What's she going to do? Should she settle with helping out her Italian friend at his trendy coffee shop? Should she finally finish writing her novel, or hope to get a job as senior editor at another house? When things get all the more confusing -- especially after her father reveals that he's got a son from an affair he had with her former nanny -- she eventually gives in and decides to trust God in letting her choose her path for her.

You Had Me at Goodbye is an awesome romantic comedy. The heroine feels real, so do the other characters. Jack Quinn is as sexy as they come, but sometimes I got frustrated with the mixed messages he sent and the fact that Dancy never seemed to really listen to what he's trying to tell her. And that brings me to a few problems I had with this novel. I don't get her cousin Sheri. One minute she is all over Jack and suddenly she actually has no interest in him. Her personality is at times too abrupt and changes in a dramatic, strange way. I knew about Jack and Cate Able from the very beginning, and I can't believe that Dancy, a book author, hadn't put two and two together -- or at least she should have suspected it. Other than that, I enjoyed reading this book. After several "deep" historical novels, I've had a good run of contemporary women's fiction to satisfy my palette for chick-lit. This is actually the second part of the "drama queens" series. I had picked up To Catch a Rising Star, the first part, but put it down. Ah, well. I look forward to reading Laini's story -- the third and final roommate -- when that book comes out.

Dancy Ames is a spoiled little New York rich girl with her future all laid out bright and shiny before her. She has good friends and a job she loves, which provides a nice little salary in addition to her wealthy Daddy's credit card, which she uses to purchase all the little "necessities" not covered by her salary. And just to brighten the picture, there's a coveted promotion on the horizon.

But then handsome Brit Jack Quinn takes a job at Lane Publishing, and Dancy's plans take a swift nosedive. In no time at all, she finds herself jobless and in need of a new career.

After the initial devastation, she decides the time might be right to finish that novel she's been kinda sorta working on for...well, forever. But Jack seems to have found a way into even the world inside her head, annoying hunk that he is! And it doesn't help that unwelcome little surprises keep cropping up here and there and everywhere to add to the general confusion.

With her life clearly on the downslide, Dancy really has no choice but to turn to God for solutions. Can He...will He work things out for a Fifth Avenue princess?

You Had Me at Good-bye is a fun storyline, and an interesting peek into a world where money is no object, and anything over a size two is plus-size. Tracey Bateman has a style all her own, and a unique ability to make readers laugh out loud. At the same time, she paints a heart-warming picture of spiritual growth, emotional development and love in the making.

Don't miss this delightful romance!

Reviewed by Delia Latham
www.delialatham.com

Author Tracey Batemen writes another winner in her 2nd book in the Drama Queen series. The characters come to life as the story unfolds. Bateman does a wonderful job of drawing the reader in so that you experience all the emotions right along with the characters of the book.

Once you open this book, you will find it hard to put it down until you finish.

I was so excited to read this book by Tracey Bateman. I loved the first book in this series, and this book did not disappoint either. It was well written, and I read it in one sitting.

Dancy is an editor for a fiction publisher. Well she is until she makes a snafu with the company's top author and is fired from her job. To make do while she finds a new job, she helps out a coffee house and writes in her novel that's semi autobiographical. She's just found out she has a new younger half brother, her parents are getting back together, her older brother is getting married, and her cousin is trying to make the moves on the one guy with who Dancy has a love/hate relationship. Does it makes things worse if the guy is cute, British and the one that fired Dancy?

I think I enjoyed this book even more than the first one in the series. This book included pretty much everything I like: books, food, and British guys. I really liked Dancy's character. She had a job I loved and also had a heart for helping others. I really enjoyed learning about the publishing world through this book. It was interesting learning to see how fiction books are acquired and what is needed to make it big in the nonfiction side. Also I want to read Dancy's book! The excerpts in the beginning of the chapters were fun to read and made want to get the whole book. Jack and Dancy's chemistry was excellent in this book. Who can resist cute British guys? I mean, that accent alone would just make my heart flutter every time I hear it. Oh and I loved reading about Laini's culinary creations. I was dying to try out her cinnamon rolls or her ham and cheese roll ups. If I was her roommate I think I would probably have to restrain myself or else I'd be moving up a dress size. I think it was great to read about New York socialites and the absurd standards they push upon themselves. I wanted to yell at Dancy for complaining about how fat she was at a size 4. Of course she finally does accept that being stick thin is not good for her but it's just sad to see how society keeps pushing the thin is in mindset. I loved Dancy's brother because he was such a rebel compared to the rest of the put together family. It was sad though that the parent figures in this book weren't very good role models for their children. As the first chick lit read of the year, I had a rollicking good time reading it. Laini's book needs to come out now because I cannot wait to read it!

You Had Me At Good-Bye by Tracey Bateman is the second book in the Drama Queen series after Catch a Rising Star. Book editor Dancy Ames is fired after an altercation with a writer and, with help from her friends, must rediscover her footing. Dancy lets everyone walk all over her, from her rich, uptight parents, to her boss and Lane Publishing. But the worst part is that the man who stole her job just could be her dream guy, but he's sending mixed signals, and poor Dancy is in a tailspin. Bateman's writing is the equivalent of literary comfort food. Had a rough week? It's one of her books you want to curl up with to forget about the world for awhile. As Dancy's walk with God strengthens, so does her self-confidence, giving her the ability to finish her novel, stand up to her mother, dump an unwanted boyfriend, and be her new brother's hero. I love Bateman's trademark writing style. It's almost snarky, but with enough sweet to keep it light. Dancy is a hilarious narrator, and her antics make for great reading!

About one third into the book the subject of religion came up...and became a very strong theme in the rest of the book. I do not want to be preached to in a novel and I am disappointed it wasn't highlighted in the summary of the book how much God and the Bible would play a role in the story.

Tracey Bateman is a brillant author! This book had it all, believable, laughs and love! I really loved the main character and her interaction between the love interest was wonderful! I can't pass up a book with a great story and butterfly moments with some laughs! Can't wait to read the third book!

This book is a fun light hearted read. In fact I love the whole series. A must read for all Christian chick lit fans!