I have read many, many romance novels. This is one of the few that I can describe as so poorly executed that I could almost feel my brain cells dying as I continued to read it. In general, I stay away from contemporary romance, but I decided to try my luck with a Cathie Linz book because I liked what she managed to do with her half of one of those old Harlequin Duets books and I wanted to see how much better her work would be with time to develop the characters and the plot in a full-length novel. It turns out, giving her more space gave her more time to make a mess of things. Not only was this book very poorly written (it reads like bad fanfiction or amateur writing with all these references to songs, travel fantasies, awkwardly described "intimate" encounters, and just bad writing in general) but I harbored intense dislike for both the hero and the heroine. This book made me question if the author hates librarians and Marines in spite of her claims to the contrary because both characters are fairly incompetent investigators when they aren't being walking stereotypes (everything Caine knew about being a Marine seemed to consist of a motto or something written on a T-shirt) they are doing everything they can to make themselves unlikable to each other and to this reader. Not that dead characters escaped Linz's clumsy stereotyping. Caine's poor father. Every character in this book was a cardboard cutout of a person. And since when did awkward public groping pass for sexy, romantic encounters in romance novels? The mystery element was also really poorly executed. I never felt like Caine was that affected by the death of his father until the very end of the book. He was way too easily distracted. He treated things far too lightly. And when he did bother to investigate, he came across as stubborn rather than determined to clear the name of the father he had loved. The characters barely exerted any effort to solve the mystery. It just seemed like an excuse to put them in different locations. And then it just completely resolved itself in the second to last chapter as if even the guilty party was tired of watching these characters bumble about. Children's librarian Faith West is left at the altar by text message on her Blackberry from her fiancé Alan who doesn't want to be married to her. He longs for adventure and excitement and doesn't want Faith because he feels she's boring. Faith is crushed, but decides to suck it up and go on her honeymoon to Positano, Italy by herself. And it's a good thing Alan hopped on a plane to Bali because Faith is a crack shot with a gun, thanks to her father who first took her to the firing range when she was ten.While in Italy, Faith meets a dark, mysterious and sexy Caine Hunter. What she doesn’t know is that Caine is spying on her. This former Force Recon Marine works for King Investigations, a rival company of her father's. Vince King and Jeff West used to be best friends, but King betrayed him by starting his own agency, even thought West owns the most successful investigation firm in Chicago. Caine has a secret agenda. He has a grudge against Jeff because he blames him for his father's death. Faith is floored because she ended up sleeping with Caine in Italy and has been played for a fool once again.Faith runs back home, quits her librarian job she never really cared for, and starts working for her father. She is more than angry with Caine and will beat him at his own gain and steal his clients. Caine had no idea what he was getting into when he scorned Faith and now has to work double time as he investigate his father's death. Faith refuses to be pushed to the side and recommends they team up to clear her father's name.Caine thinks Faith can't handle the undercover work, although he likes having her around, as well as protecting her at the same time. Faith is under even more stress. Her mother thinks her father is having an affair and Alan suddenly re-enters the pictures, wanting to pick up where he and Faith left off. Caine isn't too happy about that and will claim Faith as his own before that can happen.Mad, Bad and Blonde has its moments of humor and some slapstick comedy, even though some of these ha-ha scene don't deliver as they should. Faith and Caine have great chemistry together, but things between them are a bit too rushed. The first fifty pages or so happens so fast and the attraction Caine and Faith have for one another is not all that realistic, especially with Faith trying to get over being dumped by her slimy fiancé.As Faith and Caine become partners of sorts. Their interactions cement their feelings and their banter back and forth is very amusing and sweet. Faith knows how to handle herself when the going gets tough and has a great support system with her family. Caine acts like a loner, but once Faith enters into the picture, he feels as if he belongs.Mad, Bad and Blonde is a quick, fast read that may make your head spin by the non- stop action. Those readers, who enjoy a loopy, contemporary romance with some light mystery, will want to give this latest by Cathie Linz a read.
What do You think about Mad, Bad And Blonde (2010)?
suka semua karakter di buku ini. gak sabar baca cerita tentang Megan :)
—zaps
Faith's office is based on my office! Children's Librarians rock!
—Julie
too early to say.... just started the book few hours ago.
—dee
