Since the last couple of books I've read have been thrillers and mysteries, I wanted something a little lighter. I also love Tami Hoag. Well, this is definitely lighter, but I have to say it is easy to tell that this is one of Ms. Hoag's early works. I have read some of her early books and enjoyed them, but they have all been mainly her mysteries and not Harlequin style romances. I found her at her "Thin Dark Line" stage of writing and have enjoyed all of her books since.Having said all of that, it could actually be me and not the writer. When I was a teen I filled up on Barbara Cartland and all of those Harlequins laying around, so it may actually be formulaic writing overload. I may have actually reached my mental limit on bad descriptions and silly women with the ability to dump a man one minute and be trapped by another man's eyes a few hours later.Now don't get me wrong, I'm all about some fluff. If I wanted bad news and tough times in my life, I'd look at my paycheck or turn on the news, so this isn't about downing chick lit. This is a writer at the beginning of her career and I'm way past that stage as a reader. I want my heroines to not "shatter like a fine piece of china" when faced with a philandering fiance. I would much prefer she denounce the louse, grab her best friend and use the tickets to France to see the world and move on. I'd like to hear about those adventures.Fingers crossed that it will improve for the second half; I'm off to finish the book, if possible.
My last two books were romantic-suspense that were really heavy on the suspense/terror element. I needed something lighter and with a touch of humor. Mismatch fit the bill to a T. I absolutely love these older romance books by Tami Hoag. They have H/h who are just wonderful. I know, the book is dated. The pop culture references are 25 years out of date. That doesn't bother me. What shines through is that this is a wonderful, sweet, humorous love story.Bronwynn is a Boston heiress who found her fiancée in bed with her cousin 2 days before the wedding. It took her two days to get over the shock, but during the ceremony she objected to her own marriage and told everyone why. Then she took off to the wilds of Vermont to reevaluate why she could ever have thought she loved that piece of crap, Ross. Wade is a congressman from Indiana who is on the fast track to burnout. His doctor has ordered him to his retreat in Vermont to R&R and get his life in better balance. While on a walk he comes upon Bronwynn in her wedding dress setting fire to a Gucci suitcase of expensive men's clothing. He puts a stop to that and his life is altered forever.I just loves the scene where Wade just can't leave Bronwynn alone her first night at Foxfire. It is so sweet that he shows up with his camping equipment and a bag od PPJ sandwiches.
What do You think about Mismatch (2008)?
This was a cute little story of a woman who right before she marries finds out her groom has been sleeping with her cousin. She goes through the wedding up to the point of "Does anybody know why these two" and then in front of all of their family and friends lets the secret loose. Then heads out to heal her hurt. Bronwynn heads to the house she inherited from her uncle, her favorite childhood spot. Too bad when she gets there the house is in shambles, but she is determined to stay there. Meanwhile Wade is looking at a dilapidated Victorian house that if torn down would make a perfect spot for a new ski resort. Wade is stunned when he sees a woman in a wedding dress, mumbling, and carrying a hammer. These 2 very different people have a very memorable meeting.As they get to know each other each thinks the other is a nut, but that is when sparks fly and the story gets good.If you are looking for a cute simple romance pick this one up.
—Darcy
"Mismatch" by Tami Hoag was written in 1989, and it shows. Smoking again. I can't believe how much it offends me, but at least in this book, it also offends the girlfriend and the hero eventually stops. A cute read, but a big suspention of belief as the Heroine is rich, beautiful, tries to single handidly remodel a wreck of a house, makes a sheep a pet, and other silly stuff. She has 1 endearing quality, she misquotes cliche's. The hero is an overworked congressman. They meet cute, fall fast, have a huge misunderstanding, make up. Love ensues.
—Sharyn
