Helpful Score: 1
It was a fun, delightful read. I enjoy Donovan's books and this one seems a little bit of a lightweight by her standards but it was still a quick, fast read.
I was uncertain about this one since at first I didn't think I could get into Cherise or Candy. But I fell in love with their characters as the book progressed. Cherise was very down to earth even though she was once so caught up in the superficial. Candy was just lots of fun and I look forward to reading her story with Turner.
To be honest I think I enjoyed reading about Cheri and Candy the most. Their friendship and phone conversations (especially the sneaking off into the bathroom to talk) brought back fond memories for me. If you ever had friends you have known since you were young, you would find them amusing as well.
The relationship between JJ and Cheri was okay. They had some good moments, very light-hearted. There was relatively little drama even with their very messy past. I have to wander if JJ would have told Cheri about his one-night-stand with her sister five years ago when he professed his love if Tanylee (the sister) didn't interfere. Even though they weren't together at the time, there was still some yuck factor in the back of my mind of being with someone that has been with my sister.
I have to warn you that a lot of scenes were anti-climatic. There were built-up to events that when it happened, it seemed such a sedate way for a resolution.
Overall a good read if you aren't into anything series or heavy.
I was uncertain about this one since at first I didn't think I could get into Cherise or Candy. But I fell in love with their characters as the book progressed. Cherise was very down to earth even though she was once so caught up in the superficial. Candy was just lots of fun and I look forward to reading her story with Turner.
To be honest I think I enjoyed reading about Cheri and Candy the most. Their friendship and phone conversations (especially the sneaking off into the bathroom to talk) brought back fond memories for me. If you ever had friends you have known since you were young, you would find them amusing as well.
The relationship between JJ and Cheri was okay. They had some good moments, very light-hearted. There was relatively little drama even with their very messy past. I have to wander if JJ would have told Cheri about his one-night-stand with her sister five years ago when he professed his love if Tanylee (the sister) didn't interfere. Even though they weren't together at the time, there was still some yuck factor in the back of my mind of being with someone that has been with my sister.
I have to warn you that a lot of scenes were anti-climatic. There were built-up to events that when it happened, it seemed such a sedate way for a resolution.
Overall a good read if you aren't into anything series or heavy.
Connie P. (Activegram149) reviewed Cheri on Top (Bigler, North Carolina, Bk 1) on + 809 more book reviews
Good story. Really like this author. Well written.
Regina C. (flyinggems) reviewed Cheri on Top (Bigler, North Carolina, Bk 1) on + 433 more book reviews
Cheri heads back home to run the family business after her businesses go under. She finds her lost love, fixes her family business and repairs family relationships.
The book was an easy read. This would be a good book for Jury Duty or riding on the bus. You can pick it up and put it down without missing anything. It was not a very romantic book, funny or a mystery, it was just a story.
Is this a new Series??
1. Cheri on Top
2. I want Candy
?3.? Unwrapping Taffy (could this be the third in the series?)
The book was an easy read. This would be a good book for Jury Duty or riding on the bus. You can pick it up and put it down without missing anything. It was not a very romantic book, funny or a mystery, it was just a story.
Is this a new Series??
1. Cheri on Top
2. I want Candy
?3.? Unwrapping Taffy (could this be the third in the series?)
Stephanie G. (thestephanieloves) reviewed Cheri on Top (Bigler, North Carolina, Bk 1) on + 241 more book reviews
Cheri on Top by Susan Donovan
Release Date: August 30th, 2011
Publisher: St. Martin's Press (Macmillan)
Page Count: 308
Source: ARC from Carolyn at Romance Novel News
SHE'S GOT EVERYTHING SHE WANTS
Sun-drenched beaches, designer-label clothes, drop-dead-gorgeous boy-toys... all paid for with a series of high-risk real estate deals. Thats the lifestyle Cherise Newberry and her BFF Candy enjoy after leaving rural North Carolina for Tampauntil the market tanks and they lose everything. Cheri is surviving on Ramen Noodles and temp jobs when she gets a call from home to come back and run the familys small-town newspaper. Just one catch: Shell become the boss of her high school crushand former brother-in-lawwho might have the power to crush her all over again...
BUT HE'S WHAT SHE NEEDS
But Cheri is surprised to see how bad boy J.J. DeCourcy has grown into the hard-working and principled managing editor of The Bigler Bugle. Still, according to Cheris bitter sister, hes not to be trusted. If Cheris going to co-exist at the with this sexier-than-ever man from her past, she needs to stay professional -- and keep her distance -- even though he sets her on fire. When theyre handed the biggest news story in the towns history, Cheri must trust J.J., even it means putting her life in danger... and her heart on the line.
What Stephanie Thinks: I'm normally a fan of contemporary romances, especially the ones with twisted plots: once-shy, past-heartbroken heroine kicks back into town with intentions of leaving a bruise and a seemingly unstoppable ferocity in her heart. Of course her childhood heartthrob is going to see her and think "Wow, I missed out...". Of course.
Because essentially, that's really all that happens. I wish there could have been more plot, more structure and depth, to this story, but there certainly isn't. While Donovan does a great job of describing JJ as the ultimate sexy hero (drool drool), and while Cheri herself is pretty likable of a character, their so-called "romance" really doesn't do anything for me.
I hesitate to even call this one a romance. It mostly evolves around a long-term dispute over Cheri's family's newspaper business, The Bigler Bugle. Someone's been snatching funds from it, which has slowly been leading to its decline over the years. Maybe this book could have made for a good sexy mystery, but considering a) the perpetrator is revealed at the very beginning, and b) the romance isn't sexy in the least, I can't find myself thinking it too special.
Stephanie Loves: "'I laughed so hard once, I fell out of the boat.'
'I think the twelve-pack of Bud Light probably had something to do with that, Cheri.'"
Radical Rating: 6 hearts-Satisfying for a first read, but I'm not going back.
Release Date: August 30th, 2011
Publisher: St. Martin's Press (Macmillan)
Page Count: 308
Source: ARC from Carolyn at Romance Novel News
SHE'S GOT EVERYTHING SHE WANTS
Sun-drenched beaches, designer-label clothes, drop-dead-gorgeous boy-toys... all paid for with a series of high-risk real estate deals. Thats the lifestyle Cherise Newberry and her BFF Candy enjoy after leaving rural North Carolina for Tampauntil the market tanks and they lose everything. Cheri is surviving on Ramen Noodles and temp jobs when she gets a call from home to come back and run the familys small-town newspaper. Just one catch: Shell become the boss of her high school crushand former brother-in-lawwho might have the power to crush her all over again...
BUT HE'S WHAT SHE NEEDS
But Cheri is surprised to see how bad boy J.J. DeCourcy has grown into the hard-working and principled managing editor of The Bigler Bugle. Still, according to Cheris bitter sister, hes not to be trusted. If Cheris going to co-exist at the with this sexier-than-ever man from her past, she needs to stay professional -- and keep her distance -- even though he sets her on fire. When theyre handed the biggest news story in the towns history, Cheri must trust J.J., even it means putting her life in danger... and her heart on the line.
What Stephanie Thinks: I'm normally a fan of contemporary romances, especially the ones with twisted plots: once-shy, past-heartbroken heroine kicks back into town with intentions of leaving a bruise and a seemingly unstoppable ferocity in her heart. Of course her childhood heartthrob is going to see her and think "Wow, I missed out...". Of course.
Because essentially, that's really all that happens. I wish there could have been more plot, more structure and depth, to this story, but there certainly isn't. While Donovan does a great job of describing JJ as the ultimate sexy hero (drool drool), and while Cheri herself is pretty likable of a character, their so-called "romance" really doesn't do anything for me.
I hesitate to even call this one a romance. It mostly evolves around a long-term dispute over Cheri's family's newspaper business, The Bigler Bugle. Someone's been snatching funds from it, which has slowly been leading to its decline over the years. Maybe this book could have made for a good sexy mystery, but considering a) the perpetrator is revealed at the very beginning, and b) the romance isn't sexy in the least, I can't find myself thinking it too special.
Stephanie Loves: "'I laughed so hard once, I fell out of the boat.'
'I think the twelve-pack of Bud Light probably had something to do with that, Cheri.'"
Radical Rating: 6 hearts-Satisfying for a first read, but I'm not going back.
