Skip to main content
PBS logo
 
 

Book Reviews of Improper English

Improper English
Improper English
Author: Katie MacAlister
ISBN-13: 9780505525178
ISBN-10: 0505525178
Publication Date: 2/2003
Pages: 384
Rating:
  • Currently 3.6/5 Stars.
 290

3.6 stars, based on 290 ratings
Publisher: Love Spell
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
Reviews: Amazon | Write a Review

50 Book Reviews submitted by our Members...sorted by voted most helpful

thebookho avatar reviewed Improper English on + 4 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 9
This is the best I've read from Katie MacAlister. Funny to the point of hysterical. I was laughing so hard at times, I think my family thought I was crazed. The heroine is a shift from the stronger ones she uses in her paranormal reads. She is not a strong kick butt, take charge kinda girl. She's more normal and average. I could really relate to that. I really enjoyed reading this light hearted offering. Sometimes you need a book that is just like this to make you feel good.
reviewed Improper English on + 125 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 6
I'm mixed in my thoughts on this book. I think as a romance it fell way short. The heroine is way too self-centered and selfish and immature for a 29 yr old woman. I don't like how she treated the guy who was very serious about the relationship. However, as far as silly humor and sexy humor go it was way beyond a 5. I laughed out loud a LOT reading this. The heroine is trying to write a romance and lacks self-confidence and talent because we get to read parts of her story as she writes it; many parts based on her relationship with Alex. (Her name is Alix). those scenes and the ones in the book are hilarious but as I said don't read it as a nice romance. I don't really see how the relationship developed with him being so serious and having to coddle her so much but read as just a silly fun read you'll like it.
reviewed Improper English on + 40 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 5
To be honest, this is not my favorite Katie McAlister - the story doesn't always hang together well, and Alexandra is a bit of a whiner. However, the sex is as steamy as you would expect and there are many moments of humor - especially the fragments of Alexandra's early novel writing efforts, which are screamingly funny-awful. And her neighbors - gee, wish I could find a place like that!
UnsiVeronica avatar reviewed Improper English on
Helpful Score: 3
I loved reading this book. The woman in this book heads across seas away from home and try's to write her romance book. And on her way through writing and re writing the book, she finds the perfect hunk for her book and for herself. I found myself laughing through the whole book and I just love Katie's unique sense of humor in all of her books!
pinkscoobyjp avatar reviewed Improper English on + 67 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
Not a big fan of this book. Really liked the basic plot, the humor, and the luscious love scenes, but the main character, Alexandra, got on my nerves throughout the book
dmkay avatar reviewed Improper English on + 221 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
I skipped through most of this book - it was just that hard to read. Alix, the female lead, is simply not a likeable person. She is shallow, self centered, insensitive and neurotic - besides being the kind of person who just OVERTHINKS everything. I tried, really I did; I read the first 120 pages word for word. But after that I started skipping pages, then whole chapters. This is not a book I would recommend.
reviewed Improper English on + 63 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
This is an absolutely wonderful read. It has a bit of everything, romance, intrigue, humour and plenty of wit. I enjoyed it from start to finish. It's about a young lady that finds herself while living in London,and also finds the man of her dreams.
reviewed Improper English on + 84 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
American Alexandra "Alix" Freemar travels to England to get away from distractions in order to write a steamy romance novel. She has two months to succeed or her mother will add this on to the list of basic screw-ups that Alix has caused. She sublets a friend's London flat.

She meets her upstairs neighbor in her borrowed digs when Alix struggles to open the apartment door. Scotland Yard Inspector Alexander Black catches Alix "breaking and entering' when her key fails to open the lock and so she uses an awl to "teach" the lock a lesson. Sparks fly from the start, but she wants a summer spree and he wants a lifetime commitment.

This is an amusing Anglo-American contemporary romance that never takes itself seriously. Alex is a delightful somewhat stereotypical English stiff upper lip character. Alex is sometimes hard to take. On the one hand one laughs at her antics and reactions; on the other hand want to scream at her to grow up, which she does at the end. Though profanity is used, but properly interwoven into the plot, IMPROPER ENGLISH is a genial romantic romp that will have you laughing out loud!
reviewed Improper English on + 21 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
I stumbled upon this book while in Gwermany and I had never read Katie McAlister before. I LOVED this book. The goopy mascara, "It's not mine, I swear!" always was a good laugh. I had lost my copy, but I had read it enough to know how it goes. It has become one of those books that is always mentioned during any book club event. You will enjoy this book and it will keep you steamy and always laughing.
reviewed Improper English on + 1568 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
A light-hearted, X-rated romance from a favorite author. Lots of fun.

From back cover: Brandishing a loaf of French bread at a dishy detective wasn't how Alexandra Freemar had envisioned starting her stay in London. But the sassy American wasn't about to put up with any flak from the uptight--albeit gorgeous--Scotland Yard Inspector who accused her of breaking and entering. She didn't have time to deal with this suspicious upstairs neighbor. She had two months to write the perfect romance novel--two months to prove that she could succeed as an author.
Luckily, reserved Englishmen were not her cup of tea. Yet, one kiss told her Alexander Black might not be quite as proper as she'd thought. In fact, his lips could be classified as downright wicked, leaving Alix to wonder how far his talents extended. There was only one snag; the serious-minded gentleman wasn't interested in a mere summer fling. And while as a writer Alix knew every imaginable euphemism for the male member, as a woman she soon realized she had a lot to learn about love.
reviewed Improper English on + 1215 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
I laughed out loud; I cried real tears - I loved this book!
reviewed Improper English on + 5 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Could not be bothered to finish it!
reviewed Improper English on + 68 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This was a delightful light comedy with slight detective overtones. This is slightly racy, not for the sweet romance people but fun without being crude.
lilviciousnrse avatar reviewed Improper English on + 6 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
It's been awhile since I read this but it is my favorite book by this author. I always refer others to it as a really funny, quick read.
reviewed Improper English on + 809 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
A great laugh out loud read. Thoroughly enjoyed. Romance & a great story line with a lot of laughs.
reviewed Improper English on + 24 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I enjoyed this book as I have all of Katie MacAlister's books - however, out of all of them this is my very favorite! As with all of her books I laughed, cried and laughed some more! What a fun author! A definate re-read book!
reviewed Improper English on + 5 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
It was ok. You can definitely tell it was one of Katie MacAlister's earlier works as her novels got exponentially better with time.
reviewed Improper English on + 11 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Very good read. Katie MacAlister is a wonderful writer. I never laugh so much as when i am reading her books.

Her female characters are so bloody human, with quirks and flaws.

loved this book!
reviewed Improper English on
Helpful Score: 1
I hated this book! The heroine is such a clingy and too spirited woman(if there is such a thing) that just rambles on and on without making any sense. She has no sense of direction or purpose, and I just hate her! Think of the most irritating heroine you have read about, multiply it by infinity, and you will have Alix. She is such a dependent twat and if I was a man I would dump her too. Uggghhhhhh!
Katie MacAlister could have and has done a lot better
vrapier avatar reviewed Improper English on + 2 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
FUN! Okay so the heroine is a bit self centered and in parts that gets annoying but overall definately a fun read.
reviewed Improper English on + 50 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Not her best..but cute
reviewed Improper English on
Helpful Score: 1
I wasn't that fond of this one, but the screwball elements were funny. I just found the heroine to be way too self-absorbed and the hero much more patient than any man I've ever come across.
reviewed Improper English on + 301 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
While the sex is steamy and I particularly liked the first meeting between the main characters, by the time I was halfway through the book, my dislike for Alix was so strong I almost didn't finish it. Having read Katie MacA's books before I did finish, hoping that she would find a way to make me like the heroine, but it didn't happen. She was unbearable selfish and self-centered, as the author knew, since a number a secondary characters told Alix she was. What was left out was how immature she was. I would expect this behavior from a teenager MAYBE. But not a woman old enough to already be divorced once. What a whiney little *itch. I think I'm done with this author.
momrisner avatar reviewed Improper English on + 25 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Having just finished Men in Kilts by this author, I am tackling another one of her books. I really enjoyed this one. The main character, Alix is insecure but fun. There are some moments in the story that had me cracking up and some that I could even relate to. A really enjoyable read!
curlykat avatar reviewed Improper English on + 36 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Not one of her best, but entertaining
reviewed Improper English on + 31 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Couldn't put this book down!
reviewed Improper English on + 37 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Fast read with funny situations and quirky humor, but the heroine quickly got on my nerves with her selfishness borne from deep insecurities.
reviewed Improper English on + 23 more book reviews
a fun book. i really like katie macalister's writing style.
reviewed Improper English on + 148 more book reviews
Very Funny.I really love this Author!
reviewed Improper English on + 21 more book reviews
Deliciously funny! I must read for any romance lover!
reviewed Improper English on + 28 more book reviews
I really enjoyed reading this book. Alex does make a lot of mistakes after meeting the English man of her dreams, but they were so funny I had to keep reading!
reviewed Improper English on + 344 more book reviews
Overall, the book is a fun read - and very funny in sections. Alix, the main character, was difficult for me to like as "a person." I really wanted to slap some sense into her. However, she's an entertaining character. I really enjoyed the other colorful characters she encounters. Readers who enjoy a fun romp of a romance, will hopefully not be disappointed.
Artgirl avatar reviewed Improper English on + 3 more book reviews
Great read, lighthearted, funny, cinderella story. Bridgety-Jones-ish. I can't stand the author's paranormal series but really like these. If you have a fondness for the Brits, this is great.
reviewed Improper English on + 162 more book reviews
Very quirky and funny. Enjoyable read.
KellitaJ avatar reviewed Improper English on + 550 more book reviews
It's stories like this that let traveling women freely romance when traveling, believing whatever the gigilos tell us. Since I've been to 27 different countries and romanced in quite a few with the locals, this story really appealed to me as IT COULD HAPPEN.
reviewed Improper English on + 20 more book reviews
Katie Macalister writes stemay, funny love stories. This is not one of my absolute favorites, but still well worth the read. Be prepared to laugh out loud!
reviewed Improper English on + 6 more book reviews
This is one of her best books. I love the heroine because she's sassy, fun and smart. And her heo sounds dishy!
reviewed Improper English on + 419 more book reviews
This is a good read, the first by MacAlister I ever read.
linnybo avatar reviewed Improper English on + 23 more book reviews
Alix is in London for three months. She meets Alex who's living in the apartment directly above her, and the sparks fly. Can this be true love, or will she manage to mess it up? I thought the first half of this book was just hilarious! I couldn't put the book down. I couldn't stop laughing, and I loved all the English sayings. In the second half of the book, our heroine becomes soooo high maintenance that I really do not know why her boyfriend stayed with her! I did enjoy the book from beginning to end, and I would recommend it as a fun read. Alix's behavior in the second half, however, was more than a little over the top, for this heroine to be anywhere close to one of my favorite fictional characters. Does this review help?
greendragon avatar reviewed Improper English on + 71 more book reviews
very funny
reviewed Improper English on + 10 more book reviews
Cute! Very funny in places. Was a very good read.
reviewed Improper English on + 204 more book reviews
Not my favorite. Normally, I really like Katie MacAlister but her main character, Alix, really annoyed me in this book. It was funny but I thought Alix's contradictory behavior was just kind of thoughtless. I couldn't see how the guy could stay interested in her.
reviewed Improper English on + 103 more book reviews
Another fun, light, cute read from Katie MacAlister. Alix, our heroine moves to London and meets Scotland Yard Detective Alex. Lots of funny bantering between the characters will have you laughing out loud.
terra57 avatar reviewed Improper English on + 100 more book reviews
This book is such a hoot. I love all of Katie's books and it's nice to see the older ones are just as interesting as the newer titles.
reviewed Improper English on + 22 more book reviews
First let me just say that Katie McAlister is a talented writer. I love her style. I really enjoyed this book - it was lighthearted and sexy without being over-the-top smutty, and she kept me rolling with her humor! I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the characters.
reviewed Improper English on + 3 more book reviews
The book was one of Katie's better books.
Zachaustlily avatar reviewed Improper English on + 227 more book reviews
One of my favorite authors. Haven't read a book of hers that I haven't loved.
reviewed Improper English on + 59 more book reviews
Funny book about writing a novel. A great summer or beach read.
solarawynn avatar reviewed Improper English on + 724 more book reviews
Katie always makes me laugh while I read her books.
aphrodite26 avatar reviewed Improper English on + 81 more book reviews
I love any Katie MacAlister books. It was a joy to read again!