Mad About the Boy--Suzan Battah

Publication Date: October 7, 2011
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Series: N/A
List Price: $11.50
Sensuality Rating: PG-13
Star Rating: 3.5/5

Synopsis:  

Julia Mendoza is driven by the success of her business. Since her husband Carlos passed away at such a young age, her business By Design is her number one priority. In her late twenties she works too hard and doesn’t take time out for fun. Annoyance with a pesky ex-friend has her begging one of the local surfer’s with a cheeky smile in the grocery store to pretend he’s her boyfriend. Suddenly, life takes a sudden detour from her business plan; much to the delight of her boisterous Latin American family. Christophe Augustine is groomed to take over his father’s successful chain of luxurious hotels. With a wealthy French-American background, Chris has been given privileges that not many have. He works hard, plays harder but seeks approval and recognition above all else. Family is a top priority for him as he fights for custody of his young brother. His parent’s divorce has not diminished his faith in romance. When a gorgeous Latino woman changes one boring morning into an interesting game of role play, though reluctant to help at first, he soon realises she’s not like the string of other women he’s known. A romantic first date ending dramatically doesn’t stop Chris from wanting to know Julia more. And for Julia, she’s all for a bit of fun but when things get too serious she’s running the other way. Too alike, in some ways and complete opposites, in other ways, Julia and Chris fumble through fun moments, annoying confrontations, passionate times and heartbreaking revelations. Love has no boundaries when soul-mates meet but when one is ready to love and the other one isn’t….

My Opinion:

Hmmm...what can I say about Mad About The Boy? I thought the entrance to the book was phenomenal. Hilarious and awkward (supposed to be awkward) all in one; enough to keep a reader entertained and draw them in to where they won't put the book down. We all know those books that start of super slow and don't get interesting until the fourth chapter. Nope, this isn't one of them. It started off at a delightful pace.

...And then it got boring. a few chapters later the speed would pick up and become interesting once more. How annoying. Now, this is not to say I didn't enjoy the novel, I did. But at a few parts I got frustrated, I'm not gonna lie.

I think it was fascinating that Julia's late husband had cystic fibrosis. I know a little girl about 10 who was born with cystic fibrosis. I  know it has nothing to do with how well written the novel is, but it was interesting nonetheless.

I adore the scene where Chris and Julia go dancing was so sensually hot, I'm surprised the dance floor didn't catch on fire. It was an amazingly descriptive scene as well, so I could really see what was happening, as if I was there myself. It was so amazing, it gave me chills.

The dance scene really surprised me because I felt like there wasn't enough description throughout the rest of the story. I liked the story, but it was hard to picture some of the scenes.

I was especially disappointed in the scene where she gets hit and she almost dies. I thought the moment where her and Carlos's spirit talk was a bit juvenile. The was she writes it is awkward and not very well written.

All throughout the novel there were some truly heart-wrenching moments. Mad About The Boy is about a women who meets a dashing man she is instantly attracted to, but is having a really hard time moving on from her late husband, Carlos's death. For all of you who decide to try this novel, you better bring some tissues!

Recommendations??

For all of you who love a sad story with a happy ending, try Mad About the Boy! If your into contemporary romance, or mixed-race relationships (nothing wrong with that) this would be a good novel for you, too.