Monday, December 28, 2009

Review: Breakfast in Bed

Title: Breakfast in Bed
Author: Robin Kaye
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: Sourcebooks Casablanca/December 2009
Source: Publisher

From the back cover ~

He'd be Mr. Perfect

if he wasn't a perfect mess...

Rich Ronaldi is almost the complete package - smart, sexy, great job - but when his girlfriend dumps him, Rich swears he'll learn to cook and clean just to win her back.

She'll be happy to make him over,

but not for another woman...

Rich is the only guy Becca Larsen's ever met who hasn't tried to change her. She's glad to help him master the domestic arts, but she'll be damned if he'll start cooking in another woman's kitchen - or bedroom...

I haven't read Robin Kaye's first two books and the couples from the first two books do make appearances in Breakfast in Bed, but I don't think you need to read those to enjoy Breakfast in Bed. Kaye supplies enough back story to give the reader a sense of who the previous two couples are and what their relationships are with Rich and Becca.

First I want to talk about Rich, for a couple of reasons. I found him a very interesting and likable character, with his serious side of psych professor at Columbia and his equally playful side as sexy boyfriend to Gina. He was so adorable and sweet, I could just eat him up! His one drawback... he was a major slob! When Gina dumps him he thinks he can get her back by literally cleaning up his act. He also needs a dinner date for a special event that he hopes will impress his boss. So he turns to Becca, his reluctant roommate, to help him learn to be a domestic god. It was funny to see Rich's attempts at cooking, cleaning and doing all things domestic. Rich had been so spoiled by the women in his life that he was clueless when it came to anything domestic. But he soon caught on and actually became good at it. The tenacity he applied towards cooking and cleaning he also applied in his desire to have Becca in his bed.

Becca, for me, was not very likable at first. She just didn't click for me when I first met her. I think at least part of it had to do with my fascination for Rich. I just found him more likable than Becca. Becca was more closed off, less trusting and harder to get to know. Becca was very stubborn when it came to having Rich in the same apartment and the misunderstanding that caused both of them to be there. She seemed so caught up in her own world of getting her apartment ready to move in and her gallery ready to open. I get that those are busy times and that she didn't have time to cater to Rich. Plus, Rich had left a bad impression on Becca when they last met. She really didn't like him, but was attracted to him, which we know always causes those conflicting emotions. But as Becca started to thaw towards Rich she also started to become more open and more likable to me. Once I got to know her, to understand her, I found that I liked her.

Rich and Becca together - funny, hot, sexy, sweet, touching and emotional. All those words can describe their relationship of reluctant friends to lovers. They were actually good for each other. Rich listened to Becca and didn't give a damn about her money (she came from a very, very rich background). And Becca didn't cater to Rich but let him stumble and fall a few times on his road to being a domestic god. What did surprise me is that as their relationship grew it was Rich who showed more maturity when it came to handling the deeper feelings and emotions. In the beginning I got the sense that Becca was the more mature of the two, basically because she could actually take care of herself while Rich came across as a lost cause when it came to the basics. He really was quite funny. Some of the best parts of the book.

The problem I had with Rich and Becca's relationship came towards the end. This is where, IMO, that Becca proved to be the less mature of the two and her actions really bugged me. Here she has this wonderful guy that is crazy about her and what does she do? Ugh! And I will admit that my feelings about Rich may have made me a little harder on Becca but, dammit, she hurt him! LOL I think a little honesty and talking would have gone a long way in avoiding the misunderstandings but it all worked out in the end and Rich and Becca got their HEA.

All in all, Breakfast in Bed turned out to be a funny, enjoyable romance. Now I need to dig into my tbr pile and read Romeo, Romeo. It's about Rosalie (Rich's sister) and Nick Romeo who is already a domestic god.

Robin Kaye and her books can be found here.

Rating: B+

11 comments:

  1. I agree - it was a cute book! Yes, Becca bugged me a bit at the end too. Definitely will check this author out again.

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  2. Great review, Leslie. This sounds like a very sweet read.

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  3. 've heard such conflicting opinions about this series. I haven't picked it up yet, but your review makes me rethink. It sounds like a nice easy way to spend an afternoon read.

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  4. Mandi ~ definitely cute! A little bit serious at times but it didn’t weigh it down.

    Christine ~ it’s sweet and funny. I’ve got a bit of a crush on Rich. LOL

    Lori ~ I remember reading positive reviews for Romeo, Romeo (1st book) and Breakfast in Bed is certainly a fun read!

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  5. Leslie~ Thanks for the great review, I'm glad you enjoyed it!

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  6. I still haven't found this book. I've looked at various bookstores for the past month and am getting annoyed!

    Thanks for reviewing it, I enjoy checking out reviews before I read a book!

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  7. Robin ~ thank you for writing such a wonderful book!

    Tabitha ~ from what I heard there was a problem with the first printing but that's been fixed and Breakfast in Bed should be in the stores. I would call the store and ask them to order it for you.

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  8. Leslie, thanks. Robin Kaye explained about the problem but I had started looking since before I knew the release date was changed...after four weeks of checking for the book, I finally found it an hour ago. Sweet!

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  9. Hmmm, explain to me how this rich, rich girl knows how to do the domestic chores? :P Just kidding. I read Romeo Romeo and while I thought it was okay, haven't looked for the others... I'm just not sure.

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  10. Tabitha ~ YEAH! Good to hear you found it. Enjoy!

    Nath ~ rich girl has lived on her own and insists on making her own way. :) Give it a try - I think you'd like Rich.

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  11. Leslie, I love your review. I'm really interested in these books & I'm looking them up for 2010 -- another contemp/romance writer for my list. It really sounds cute. :)

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