Review: Almost Perfect
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 04 30, 2013
There is so much good going on in this book... the chemistry between Olivia and Brody is HOT. Brody himself is a wonderful character, the author does a great job of showing how he slowly falls for Olivia despite his womanizing ways and how he reforms into a man that wants one woman and the whole happily ever after she-bang.  The set up is barely plausible but a lot of fun, because they both need a spouse to get their parents' off their backs, just for a little bit (although I think they would have been better off doing it without the fake pregnancy but I can understand why they thought it was a good idea).  Olivia's wacky family cracks me up, especially her Dad.  I really feel for her with all the guys her family is trying to hook her up with and their good intentions / bad judgment, it's hilarious.Now, all that being said, there are 3 things that - if fixed - would make this book AMAZING.1.  Get rid of the 'danger' side plot.  Olivia's being stalked and later we find out that it's because her stalker is interested in Brody... but she was receiving creepy phone calls way before she ever made the arrangement with Brody so it makes no sense. And why hasn't any other woman that Brody's been with been stalked? Cuz there have been a lot of them.  The whole side plot of her being in danger was not only silly, it took away from the main action of the plot.  It almost seems like the author didn't trust her characters/ story enough to think that people would be satisfied with the conflict between all the characters and so needed to add some danger to make it more exciting... but that wasn't true. The characters hold up on their own and the emotional conflicts and growth between all of them are the best part of the book.2. Olivia's temper needs to be reigned in. Or, well, not, because the arguments she has with Brody are hilarious and I wouldn't want to miss that... but the violence needs to be reigned in. First of all, no man would put up with that crap - she throws a stapler at his head! That could have actually seriously injured him. And she's supposed to be a lawyer, a professional... she comes across looking kind of insane.  Fortunately she cuts it out with all the kicking and throwing things once they get to Hawaii, but still, it's the kind of thing that makes a reader not like the character. Take out those couple sentences with the violence (ok, maybe let her get one good kick in when he's being particularly frustrating) and Olivia's character is a heck of a lot better.#3 is sort of a spoiler but not really because any HEA ends this way3. IT IS NEVER EVER OKAY TO PROPOSE AT SOMEONE ELSE'S WEDDING AND MAKE A BIG DEAL OUT OF THE PROPOSAL.  That day is supposed to be set aside for celebration of the bride and groom, not the celebration of the bride and groom and you. If he was going to propose it should be done quietly, out of the way of everyone else and they shouldn't announce it until it's NOT her sister's wedding day anymore.  It's selfish and attention whorey. I loved that he showed up to the wedding and that he asked for the HEA, but it was done in the most immature and self-indulgent way possible. NOT romantic.However... I still recommend this book.  Despite those things. It's cute, it's fun, the characters are enjoyable, the family dynamic is hilarious and makes me want to read more about Olivia's brother and sisters, and it's only 99 cents so the two aforementioned things (while stupid) don't detract enough to completely forego such a good, cheap read.Still. If I was the author I would re-write and adjust those three things because without those three things this would be one of my favorite romances.