Review: I loved Charlotte, the heroine!
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 07 22, 2014
Review CopyDon't you just hate it when you read a funny, delightful, can't-put-down book by an author you like only to find that the last page dumps you? I mean, dumps you so badly you actually want to shoot spitballs at the author.Well, The Husband Maker by Karey White was that book for me.I've read a couple of Karey's books and have really enjoyed them – she writes clean contemporary romance – so I was very excited for this one. And in all honesty, the book delivered on all my expectations – up until the cliffhanger on the last page.How could she write a series – as this is – without having the next book readily available for purchase? Authors who do that should be taken out and shot! Karey's next book in the series The Match Maker is only coming out in Autumn so it will be a long wait.Now with that rant behind me, what is The Husband Maker about?Charlotte is a girl with a 'curse' – not in any fantastical way – who has borne the humiliation of seeing every guy she's ever dated marry the very next girl he goes out with. With no exceptions. As you can imagine, the whole deal is getting a bit tiring, so when her boss sets her up with Kyle Aldsworth she's not that keen. What follows is a well-written, totally unpredictable, character-driven story with a . . . well, I've said it, a cliffhanger ending.Moving on . . .I really like Charlotte. She had me smiling most of the time, thinking she's one of the most original and appealing romantic heroines I've read in ages. She's smart, honest, flawed, and just a little desperate – but not enough to be stupid. I really like that.Kyle is the swoonworthy bachelor so many girls would dream about snaring – a rich, handsome, charming Senator's son well on his way to a successful political career. It seems a perfect mix.Trouble was, as much as I liked Kyle – and I did – I preferred Charlotte's best friend, Angus more.Ah, Angus!There are a heck of a lot of characters in this book, but Angus really stood out for me. He's what every girl dreams of – the great male best friend who's always there for you.As much as I enjoyed Kyle and thought his and Charlotte's romance was 'sweet' (that is a veiled reference to something in the book. Read it and you'll figure out what I mean) I think I'm rooting for her and Angus to get together. And no, don't panic. This isn't a love triangle.All that said, if you are looking for toe-curling romance, this book isn't it. It is far more plot driven than your typical romance. For example, Charlotte and Kyle's first kiss was so glossed over, I didn't really know if he had given her a peck on the cheek or a full-blown Frenchie. That raised alarm bells for me and makes me wonder how this book fits in with the rest of the series. Is it just a place-marker designed to get us into Charlotte's head? Or is the story that ended here going to be be the main meal for the next in the series?Ah, the questions. I, for one, am captivated enough by Charlotte that I will definitely be reading the next book.Because of the great characters, surprise ending and pure torture of the cliffhanger ending, I give this book four stars.