OVERNIGHT MALE

HQN (2008), 330 pages, $6.99 (paperback)
Sift through paragraphs that take too long to set up the story, the sentences that do little to move the story along, and you’ll find the bones of a good story.
You just have to muddle through that sifting.
The opening scene is a good example: It takes 54 pages and three chapters for the hero and heroine to be introduced and to set up their assignment. That was roughly 52 pages too long.
The gist of the story is a good one. Super spy legend Lila’s mission is to capture super bad guy Adrian, who actually turns out to be a better hunk than Joel, unfortunately.
Lila is partnered with geeky Joel, who is more of a researcher than an agent, on the assignment which takes to her a small college where she poses as a student.
Lila and Joel’s search for Adrian is the weak link here, and it would have been much better if more pages were devoted to their relationship, than the pursuit of a man determined to take control of the planet – and who engages a team of geeky, annoying college students to help him do so.
Those who read “You’ve Got Male” and “Express Male” when they first were released three years ago, will be happy to catch glimpses of the characters from those books. (Even if the glimpse of Marnie from “Express Male” is very fleeting. And even if you have to do all that sifting.)
The ending is a bit surprising and a bit different from most good-guys-chasing-bad-guy stories. And it’s the best part of the book.


Overall rating: 2-plus of 5 hearts. It gets a bit of a nudge because of its good ending. Unfortunately, you have to muddle through 300 pages to get there. The idea is good, the heroine intriguing, but Lila never really lives up to her reputation. And Joel just comes across as inept – most of the time.


Hunk appeal: 10-minus. Again, after besting super-spy Lila in the opening scene, Joel just comes across as inept – most of the time. His position on relationships is cool, and he says the right thing – most of the time. But he just comes up short – most of the time.

Steamy scene grade: XXXX. But not all of the time.

Happily-Ever-After: Very good, especially for those who read “You’ve Got Male” three years ago. Very interesting finish for the “bad guys” and our couple is set for their happily-ever-after.


Also this week …

BODY LANGUAGE, by Suzanne Brockmann (1998, paperback) – 5 of 5. This pure-romance by Brockmann recently has been re-released, and will have tears streaming down your face. Bad-boy McCade rides his motorcycle into town intent on letting his best friend, Sandy, know he realized he loves her. But before he does, Sandy tells him she’s found the love of her life. McCade tries to help Sandy land the guy, but love gets in the way. Once they pledge themselves to each other, they still have a few bumps (this is where the tears will fall) to get over before they can enjoy their happily-ever-after. There is no intrigue here, no mystery, just 100 percent pure, have-the-tissues-handy romance.