The Little Lady Agency and the Prince by Hester Browne

Just a warning: If you haven't already read the first two Little Lady Agency books, you may want to hold off reading this review - that is unless you don't mind a bit of a spoiler - I'll try to keep things to a minimum, but BEWARE.

Okay, onto the story. Melissa is back as The Little Lady who can solve any problem. No bachelor too scruffy, no family crisis too daunting - she's there to sort it all out. Her reputation has spread so much that she is hired to help Prince Nicolas clean up his bad boy partying ways for a shot at regaining the family castle. Nicky is more than a little charming and Mel feels she's in over her head especially after her sister unexpectedly gives birth and decides no one but Mel can plan the perfect christening for her son. And perhaps find the perfect name for said baby while she's at it. Ugh. All the while, she's trying to enjoy being engaged to the successful, romantic Jonathan Riley which isn't going entirely according to plan since his relocation to Paris. Unfortunately, Jonathan has his own ideas for Mel's Little Lady Agency and Melissa must sort out her own feelings before her life competely changes.

After dealing with Jonathan trying to control Melissa and her business for the past two books, I did my very own little happy dance when Melissa finally puts her foot down concerning a few troubling issues. Sometimes I wonder just who does Jonathan think he is?? He keeps setting up all these rules for Mel: first no pretending to be anyone's girlfriend (sort of understandable), then no wig (Eek!), then no agency (double Eek!)?? I just don't get why Mel is so head over heels with him when in every book she is basically crying her heart out becuase Remington doesn't quite see her for who she really is. But Ms. Browne does clear up all sorts of murky relationship issues and leaves me more than optimistic about Melissa's future.

After reading this series, enjoyable as it was, it's safe to say I'm done with chick-lit for a little while. I think I need a break from all this happily-ever-after stuff.

reading order:
~ The Little Lady Agency
~ Little Lady, Big Apple
~ The Little Lady Agency and the Prince

Summer Reading Blitz update: 16/30

Little Lady, Big Apple by Hester Browne

Melissa Romney-Jones transformed her blah life from being a doormat to her family and having horrible jobs to being the proud owner of a successful business, The Little Lady Agency, where she turns awkward bachelors into eligible men and scoring the boyfriend of her dreams, Mr. Perfect Himself, Jonathan (affectionately known as Remington Steele or Dr. No by Mel's friends). Business is booming and Mel is happier than ever when her flatmate and best friend, Nelson, tells her he is leaving for a few months during which their apartment will be undergoing severe renovations - translation: Mel has to find someplace new to live, fast. When Jonathan suggests she move to New York with him for the 2 months, Mel is hesitant to leave her clients, family, and London lifestyle.

Eventually she is persuaded to join him in the Big Apple, but once she arrives, Melissa finds it hard to compete with Jonathan's seemingly perfect Park Avenue friends, his demanding job, and the memories of his ever present ex-wife. Jonathan also forbids(!) Mel from employing her trade (aka helping out hapless chaps) while in New York and forbids her to wear The Wig. Oh no he didn't! The Wig is what transforms Melissa into her alter-ego Honey who wears skinny pencil skirts, has better manners than the Queen, and can plan any event in her sleep. Melissa agrees but out of loneliness and her very nice personality gets dragged into helping a fellow Londoner turned actor clean up his image. Things get very tricky in a hurry.

This second installment in Browne's Little Lady Agency series was good fun. The first I liked much more since this one was more uncomfortable with all the garbage Mel puts up with. That said, I like Melissa, not only is she funny, charming and so well mannered, but she happens to be so organized I'm envious. I only wish she'd learn to not let people (including Remington Steele himself) bulldoze her. And Nelson, oh how I adore you Nelson. Ever present with your fabulous home-cooked meals, foot rubs, and amazing advice, I think you are The Perfect Man. I'm crossing my fingers that some relationship rearranging will occur in the next installment.

reading order:
~ The Little Lady Agency
~ Little Lady, Big Apple
~ The Little Lady Agency and the Prince

Summer Reading Blitz update: 15/30

The Little Lady Agency by Hester Browne

I'll just start this review off by saying: I'm torn after reading this book.

The Little Lady Agency is the first in a three part series starring Melissa Romney-Jones, a girl who has been fired - once again - from her job and has no clue where to go from there. Extremely organized and good at soothing the ruffled feathers of her co-workers and friends, Melissa, after a string of highly amusing events and coincidences, decides to open her own agency specially marketed to those blokes who have more than a little trouble organizing their lives. Whether it be a clothes makeover, someone to advise them on asking a girl out, posing as a girlfriend to get matchmaking mamas off their backs, or just firing the hired help, Melissa can handle anything with her no-nonsense attitude - everything except for laundry and sex that is.

Only thing is, Melissa doesn't want to be recognized due to her politically prominent family and thus dons a blonde wig and an alternate personality, Honey during 'business hours'. As Honey, Melissa wears tighter clothing and can make the honest yet somewhat brutal remarks accommodating Melissa would never dream of uttering. Even though her wonderful friends Nelson and Gabi insist that side of Melissa has always been there, she can't see it.

Okay, so now for my reasons for not totally being wowed by this one. I mean, at times, it's hilarious. Melissa gets into some laugh-out-loud situations with her awkward bachelors and her family had me in stitches to no end. My beef comes with her choice in men. I know Ms. Browne was going for a whole passion-over-friendship thing but I really don't see her decision working out for her in the end. I don't want to spoil it here, but if you too are feeling less than pleased with how things end up, let me know cause I am more than a little miffed at her decision. Other than that, I really enjoyed this book - the characters were great, it was surprisingly clean for a 'chick book', and it dealt with all things London and English. My idea of a good time.

reading order:
~ The Little Lady Agency
~ Little Lady, Big Apple
~ The Little Lady Agency and the Prince

Summer Reading Blitz update: 14/30