Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Review: Crazy for Love by Victoria Dahl

Chloe Turner thought she was going to marry the perfect man--until her fiancé's plane crashed. And then she got the really bad news: he'd tried to fake his own death to avoid marrying her. Now America's most famous bridezilla (a tag she most definitely does not deserve), Chloe escapes to a remote island to avoid the paparazzi. And right next door is a man who just might be the cure for Chloe's heartache....

A magnet for wild, complicated women, Max Sullivan is relieved to have finally found someone "normal." Chloe is his girl-next-door fantasy come to life, and best of all, she gets him. With her, he can be himself, a treasure-hunting millionaire who desperately wants out of his sexy but reckless job. But when Chloe's notoriety catches up with them, will their torrid romance make it to the mainland?
Crazy for Love is Victoria Dahl's latest contemporary romance. This was a fun story. I seem to be reading a lot of these lately.

Chloe is being pursued by the paparazzi after her fiancé faked his death in a plane crash to avoid marrying her -- supposedly because she was such a crazy bridezilla. After a month of mayhem, Chloe's best friend Jenn takes her on a weekend getaway to an island to get her away from the press and she meets Max. On the surface, Max seems to be the ultimate self-confident man -- a treasure hunter and sophisticated world traveller. Max and his brother Elliott are at the island for a week's getaway so that the recently divorced and self-acknowledged workaholic Elliott can learn how to relax. As it turns out, the one who really needs to learn how to relax is Max. The man is neurotic with control issues. He worries about and feels responsible for everyone he meets, therefore he MUST keep those around him safe. It's exhausting for him to maintain a careless façade and to constantly manipulate everyone into safety.

I enjoyed this book for the most part . What did I like? The way Chloe figures out, understands and accepts Max's neurosis. I think that was the best part of the story for me. There's also great chemistry between them as a couple and their dialogue kept me interested.

Max? Well, he was both adorable and exhausting! As a character, he was a mixed bag -- I thought he was sexy one minute and felt sorry for him the next.  Half the time I wasn't sure if he really fell in love Chloe or with the fact that Chloe figured him out and he could be himself with her.

Poor Chloe! The woman has to deal with all types of betrayal, but she's strong even when it seems like she's fall apart in the midst of the craziness going on in her life. She's really is a great character: witty, smart and likable. Chloe is just what Max needs, and frankly she made this book a good read for me. I enjoyed the dialogue whenever she was on the page.

There's a secondary storyline between Max's brother Elliott and Chloe's best friend Jenn. This storyline is good in that it supports that of the main characters and the overall story, although there were moments when it did take the main focus away from Max and Chloe.

A quick, light read with interesting and vastly different characters falling in love in the midst of mayhem.

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Series: None
Release Date: July 1, 2010
Source: Received from Tabitha- Tabz Book Blog - Thanks Tabs!
Grade: B

Visit Victoria Dahl here.

7 comments:

  1. Great review Hils! Another one I've got on the tbr pile along with one of her historicals. I'm going to move this one to the top - it sounds like a lot of fun. :)

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  2. LOL, in some way, I could relate to Max. I tend to worry a lot... and seriously, I blame today's society and news for the whole media fiasco surrounding poor Chloe. Oh would I be frustrated if I was in her place. I mean, the betrayal is hard, but the circus is intolerable.

    I enjoyed Elliot and Jenn's romance, but it'd almost be better if they had their own book :P

    Nice review, Hils :)

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  3. It really was an entertaining book, Leslie. I liked the characters. Max was different and I enjoyed the way Dahl handled him in this story. Hope you enjoy it.

    Nath, I felt for Max. What an exhausting way to live and yet he did it quite well. I was so glad that he found someone that understood him. I agree with you about the media and Chloe's situation. What happened to her was awful, and yet... it does happen all the time. Dahl portrayed that situation quite well.

    Elliot and Jenn? Sigh... a book for those two would have been perfect. I agree with you and think they needed one.

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  4. In many ways, I'm a worrywart like Max. lol. Chloe was lucky to be rid of a cowardly man before she married him. Who wants a guy who went to fake his death to avoid breaking up with her?? Anyways, I'm so glad you enjoyed this book for me! hehe

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  5. Oh, I absolutely agree! Chloe was much better off -- her ex-fiance was such a loser! It's funny how we can all identify with Max when it comes to the worrying part. :D I think the poor man just took it to extremes and I'm glad that Chloe understood how to help him with that.

    I'm glad I was able to enjoy this book for you too! Thank you Tabs!

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  6. Am trying to think if I have read a Victoria Dahl book...and I can't remember. Lovely review, but I don't think this a 'me' book (if that makes sense :)

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  7. I know what you mean Orannia. Not every book is for everyone. It makes perfect sense. :D

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