400p.
Publisher: Harlequin MIRA
Published: 4/29/14
Source: Publisher and NetGalley for review
Plum Orchard, Georgia, is about to get even juicier…My thoughts:
Notorious mean girl Dixie Davis is back in town and it's payback time. Literally. Dixie is flat broke and her best—make that only—friend, Landon, is throwing her a lifeline from the Great Beyond. Dixie stands to inherit his business…if she meets a few conditions:
She's got to live in Landon's mansion.
With her gorgeous ex-fiancé, Caine Donovan.
Who could also inherit the business.
Which is a phone sex empire.
Wait, what?
Landon's will lays it out: whoever gets the most new clients becomes the owner of Call Girls. Dixie has always been in it to win it, especially when it comes to Caine, who's made it clear he's not going down easy. (Oh, mercy.) Can Dixie really talk dirty and prove that she's cleaned up her act? Game on!
I have to admit, I don't usually like books about mean girls but this was Dakota Cassidy and Dixie was a reformed mean girl. Oh growth! I do like that in books and I was also wanting a good romance so I gave it a try and was glad that I did.
In the story I did immediately like Dixie, the reformed mean girl. There were times when I didn't like that she allowed people to walk all over her because she felt it was her punishment for past deeds, but she did come to the aid and protection to those around her so it was easy to forgive her even when you were pushing for her to stand up for herself. I also did like the way she handled the intense scrutiny and prejudice she endured because of her past reputation. That also solidified my affinity for this character. She was still exploring who she was, and she did it with as much honesty as she could.
I didn't always like Caine, Dixie's ex, because of the way he treated her even though we knew they had a past where he got hurt. You could understand why he was angry, but knowing the Dixie we were introduced to now, it just seemed excessive. However, you will be happy to know that he does redeem himself in spades in the end. It just had to take some time.
The secondary players were some of my favorites. Em, someone who was bullied by Dixie in high school did give her grief for her past deeds, but was the first to also come around knowing that Dixie had changed. She was also a cutie and I hope the next book is about her. The other main secondary character was Landon, their deceased friend. Oh that one kills me because he won't get any books with his romance. He was a hoot even in death and someone who lived large and didn't give a damn about what others thought of him. A character I would have loved to have known better.
In the end, I really enjoyed this book even more than I thought I would from the beginning. I give the book 4 1/2 stars and recommend it to those that are looking for a good contemporary romance set in a small town.
I haven't heard of this romance author, but this particular storyline seems refreshing and unique in the genre, so I'll have to check it out for sure. Wonderful review, Melissa!
ReplyDeleteI think you'll enjoy the book. It was a good romance book. :)
DeleteAfter that review, I was already sold on this one, but BOTH you and Felicia loving it . . . where do I sign? This seriously sounds fantastic. Part of it is the second I read, "reformed mean girl," I thought, "GCB!" (the unfortunately short-lived ABC series). Whether or not there are any similarities, I want to read this on it's on merits. Fabulous review, Melissa!
ReplyDeleteJessica @ Rabid Reads
I hope you end up enjoying it as much as we did! I really do think you will though. :)
DeleteOooo a 4.5!!! Definitely going to have to read this one Melissa! Do we get to find out why she completely changed her tune with regard to her behavior? I know I'll want to know, especially since she feels it necessary to pay penance by enduring nastiness from other people. Thanks for the recommendation!
ReplyDeleteYes you will have all the answers. :) It will frustrate you because it isn't revealed until toward the end. :)
DeleteSounds fun :D I want to read this one, cute!
ReplyDeleteI do think you'll have fun with this one!
DeleteMean girls....eeh, but if she is reformed, I might be willing to read it!
ReplyDeleteYou will love this one Savy!
DeleteThe mean girl type of books can be hard to get into--though sometimes worth getting past, like with Tease that I just read. But its good to hear she is reformed,
ReplyDeleteShe doesn't start out mean so I was good. :) I usually don't get into the mean girl type of books.
DeleteIt did have all the feels! :)
ReplyDeleteOh great! I hope you enjoy as much as I did! :)
ReplyDeleteMaybe Landon will find love int he afterlife lol
ReplyDeleteI love Dakota Cassidy and I haven't read anything by her in a long time.
Karen @ For What It's Worth
This sounds fun! It reminds me a little of a show I watch on occasion except for the phone sex. I'd love to read about a reformed mean girl. I know a few I wish would reform!! Fun review! Too bad about Landon.
ReplyDeleteMy review for this goes up tomorrow. I really liked it a lot, and loved Dixie. Yeah, it's sad we don't get more of Landon, but his presence in this book was a hoot.
ReplyDeleteI blame Jason Derulo for his freaking song, because every time I hear the words "Talk Dirty To Me" I hear that song in my head. It's highly irritating and distracting, lol.
ReplyDeleteSounds like an interesting read, great review!
This one sounds very interesting! Not something I'd pick up on my own but I'm curious about it now!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds lovely! :) (I just can't help get out that annoying song out of my head now... what with the book's title -- "talk dirty")
ReplyDeleteThis sound cute and I like that Em and Dixie became friends. This is one I will add to my list :)
ReplyDeleteog it sounds great, I didn't know that the author had a new book out. I agree with you I would havebeen sad to see that she let other do mean things because she felt bad. But I'm so curious to sounds like a great romance like I love them. Thanks Melissa for the review!
ReplyDeleteAwesome review Melissa, thank you. Adding this one to my wishlist.
ReplyDeleteThere's just something about a small-town romance. Plus, Dakota Cassidy is a funny writer.
ReplyDeleteA bit different from your usual kind of read, I'm glad you enjoyed it.Thanks for such a thoughtful review, this is definitely one I'll keep a look out for even if I think it may be one of those books that I have to be in the mood for.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds super cute! I'm so glad I ordered it for my library. I can't wait to read it myself. :)
ReplyDeleteI really want to read this! I love Dakota Cassidy, but I need to read more of her books!
ReplyDeleteI keep reading rave reviews for this, and I hadn't even heard of it before yesterday! I clearly need to pick up a copy, it sounds like such a fun story. Fab review!
ReplyDeleteI love a small town romance , and this one sounds like fun. Plus a reformed mean girl? I can go for that.
ReplyDelete