Five Star Review: False Start: An Assignment, Romance Novel by Barbara Valentin
Author Provided Copy
Publisher: : Gemma Halliday Publishing
Released: October 15, 2014
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Length: 217 pages
Synopsis
Mattie Ross is probably the last person who should be doling out good counsel to anyone on anything. Still smarting after being left at the altar two years earlier, she is strapped with debt, has sworn off men, routinely buries herself in her work and despite her well-proportioned figure, remains haunted by childhood taunts of "Fatty Mattie." But to her publisher at the Chicago Gazette, and readers, she is their latest advice columnist, The Plate Spinner, a self-assured working parent to adorable fake children and multi-tasking savant. Enter Nick Derosa, the twin brother of Mattie's cold-footed fiancé who is trying to get back on his feet after his brother steals his identity and implicates him in an illegal investment scheme. But thanks to Nick's legendary running career, the publisher of the Chicago Gazette proposes a wager: If Nick can train an out-of-shape working parent in time to compete in the Chicago Marathon, he will contribute enough to help Nick launch his own non-profit running club for kids. Suddenly "Fatty" Mattie and Nick are thrust together as the most unlikely of pairs and under a deadline to put their trust issues aside and avoid another false start in their lives.
Review by Sara
I was provided a copy of False Start in exchange for an honest review.
Let me say that if I could give this book 10 Stars I would! I absolutely freaking LOVED IT! I spent most of my time laughing, sometimes tearing up and definitely falling in love with the characters.
We meet Mattie Ross, a buxom and vivacious advice columnists AKA The Plate Spinner. Mattie is posing as a happily married mother of two rolling out advice to her readers. Well nothing is further from the truth.
Mattie was left at the alter! I know gasp! Drowning in debt to pay for an elaborate wedding, adding to her already fragile self esteem from growing up being called Fatty Mattie. Oh and the best part the Jackass groom is wanted for embezzlement! Real winner! You can imagine Mattie is off men and has a wonderful relationship with food. Chocolate in particular.
Remember the embezzling Jackass? Well he has a twin brother Nick who said Jackass tried to frame for all his crimes! Ahh family! Good times!
So the editor of the newspaper Mattie works for cooks up a scheme to help Nick get back on his feet. Nick is a world class runner and lost everything when his brother aka Jackass framed him.
The editor basically hires Nick to train Mattie to run a marathon. OMG this was HILARIOUS! You have an overweight Mattie having to deal with the spitting image of Jackass. The first training session I was laughing so hard I had tears coming out of my eyes!
False Start was such a wonderful romantic comedy and even though there isn't an ounce of steam in it. I completely loved it!