Victoria Michaels

TWO AND A HALF STARS--Lexi White and Vincent Drake, their premise showed so much promise but it left me feeling slightly annoyed at the end of this very long PG story. I agree with another reviewer's suggestion of cutting this story down a number of pages (100-200 pages less couldn't hurt and would make the slow build-up feel as much of a process). Don't get me wrong the story had promise I just can't pinpoint where exactly it started to not live up to its hype.

You see, I am fan of U.S. version of Ugly Betty". I watched it until the end and totally rooted for Betty, the unappreciated assistant, and Daniel, the handsome, yet major jerk, boss, to be together. And after so many years, they finally did end being together. I enjoyed the drama from the show's villain, Wilhelmina. She was one of the great TV villains, IMO. So Jade was a piss poor elementary version of Wilhelmina.

So somewhere around chapter 13, I felt like I was reading an extended version of a literary version of Not Ugly Betty or NUB as I called Alexandra(Lexi) from that point forward. Lexi, was NUB-- a cowardly, tear-streaked (this woman cried so much her tears could float a nation) poor man's version of the awesome Ugly Betty. You see, Betty realized her self worth and Daniel became less of a jerk. However, the less jerk-like tendencies came a little too late from Vincent or as I called him Coward #1.

The author didn't really give much backbone to either main character until too late and by the time the words were introduced that NUB was going to be her own woman(giggle) and Vincent, a...man (titter, eye roll and giggle) it was too much too late. Their love story was as passionless as another reviewer commented. Also Daniel/Vincent (truly does it matter at this point what his name is) did not cheat on NUB because you see...they were not in a relationship. It was almost sexual tension filled friendship at best and a jellyfish mating dance at worst.

I'll not go into detail about the unprofessional dialogue between co-workers or better yet, boss and employee, the few typos, unnecessary advertising tips and at times junior high school-like dialogue. Oh and the author forgetting characteristics of her own characters midway into the story, eye colors flip-flopped.

Or Jade...I guess she was necessary for an antagonist but really...who acts like that. And why did Dancent(Daniel/Vincent) cower from her and take the abuse?

There was a weak suspense plot thrown into the story (easily guessable, wonder how neither NUB or Dancent couldn't figure it out). What saved the story? The HEA...for the spineless lovers and the secondary characters. I really liked Hope and Sean. There was no mention of them in the epilogue.

So if you like Ugly Betty-like stories or are obsessed with long novels with mere kisses about a non-epic tale of a weak heroine who cries at the drop of a hat and her ass of a boss, then do I have a story for you."… (mais)