What I liked:

As you stated in your review, both characters showed some realistic growth in the course of the book. Neither underwent a personality transplant, but this was one of those books where falling in love really does make the hero and heroine better and stronger people, and I find that really romantic and appealing.

Monica's insecurity and need for attention; this is true of actors, and everyone knows it, but usually a romance heroine isn’t allowed to be needy or egotistical in that way.

That Eric did change believably; I wasn’t sure if Martin could pull it off, but she did a pretty good job of it.

I liked that Monica really didn’t like Eric at first; she had some stirrings of lust for him, but he was a creep and she treated him like she was too good for him, which she was, considering how he acted at times.

That they each had mixed motives at times for their relationship; there was a maturity and a realistic sensibility about the way that worked that you don’t often see in romance.

I liked Monica's insecurity about her soaps work, and the resolution of that. I wasn’t sure if I wanted her to give up soaps and become a film star, but I appreciated that in the end she realized that damn it, she liked what she did for a living.

It was quite witty and funny at times. I liked Eric’s poem.

It was a quick read; I can’t tell you the last time I finished a romance in under a week (I think I finished this in about five days).

What I didn’t like:

There were some cliches that had me wincing a bit; the whole heroine as semi-frigid (though this is only really touched on once) while the heroine is a stud who will bang anything that breathes. I’m so sick of this. And there wasn’t any particular reason given for it; I mean, I get sick of heroes with flimsy motivations for not getting into relationships, but that doesn’t mean I want there to be *no* motivation. That just leaves me feeling that it’s a plot device to explain why a 30ish man has never had a serious relationship.

Wow, Eric really was a jerk at first. And even in the middle at times. I never really got why there was a “jerk Eric” and a “real Eric” – again, some motivation might’ve helped. But I definitely disliked him at times and had trouble seeing how he would reform (but again, if you look at my likes, that was resolved in a way that worked for me).

Certain things were kind of cartoony/unrealistic. Not a big deal, but considering that there was some real realness (excuse the inarticulateness tonight) between Monica and Eric, I thought the consistently broad portrayal of the other hockey players, for instance, was a bit much. Also, no way would the romance of a hockey player and a soap star get so much play in NYC. Maybe if she were a big movie star, or it was a smaller market, but I can’t believe NY fans would be *that* impressed.

Really didn’t like Eric calling his brother “fag” at one point. Not cool. Even the liberal use of “pussy” was preferable, though when I really think about the meaning of that phrase, it pisses me off too. I realize these are rough and tumble hockey players, and I don’t need them to talk like nuns, but I also don’t need to hear really offensive slurs.

Not so much a “dislike”, but I was surprised that the possibility of a sexual harassment suit never came up in regards to the heroine’s situation. I could understand why she wouldn’t want to file such a suit, but it was weird to me that it wasn’t even mentioned as an option.

All in all, as I said, I really liked this. I’d have to check my book log (I’m at work now), but I think it may be one of the best contemporaries I’ve read this year (of course, I don’t read many straight contemporary romances, but still…)

And I was confused by the cover. I thought they were figure skater. But I love sports books, so I’ll be grabbing it.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=alipour/070530&sportCat=mlb

In 2006, men accounted for 21 percent of the estimated 6 million soap opera viewers. Turns out, some of those chaps were jocks who, given accommodating daytime schedules, aren’t immune to the trappings of today’s metrosexual male culture. “Believe it or not, we mostly reach out because word gets back to us that these guys are fans,” explains “General Hospital” casting director Mark Teschner. “For them, it’s a thrill.”

Like Brewers outfielder Bill Hall, who’d sneak away at lunch hour in high school with a girlfriend to catch “Days of Our Lives,” Montreal Canadiens defenseman Sheldon Souray admits that his afternoon naps are preceded by daily doses of “Days.” “Like anyone else, athletes get addicted to the drama, and before we know it, we’re all closet soap junkies,” says Souray, who was so soap-smitten that he married Angelica Bridges, a Days regular (’04). “I knew she was on ‘Baywatch,’ but when she mentioned she was on ‘Days,’ I was like ‘Wow, you had me at hello.’

And for any readers out there that think this is an unbelievable set up, it's totally true that many, many pro sports players watch soap operas. This requires no suspension of disbelief.

Really? I have to admit that this seems totally ridiculous to me. I'll take your word for it (since I don't watch soaps or follow sports I'm doubly ignorant), but it doesn't seem like it would be true (and sometimes the truth really is too strange for fiction ).