Comments on: REVIEW: The Boyfriend’s Back by Ellen Hartman

By: Margie

Margie — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 01:20:33 +0000

I was a little disappointed by this book as well because I loved her previous books. I had many of the same problems you mentioned. I didn’t mind JT’s laid back attitude, but I thought he acted like a doormat sometimes. For example, when he finds out Haily lied and everyone in town thinks he is a no-show father, instead of being angry he wistfully lusts after Haily. It didn’t seem like a genuine response. On the other hand, I loved JT’s relationship with his brother (can’t wait for that story) and how his laid back character was demonstrated through everything- even his choice of sports. Ultimate Frisbee is the quintessential “just for fun” game, IMO.

By: Jayne

Jayne — Wed, 27 May 2009 19:07:02 +0000

The TRR reviewer didn’t “get” Hailey either and graded down even further than I did. I have my fingers crossed for the next book.

By: Sunita

Sunita — Wed, 27 May 2009 14:33:36 +0000

I appreciate this review Jayne; it’s really informative and lays out the strengths and weaknesses as you see them without giving away everything in the book! Ellen Hartman is an autobuy for me, so I already have this on my reader. It’s a bit disappointing, because I’ve really been looking forward to it. But I agree that she does an excellent job working her characters through real-life situations rather than contrived setups. In her other two books I’ve found Hartman’s heroes to be extremely appealing and well-drawn, while her heroines are more uneven. This seems like too much questionable behavior to redeem, but I’m glad the mother-daughter relationship is done well. I thought the father-son dynamic in His Secret Past was one of the best parts of the book.

By: Jayne

Jayne — Wed, 27 May 2009 12:11:56 +0000

I can understand why Hailey wanted to keep Olivia’s true father’s id a secret from her. The man is an asshole. But the fact that she allowed this lie to stand for 15 years and even furthered it by sending Olivia supposed birthday cards from JT each year for the child’s birthday really got to me.

By: Denise

Denise — Wed, 27 May 2009 11:43:35 +0000

Unfortunately, the description of the heroine’s actions and their resulting fallout turned me off to her so completely, I’d pass on this book. I like reading about flawed heroes and heroines, but not ones who seem to lack a certain core strength of character.

By: Jayne

Jayne — Wed, 27 May 2009 08:43:13 +0000

There’s a sequel to this book due out in (I think) November about Charlie and Hailey’s BFF.

By: Jody

Jody — Wed, 27 May 2009 01:45:38 +0000

I love Ellen Hartman’s books thanks to this site! I’ll be getting this one for my Sony even though “second chance at love” is one of my not-favorite plots. I just like her stuff.