Comments on: REVIEW: Hot on Her Heels by Susan Mallery

By: Mary G

Mary G — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 21:53:49 +0000

Well said Jean.
It’s really funny (& good) but I find my experiences with book sequels so different than movie sequels. With movie ones (with a couple of exceptions) the sequels get weaker as they go. I’ve read 4 series now where the last book was my fave.
This one by SM, the Bakery Sisters by SM & the Bodyguard series & Black Ops series by Cindy Gerard.

By: JEAN

JEAN — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 18:14:05 +0000

I read all four books. I thought I would dislike the last book. After book three I had three happy sisters, what more did I need? Unlike others, I liked this book the BEST of all four. Dana is a strong heroine with the inability to allow herself to lose control. The transformation of someone who was willing to “put it out there” or “give it up” was well played. Then, I really liked that the hero had the exact same problem (although it took him longer to figure out). I stated reading this book at midnight thinking I would read for 15 mintues before bed. The dialogue was fresh, smart, and extremely entertaining. I finished at 2 am — just could not put it down. I am probably going to read it again too before I lend it out.

By: Robin

Robin — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:11:26 +0000

@Jane: Well, I will just let you enjoy the book, Jane, because I really think that the lack of series context would solve several significant issues I had with the book. We can just call this the dangers of backstory, lol. @Mary G: I think I would have found the attraction more convincing if his only "serious" relationship hadn't been a business arrangement. That subplot really didn't work for me as a good counter-example to Garth's feelings for Dana. @may: Me, too! I don't know of that many authors, actually, who seem to have such ups and downs with so many readers. A number of people have said the exact same thing about Mallery's books: some are clear wins and some are clear wallbangers. Fascinating. @readerdiane: I really like the idea of the transformation (I love it when a really bad guy convincingly becomes a good guy), but I needed more than Skye and Izzy's 'we're gonna love the bad right out of you' and Dana's sensual mouth to find the transformation convincing.

By: readerdiane

readerdiane — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:22:24 +0000

I am having trouble keeping on with this book. It is too weird to have the antagonist from at least 2 books of the series be a sympathetic protagonist in the last book. It just does not feel believable to me. I really like Dana in the other books but I just can’t believe she would give up her job to shadow Garth.

I have really liked her other books but this may be a “Did not finish” book for me.

By: may

may — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 06:28:22 +0000

@Robin:

What about the final paragraphs in the book, in which we get the “lesson” of redemption and healing through love? I was sort of like, hey, if we missed that during the series, we’re as crazy as Jed.

don't even get me started! ARG! I did feel like overall it was an overly simplified series. I have read some books of hers I really enjoyed so I kept thinking "she'll turn this boat around... or she's got something up her sleeve somewhere" but she didn't. @Jane: I definitely agree that as stand alone it was more in the B- range... but having read them all and knowing how the series really was a FAIL it got harsh response from this reader.

By: Mary G

Mary G — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 03:17:15 +0000

I rather enjoyed the the snarky dialogue between Garth & Dana in the beginning & the subsequent chemistry between them. I also thought it was refreshing that he went for a real person and explained why he did. Very informative review.

By: Jane

Jane — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 02:04:58 +0000

I feel moved to defend the book! LOL. I actually liked this book and would have given it a B-. I thought the interaction between Dana and Garth was humorous. I appreciated that Garth was, initially, shunned by his friend (although they didn’t make him work too hard to get back into their good graces). While I thought the villain of a father was over the top, I made allowances because the entire book seemed a bit…lighthearted (some could say shallow).

Having said that, when I spoke to Robin about this, I understood that my perceptions were totally different because I had not read any of the previous books. (I remember starting the first one and not being interested enough to finish it). I had no expectations of the characters or the storyline. As a stand alone, it worked fine for me. As a concluding part of the series, however, it looked like it was a big fail.

By: Robin

Robin — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 23:56:45 +0000

@may: What about the final paragraphs in the book, in which we get the “lesson” of redemption and healing through love? I was sort of like, hey, if we missed that during the series, we’re as crazy as Jed. Especially since that seems to be a central function of the genre as a whole.

I kept asking myself why I was so determined to read all four books, but I think a lot of it was that I kept hoping Mallery would pull a switcheroo and have Garth and Jed working together.

Although I didn’t review it, Izzy’s story was my favorite of the four, even though I found her fear over surgery to be overplayed. Actually, I think Izzy has been my favorite of the Titan women (Dana included) from book 1, which is probably why I liked her book best.

By: may

may — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 22:55:36 +0000

I had such hopes for this series, and I can’t figure out why I stuck it out through book #4. For me, their romance was too easy. It could have been so filled with tension, drama, excitement… but it was just blah and totally felt like the author went too easy & obvious in everything. It wasn’t satisfying and that made me so bummed out.

Likewise – the overall story arc was not satisfying either. I could tell in book #3 that Garth was being set up to become hero of #4. That’s ok. My big issue with it was that looking back I can sum up the series quickly and simply. There wasn’t deep or twisted plot lines, I didn’t feel like I knew the characters the way I should after 1200+ pages total… I find myself saying “so what?” and getting ready to donate my copies.

or, to put it more briefly: ditto that C-