Title: Just Say Yes by Phillipa Ashley
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Imprint: Sourcebooks Landmark
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 352 pages
Book Rating: B
Review Copy Obtained from Publisher Through NetGalley
Summary:
There’s one question a girl should always say yes to…
But Lucy Gibson said no. On national TV. Now she’s hated by nearly everyone.
Fleeing the spotlight’s glare, Lucy holes up in a cottage in the country, where she just might find the right reasons to say yes after all…
The Review:
A lighthearted and easy read, Phillipa Ashley’s Just Say Yes is a vastly entertaining romance with plenty of substance and depth. When her relationship with Nick Laurentis falls apart on national television, Lucy Gibson finds herself splashed all over the tabloid news. Tired of being in the limelight, Lucy and her good friend Fiona escape to Cornwall for a month long holiday. Basking in her anonymity, Lucy enjoys the opportunity to re-evaluate her life and her relationship with Nick. An unwanted attraction to the über sexy (and already taken) Josh Standring proves to be an unexpected complication to Lucy’s already complicated life.
Lucy Gibson is a fabulously flawed but completely sympathetic heroine. Her relationship with Nick is fairly casual with an emphasis on sex so naturally she is stunned when he proposes her to national TV. She is not only suspicious as to why he proposed to her, but she is unsure of what her emotions are for her slightly unreliable boyfriend. I like that she resisted the enormous pressure to accept his proposal and that she took the time to scrutinize her misgivings about her future with him.
Josh Standring is the quintessential bad boy who has cleaned up his act. With a bit of playboy past, he is now in a steady relationship with Sara. With their relationship off to a rocky beginning, he and Lucy share an uneasy friendship. When their friendship turns to desire, Josh must examine his inability to take the next step in his relationship with Sara.
The secondary cast of characters is rather eccentric yet extremely likable. Fiona is utterly delightful and absolutely hilarious. She always supports Lucy even when she thinks Lucy is making the wrong decisions. The other character I absolutely adored is Lucy’s neighbor and best mate Charlie. Their scenes are quirky and laugh out loud funny.
What makes Just Say Yes a truly enjoyable read is the growth of Lucy’s character. She seizes the opportunity to make some much needed changes in her life and finds love where she least expects it. When her relationship with Josh hits a snag, she accepts responsibility for her role in it and she continues to make positive changes in her life.
Just Say Yes is a fast paced novel with an appealing and unique storyline. While the story sometimes goes in a predictable direction, Phillipa Ashley keeps the story fresh with surprising twists and turns. A truly outstanding read that I would recommend to anyone who reads contemporary romances.
Thanks so much for taking time to review Just Say Yes – I didn’t know you had a review copy but when the link popped up in my Google alert, I came over. It’s always nice to have a positive review but such an indepth review that really ‘gets’ the story and characters is even better. Thank you.
I obtained the review copy through NetGalley. You’re very welcome -it’s a fabulous book. And thank you so much for taking the time to read my review and comment on it. It is nice to get author feedback!
it does sound like a wonderful book and I do like the cover.
I love reformed bad boys…definitely checking this one out-thanks Kathy!