Die Bücher von Katie MacAlister sind immer wieder ein persönliches Highlight für mich. Ich liebe ihren Humor, ihre ungewöhnlichen Charaktere und Settings sowie ihre unglaubliche Kreativität, immer wieder Geschichten zu kreieren, die einen Leser so gut unterhalten, dass man sie nicht mehr aus den Händen legen kann und einfach nur den Alltag vergessen kann. So zumindest geht es mir mit ihren Fantasy-Romanen. Bisher habe ich mich aus Skepsis an ihre zeitgenössischen Romane kaum herangewagt.

Doch das änderte sich nun mit „It’s All Greek to Me“. Bereits seit einiger Zeit habe ich es auf dieses Buch abgesehen, weil die Story einfach sehr amüsant klang. Wurde ich enttäuscht? Nein. Habe ich eine verrückte Protagonistin mit sehr quirligen Eigenschaften und einem frechen Mundwerk bekommen? Check. Habe ich den typischen Humor von Katie MacAlister erleben können? Check. Waren die Handlungen so absurd, dass man zeitweise nur mit dem Kopf schütteln konnte? Check.

Die Geschichte von Eglantine („Harry“) und Ivakovos („Yacky“) ist eine typische Insta-Liebesgeschichte. Die Charaktere sehen und verlieben sich. Ab da an verbringen sie gefühlt jede freie Minute miteinander. Das ist zwar schön, da mal als Leser gerne die Momente der Zweisamkeit der Charaktere genießt, damit sie sich besser kennenlernen. Doch in manchen Situationen wäre ein bisschen Distanz nicht schlecht.

Harry ist eine starke, unabhängige Frau, die anscheinend alles kann. Sie managt ganz nebenbei eine erfolgreiche Teenie-Band in Vertretung, obwohl das gar nicht ihr Job ist. Zudem ist sie eine mega erfolgreiche Buchautorin und kann sonst noch so einige andere Sachen, wie Keyboardspielen, Bauchtanz usw. Sie ist ein Multitalent. Das klingt ganz nett, wirkt aber für mich sehr übertrieben. Über Harry ist ansonsten wenig bekannt. Weder ihre Familie wird erwähnt, noch lernt man so richtig gute Freunde kennen. Ihre Beziehungen zu anderen Nebencharakteren wird zwar hier und da auf eine harte Probe gestellt, aber tiefgründiger Weise gibt es keine wirkliche Freundschaft, die in dieser Geschichte wirklich hervorsticht. Ihr Fokus bezieht sich einzig und allein auf Yacky.

Yacky ist ein griechischer Milliardär, der sein Geld mit Immobilien-Geschäften in der ganzen Welt verdient. Er ist eigentlich ein Familienmensch und hat sich seit dem Verlust der Eltern um seine Geschwister gekümmert. Leider nicht immer sehr erfolgreich, wie man an seinem Bruder Theo erkennen kann. Er lässt diesem viel zu viel durchgehen und es muss erst zu einem absoluten Tiefpunkt kommen, bis er reagiert. Was er Theo durchgehen lässt, finde ich etwas too much. Hier hätte man vorher eingreifen müssen. Richtige Kommunikation zwischen ihm und seinem Bruder findet nicht statt – es sei denn, man zählt das gegenseitige Anschreien und Werfen von Flaschen nacheinander dazu. 🤨

Während man zwar bei Yacky noch die Familie kennenlernt, fehlt das bei Harry komplett. Das finde ich wirklich absolut traurig. Klar macht das ihr Herumreisen und Herumziehen von einem Kontinent zum anderen einfacher, aber es wirkt so unrealistisch und gekünstelt. Genauso wie der Beginn der Beziehung und die Entwicklung der Beziehung von Harry und Yacky. Während ich die Gefühle und die Gefühlsentwicklung bei Harry noch einigermaßen gut nachvollziehen kann, fehlt mir das teilweise bei Yacky. Es wirkt eher wie reine Lust, statt Liebe, die ausgelebt wird. Trotz dessen man durch den stetigen Perspektivwechsel zwischen Harry und Yacky auch seine Gedanken- und Gefühlswelt kennenlernt, fallen seine Gefühle und seine Gefühlsentwicklung wirklich sehr flach. Ich kann nicht erkennen, was er für Harry empfindet, und er sagt es ihr natürlich nur einziges Mal. Und das auch in einem wirklich sehr unpassenden Moment. Andere finden das wahrscheinlich sehr romantisch, aber für mich war das ein unpassender Moment. Harry hatte ihm bereits an anderer Stelle einen seiner Wünsche erfüllt, warum konnte er ihr nicht eine romantischere Liebeserklärung machen? Das verstehe ich nicht, wo er ihr doch durch seine Handlungen schon zeigt, dass er Gefühle für sie hat.

Dadurch kann ich die Unsicherheiten, die Harry empfindet, auch gut nachvollziehen. Die Handlung an sich bezieht sich allein auf die Beziehung von Harry und Yacky, was die ganze Geschichte etwas einseitig erscheinen lässt. Gerade durch diesen Fokus werden auf gefährliche Art und Weise andere Aspekte der Nebenhandlungen komplett ignoriert, was das Gesamtbild der Story auf wackligen Beinen stehen lässt.

Ich mag die Geschichte insgesamt und die Charaktere, aber ich weiß auch, dass die Autorin das besser kann. Ich bin zwar nicht enttäuscht, aber ich hatte höhere Erwartungen an diesen Roman. Letztlich ist es ein guter Roman, der einem einen verregneten Nachmittag durchaus versüßen kann, wenn man seine kleinen und großen Schwächen ignorieren kann. 😉 ( )

Katie MacAlister is always funny and a very good read. ( )

I read through half of the book, and then realized I wasn't engaged enough to want to finish it. The story had unique aspects to it, but I couldn't relate to the H/H. First reason, the "couple" hooked up (lust at first sight) within an hour (?) of meeting each other. Okay, I can look past that; they are both consenting adults and in their 30's. Second reason, the couple decides they're in love within 24 hrs of meeting. Third reason, by 2nd/3rd day (?), the couple KNOWs they will be married in the future. That's where I lost my interest.
These are supposed to be 2 savvy people, well past the "first love" stage that most experience during their 20's. Even if I were to ignore Reason #2, the heroine is on the island because a sick friend needed her help in babysitting a band of underage kids. I would assume the heroine was chosen because she was mature in both attitude and action.
The hero, a self-made billionaire, is enabling his young (early 20s) brother, to continue drinking heavily and making unwanted or aggressive moves on both a minor from the band AND the heroine. The hero thinks that by threatening physical harm or talking harshly to the young man is going to stop the behaviors. I assumed the Hero would see the folly of such approach, and instead, kick him out of the house, cut off access to money, and told to get a job.
I guess I need some sense of realism in the (otherwise) heavily fantasy-driven, contemporary romance stories I choose to read. ( )

Review Courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales

Quick & Dirty: Steamy goodness and hilarious fun.

Opening Sentence: The man in front of her was crazy.

The Review:

Fate does indeed smile upon those who are willing to be kind to their fellow man. When Harry agrees to fill in as manager of a teen-pop band headed for a gig in Greece as a favor for a sick friend, the planets align and serve up her destiny on a rather large silver platter. A gorgeous, loveable, and rather hot silver platter.

Iakovos is a gorgeous, playboy gazillionaire extraordinaire. I mean the man even owns his own private island. When he agrees to hire his baby sister’s favorite band to play for her birthday, he thinks he is just being a good older brother. What he doesn’t realize is that the one who is to be the love of his life will also be traveling with them, and his life will never be the same.

When the pair meet amidst a scandalous incident involving a member of the band and Iakovos’s almost as handsome brother, the two instantly butt heads. However, just as quickly, the sparks begin to fly, and we find them locking lips in a hospital hallway, and a short time later, the rest of their body parts get to join in on the fun.

As their whirlwind of a courtship ensues, the two must overcome a few obstacles, a lewd drunk of a younger brother, a temperamental lead singer, a jealous ex-girlfriend, and tabloid rumors… not to mention a rather surprise pregnancy when one of the parents wasn’t even supposed to be able to have kids. But in the end, the two do find their way, make more beautiful babies and live their HEA.

I, for one, am jealous. These two are living out their days inhabiting a private island off the coast of Greece. It’s a beautiful place, next to a beautiful country, with beautiful people. But that’s now all. They have an apartment in Athens, home of gods and goddesses, myths, legends and awesome sites. With just enough time spent in the States so you wouldn’t get homesick, a girl would be insane not to sign up for this deal.

Also, I have to ask, who names their poor, innocent little baby something like “Eglantine”? Where exactly did her parents come up with that one? If that were my name, I’d have people call me something like Harry as well.

I love an irreverent, smart-alecky main character. Harry is one sassy lady, overflowing with sarcasm and rather adept at the witty comeback. Some of the lines given to her are things I could only come up with an hour after having a conversation. You know, when you’re in your car on the way home and you’re like, “Dang, I wish I had said such and such.”

I also love a delectable foreign leading man. One who can love with his whole soul, and isn’t easily intimidated. Who can be surrounded by beauty, and still only have eyes for his wife. The kind of guy that opens his home to a gang of teen musicians just to make his baby sister happy. If he weren’t fictional, I’d take him myself, even though I already am a married woman.

Put those two together, watch for the fireworks, and be careful you don’t get burned. These pages are so chock full of hot steamy goodness, I found my blanket and slippers unnecessary, even in this weather. As a warning ladies, this book requires reading when you have some serious alone time, because by page 35 it’s already not-safe-for-work, children or great Aunt Sally, but will definitely benefit the man in your life! *wink, wink*

Notable Scene:

“Why, if it isn’t Harry,” came a cool voice from behind her. “We haven’t seen you in weeks.”

Harry turned, her smile growing when she realized that her day really was going to be the best ever. “Hello, Tess.”

Tess Hayerson, it was whispered around the gym, was a woman who chewed men up and spat them out, usually after marrying them. Rumor had it that her third ex-husband had agreed to a divorce settlement that paid her in enhancement surgery, rather than money. In her early thirties, with long auburn hair, and an eye for the male of the species, she was the sexpot of their little group.

“Been putting on a bit of weight, sweetie?” Tess asked, giving her a scathing once-over. “I think a little extra time at the gym and a little less sitting around eating bonbons is in order, don’t you?”

“I can honestly say that I have never had a bonbon in my life,” Harry said. “Nice to see you, too.”

Tess opened her mouth to make a response, but at that moment she caught sight of Iakovos and his swarm of ladies. “What do we have here?” Tess asked, her voice a purr. “My god, he’s gorgeous. Just look at those legs! And that chest.”

“He’s something, isn’t he?” Harry asked, fighting to keep her lips from betraying her. She leaned closer and said softly, “Rumor has it that he’s packing, too.”

“A man that big? I wouldn’t doubt it at all. I bet he’s a handful in bed. Or should I say, two handfuls.”

“Two, definitely,” Harry said, pretending her nose itched so she could cover her mouth.

“He looks familiar. What is he doing here?” Tess asked, her gaze all but eating Iakovos up. “Is he a vendor or something? No matter, I don’t care if he’s here to fix the toilets, it’s clearly time to separate the girls from the women!”

She oiled her way forward, all sinuous hips and out-thrust breasts. Iakovos had evidently reached the saturation point of female adulation, for he managed to extricate himself from the gaggle of ladies and headed straight for Harry. Tess stopped in front of him, cooing, “Hello there.”

“Hello,” he said politely, not pausing until he reached Harry.

“I love you,” she told him before she leaped on him, wrapping her legs around his hips. He chuckled as he hoisted her up, kissing her with the passion that never failed to flare between them.

She heard more gasps behind him, followed by a smattering of applause.

“Are you ready to go?” he asked as she lowered her legs to the ground.

“In just one sec.” She turned back to the ladies, her hand on his arm. “Tess, I don’t think you got to meet my fiancé, Iakovos. If he looks familiar, it’s probably because you’ve seen him in magazines. I’ll miss you all, but you know you’re welcome to visit if any of you ever come to Greece.” She hugged each one of her friends, Tess included, accepting their best wishes and promises to stay in touch.

As they left the building and headed for Harry’s car, Iakovos slid her a glance and asked in a misleadingly bland tone, “Was it everything you hoped it would be?”

“Oh, that and so much more.”

FTC Advisory: Penguin Group provided me with a copy of It’s All Greek to Me. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review. ( )

I have not read many books by Ms. MacAlister, but if they are all similar to this I will love them all. I found this book fun. I read it in one day since I just could not put it down. I find it very refreshing in the Romance Genre when the story is actually a story not as massive drama. It it wonderful to read about the development of a relationship that does not include an event which "threatens to tear apart" the happy couple. I loved the dialogue. Great read. ( )