Julia James has blossomed as a self-help writer since she
embraced her single lifestyle. She's devoted herself to
helping others learn to live successful, satisfied single
lives. Her newest book, 101 Ways to Cheat at Solitaire,
offers tips for living safely, sanely, economically and
happily. She has fans around the country clamoring for book
signings and wanting to share their own stories of content
single life.
Lance Collins has been a struggling actor for most of his
adult life. He's handsome and talented, but he isn't
famous. Good directors won't talk to him. Even his sleazy
agent is avoiding him, at least until Lance is spotted
talking to hot author Julia James. Lance's agent takes full
advantage of the opportunity, leaking photographs of the
couple and hints of romance to the tabloid papers. Lance
becomes an overnight sensation, but he barely knows Julia,
despite headlines now wildly speculating about their love
child. Even if Lance fires his agent, he can't stop the
rumor mill, so he and Julia leave town to dodge the media.
Julia may admit to cheating at solitaire during bouts of
insomnia, but she's furious with the reporters who claim
she's been hiding a secret boyfriend. At the risk of losing
her professional credibility, Julia begins to respect and
trust Lance. She's going to make sure the newspapers start
reporting the truth about her love life, just as soon as
she figures out what that might be...
Julia James is such a personable and believable character
that I instantly adored her. Her family and friends
provided comic relief, and even though she and Lance are
thrown together by chance, their relationship isn't forced.
I loved the snippets of self-help advice that start each
short chapter. This book was so enjoyable that I started
recommending it to friends before I was finished reading it.
This novel reminded me of the 2004 movie Down with
Love, in which Renee Zellweger's high-profile character
publicly advocates unemotional relationships until she
falls for Ewan MacGregor's seduction routine. However,
Ally Carter's novel is more intelligent, practical,
romantic and ultimately satisfying. If I had to choose
between the two fictitious relationship philosophies, I'd
much rather practice CHEATING AT SOLITAIRE.
Self-help guru Julia James is so good at being single that
she's become famous for it-advising women that they don't
need a man to be happy. Then the unthinkable happens. Just
when her newest book, 101 Ways to Cheat at
Solitaire, is about to hit stores, a trumped-up piece
of gossip linking her to a gorgeous actor hits the papers.
Their pictures are splashed all over the tabloids, and now
Julia's credibility is about to hit rock bottom. But she
isn't going down without a fight. Unless, that is, the
actor is going down with her.
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