"First book in King Lear-inspired trilogy is fun and quirky."

Robin Lear enjoys a jet-set life, dabbling in the family business and spending the family money until reality intrudes in the form of her father's terminal illness. Aaron Lear has suddenly decided to become involved in his three daughters' lives, starting with Robin, the oldest. He removes her from her cushy position, forcing her to actually learn the shipping business, which includes rubbing elbows with people who bowl (gasp!) and shop at Penneys.

Jake Manning doesn't really care about Robin's lifestyle other than continuing to be paid for renovating her house. He's got problems of his own. But as her life spirals out of control, he finds himself more and more drawn to the poor-little-rich girl, guiding her through the rituals of the middle class. But she'd never condescend to fall in love with a beer-drinking, jeans-wearing contractor...would she?

I felt the main characters were both a bit immature for people in their mid-30s and some of the situations were overly familiar. However, Ms. London has an engaging style and a quirky sense of humor that make this first book in her King Lear-inspired trilogy a light, fun read. The comedic elements are also well-balanced with the more serious subject of Aaron's illness.

Reviewed by Lenore Howard
Courtesy Old Book Barn Gazette
Posted July 14, 2003

Summary

In the first book of her sizzling new trilogy, Julia London introduces readers to the glamorous Lear family, whose dying patriarch has vowed to teach his spoiled, pampered daughters to appreciate the important things in life--like love...

Rich. Sexy. Beautiful. Robin Lear is all that--and her jet- set life is golden. Until the day her indestructible father sends her tumbling off her pedestal with the startling news that he is dying. Then he further shatters her illusions by demoting her from her cushy job in the family business to tech her "about life." In an instant her whole world unravels, and Robin is suddenly swimming in unchartered waters, including a bogus night in jail, a new job as the lackey of her toady ex-boyfriend, and a major distraction in the form of one very sexy contractor who's renovating her house.

Jake Manning has had some tough knocks in life. Now all he wants is to make enough money to finish his degree and, maybe, get a nice house with a nice wife and a nice kid. But the Prada-clad ice princess is turning his life upside down with her sassy--and disastrous--ways. Jake's head tells him to run, don't walk, from this gorgeous train wreck of a woman. A man would have to be crazy to pursue someone like Robin Lear. But Jake is crazy--about her...