Review: Playing Dirty by Susan Andersen

Format: Mass market; ebook
Pub Date: July 26, 2011
Publisher: HQN (Harlequin)
Length:
FTC: Review copy from publisher via Netgalley

Way back in 2008, Susan Andersen was publishing a trilogy about 3 childhood friends. The first book, Cutting Loose, came out and I loved it. [Anyone looking for a rugged, hunky hero should check that book out!!] The second, Bending the Rules, came out 11 months later in summer 2009. It was ok, didn't love it like the 1st but didn't hate it either. Then I waited for the 3rd book. And waited. And waited some more. Turns out that Harlequin had up and decided to not publish the 3rd book!

Oh, I was pissed. As were the other rabid Susan Andersen fans who wanted that last story. We sent letters to her publisher. We gnashed our teeth on social networks and blogs.

Finally, HQN relented. I haven't heard exactly what had to happen behind the scenes to make this happen, but we FINALLY have the last story in the trilogy. Hot damn!!


Playing Dirty is a classic story of betrayal. Sort of a lovers to enemies to lovers story. And I'll admit, given what the hero does to the heroine, I didn't think Andersen could pull off a reconciliation that I'd believe.

Review: Burning Up by Susan Andersen

Format: Mass Market
Publisher: HQN
Pub Date: August 31, 2010
FTC: Digital galley received from publisher through Netgalley

The Blurb:

Though it's been years since the infamous Macy O'James stepped foot in Sugarville, Washington, everyone remembers what she supposedly did. The tiny town is still buzzing about her crime and lack of punishment.

Now back to lend her family a hand, Macy vows to hold her head high—especially at her high school reunion. But forget about the hottest man in Sugarville escorting her. Though she and fire chief Gabriel Donovan generate enough sparks to burn down the town, he's a law-abiding, line-toeing straight arrow. So not her type.

But maybe—just maybe—he can change her mind about that.

Burning Up , while not Andersen's best, is a fun novel to curl up with for an afternoon or two. The plot is a bit worn and predictable, but there were some stand-out moments and intriguing characters. [Also, as an FYI, the blurb makes this book sound like it's about a HS reunion. It's not.]

I really love the 'heading back to small town' theme. It's one of my favorites. Probably because I graduated from a small school and still live in a very small town. So getting me to buy into the "high school drama never ends" routine isn't that difficult. Because I've witnessed it.

I enjoyed Macy. Her character is one that could have easily drifted into the annoying zone, but she steered clear of it. Her clothes--costumes, really--are her armor that she uses to insulate herself from the slights and outright verbal attacks delivered by her high school nemeses. She dresses to attract attention and create controversy--which gives people a target to focus their antipathy on and deflects them from probing any deeper into her personality to find something ELSE to criticize. It's a game that helps Macy hold her head up under the constant onslaught of disapproval she finds in her hometown.

"Classic" Review: Cutting Loose by Susan Andersen

I've decided to move all of my old reviews that are scattered across the net to one home. So, every Friday, I'll be posting a review from the past. They were written in 2007 and 2008 and reflect my opinions from that time. I hope you enjoy them!

Originally published on MySpace Blog August 11, 2008

After being so disappointed in so many historicals lately, I was relieved to find a favorite contemporary author did not let me down. Andersen's newest title, Cutting Loose, is the beginning of a new series about 3 childhood friends who inherit a mansion from an elderly mentor.

As the first in the series, Cutting Loose has some necessary backstory that, I admit, is a bit boring. I'll even admit to skimming it, since it didn't really engage me. But the story that followed was terrific. I liked Jane, the repressed curator for a Seattle museum and Dev, the Irish contractor.

Andersen does a terrific job capturing that Irish twinkle I'm familiar with, and I really enjoyed the fact that this hero was not some metrosexual, emasculated, sensitive, modern man. He wasn't a Neanderthal either--simply someone who was very real. You felt that this was someone you knew and someone on whom you could depend. There's something so appealing about that.

My only complaint, and it's relatively minor, was that the physical locations seemed a little fuzzy. The mansion, which is a centerpiece in the story, did not get fully realized. Neither did the museum where Jane works.

Overall, though, this was a wonderful contemporary title. The suspense isn't overdone. You know who the bad guy is, but there is a wonderful tension about what he will do next and when (if) he will be caught.

Well worth the time and effort! I'm eagerly awaiting the next in the series.

Follow up note: I decided to start with this review, since we recently received the awesome news that Susan Andersen has FINALLY been given the go-ahead for the third book in the trilogy!! Yea!!