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What does a gal have to do to get a good date in this town? Adele Harris can't even begin to answer that question. She's had so many lousy dates that she's sure she's cursed. Why else would every man she goes out with suddenly act like he's lost his mind-and his manners? Adele thought life couldn't get any more confusing . . . until she learns the marriage of her seemingly Miss Perfect sister is on the rocks. So she goes back to their hometown to give her a shoulder to cry on, only to run smack into Zach Zemaitis . . . the one who got away. Texans love God, family, and football, though not always in that order. Zach, a former pro star, knows all about football. As for the other two, well, he's doing his best. But when Adele comes charging back into his life-still all lush curves and beautiful, big blue eyes-he wonders if his best is good enough. After all, he did her wrong. Can a woman with her track record ever really believe that he's serious this time . . . or is he destined to be another bad date?… (more)
User reviews
Ok, a show of hands...How many of us can relate to the title of this book? WOW! That's a lot of hands. But I least I never felt like I was cursed...yet that's exactly what's happened to the lead character from Rachel Gibson's latest novel "Not Another Bad
Adele really is cursed, well kinda. For some reason, for the past three years all her dates seem to go wacko at the end of the evening! They morph from perfectly nice guys to insult-slingers and sex maniacs. It's enough to drive a girl batty. When she receives an SOS from her sister, she decides to give dating a break and heads back to her hometown...only to run into "the one that got away".
Zach has a very comfortable life. He's financially secure, has a job he loves, and is growing closer to his daughter after his estranged wife's death. He certainly doesn't want, or have time for, a serious relationship. Been there, done that, lesson learned. Then he meets his daughter's new best friend's aunt...
These two certainly had their work cut out for them. Zach would have been very easy to dislike. He's a jock, he's handsome and knows it, he wasn't faithful to his wife...UGH! Right? Well, the more I learned about Zach, the more I understood his back story. I ended up liking him in spite of myself! And Adele, well Adele was someone I would like to have as my friend. She's loyal and reliable, yet would still be great to sit with while trashing men.
There are some truly memorable moments in this book. Rachel Gibson's pacing and dialogue will have you zooming through the pages. I don't want to give anything away, but I will say...sex in a high school bathroom? the phrase "skin sandwich"? a naughty angel?
If any of these things sound interesting, you'll just have to get "Not Another Bad Date" and read it yourself. Gibson's talent with romantic stories shines through in every chapter. This is one you don't want to miss.
My only complaint with this book is that it was over so fast, but I was happy to learn this is actually part of a series. So, if you're headed off to the beach or just looking for a nice escape, I definitely recommend this book. I know I will be looking for the other titles in this series for my next beach day.
Then, later in the book, when he finally says he feels bad about hurting Adele those many years ago, he does the “but” thing and says he would do the same thing again. What a prince. I also didn’t like him because he just struck me as being real stuck on himself – god’s gift to women – that kind of attitude. Adele was the only woman who didn’t drop dead at his feet and he really didn’t like that. He also pretty much ignored his daughter for years so he could do his own thing and screw other woman. Excuse me – he married her mother because he was the father – and then made a real rotten one for years.
On the other hand, Adele really worked for me. She gave up her own life – reluctantly – to come back and help her sister and niece out when they needed her. She wasn’t the best aunt – she felt. She wasn’t all motherish and I liked that about her. She was anxious and looking forward to getting back to her own like, which I felt was pretty realistic. She floundered and she had moments of resenting the sacrifice she made. I found that to be believable too.
Overall, it’s kind of hard to grade this one. The ‘hero’ was a jerk, but the heroine was great. And it was very readable. I finished it in a day and a half and even though I didn’t like Zach, it was no hardship to read. I’d give it a better grade but really, even though it’s the heroine that makes or breaks the book, still it helps a lot if you can like the hero, and I didn’t in this one. Hopefully I will like her next hero, because I will read her next book.
Adele is one of four female writers readers have met in previous Gibson books...Clare, Lucy and Maddie. As always, Gibson has offered a story full of humor, romance and hot sex. Don't miss this new Rachel Gibson romance for a romantic, entertaining treat.
The first time Gibson wrote this plot (Truly Madly Deeply) it was great. Now here in her 12th book, this recycled plot is simply annoying. For some reason (I guess to make it slightly different from her other books that follow this plot), Gibson inserts a paranormal subplot into this story. It adds nothing and is annoying and preachy. It feels as though it was added because the story didn't meet the page number requirements and she had to add something, so instead of making the main male character decent and a worthwhile human being, Gibson added this subplot.
Much of the story is told instead of shown and though we have no evidence to support what we are told (these two people fall in love, for example), Gibson just keeps telling us, as if repetition will make it true.
An egregious point is made when the Adele, the main female character, is talking to her niece, Kendra, about healthy food and Kendra replies with "That's gay." (page 87). Adele considers telling her niece that stating that something you don't like or don't agree with is gay "is not p.c.", but then Adele is afraid her niece will think *she* is gay. I find this disturbing. If Gibson's point was to raise awareness about homophobia and how hurtful the statement is, she failed miserably. If we are being shown insight into a character's nature and we are expected to identify with this character and believe she is good and a worthwhile human being, then Gibson again failed miserably. Certainly, raise awareness that language coded to mean derogatory, unwanted, and something to be ridiculed is hurtful and not an acceptable way to express your own fears. Certainly expose people's irrational fears about being considered Other and therefore less than. But to raise the issue and then to let it slide, or worse let it stand as okay? Not acceptable.
I wish I could give this book negative stars.
Having said all that, I did like the book, and I'm glad I read it. I just wish for some editorial fine-tuning that would make Zach more likable.
Adele Harris had her heart broken by Zach Zemaitis when they were in college and he dumped her to marry
Too, I didn't care much for the paranormal twist that Gibson inserted, in which Zach's deceased wife, Devon, is tasked with making good on all the problems she caused while alive or suffer eternity as a Walmart employee. Devon was never likable - her efforts to "fix" her mistakes were actually just as mean and nasty as her real life actions towards Zach and Adele. This aspect was wholly unnecessary an added nothing to the story.
I liked Gibson's "Simply Irresistible" much better - it was much funnier with more likable characters. Although, after reading two of Gibson's titles, I'm beginning to think her heroes are not necessarily the nicest guys.
5 Stars
Adele Harris has been plagued by a string of terrible dates and has given up on the opposite sex. But her vow to stay away from men is put to the test when she returns to her hometown and comes face to face with Zack Zemaitis, the one who not only got away but broke her
A wonderful conclusion to an excellent series that has got me back into reading contemporary romances after a long break.
Adele and Zach's second chances romance is fantastic. Their chemistry oozes off the pages and there is no angst at all as they are open and honest with each other about their issues.
My one small nitpick is the excessive football descriptions. However, as the sports genre is not a favorite of mine that would make sense and readers who do enjoy this theme will probably love it.
All in all, an excellent series and this is the best one in it.