Nanny Behaving Badly
Judy JarvieContemporary romance
Available from Embrace Books
ISBN: 9781844717712
February 2011
| Maddie Adams is full of good intentions that always seem to run off the rails. Trust does not come easily for her, so having it broken, she walked away from her previous job. Her introductory confrontation with her new boss, Lyle Sutherland, owner of the Ice Café coffee house in Edinburgh's festive Winter market, ends in another job lost. Bad enough to lose a job at any time, but for Maddie who is working towards gaining a good reference to apply for a mortgage, the latest disaster is the last straw. When her dying mother reveals Maddie's adoption, her trust in family is shattered. She leaves home and travels to Scotland to stay with and work for her uncle.
Hot coffee king, and former racing driver, Lyle Sutherland, is another soul with trust issues and he has a child with special needs to protect. When his newest employee takes it into her own hands to instigate changes to his coffee house he sacks her. Lyle has no time for impulsive women but is intent on securing special care for his son when his current nanny leaves unexpectedly. His only option is to ask Maddie to fill in the gap until he finds a permanent replacement nanny for his son. For Maddie the offer of a temporary job as nanny to Lyle's son, Josh, at exorbitant rates will get her the down payment for her flat, so she accepts. In the case of Nanny Behaving Badly, both the title and the book cover will help sell the book, but they do not do the story justice. Maddie is not naughty but impetuous, loving and impulsive. If I have a 'nit' with this story it is the background reason for Maddie's distrust. While completely justified, Ms. Jarvie failed to convince me that Maddie's extreme reaction was fully believable. The author's writing style is snappy, fun and enticing. Her character development had this reader rooting for Lyle and Maddie and enjoying the participation of the secondary characters. Josh, Lyle's son, is a charmer and steals your heart with ease. The scene setting and atmosphere transported me to the Winter Market environment of Edinburgh, and the Highland scenes brought the sight and scent of the richness of the mountains and heather fully to life. If you like the characters you are reading about to grab you by the throat and pull you into their world, then this is a book to pick up and enjoy. Be warned, that once you open the first page, you may be reluctant to put it down until you turn the last one, so be prepared to give yourself plenty of time when you start reading. Some books you enjoy, and say 'ahh' when you put it down, some books you enjoy and pass on, and some.. like this one you add to your 'keeper' list.
Overall rating:
Reviewer: Jay Essay |
