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3.5 AVERAGE
3.5 AVERAGE
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A fun quick read.
Bedtime for Bonsai was well written (and well edited) with a reasonably plausible story line.
I would categorize it as a sweet romance. I don't recall any cussing of significance. There were 2, not overly descriptive sex scenes; but one of them did occur between 2 for all intents and purposes strangers and took place after hours on top of a store display case (and there ends my public service announcement).
The reason I rated the book as just "OK" has solely to do with personal preference and quirks...I did not like the heroine...like not at all. The story opens with the heroine Penelope trying to rekindle a romance with her ex. husband Glenn. Her ex. husband who told her he never wanted to have children, then cheated on her, then after they divorced married someone else (who may or may not have been the other woman - it's not clear) and promptly gets the someone else (now his second ex. wife) pregnant and embraces (Okay wrong word) participates in fatherhood. THIS is the man who's bushes she is skulking around in because she wants him back. Only 4 words come to mind...and they would be "sad, pathetic, desperate, loser".
However before Penelope can once again land the catch that is Glenn, she is distracted by the new guy in town. Dylan Mersey, pottery artist and ex.con; opens up a shop directly across from Penelope's pen shop. At first Penelope isn't sure about Dylan because of his sordid past and the fact that they obviously don't run in the same social circles...but that's OK...she decides she can simply mold him into a handsomer, less despicable version of Glenn.
Dylan is a really decent guy (which sadly in the land of romance fiction...isn't my type). He's sweet, although harboring some self esteem issues. He had a tough childhood and he did get involved with fencing stolen merchandise; but really he went to jail taking the rap to save his flighty, flower child, head in the clouds mom from drug charges.
Penelope and Dylan are brought together by the plot device which is Penelope's new puppy named Mr. Darcy or Bonsai depending upon who you talk to. As a head over heels dog lover, I should have appreciated this little tidbit...but it only made me more annoyed with Penelope. She was an irresponsible dog owner with no clue about training and I wouldn't trust her with my pet hamster.
There is obviously a HEA; and in all fairness Pen does show some emotional growth by the story's end.
I would categorize it as a sweet romance. I don't recall any cussing of significance. There were 2, not overly descriptive sex scenes; but one of them did occur between 2 for all intents and purposes strangers and took place after hours on top of a store display case (and there ends my public service announcement).
The reason I rated the book as just "OK" has solely to do with personal preference and quirks...I did not like the heroine...like not at all. The story opens with the heroine Penelope trying to rekindle a romance with her ex. husband Glenn. Her ex. husband who told her he never wanted to have children, then cheated on her, then after they divorced married someone else (who may or may not have been the other woman - it's not clear) and promptly gets the someone else (now his second ex. wife) pregnant and embraces (Okay wrong word) participates in fatherhood. THIS is the man who's bushes she is skulking around in because she wants him back. Only 4 words come to mind...and they would be "sad, pathetic, desperate, loser".
However before Penelope can once again land the catch that is Glenn, she is distracted by the new guy in town. Dylan Mersey, pottery artist and ex.con; opens up a shop directly across from Penelope's pen shop. At first Penelope isn't sure about Dylan because of his sordid past and the fact that they obviously don't run in the same social circles...but that's OK...she decides she can simply mold him into a handsomer, less despicable version of Glenn.
Dylan is a really decent guy (which sadly in the land of romance fiction...isn't my type). He's sweet, although harboring some self esteem issues. He had a tough childhood and he did get involved with fencing stolen merchandise; but really he went to jail taking the rap to save his flighty, flower child, head in the clouds mom from drug charges.
Penelope and Dylan are brought together by the plot device which is Penelope's new puppy named Mr. Darcy or Bonsai depending upon who you talk to. As a head over heels dog lover, I should have appreciated this little tidbit...but it only made me more annoyed with Penelope. She was an irresponsible dog owner with no clue about training and I wouldn't trust her with my pet hamster.
There is obviously a HEA; and in all fairness Pen does show some emotional growth by the story's end.
I've enjoyed all of the books I've read by Elaine Fox, and Bedtime for Bonsai was no exception. I thought Ms. Fox did a wonderful job with the character of Dylan, making his emotions very real as he tried to come to grips with his past life intruding on his future. Penelope was never my favorite character in this series of books because I always thought she was somewhat shallow, uptight, and status conscious. But through the course of this book Penelope grew and developed and I enjoyed the change.
Okay, so I enjoyed this for the most part. It was funny and the author did a good job with making this work as a stand-alone. There were a lot of characters, and even though I hadn’t read any of the other books, I wasn’t lost.
This next bit is a bit ranty: (you’ve been warned)
The one part that really irks me is the first time they have sex he just assumes she’s on the pill and leaps on her without a condom. Why would you assume that, dude??? You think every woman out there is on the pill? Ffs, ask! (My husband heard me yell, “Noooo! Use a rubber!” when I read that scene.)
And then, once the hero finds out that she wasn’t on the pill, he wonders if she’s hoping to trap him. Duuuuuuude. You’re the one who didn’t ask, did it without a raincoat and didn’t bother to at least pull out either. I hardly think it’s fair to think she’s trying to trap you when you didn’t bother to even ask. If you’d asked and she’d lied, then you have a right to think that.
Unsafe sex in contemporary stories really irks me. In historical, I give more leeway: people weren’t as well informed about it or had access to contraceptives. But in a contemporary book published in 2008? I took off a star because it bothered me that much.
This next bit is a bit ranty: (you’ve been warned)
The one part that really irks me is the first time they have sex he just assumes she’s on the pill and leaps on her without a condom. Why would you assume that, dude??? You think every woman out there is on the pill? Ffs, ask! (My husband heard me yell, “Noooo! Use a rubber!” when I read that scene.)
And then, once the hero finds out that she wasn’t on the pill, he wonders if she’s hoping to trap him. Duuuuuuude. You’re the one who didn’t ask, did it without a raincoat and didn’t bother to at least pull out either. I hardly think it’s fair to think she’s trying to trap you when you didn’t bother to even ask. If you’d asked and she’d lied, then you have a right to think that.
Unsafe sex in contemporary stories really irks me. In historical, I give more leeway: people weren’t as well informed about it or had access to contraceptives. But in a contemporary book published in 2008? I took off a star because it bothered me that much.
Feel good contemporary romance
5 stars
Now that Penelope Porter's marriage is over and she's still without the child that she always longed for, she does the next best thing and gets a puppy. Mr Darcy is an adorable ball of fluff - if only he would stop running off and over to the shop across the street. The shop owned by the sexy bad boy, Dylan Mersey.
Dylan hasn't had many dealings with the society types - especially none that are as hot as Penelope. But nobody should name a dog Mr Darcy so he decides the puppy's name should be Bonsai. Both dog and owner are too difficult to resist but Dylan has secrets from his past that threaten his fresh start, Penelope and whatever he might feel for her. And there's also Penelope's ex to consider. Soon they have to decide whether they are a mis-match or a match made in heaven.
Penelope, who, if you're a fan of [a:Elaine Fox|88584|Elaine Fox|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png], you might remember from previous books [b:Guys & Dogs|617065|Guys & Dogs (Guys & Dogs, #1)|Elaine Fox|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1392242550l/617065._SY75_.jpg|603485] and [b:Beware of Doug|153164|Beware of Doug (Guys & Dogs, #2)|Elaine Fox|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1348385847l/153164._SY75_.jpg|147846], is a likeable, engaging character without any of the stereotypical characteristics that many would put on an upper class, divorced society character. I loved how she was believable and yet confused over her feelings for Dylan. Dylan was a deep, tortured hero who, despite his past, had such a good heart that it was so sweet to see him get some happiness!
The story was interesting, engaging although perhaps not as light in nature as [a:Elaine Fox|88584|Elaine Fox|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png]'s previous novels. I still found it very entertaining and I love how the style of writing and way of telling a story leaves you with a nice, happy glow at the end.
If you're looking for an entertaining contemporary romance with likeable characters and a good, happy ending then I would recommend this book to you. 5 stars.
This was the kind of book I was looking to read after a few emotional books. I liked the light, fluffy quality of this contemporary romance. However, the ending didn’t jibe for me as well as i’d have liked. I felt the hero owed the heroine an apology and instead she was doing the majority of the emotional labor throughout the book. I did like the group of friends though. I want to read the others in the series!