By: Shelly EstesLet me start off by saying I really, really enjoyed this book!!
Chloe Turner has been mislabeled a Bridezilla. Her fiance Thomas faked his own death by crashing his airplane and when caught, claimed he had to do it to get away from her. Her best friend Jenn decides what she needs is some time away at a tiny resort on White Rock Island that has no TVs, and limited cell phone & internet availability—so they can avoid the paparazzi that have been hounding Chloe since the news of Thomas’ “death”. Once they arrive at their getaway, two hunky guys take up residence next door. They are brothers Max & Elliott Sullivan. Both are handsome and sexy—Max in a greek god kind of way, and Elliott in a geeky kind of way. Max has a serious case of obsessive-compulsive disorder—he tries to protect everyone around him and make sure they are always safe. Not knowing Chloe’s story, he thinks she is just a nice normal girl, but he can’t help trying to protect her from a campfire and a diving expedition with an “amateur” dive instructor. When Chloe gets a look at Max in his diving suit – she mutters “Holy Ass Cheeks, Batman” and thinks he looks like a Greek statue with the ass of a Roman god.
Chloe soon realizes that Max has OCD issues, and gives him a hard time about it every chance she gets, but she also understands why he does it and tries to help him quit cold turkey. Chloe is eventually recognized by someone at the resort as the Bridezilla, and Max decides he just can’t take care of her, even though he has a really hard time not getting involved. Chloe & Jenn escape back to the mainland, and the press continue to harass Chloe. Max just can’t stay away from Chloe and comes to visit her at her apartment, (because he’s not going there to “save” her, he’s just going because they have a physical connection). The press quickly discover his identity and assume that he and Chloe are having a fling (which they are). When Max leaves Chloe again, because he just can’t keep saving the damsel in distress, Chloe gets angry and throws garbage at the paparazzi because she blames them for Max not standing by and supporting her.
Chaos abounds as things come to head when Thomas is arrested for fraud & embezzlement, a romance buds between Jenn & Elliott and Chloe finds out about a betrayal by a former friend. Max & Chloe try to work things out by agreeing to a long distance romance, which only lasts for a couple of months because they just can’t be apart.
This book is full of humor, odd personality quirks and a secondary romance between Elliott & Jenn. It was a quick easy read, with not a lot of angst to weigh it down.
Oriental salad
1 bag broccoli slaw (Walmart usually has near the fresh broccoli aisle)
1/2 C sunflower seeds
1/2 C sliced almonds
2 pkgs. beef ramen noodles
Mix together & break up ramen noodles
Dressing
1/2 C sugar
1/2 C oil
1/3 C apple cider vinegar
2 flavor packets from ramen noodles
Add dressing right before serving. Mix well!!
Italian Beef
If I use my standard crock pot, I use just ½ of the ingredients.
15 lb. beef cubed (cheapest cut-usually chuck roast)
2 large onions
2 garlic bulbs
10-11 pkgs. Zesty Italian dressing (to taste) (must use the zesty Italian!!_
2 C. water
Put all together and cook for 6-8 hours, mashing with potato masher as it cooks.
