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    Just the Way You Are
    Just the Way You Are
    Just the Way You Are
    Audiobook10 hours

    Just the Way You Are

    Written by Christina Dodd

    Narrated by Natalie Ross

    3.5/5

    ()

    About this audiobook

    New York Times bestselling author Christina Dodd, one of the most acclaimed authors of historical romance, makes a dazzling foray into contemporary fiction in this intriguing and sensuous novel about a hard-working young woman who mistakenly falls in love with Boston's wealthiest bachelor.

    JUST THE WAY YOU ARE

    When Hope Prescott's parents disappeared, her carefree teenage life vanished forever. She and her three siblings were separated and sent to different foster homes around the country. Now, seven years later, Hope is still searching for them. To support herself, she works for an answering service, and cares for her clients as if they were family. When wealthy businessman Zachariah Givens hires Hope's service, Hope initially mistakes Zack for his butler. Tired of being coddled and flattered because of his money, Zack is charmed by Hope's candor, not to mention her sexy voice, and keeps up the charade. As their friendship turns into passion, Zack is determined to have her, even if that means the unthinkable—marriage. But when Hope discovers his deception, Zack knows he must solve the mystery that haunts Hope's past in order to convince her that their futures lie together....

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherBrilliance Audio
    Release dateNov 29, 2009
    ISBN9781441808813
    Just the Way You Are
    Author

    Christina Dodd

    New York Times bestselling author Christina Dodd writes “edge-of-the-seat suspense” (Iris Johansen) with “brilliantly etched characters, polished writing, and unexpected flashes of sharp humor that are pure Dodd” (ALA Booklist). Her fifty-eight books have been called ""scary, sexy, and smartly written"" by Booklist and, much to her mother's delight, Dodd was once a clue in the Los Angeles Times crossword puzzle. Enter Christina’s worlds and join her mailing list at www.christinadodd.com.

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    Reviews for Just the Way You Are

    3.5/5

    100 ratings4 reviews

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    • 4/5
      "Just the Way You Are" by Christina Dodd, is a departure from her usual novels. Known for her historical, paranormal, and romantic suspence novels, this one is straight up contemporary romance. Hope's parents are killed and she and her siblings are separated. Hope doesn't know where her family is, but lives every day of her life swearing she will search until the day she dies for brothers and sisters. To that end, Hope settles in Boston. She attends college and works for an answering service. She knows each of her "clients" and is very fond of each of them. When Zach Givens begins to use her service, she doesn't expect him to call personally for his messages. Zach is a cold, arrogant, distant, very rich man. So, when the man on the phone seems so nice, Hope presumes he is the Butler- Griswold. However, it is Zach she starts to have little chats with. When "Griswold" gets a cold, Hope pops by the mansion with homemade soup. The two start to fall in love, but Zach still lets Hope think he is "Griswold". He believes that once she falls in love with him, she will love him for who he is and forgive his deception. This is a Cinderella type story. Hope is very poor, lives in a bad neighborhood, her clothes are threadbare, and she is underweight. But, she has grit, determination and values.Zach, raised with a silver spoon in his mouth, has always gotten just what he wanted. He now wants Hope. But, getting what he wants this time won't be easy.This is pure entertainment. There are few moments of pure silliness, giving this one a little "chick lit" feel. There is some angst involved but nothing too heavy. I read this book a few days before Christmas, and although it wasn't a holiday themed book, it would still fit in with other feel good holiday romances. This is the first in a series. A light, quick, easy read. Overall a B+
    • 5/5
      Excellent

      First, I hate billionaire novels, but this one worked for me. A Cinderella story, with a gutsy heroine and a repressed hero. Loved it.
    • 3/5
      Hope Prescott is 16 years old when she loses everything – her parents dead in a car crash, her siblings taken from her and her comfortable life gone in an instant. The story takes place 7 years later as we find Hope working at an answering service while taking classes with the intent of earning a degree in computer science (because “that’s where the money is”) so she can continue the search for her lost siblings.Enter Zachariah Givens, a corporate raider, who keeps all but his family and one best friend at a distance. Zack’s longtime assistant is going on vacation and has set up an account at an answering service for the time she is gone since her boss is a technophobe (fax machines eat the papers, phone buttons flash confusingly…). The first time Givens calls the service and speaks to Hope, he is hooked – drawn in by her sultry voice, her friendly manner and her obvious caring for all of her clients. Only one thing – Hope thinks she’s speaking with Givens’ butler – Griswald. Oops. When Hope makes her thoughts clear regarding wealthy, uncaring employers – and Givens in particular – Givens decides to let the deception continue.The story was entertaining, if a bit improbable. Hope’s a smart woman and yet she falls for Zack’s deception without hesitation. Moreover, she is more than a little gullible in other instances making for a frustrating read. Additionally, there’s a crisis that is completely unbelievable, unrealistic and unreasonable – also adding to the frustration.The best part of the story is Aunt Cecily, Zack’s outspoken and outrageous aunt, as well as a scene in which Cecily and Zack’s parents discuss his problems as if he’s not even in the room (definitely a good chuckle). This is the first in the Lost Hearts trilogy. I may read the next in the series as I generally like books by Christina Dodd, but I’m not going to rush as there are more – and better – books on Mt. TBR waiting for me.Rating: 3 stars
    • 4/5
      Excellent read. Fabulous characters.