Seeking Mr. Wrong by Natalie Charles

Publisher: Pocket Star

Releases: February 13, 2017

Purchase: http://tinyurl.com/hsw8jmp

Genre: Contemporary

Author website: http://nataliecharlesromance.com/

Rating: 4 Stars


Several years ago, I read three very intriguing suspense stories written by Natalie Charles. So when I saw this author had penned a new book, I was definitely thrilled. Though the story is contemporary, Ms. Charles still kept my interest with her many compelling characters and the clever plot. When circumstances force a kindergarten teacher to drastically change her writing style, the possibility is high of her plans not going as desired. Toss in a sexy man who causes plenty of fantasies, and things just might get better if she can get over her fear of perhaps being hurt. Natalie Charles takes her romantic couple on a journey of self-discovery, resulting in SEEKING MR. WRONG being funny and heartfelt.

There have not been any extraordinary highpoints in Lettie Osbourne’s life, but getting married soon would hopefully turn out to be fulfilling. But the event never happens as her intended broke their engagement right before their wedding day. So it seems her two careers will have to bring her happiness. Lettie does enjoy being a kindergarten teacher, while writing books for young children is also rewarding. As the new school year starts, she plans to put her energy into being a good educator and not think about her depressing private life.

Yet not all goes as Lettie wished, as the school has a new vice principal, Eric Clayman, a man whom she does not completely trust because of a prior incident. Then she discovers her just completed book is not wanted, but writing an erotic story could be profitable. Her need for money has Lettie agreeing to see if she can create a book full of sex scenes. With her personal experience not being that kinky, she will probably have to seek out some helpful information. At least her mind is already conjuring up a few inventive encounters starring her new co-worker, and these imaginings could conceivably be turned into a story.

The first thing I noticed about SEEKING MR. WRONG was how the characters seemed like ordinary folks living in a typical town. As the story progressed, I got to know some of the individuals and what made them unique. When any goals or dreams are revealed, I came to realize what motivated many of the people in the community. Though some are vocal about their objectives, others like Lettie typically keep their wishes to themselves. She is a rule follower and always hopes for the best, but often her loyalty does not bring joy. This frequently happens in real life, and Ms. Charles had me feeling her dejection time and again.

SEEKING MR. WRONG entertains with delightfully engaging situations. The relationship of Lettie and Eric has plenty of ups and downs because of misunderstandings plus challenging obstacles. I felt their sadness when longings were beyond reach, and I rejoiced with them if an event was to their liking. The author made me care about the couple, and her way of giving their perspectives let me know how both viewed a happening. To go from writing a story for young children to creating a story packed with lusty sex is a big step for Lettie, and there are numerous moments in the story where her thoughts are truly amusing. It would be nice to revisit the town and have additional personal stories told.

This is definitely not my typical genre but once in a while I can enjoy a good romance. At first, I had a hard time getting into the story of a Kindergarten teacher and author of children’s books being “forced” to write erotica to fulfill her publishing contract. Sounds a bit far fetched to me. However, the story was fleshed out (pun intended) in the right way and that crossover became a bit more believable.

I did enjoy Lettie’s character as well as her friend Mindy and of course, Eric. This was a cute read especially during the Valentine’s holiday week. The sex scenes were dirty so be forewarned. 3.5 crowns!

SEEKING MR. WRONG features humanly flawed, realistic characters that makes this book un-put-downable!

Lettie grows over the course of the book from a woman confused about what she wants into someone who knows what she wants and fights for it--be it the man she loves or her writing or her place in her family. Eric is also a pleasant departure from the usual alpha male heroes in that he has his moments of uncertainties and saying the wrong things or making the wrong decisions, and this I thought made this book more believable and relatable.

I love Lettie's niece--she's totally adorable! Love Lettie's friend Mindy as well--she's so supportive of Lettie. Will we see more of her and Chase?

The story is told in alternate points of view, with Lettie in first person point of view and Eric in third person. Having Eric's viewpoint gave this book more depth, in my opinion, and it helps in us getting to know Eric better.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this story!

Seeking Mr. Wrong is a book for anyone who reads a lot (too much) contemporary romance. Readers will be able to identify all the markers they expect, but will love the acknowledgement of everything that annoys them. Cute and sweet Lettie Osbourne writes children’s books about manners. Her publisher gets sold to an outfit that specializes in erotica while she still has one book left on her contract and the advance is long gone. To fulfill her obligation, she takes on the challenge of writing in the new-to-her genre.

Lettie admits, “I never understood the appeal of the angry alpha male. If I were to make a list of qualities that I want in a mate, it wouldn’t include stomping. Maybe a willingness to make dinner every now and then and a basic understanding of laundry.” As she struggles to embrace her inner vixen, she meets the mostly vanilla, non-alpha male that is the love of her life. Yes, he looks like Superman, but this is a guy who doesn’t own a red tie. This is a love story about some pretty nice, normal people. While they meet, fall in love, break up, and hopefully make-up, Lettie has a smutty running commentary in her head à la James Thurber’s 1939 The Secret Lives of Walter Mitty. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P332De250mE

She also does mental interviews with Oprah. One word: hilarious. Through the process she learns a lot about herself both painful and funny. Lettie’s inner voice is wonderfully sarcastic, but her editor stole the best line. In a conversation about the manuscript Lettie submits, “…I despise the word moist, so I’m going to strike it from the manuscript and ask you to come up with something else. Same with panties. Can’t stand it. Makes me think of my childhood. Give her a lace thong instead.” I was on the elliptical at the gym. I stopped and cheered. Yes, people stared. Worth it. Buying this book? Totally worth it.

My Rating: A, Loved It

I really love the idea of this story and think many readers are going to enjoy it. Not being a fan of first person it took some of the thrill out of it for me.

I'm always looking for sorbet and I desperately wanted some fluff, and this sounded like just the thing.

I liked Lettie and Eric well enough. They're good people and they are interesting together. The chemistry wasn't very high, but I did like their small flirty scenes. Their relationship was the best part of the book.

Between the co-workers, friends, family, and therapist, there are a zillion and one characters with complete backgrounds and that's where I started to lose interest. There's just so much going on. Not everyone needed a storyline. It felt cluttered and because there were so many people, a bit rushed.

Overall, the Lettie/Eric arc is what kept me reading, but I was definitely hoping for more of a spark and disappointed when I didn't get it.

**Huge thanks to Pocket Star books for the invite to read**

Natalie Charles is a new-to-me author so I didn’t quite know what to expect when I started Seeking Mr. Wrong. The most simple way I can think of to summarize how I think most people will feel about this book is to say that it reads exactly how you would expect it to based on the cover. It’s a tad cheesy, pretty predictable, and nothing exciting really happens.

The book started off solid; the premise had me intrigued and I connected to the characters. The meet cute was pretty funny and awkward in an adorable way. It set the stage for a really promising storyline with good chemistry. However, once the two main characters actually started to date each other, it began to fall flat.

I felt like there was some good build-up to when they would finally get together and then when they did it was very anti-climactic. The timeline jumped a couple of weeks ahead and I was left wondering what all I’d missed. For me, the most exciting part of a new relationship is the very beginning and getting to experience how they interact with one another. I felt a bit robbed of that experience. Once they started to date, the story became rather boring and focused more on school drama that I just didn’t care much about.

I also didn’t much care for many of the secondary characters either. To be quite honest, Lettie has some pretty self-absorbed family and friends. Her best friend, Mindy, was alright but she seemed to have a bit of her own storyline and it never really went anywhere. Maybe Charles is laying the groundwork for another novel based around her character, but at this point that is unclear.

I really did enjoy Eric’s character. He seemed like a really great guy who cared about the kids in his school and about doing a good job. He was very attractive, quick-witted, and sweet. I also liked Lettie’s character, she was fun and sweet as well, and certainly interesting, but she was a little odd. She’s pretty damaged and behaved oddly at times, but it felt forced. I felt like her character wanted to be grounded and strong but the author forced her into the situations and actions that didn’t fit with the rest of her personality.

All in all, this was a cute book, though the first half was markedly stronger than the second. I recommend it as a light beach read when you want just want a sweet love story that doesn’t demand a lot of your attention.

Cute romance about a teacher who writes novels for kids and has to write a erotica novel due to contract. I enjoyed the romance at the school and the chemistry that they had together.

I have fallen for Natalie Charles!

This book has every thing we want in a romance! This lighthearted read is funny and a fun, sexy romp! It is so entertaining, I never wanted it to end.

I loved the story line as it is unique and hilarious in parts! A kindergarten teacher ends up writing erotica. What could possible go wrong? Except for Mr. Wrong, who is a sexy dreamboat who steams up the pages, and the teacher, in many delicious ways!

The author has given us a delightful story that wraps you up so you never want to leave the warm comfort of the pages she has woven for us. Sigh...

A sweet romance, with a few glitches along the way. After all isn't life that way? I am definitely reading more from this gem of an author! I loved this one!

a great read

Sweer little book with an interesting premise that didn't do a thing for me.

Thanks.

I really enjoyed this story though its really not the type of story I typicall read. It is charecteried as romance but I really felt it was so much more a Chick Lit story. Yes it has a romance in it but don't really get romance til maybe 60% in. The rest is all chick lit. In this story I absolutely loved it. The author has a wonderful writing style and Lettie, our main character is a total hoot.

Now at times this book sounded very british. Like the author uses the word backside where in America we'd say butt or ass. But it takes place in Vermont I think. Lettie is the main character and she is a HUGE character but in the sweet and funny way.

Lettie has several problems when the book starts: she has been dumped by her fiancee 2 weeks before the wedding, she is a children book author whose publisher has been sold to an erotic publisherand she either needs cash to buyout her contract or she needs an erotic books, and school is about to start and she has to get ready for her kindergarten class. Plus she finds out the vice principal has been replaced by hottie, Eric who she met when he gave her niece and nephew phallic lollypops.

So this book is very funny and serious too. Lettie is definitely a character and if all that was not enough, her sister and father have even more surprises for her. It really was a book that makes you laugh. I loved the scenes when Lettie explores her BDSM side in her expanding horizons of her erotic novel, which she finds she really enjoys writing.

This book was fabulous. It does start out slow because you reallly get to know the characters but ohhhh what a fun ride it was.