When you're the daughter of the bestselling Queen of Romance, life should be pretty good. But 16-year-old Alice Amorous has been living a lie ever...
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Jan 09, 2012
Cara
rated it: 
I am an official fan of Selfors. She always write stories that have a magical element in them, but sets them with modern characters and/or settings. What's that genre called? Magical realism I think, well she is good at it.
Alice Amorous is the daughter of the Queen of the Romance, Belinda Amorous. She writes what people would call "trashy" romance novels, but she has a knack for it and has loads of fans. Her mom is successful, but there has always been something that has be More...
Alice Amorous is the daughter of the Queen of the Romance, Belinda Amorous. She writes what people would call "trashy" romance novels, but she has a knack for it and has loads of fans. Her mom is successful, but there has always been something that has be More...
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Feb 18, 2011
Amelia, the pragmatic idealist
rated it: 
Mad Love's main character is Alice Amorous, and I thought she made a fine heroine. She was a good combination of sass and sweetness, and I thought she held her own very well against all the crazies around her. She's a character that really does seem to have it all together: when she makes a mistake or shows a lapse in good judgment, it's more because of her circumstances than who she is as a person. There was something very cheer-worthy about her, and I had a pretty easy time relating to her. Un
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Jan 24, 2012
Rosalia
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Alice lives an apartment building alone. Well the neighbors check on her. Alice's mother is the world famous Belinda Amorous and what everyone doesn't know is that Belinda is currently in a psychiatric center being treated for bipolar disorder. Alice has been forging her mother's signature to pay bills, sign books and now she needs to find a way to fill the publishers demand for a new book. Then she meets Errol, a clearly crazy guy who believes he's cupid that wants her to write the true sto
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Aug 03, 2011
The Bookologist
rated it:
Romantic and fun, Mad Love warms you’re heart with it’s touching mood and story of love, regret, and hope. There was the ups and downs but overall, it was filled with fun and intensity.
Mad Love starts out slow; the fact that it took some time for the main character to get convinced that someone is a cupid was a bit wearisome. Although, the pace of the plot picks up and we’re introduced to even more characters and more problems are thrown in, keeping the tension at the right level.
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Mad Love starts out slow; the fact that it took some time for the main character to get convinced that someone is a cupid was a bit wearisome. Although, the pace of the plot picks up and we’re introduced to even more characters and more problems are thrown in, keeping the tension at the right level.
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Aug 01, 2011
StorySeekers
rated it:
Sarah - Love makes us do crazy things, but I don’t think Alice could picture her life becoming more complicated when the God of Love asks for her help.
I really like this book. Alice’s mom is an adult romance novelist, and her books are famous. She is known as the Queen of Romance. The only problem is now, the Queen of Romance is in asylum. Not wanting to ruin her mom’s reputation, Alice tells the publishers and everyone else, that her mom is traveling to find inspiration for her nex More...
I really like this book. Alice’s mom is an adult romance novelist, and her books are famous. She is known as the Queen of Romance. The only problem is now, the Queen of Romance is in asylum. Not wanting to ruin her mom’s reputation, Alice tells the publishers and everyone else, that her mom is traveling to find inspiration for her nex More...
Jul 12, 2011
Ashley
rated it:
If you think you know the story of Cupid and Psyche, think again. According to Errol himself, the myth is a lie, and he has selected one very unlucky girl to pen the real story. The one that she, he tells her, is fated to write.
Mad Love by Suzanne Selfors is a lot deeper than I originally anticipated. The cover summary really doesn't tackle the meat of this novel the way it should. I was pleasantly surprised, however, like finding a Waldo.
Alice has a problem: her mother i More...
Mad Love by Suzanne Selfors is a lot deeper than I originally anticipated. The cover summary really doesn't tackle the meat of this novel the way it should. I was pleasantly surprised, however, like finding a Waldo.
Alice has a problem: her mother i More...
Jul 07, 2011
Anne
rated it:
Alice's mom is a very well known writer of romance novels. What isn't well known is that her mom suffers from manic-depressive disorder and is currently in a mental hospital. Alice is trying to carry on with every day life as well as paying the bills, fooling the editors, answering fan mail, etc. Luckily she has some help from very supportive neighbors in her 4-plex who know what is really going on. While all of this is going on, Alice meets two very different, very interesting boys. One is
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Jul 05, 2011
Tiffany
rated it: 
Belinda Amorous writes romance books some days. A lot of romance books. Other days, she settles into a deep sadness. Those days, she doesn't move around very much. Alice is her daughter trying to pay the bills and keep her mother's bipolar disorder away from the press. But the publishing company is waiting for a book that hasn't been written, and Alice needs to come up with a new novel - soon. In comes Errol, also known as Cupid, asking for his love story to be told. As Alice writes down Errol's
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Jul 02, 2011
Jade
rated it:
Original review at http://inkscratchers.blogspot.com/
If i had to sum up this book in one word, it would be FUN. The book is sort of magical realism, real characters, magical element. It's completely different to every other magical book out there because it's magic in the real world, not magic in a new world or a parallel world like in urban fantasy, as well as this, the main characters doesn't have any powers or anything, which is good.
This book is really cute, I knew it wou More...
If i had to sum up this book in one word, it would be FUN. The book is sort of magical realism, real characters, magical element. It's completely different to every other magical book out there because it's magic in the real world, not magic in a new world or a parallel world like in urban fantasy, as well as this, the main characters doesn't have any powers or anything, which is good.
This book is really cute, I knew it wou More...
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Jun 23, 2011
Emily
rated it:
Sixteen-year-old Alice Amorous is dealing with things that a girl her age shouldn't have to deal with. Her mother, famous romance writer Belinda "Queen of Romance," is bipolar and in treatment, but she doesn't want anyone to know, so Alice must lie to keep the secret. She lives alone with the support of neighbors in her apartment building, and she forges her mother's signature for book signings and tries to communicate for her with the publisher. When the publisher threatens to take
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Jun 16, 2011
Kate
rated it:
Is it magic or madness? A young adult contemporary fantasy about Cupid in Seattle
Sixteen-year-old Alice Amorous is the daughter of bestselling romance author, Belinda Amorous. Due to her mother's suffering from years of untreated bipolar disorder, Alice's family life has been highly unstable, leading to the present crisis of her mother being institutionalized for catatonic depression.
Alice has no father to step in and take care of her, because she's the product of a one-nigh More...
Sixteen-year-old Alice Amorous is the daughter of bestselling romance author, Belinda Amorous. Due to her mother's suffering from years of untreated bipolar disorder, Alice's family life has been highly unstable, leading to the present crisis of her mother being institutionalized for catatonic depression.
Alice has no father to step in and take care of her, because she's the product of a one-nigh More...
May 22, 2011
Hannah-Linn
rated it:
this was a pretty good book in my opinion. but before i go all crazy book reviewer on y'all :), i just want to say that my review contains some spoilers, ones that dont impact the story all that much, but ones that will make the beginning of the story make a whole lot more sense, unless your that type of person that really wants to start a book with a completely blind idea of what the book is about, im not like that. i always read the last page of the book after i read the first chapter, its a h
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Mar 26, 2011
Angelina
rated it:
I really loved this story. The only thing that prevented me from giving it 5 stars was a gaff that happens on page 120, when a doctor in the story diagnoses a possible brown recluse bite.
The doctor says "They're not deadly but their poison can have many effects. Dizziness, sleepiness, mild hallucinations. The venom will run its course. She should be fine in a day." A few lines later he's cautioning to check the house for the spider and says "They're big and brown More...
The doctor says "They're not deadly but their poison can have many effects. Dizziness, sleepiness, mild hallucinations. The venom will run its course. She should be fine in a day." A few lines later he's cautioning to check the house for the spider and says "They're big and brown More...
Mar 09, 2011
Sarah-Greenbeanteenqueen
rated it:
Rating: 3.5 Stars
I was drawn to this book because of the Cupid storyline. It reminded me a bit of the TV Show Cupid, which I watched in high school and loved.
While there is a plot with Cupid, this is more about Alice growing more confidant and learning she doesn't have to hide her mother's illness. A good portion of the book is about Alice's mother and her bipolar disorder and Alice learning how to live with it and realizing she can't always fix everything. I think this More...
I was drawn to this book because of the Cupid storyline. It reminded me a bit of the TV Show Cupid, which I watched in high school and loved.
While there is a plot with Cupid, this is more about Alice growing more confidant and learning she doesn't have to hide her mother's illness. A good portion of the book is about Alice's mother and her bipolar disorder and Alice learning how to live with it and realizing she can't always fix everything. I think this More...
Feb 17, 2011
Amy
rated it:
This is the first book I have read by this author and I must say that this was a cute and enjoyable read! The author gave me a new take on Cupid and what his appearance could really be. In Mad Love, Cupid is not the chubby naked baby that we have come to recognize as Cupid on Valentine's Day. In this book he is mysterious, kinda cute and needing his story told by Alice.
Alice on the other hand, has a crush on skateboarder Tony. Alice is also trying to deal with her Mother being in More...
Alice on the other hand, has a crush on skateboarder Tony. Alice is also trying to deal with her Mother being in More...
Feb 15, 2012
Kelly
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
May 11, 2011
Mj
rated it: 
I enjoyed Suzanne Selfors' Coffehouse Angel very much so I thought I'd try this new novel. I am disappointed in the story. Each of the characters had issues through which they were working. Their issues, while relevant to the story, became a little overpowering at times. Maybe the title should have been my first clue. The main character in the story, Alice, is a very grownup teenager struggling with a bipolar mother. The supporting characters,the tenants in her apartment building, Erroll (also k
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Feb 14, 2012
Brittany
rated it:
Alice's mom is on a bit of a mental vacation, "researching her next book", overseas...really she's in a mental hospital. The famous Belinda Amorous had bipolar disorder but she doesn't want anyone to find out, especially her publisher. So Alice is tasked with taking care of the house and finances and keeping her mothers treatment hush-hush. Soon Alice is forging her mom's signature on checks, letters and copies of her novels. Then Alice meets Errol. He is convinced that he is Cupid and
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Mar 27, 2011
Julia
rated it:
Alice Amorous has spent years covering for her Queen of Romance author mother, but now everything is coming due. Alice's mother has been usurped of her title and is late on her next romance novel for her publisher. Enter a pale, strange young man in a hoodie who gamely tracks Alice until she will listen to him. Errol (Eros/Cupid) wants Alice to hear and tell the real story about the great love of his life, Psyche. I enjoyed the mythological aspects to this story, in fact, I had to look up the st
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Feb 24, 2011
WilowRaven
rated it:
Really not what I thought it was going to be - in a good way! With it's slightly tragic paranormal twist and characters that were very well developed, Mad Love was a fast, enjoyable read.
Have to say, at first, Errol, aka Cupid, really got on my nerves. He was kind of annoying. It wasn't until after I read more about his life and his backstory that I really started to understand and like him.
My favorite thing about Mad Love is the fact that it takes Alice a really long tim More...
Have to say, at first, Errol, aka Cupid, really got on my nerves. He was kind of annoying. It wasn't until after I read more about his life and his backstory that I really started to understand and like him.
My favorite thing about Mad Love is the fact that it takes Alice a really long tim More...
Feb 17, 2011
Lillie
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Feb 11, 2011
Cindy/Books Complete Me
rated it:
I wasn't sure what to expect when I first picked up Mad Love. I'm not a big fan of reading the cover synopsis of books because I like the element of surprise too much to get a lot of details before I start. I have to say I was very pleasantly surprised with this one.
The story kicks off with Alice doing an awful lot of lying to protect her mother and immediately my interest was piqued. We soon find out that although Alice is only sixteen, she's been running her household for months bec More...
The story kicks off with Alice doing an awful lot of lying to protect her mother and immediately my interest was piqued. We soon find out that although Alice is only sixteen, she's been running her household for months bec More...
Aug 15, 2011
Arjun Thakrar
rated it:
I was slightly skeptical when reading this because it had a booming pink cover but surprisingly it’s for all genders and I really enjoyed it. It’s actually a fast paced, fantasy-romance, that isn’t the typical YA fantasy-romance.
The book covers many important things such as First Love, BiPolar and living on your own in your teenage years. It’s actually really good, and also has quite a bit of Greek Mythology which I’m always up for. The book follows Alice, daughter of the Queen of Roma More...
The book covers many important things such as First Love, BiPolar and living on your own in your teenage years. It’s actually really good, and also has quite a bit of Greek Mythology which I’m always up for. The book follows Alice, daughter of the Queen of Roma More...
Feb 17, 2011
Eleni ( La Femme Readers )
rated it:
Cupid. We all know him as the cherubic, bow and arrow love maker. Suzanne on the other hand, introduced Errol. A dark, and sexified version I wouldn't mind seeing plastered on Valentine's Day. The infamous story of Cupid's existence was tweaked with a more realistic and emotionally moving approach. Instead of keeping the original version, Suzanne exemplified the heartache that sometimes comes along with falling in love. Alice, daughter of the queen of romance, was a spunky teen whose relatibilit
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Feb 10, 2011
Allison (The Allure of Books)
rated it:
Y'all, I like romance and I like quirky, original characters. This book should have been a home run! Unfortunately, I failed to connect with either the characters or the story.
Alice had to deal with a lot over the course of the book, and as the story opens - we are introduced to all the stress she carries on her shoulders. Normally that would make the reader sympathetic of her plight and invested in reading until she gets to a happier place in her life. Unfortunately, I couldn't make More...
Alice had to deal with a lot over the course of the book, and as the story opens - we are introduced to all the stress she carries on her shoulders. Normally that would make the reader sympathetic of her plight and invested in reading until she gets to a happier place in her life. Unfortunately, I couldn't make More...
Jan 26, 2012
Kasia
rated it:
This was my second time reading Suzanne Selfors, after reading her terrific Coffeehouse Angel I knew I had to read this once I saw who the author of Mad Love was. Funny enough I can see a connection between the two, the first has an angel theme and this one has the cupid, Selfors is fantastic at combing real and fantasy into one believable tale, I hope she never stops writing.
Mad Love is a wonderful story with a bit of seriousness it in, the book is about a teenage girl named Alice wh More...
Mad Love is a wonderful story with a bit of seriousness it in, the book is about a teenage girl named Alice wh More...
Jun 05, 2011
SJH (A Dream of Books)
rated it:
Suzanne Selfors is a new author to me, but after reading 'Mad Love' I'm definitely going to be checking out some of her other books. I was really impressed with both her writing style and the plot for this novel which intrigued me from the start.
'Mad Love' deals with the subject of mental illness but in such a way that the book is still a fun and engaging read. It never felt like Selfors allowed the subject matter to drag the story down and as such I would recommend this book to pe More...
'Mad Love' deals with the subject of mental illness but in such a way that the book is still a fun and engaging read. It never felt like Selfors allowed the subject matter to drag the story down and as such I would recommend this book to pe More...
Feb 21, 2011
Andrea
rated it:
3.5 out of 5 rating
This was a pretty okay book. It wasn't super great, but it wasn't horrible either. I think it did have a very important underlying theme though. And it's in an interesting category: YA Contemporary with a little bit of mythology thrown in.
As for the characters, I liked them but I didn't really connect with them. They seemed a little distant. I felt so bad for Alice. Trying to be the parent while keeping her mother's secret from the rest of the wo More...
This was a pretty okay book. It wasn't super great, but it wasn't horrible either. I think it did have a very important underlying theme though. And it's in an interesting category: YA Contemporary with a little bit of mythology thrown in.
As for the characters, I liked them but I didn't really connect with them. They seemed a little distant. I felt so bad for Alice. Trying to be the parent while keeping her mother's secret from the rest of the wo More...
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Feb 17, 2011
Jessica
rated it:
QUICK OVERVIEW:
If you're looking for a cute read that touches on serious topics then you need look no further, Mad Love is the book for you.
REVIEW:
I really enjoyed Mad Love. It was a very cute read, but it definitely wasn't the fluffy type of cute. It touched on some very serious issues and I thought it had a great underlying theme.
The characters were pretty okay in this book. I didn't love them all the time, but they all kind of grew on me. You don't get too deve More...
If you're looking for a cute read that touches on serious topics then you need look no further, Mad Love is the book for you.
REVIEW:
I really enjoyed Mad Love. It was a very cute read, but it definitely wasn't the fluffy type of cute. It touched on some very serious issues and I thought it had a great underlying theme.
The characters were pretty okay in this book. I didn't love them all the time, but they all kind of grew on me. You don't get too deve More...
Feb 13, 2011
Jael
rated it:
Happy Valentine's Day!! In the spirit of the occasion, I read Mad Love by Suzanne Selfors. Sixteen-year-old Alice Amorous has had a complicated childhood. She's the daughter of the Queen of Romance, Belinda Amorous, who has penned dozens of romance novels. Some might think being the daughter of the Queen of Romance is glamourous. For Alice it's anything but.
Alice has spent her life covering up her mother's mental illness. After all who would want to know that the Queen of Romance is More...
Alice has spent her life covering up her mother's mental illness. After all who would want to know that the Queen of Romance is More...
