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Annie Hynes is a tomboy. Naïve and love-starved, she’ll soon to be celebrating her big 3-0. Something needs to be done! Celi, her ‘down-to-earth’ guardian angel appears to help kick-start Annie’s big change—her looks, her job, her whole life. By taking a managerial position with a sophisticated shoe manufacturer, Annie becomes embroiled with her new associates and hooked on the power of big business. Unfortunately, her exhaustion from overwork forces her to ignore old friends, and her lapse places someone she cares about in terrible danger.

Social Worker, Tyler Jones, previously hurt in two relationships, signals disinterest in women, and only wants Annie in his life as a good buddy. Oh yeah! And to help with his mixed-up street kids. Perversely, once her life alters, he misses her like hell. In one sweet night of loving everything changes. But, due to an overabundance of nightcaps, she doesn’t remember the night he can’t forget.

168 pages, ebook

First published September 14, 2011

101 people are currently reading
863 people want to read

About the author

Mimi Barbour

205 books695 followers
Mimi is an incredibly busy NYT and USA Today award-winning, best-selling author who has nine series to her credit, as well as over 45 books and numerous multi-author box collections.

Mimi lives on the East coast of Vancouver Island with her pup, Charli, and writes her various romances with tongue in cheek and a mad glint in her eye.

She’s been known to say: “If I can steal a booklover’s attention away from their every-day grind, absorb them into a fantasy love story, and make them care about the ending, then I’ve done my job.”

**1st place prize of the 2015 - Chanticleer Reviews - Clue Awards. Special Agent Francesca
**A TOUCH OF PASSION, has just become the 2016 WINNER of The Romance Reviews Readers' Choice Awards.

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5 stars
120 (28%)
4 stars
109 (25%)
3 stars
122 (28%)
2 stars
52 (12%)
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22 (5%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
Profile Image for Maria (a).
834 reviews10 followers
August 24, 2013
I read a lot of romances that leave me indifferent. Every once in a while I read something that touches me. Unfortunately, this book left me with a bad taste in my mouth and an incredulous feeling that anyone could find this a romantic story. Not only was the sexism especially rampant in this book (with sentences like: ‘What woman didn’t want to be a wife and a mother one day?’ and ‘She knew he was an experienced seducer. A woman senses such things.’)

Way worse, though, was the almost glorification of rape. When Annie comes home from a date on which she has drunk a little too much, Tyler swoops in to save her from the guy who brought her home – and subsequently starts to have sex with her, sex that is only interrupted because Annie throws up. Mind you, she came home from a date with someone else and has at no point yet indicated to Tyler that she likes him in that way. Then, later on in the story, when Annie wants to get her act together and show Tyler how she feels, this is what she thinks:
She wanted that man, and she was going to use everything in her arsenal to get him to want her, too. Short of rape, that is, since she wasn’t sure she could pull that one off. On the other hand...

She will not rape him, not because of any morality, but because she isn’t sure she can do it. How is this a romance?

And then, this ends with a stab at masturbation, as Annie comes from Tyler fondling her nipples:
Not knowing how a man-made orgasm felt, she was unprepared as the first overwhelming sensation flooded her.


Annie is a heroine that mostly left me indifferent. She is at a point in her life where she feels she has let things go to much and she wants to change. I did think it was impressive that she actually implemented those changes she talked about; she was mostly proactive in shaping her life in the way she wanted it to be. She wasn’t perfect, but you could tell that she was trying to be who she wanted to be.

Tyler, supposedly the hero of this book, doesn’t do anything to make me feel he is the good guy he is made out to be. He is aggressive, egotistical, and feels like he is entitled to having Annie and to forming her the way he wants her to be. One of the first introductions he gets is that he refuses to support Annie when she tries to change her life, while acknowledging that she spoke about how unhappy she was with her life for years. He continuously makes Annie feel bad for whatever she has done, even if it’s things like not remembering what they did when she was drunk, or not making time for him when she’s swept up in work and has no time for anything. Even his proposal is full of entitlement; he didn’t even frame it as an actual question.

The final part that might have saved this book from a 1-star rating was the writing, but unfortunately on that part too, Barbour could not make an impression on me. She seems to forget what she has written the moment she turns the page – for example, in chapter two, she says this:
[Annie] “I’ve decided my life needs a total overhaul. I haven’t talked about it much, but I’ve been unhappy with myself for years.”
[Tyler] “Uhh, honey, you talk about it frequently.”

While in chapter three Tyler asks Annie:
“I never realized you were this unhappy. How did I miss it?”

It is really hard to follow a story when it seems like even the author isn’t making an effort to follow it.
And then, there were sentences that I had to read three times or that just made me laugh and laugh. They were such a break in style and totally broke my concentration on the story. Sentences like:
Her serotonin levels soared as delight eradicated apprehension.
In a few short seconds he was fully on top of her, fully aroused and full to the brim of baby-making juice.

There are another couple of small things that annoyed me too – at random points Barbour starts describing the appearance of her characters, she keeps using “Annie” even though her protagonist has just said she wants to be called “Anne” from now on – but these could have been minor nuisances if the rest of the writing had been better.

Profile Image for Wendy.
76 reviews8 followers
August 15, 2012
While the concept of this story initially appealed to me, sadly, it didn’t take long for the novelty to wear off. For being in the title of the book, this cheeky angel of hers doesn’t really play a very big role in the story other than providing a conscience. I guess the title “My Cheeky Conscience” doesn’t work as well, though.

The character development was told to the reader instead of shown, and a lot of that done in flashbacks. I also found Tyler’s initial description slightly confusing and frustrating. He tells the reader that he’s interested in Annie, but then seems confused and standoffish once she actually starts opening up. After only a few chapters, I was already starting to dislike Tyler because he seemed so opposed to Annie’s attempts to better her life.

Another complaint I had with the writing style was the over-use of descriptive words. Does she really have to bite her lip with her “snowy white” teeth? Can’t she just bite her lip with regular teeth? Did the fact that they are snowy white add anything to the story or what we know about her? It almost seems contradictory to what we already know about her personality. She doesn’t know anything about makeup or skin care products or wearing high heels, but she regularly gets her teeth whitened?

There were a few inconsistencies in the writing, too, almost as if the writer forgot she’d already contradicted herself. First, Annie says she is miserable, and Tyler says she mentions it all the time. Then, (possibly even in the same chapter) after Annie explains the motivation behind her rapid transformation, Tyler says he has no idea that she’s been so miserable. Make up your mind!

Given that the main characters were my age, I found some of the words they chose to use a bit uncomfortable. First of all, both Annie and Tyler would use the endearment “my friend” when talking to someone. Aside from the fact that it just feels weird to call someone “my friend,” the fact that two different people said it makes it all the more awkward. It would have been better if just one person had the weird, quirky sayings and not both of them. Also, Annie tells someone “not to fret,” which just felt awkward. Why not just say "don't worry"? These are minor details that don’t really have anything to do with the main plot, but they were just enough to pull me out of the story and focus on the writing style, something that a writer should really strive NOT to do.

There were several points in the story where the reader is taken on a trip down memory lane (with several different characters), and a few of them had just tragic, devastating histories that it almost makes you wonder if it was thrown in there just for shock value. One of the flashbacks didn’t even really serve much of a purpose. We already knew the girl had been abused in about every way possible. Was it necessary to go into her perspective to give us the rest of the gory details that we could have figured out on our own?

Okay, I’ve sort of been writing this review as I read it, adding things as they arise, and, while most of the above mentioned complaints are mere annoyances, one line in particular really pissed me off: “She wanted that man, and she was going to use everything in her arsenal to get him to want her, too. Short of rape, that is, since she wasn’t sure she could pull that one off. On the other hand…” SERIOUSLY??? We’ve just read about TWO different characters closely related to the main character whose lives have been ruined by rape and abuse and she’s actually CONSIDERING IT? Those few lines just dropped a couple of stars off this review.

The characters have also been grating on my nerves a lot by this point. After basically being described as a woman with man parts the majority of the novel, as soon as the romance part happens (and goes into full-fledged erotica mode for a few pages), he starts referring to what had previously been referred to as “love making” as “screwing” and even calls her a hussy and a bitch. Any respect I MIGHT have had for him up until this point was shot. Not to mention, after she’s just had her apartment broken into, he’s trying to get into her blouse during the cab to possibly confront the dangerous culprit who did it!

Basically, this was one sad disappointment from start to finish. My recommendation would be to save your money and, more importantly, your time.
Profile Image for Avry15.
194 reviews77 followers
March 23, 2012
originally appeared on:Bookshelf Confessions

Another angel book…I must say this one adds up to the humorous and a bit erotic shelf…it’s just a bit…:)

I love the story..oh..if guardian angels could really exist I bet I would ask for lovelife guidance too…

Here’s the summary:


It’s wonderful how the two bestfriends develop into something more…and I think this book advices readers to follow their heart…it also gives us the importance of loving your work not because other people want you to be in it…but because you really want it…

So you see Ms. Barbour is a writer of light, humorous love stories… Her stories grow in their own way and rooted its roots in the readers heart….I’m carried away again with love and laughter….

By the way, I like the ending full of mischief..wanna find out?...grab your own book then…:)

A fast read..so be ready to fall in love and let your guardian angel find you your perfect someone..:)
Profile Image for Cheryl M-M.
1,879 reviews54 followers
September 21, 2012
This is a story that readers of the romance genre will probably enjoy. It features a Guardian Angel, who is quite determined in her efforts to help the main character turn her life around and find love. It has some steamy scenes in it, but nothing over the top.
What I found interesting about the main female lead were the moments or traumatic experiences that molded her as a person. Without revealing a spoiler, I think that her reaction to the traumatic event was as if she had experienced it herself and the reader was expected to feel sympathy for her rather than the actual victim. I also felt that her persona was very spoilt and immature, especially when it came to dealing with the people in her life.
I think the author could have used the Guardian Angel a little more throughout the book, she seemed secondary to the plot, although the cover and title relay something else. I received a free copy of this book for my review.
Profile Image for Jerri Hines.
Author 43 books205 followers
November 13, 2011
Lovely read. Quite enjoyed my night last night curling up with a good book. My Cheeky Angel was the exact book I was in the mood for. I loved the way Ms Barbour drew me into the story. Her character, Annie, you have to love. Kind-hearted and under appreciated, Annie wants a change in her life. With the help of her guardian angel, she finally gains the confidence to make changes in her life. The only problem is her friend Tyler. He's not so sure he likes these changes. Love the way the story brings home the fact that a lot of times what you're looking for is right in front of you. Loved the book.
Profile Image for N.N. Heaven.
Author 6 books2,098 followers
July 20, 2017
I love anything dealing with angels and while I did like the premise of My Cheeky Angel, the feeling I got from reading it left me feeling... umm... bothered. Some dialogue is very sexist and unappealing. The focus on appearances left a bad taste in my mouth. I know the author is being cheeky but it didn't come across as humorous.

My Rating: 3 stars
Profile Image for Deborah Hughes.
Author 13 books147 followers
January 22, 2012
I bought this book because I enjoy stories involving friends who end up falling in love. I was not disappointed! The writing is wonderful. That's a plus these days as I've downloaded a few low-priced Kindle books that, despite the low price, weren't worth my time to finish reading because the writing wasn't up to par. I expect the books I read to be free of errors (an occasional one is forgivable), flows well and has progressive character development. This book delivered. I like a story that pulls you in and shows you the story in such a way that you become a participant. This book does that. It was like a "coming of age" (even though the character was nearing 30!) story which was rather fascinating to "watch". I liked seeing the heroine come into her own and learning the value of her self worth. I particularly enjoyed the developing relationship between the friends. The real issues of street gangs, drugs, and other harsh realities of life was handled well and made the story all that more intense. I read this all in one sitting which is nice because it seems I never have enough time to finish a book. This one is just the right length. I will definitely read more books by this author. So glad to find another author whose books I can download without the worry that they will be worth my money and my time!
Profile Image for Tina.
268 reviews17 followers
March 15, 2012
I received this book for free from the author with a request that I give an honest review. I wish we could do half stars, because I would really like to give this a 4.5. I really enjoyed reading this story. It is a nice contemporary romance with a guardian angel attached.

Annie is almost 30, she loves working at the day-care center, but she is not happy at this point in her life and she feels like she needs to leave before she hates it. There is definitely something missing in her life, so she finally decides she is going to start make big changes. This is when her guardian angel steps in to help her with the biggest decision she has ever made.

Tyler is her best friend, but she is also secretly in love with him. He has had many bad relationships and has decided he does not want to get involved with anyone. The problem is he is starting to realize his feeling are getting stronger for Annie and he doesn't know what to do about it.

Annie and Tyler have worked together to help problem teens make better choices and they spend a lot of time together when they are not working. They start growing apart as Annie's new job starts to take over her life. Can Annie and Tyler start spending time together again long enough to get past there insecurities to form a relationship that is more than friendship? You will have to read it to find out.
Profile Image for Donna (BLHmistress).
171 reviews85 followers
July 17, 2012
Here is another author I haven't heard of before until I bought my Kindle. I have to say I haven't read too many angel books which is surprising in itself really considering how much I love the paranormal. But let me say I am glad I pushed the buy button on this one.

Annie, who's life seems to be going nowhere then all of a sudden a guardian angel pops into her life literally to help her straighten or at least give her the courage to make some changes in her life. Tyler, her best buddy doesn't like the changes he is seeing. He wants his ole Annie back.

I really loved these characters, it was written so well I could connect with them almost immediately. Annie, she breaks out of her shell and makes the changes only to find maybe they weren't what she really wanted after all. Tyler, oh how I love him, though he didn't like what he saw from Annie he tried his might to support her.

There was a couple unexpected twists which I didn't see coming but that just made it better in my opinion. Overall this was a fun ride and I hope to continue it with the next book.
Profile Image for Redheaded Bookworm.
297 reviews28 followers
February 27, 2012
Great characters. I fell in love with Annie, Tyler and Hugo!
Annie is a tomboy who is unhappy leading the boring life of a daycare worker. The one bright spot in her life is her long time friend Tyler, who she secretly has a crush on, but since Tyler has been hurt many times, he has sworn off women. Which makes Annie perfect for a best friend. After having a little push from her guardian angel, Annie decides to make a career change, which in turn changes alot in her life. Annie soon sees that what would make her happy was in front of her all along.

The story was well written. Great character development. I gave this book 3 stars instead of 4 because there wasn't enough of the "angel" for me. From the title, I thought we would see more of her, but you only get a few sentences here and there. Still a good read!
Profile Image for Cat.
1,448 reviews13 followers
May 15, 2012
Wish I could give this 3.5 stars because it had a lot of unexpected elements.

Cons:
- didn't like the emphasis on products and make-up to make her "pretty." The author did acknowledge that the character is pretty, so I felt that it should have emphasized her confidence as radiating and making her beauty more obvious than buying expensive clothes and ridiculously high (impractical) stilettos.
- characters were almost TOO well-intentioned and good hearted; though I suppose that's why the main character gets a guardian angel.

Hesitations:
- main character was "meeeh" to me, but she improved a lot throughout the book (so I guess this is really a pro)

Pros:
- characters were mostly dynamic, flawed, and mostly realistic
- darker elements present (due to Ty's job and unforeseen circumstances)

Good, fairly dynamic read.
Profile Image for Ericka Spivey.
12 reviews2 followers
March 25, 2012
I really enjoyed My Cheeky Angel by Mimi Barbour. The beginning grabs you and pulls you in. Your rooting for Annie and Tyler to see whats there through the book. Annie was a lovely character, a woman who was struggling with who she was as a person. She felt trapped the way she was living and wanted a change. But as the saying goes, "the grass isn't always greener on the other side of the fence". Through her changes she realizes whats important to her and what she actually needs in her life. Tyler is every girls dream guy. The sweet best friend, the one who always calls you up to go out. But unrealized is how much each cares for the other. The other characters in this book are amazing. Mrs. Barbour did a wonderful job of introducing secondary characters and telling their stories. I am in love with several. This is definetly a book to read.
Profile Image for J.D..
Author 20 books136 followers
March 9, 2012
I absolutely loved this book. I couldn't stop grinning. This was my first Mimi Barbour book, but it won't be my last. I could so identify with the heroine, Annie, in her dull job, but one in which she totally excelled. When she was reaching her burnout point, her guardian angel, Celi kept throwing out all the signs that she needed to make a change. Her long time friend and crush, Tyler, has sworn off women after having his heart broken too many times. When she changes jobs and isn't as accessible to him, he suddenly starts to value Annie as a woman and not just a bud. This is a funny and sweet romance, but the story is complicated enough to keep you turning pages. Celi is one hilarious guardian angel.
Now to check out some more Mimi Barbour books.
Profile Image for Lorrie Schumacher.
42 reviews
August 8, 2012
I do not normally care for romance, but this was a very cute story. It was an easy read and I finished it quickly. People can change and it isn't as hard as they make it out to be. Sometimes the change is for the better and you become that new person. Sometimes you decide the change wasn't for you and you decide to return to who you were and when you return, you realize that you have learned so much and become so much more confident in your abilities.

Annie decides to change who she is....will the change be for the best or will she decide she liked her role in life just the way it was?

Celi (her guardian angel) helps her realize all of her choices and gives support along the way.

Hey Celi, can you help another girl out?

A great read you will enjoy.
Profile Image for Jenny Delandro.
1,910 reviews17 followers
July 22, 2012
This is the second in the 'Angels with Attitude' series that I have read and I will looking for more by Mimi B.

Annie is not satisfied with her life...
She is bullied into making changes in her life by her guardian angel.
Annie's best friend is afraid/dismayed by the changes she has decided she must do to get what she wants....
Then she discovers that what she really wants ... she already had!!
Best friend turns into husband/lover material

Basically, Celi (the guardian angel) makes Annie aware to what she has around her and not be constantly looking else where....

Some great moments
Profile Image for Jerrie Alexander.
Author 22 books362 followers
November 6, 2011
So far, I've not read a book by this author that I ddin't love. My Cheeky Angel is a warm story about Annie and Tyler and Celi. Annie's suffering from the desire to succeed at the corporate level while her heart wants to help people. Through out Annie's struggles to figure out what she wants and who she loves, Celi puts her two-cents worth in regularly.

It a heartwarming read, and I spent the entire day with Annie and Tyler.
99 reviews3 followers
August 27, 2016


I started reading My Cheeky Angel the other day and couldn't stop. Somewhere around 2:30 to 3:00 in the morning I finished it but it's been quite awhile since I stayed up because I just had to see what happened next.

I loved Annie and Ty along with their guardian angel, Celi. It was a nice twist to have an angel with a gravelly voice from smoking in place of some ethereal being who seems too perfect to have ever been an earth bound mortal.
>
Profile Image for Caitlin Theroux.
Author 2 books33 followers
July 6, 2016
In an attempt at words, Barbour scrabbles against stone and gravel, convinced that on this dirt she'll somehow find a nugget of contemporary romance gold. What she presents to us is a fossilized cat turd that makes light of rape, sketches unrealistic characters unfit to be breeding (let alone trying to be romantic), and writing that's as inconsistent as separated yogurt. Let this one alone, readers. Let it be.
Profile Image for Anna Markland.
Author 234 books252 followers
March 6, 2012
I really enjoyed this book. It's all about recognizing the value of something that's been there all along, but you just didn't see it. Don't we all need a push from our "cheeky" guardian angel now and again?
Barbour has created down to earth, believable characters in a heavenly book. My favourite Mimi Barbour novel.
Profile Image for Christine.
1,500 reviews41 followers
March 6, 2012
I wish I had a Guardian Angel like Annie did... Annie and Tyler were neighbors and friends who enjoyed hanging out. Till Annie had enough of her job and life. Enter the Guardian Angel, Celi. Helping Annie behind the scenes as she grew and accepted things around her.

A satisfying, heartwarming story that will make you believe.
Profile Image for JenniferJ.
704 reviews82 followers
February 25, 2013
A quick short story about Annie's guardian angel showing her it doesn't take much to make a change in her life because Annie has grown bored with herself and wants to find romance, only the guy she is interested in only wants to be friends because he has been hurt to much in past romantic relationships.

Really sweet story. Perfect to warm up to and cozy with on a cold brrrr filled evening!
Profile Image for Patricia Poupart.
33 reviews
October 7, 2012
A very enjoyable read! Being a part of the business world, I could associate with Annie's feelings about her job and how it can consume you if you're not careful. I really enjoyed the romantic teases and interludes Annie & Tyler shared! Looking forward to reading "His Devious Angel" next.
Profile Image for Robin.
46 reviews
September 19, 2012
Definitely a good read. The characters were well thought out. I could feel their pain and then happiness. I could relate. I had previously read "My Devious Angel" by the same author. I thoroughly enjoyed that one as well!
Profile Image for Amber.
38 reviews1 follower
May 13, 2012
I really dont have anything to complain about. ;-) Great story,great characters, i especially liked the ending (not sarcastic, i actually did). i know this review sucks, sorry about it
Profile Image for Patricia Mason.
Author 115 books124 followers
May 18, 2012
My Cheeky Angel grabs you with its quirky humor, wonderfully drawn characters and the heartfelt romance. A great start to the Angels with Attitudes Series. Fresh and Fun.
Profile Image for Christy Duvall.
11 reviews
August 3, 2012


I got this book for free from book rooster and did not expect too much. I was very pleasantly surprised. I was hooked to Annie and Tyler. Great story!!
Profile Image for Cheryl.
197 reviews8 followers
July 22, 2012
this was a cute fun easy book to read! it was enjoyable and great for summer!!
Profile Image for Debbie.
12 reviews
August 5, 2012
Definitely not a spine tingler, sit on the edge of my seat kind of book, but cute and easy to read.
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