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Perfect Trilogy #3
Too Perfect
Maddy, Christine, and Amy are thrilled that their old college suite-mate has written a bestselling book, How to Have the Perfect Life—until they realize she used them as examples of how women let fear screw up their lives. The worst part is...it's sort of true. Together they make a pact: each has one year to face down her fears—and maybe show Miss Perfect a thing or two.
The Wandering Duckling
Defying the terrible sense of direction that's kept her from traveling, Amy ships out as a nanny on a Caribbean cruise—-and promptly gets lost when they stop at St. Barts. Now she's stranded without any money—or even a toothbrush!
The Two-Faced Beast
Locals say that Gaspar, owner of the island's crumbling fortress, is a hideous recluse. They call him La Bête, "The Beast." But when Amy applies for a job at the fort, she meets only his charming assistant, Beaufort. In truth, the two are the same man-—billionaire Byron Parks, who's desperately seeking privacy and peace.
A Perfect Fairy Tale?
Amy aches for the miserable man secluded in the fortress tower. Through e-mail, they begin an imaginative exchange of romantic fantasies. Byron is hopelessly smitten with his sexy storyteller—but will his real-life make-believe ruin their happy ending?
The Wandering Duckling
Defying the terrible sense of direction that's kept her from traveling, Amy ships out as a nanny on a Caribbean cruise—-and promptly gets lost when they stop at St. Barts. Now she's stranded without any money—or even a toothbrush!
The Two-Faced Beast
Locals say that Gaspar, owner of the island's crumbling fortress, is a hideous recluse. They call him La Bête, "The Beast." But when Amy applies for a job at the fort, she meets only his charming assistant, Beaufort. In truth, the two are the same man-—billionaire Byron Parks, who's desperately seeking privacy and peace.
A Perfect Fairy Tale?
Amy aches for the miserable man secluded in the fortress tower. Through e-mail, they begin an imaginative exchange of romantic fantasies. Byron is hopelessly smitten with his sexy storyteller—but will his real-life make-believe ruin their happy ending?
320 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2005
83 people are currently reading
879 people want to read
About the author
Julie Ortolon
19 books550 followersMost authors will tell you they've been writing and reading since childhood. Not me. I hated reading and never imagined I'd someday be a writer. Of course, the fact that I have dyslexia probably has a tiny bit to do with my aversion to the written word.
Nonetheless, I had a very active imagination and spent most of my school years staring out the window dreaming up stories. When I finally escaped the torture of public school, I attended Schreiner College in the Texas Hill Country. Schreiner specializes in programs for students with learning disabilities. With the help of a school administrator, who was willing to type out one of my short stories, I entered a writing contest—won first place!
That was when I started longing for a way to get the other stories that were in my head down on paper. But the act of writing longhand, when I couldn't spell, could barely read, and knew zip about punctuation, proved impossible.
So, I became an artist instead—and was perfectly happy.
Then came the day my journalist husband brought home a computer, and I discovered the wonders of "spell check." I cannot describe how I felt in that moment. That computer was like a magic box—a gateway into a world where anything was possible. I spend every spare minute teaching myself to type, read, punctuate, and somehow get my stories out of my head and onto that glowing white screen.
Ten years, and five complete manuscripts later, I had another magical moment—the day I sold my first book. When I got the news I screamed and cried and made a perfectly ecstatic fool of myself.
The journey to becoming a published author was long and hard, but writing is the most thrilling thing I've ever done.
Nonetheless, I had a very active imagination and spent most of my school years staring out the window dreaming up stories. When I finally escaped the torture of public school, I attended Schreiner College in the Texas Hill Country. Schreiner specializes in programs for students with learning disabilities. With the help of a school administrator, who was willing to type out one of my short stories, I entered a writing contest—won first place!
That was when I started longing for a way to get the other stories that were in my head down on paper. But the act of writing longhand, when I couldn't spell, could barely read, and knew zip about punctuation, proved impossible.
So, I became an artist instead—and was perfectly happy.
Then came the day my journalist husband brought home a computer, and I discovered the wonders of "spell check." I cannot describe how I felt in that moment. That computer was like a magic box—a gateway into a world where anything was possible. I spend every spare minute teaching myself to type, read, punctuate, and somehow get my stories out of my head and onto that glowing white screen.
Ten years, and five complete manuscripts later, I had another magical moment—the day I sold my first book. When I got the news I screamed and cried and made a perfectly ecstatic fool of myself.
The journey to becoming a published author was long and hard, but writing is the most thrilling thing I've ever done.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 133 reviews
July 29, 2015
Before you start this book make sure you don't have anything "big" planned the next morning, because this is a book that you will not be able to put down.
I have enjoyed all of the books in this trilogy, but this book is simply in it's own league. I was hooked from the first sentence, took every chance I could get to read, and then was up till 2:00am finishing it.
I really don't know where to start, so I think I'll just tell you all the reasons I loved it so much! First, this is Amy's story. She is not drop dead gorgeous with a perfect body. She is insecure about herself and afraid of being out her comfort zone. She is sweet, sensitive, and someone I'd like to know. I loved this book because Amy seemed so real to me. Byron is gorgeous and your streotypical hero EXCEPT, he hates himself because of the shallowness of the celebrity world in which he lives and he himself embodies. I loved him! He goes on a personal journey of self discovery and realization of what matters in life. He loves Amy not for what she looks like, but for WHO she is. He's had all the most beautiful women in the world and he has found out that beauty is not enough to make up for a shallowness of spirit. Amy captivates him because she has so much depth of character. I believe that's what true romance is all about.
This is a story of a developing friendship between two individuals. It's about overcoming fear, taking risks, and falling in love with the most unlikely but PERFECT match of a mate. It's the most PERFECT fairytale spinoff of Beauty and the Beast that I've ever read. I really could go on and on.
This is a keeper for me, and one of the best beauty and the beast romances that I've ever read. Read the books in order if you can (1. Almost Perfect, 2. Just Perfect, 3. Too Perfect), understanding that this author truly saves the best for last.
I have enjoyed all of the books in this trilogy, but this book is simply in it's own league. I was hooked from the first sentence, took every chance I could get to read, and then was up till 2:00am finishing it.
I really don't know where to start, so I think I'll just tell you all the reasons I loved it so much! First, this is Amy's story. She is not drop dead gorgeous with a perfect body. She is insecure about herself and afraid of being out her comfort zone. She is sweet, sensitive, and someone I'd like to know. I loved this book because Amy seemed so real to me. Byron is gorgeous and your streotypical hero EXCEPT, he hates himself because of the shallowness of the celebrity world in which he lives and he himself embodies. I loved him! He goes on a personal journey of self discovery and realization of what matters in life. He loves Amy not for what she looks like, but for WHO she is. He's had all the most beautiful women in the world and he has found out that beauty is not enough to make up for a shallowness of spirit. Amy captivates him because she has so much depth of character. I believe that's what true romance is all about.
This is a story of a developing friendship between two individuals. It's about overcoming fear, taking risks, and falling in love with the most unlikely but PERFECT match of a mate. It's the most PERFECT fairytale spinoff of Beauty and the Beast that I've ever read. I really could go on and on.
This is a keeper for me, and one of the best beauty and the beast romances that I've ever read. Read the books in order if you can (1. Almost Perfect, 2. Just Perfect, 3. Too Perfect), understanding that this author truly saves the best for last.
September 19, 2012
After making a pact with her two best friends, Amy Pierce decides to face her fears and do something she’s always wanted to do – travel the world. Amy accepts a job as a “travelling nanny”, packs her bags and sets off for a two week cruise of the Caribbean. Trouble comes when Amy’s imagination gets the best of her and she finds herself stranded on an island watching the cruise ship sail away into the ocean with her credit cards and luggage on-board.
With practically no money, no belongings and no job, Amy has two options. She can:
1. Go back home with her tail between her legs or
2. Somehow manage to stick it out and complete the pact with her friends.
Amy lands a job as a housekeeper for a crumbling fortress that is currently undergoing renovations. Lance Beaufort, gorgeous assistant to the wealthy recluse who owns the fort, makes Amy uncomfortable with his stunning good looks but it’s with “la bete” aka. The Beast who owns the fortress that Amy finds herself undeniably attracted too… if only Amy knew that the two were one and the same – billionaire and Hollywood playboy, Byron Parks.
In many ways Too Perfect is the story of Cinderella meets Beauty and the Beast meets You’ve Got Mail and it’s a very sweet story. Amy has a heartbreaking back story and I felt like she truly deserved her happily ever after. She’s managed to overcome weight issues, the death of her mother at such a young age and a grandmother who loves her so much that she would sabotage Amy just to keep her close.
But this story was a little too unrealistically unbelievable for me to completely enjoy the story. There is no problem too large that a few pages cannot overcome – no job, no money, no visa, no problem. Amy manages to secure an amazing job for a man who wants his privacy with no background checks or anything. Amy managing to have a relationship and share a bed with a man for two weeks and not once seeing his face… it was a bit too farfetched for me to cope with.
I would have liked a little more explanation in between the end of the novel and the epilogue to show how Amy and Byron dealt with all of the issues that had not been dealt with.
Overall this is a very cute and fun albeit rather unbelievable read where the leads fell in love with the other not based on appearance but because of their minds and hearts.
With practically no money, no belongings and no job, Amy has two options. She can:
1. Go back home with her tail between her legs or
2. Somehow manage to stick it out and complete the pact with her friends.
Amy lands a job as a housekeeper for a crumbling fortress that is currently undergoing renovations. Lance Beaufort, gorgeous assistant to the wealthy recluse who owns the fort, makes Amy uncomfortable with his stunning good looks but it’s with “la bete” aka. The Beast who owns the fortress that Amy finds herself undeniably attracted too… if only Amy knew that the two were one and the same – billionaire and Hollywood playboy, Byron Parks.
In many ways Too Perfect is the story of Cinderella meets Beauty and the Beast meets You’ve Got Mail and it’s a very sweet story. Amy has a heartbreaking back story and I felt like she truly deserved her happily ever after. She’s managed to overcome weight issues, the death of her mother at such a young age and a grandmother who loves her so much that she would sabotage Amy just to keep her close.
But this story was a little too unrealistically unbelievable for me to completely enjoy the story. There is no problem too large that a few pages cannot overcome – no job, no money, no visa, no problem. Amy manages to secure an amazing job for a man who wants his privacy with no background checks or anything. Amy managing to have a relationship and share a bed with a man for two weeks and not once seeing his face… it was a bit too farfetched for me to cope with.
I would have liked a little more explanation in between the end of the novel and the epilogue to show how Amy and Byron dealt with all of the issues that had not been dealt with.
Overall this is a very cute and fun albeit rather unbelievable read where the leads fell in love with the other not based on appearance but because of their minds and hearts.
August 12, 2018
GOOD STORY. It's a little implausible that two characters can have sex so many times in the dark without her figuring out who he was and how he looked like. The main character went through an important issue of feeling guilt for taking care of their family members and living her life.
March 5, 2015
A beautiful combination of both " 2004's PHANTOM OF OPERA and modern take of ABC original 'BEAUTY AND THE BEAST" ..if u like either one of these , then u absolutely LOVE this one :)
RECOMMENDATION: Though i should warn u , that this book is so very,VERY chic-lite. There is absolutely no dark angst in their love..so if ur into Disney classic fairy tales..then this one is defiantly for u ;D
RECOMMENDATION: Though i should warn u , that this book is so very,VERY chic-lite. There is absolutely no dark angst in their love..so if ur into Disney classic fairy tales..then this one is defiantly for u ;D
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July 9, 20252025/26
A beauty and the beast retelling about two people mistaking self-love for only loving the best version of yourself. Complete with TWO makeover scenes, a phantom of the opera side plot and some hannah montana level of disguises.
No but seriously, the amount of times the author made the MMC think to himself that the FMC was ugly in a certain hairstyle or in certain clothing, and then tried to manipulate the reader into thinking it just means he is worried about her not "loving herself enough".............
A beauty and the beast retelling about two people mistaking self-love for only loving the best version of yourself. Complete with TWO makeover scenes, a phantom of the opera side plot and some hannah montana level of disguises.
No but seriously, the amount of times the author made the MMC think to himself that the FMC was ugly in a certain hairstyle or in certain clothing, and then tried to manipulate the reader into thinking it just means he is worried about her not "loving herself enough".............
August 15, 2011
I read a few books over vacation, and one of them was Too Perfect by Julie Ortolon. A formerly chubby slightly agoraphobic woman gets "stranded" on a tropical island and becomes a housekeeper for a reclusive man who refuses to be seen. Just to win a bet with her friends. Sure, that sounds....totally plausible. Anyhoo, the "recluse" is actually a big, jaded Hollywood star who is gorgeous and sexy. Since we can't have a frumpy, chubby girl get the hottie guy, said girl undergoes a transformation....transformation.....transformation...(imagine "Slim" from A Bug's Life is saying this part, which should be easy if you have kids and watched that movie 10 million times).
Needless to say, Chubby Girl gets a make-over by Hollywood Dude aka French Dude With A Fake Goatee aka The Recluse. Gone are the big, baggy clothes, replaced with bright colorful shirts with parrot motifs, chunky jewelry, and hair loosely piled on her head instead of pulled back in a tight bun. Because nothing says New And Improved Sexy Girl like a parrot motif.
(Yeah, I'm being sort of sarcastic here but as soon as I read "parrot motif" I got thrown out of the story.)
So, as I'm reading this, I'm thinking.....(A) Make-over books are sort of irritating, and (B) If I was getting a make-over and someone made me wear a shirt with effin parrots on it, I would be seriously pissed off, and (C) Why can't the chubby girl get the hottie guy?
There is something inherently romantic about a mousy little thing transformed into Cinderella for a night. But there is also something distressing about it, too. Can't a mousy little thing be beautiful, appealing, sexy, loved? Do we really need clunky jewelry or mascara for men to find us attractive? Who the hell finds parrots sexy? (Maybe a zookeeper or something?) The point is, I think the "make-over" theme in romance novels is pretty juvenile....it seems like the kind of thing a teenager would like. Teens, who spend millions of dollars on hair products and make-up and accessories and shoes with sparkles on them. I am hoping that adults have realized there are more important things than soft, wispy tendrils of hair falling seductively around one's face. And I would surely, surely hope that a hero would realize it, too. Even if the heroine is slightly chubby, or wears drab clothes, hopefully he could see past that and find her kind, generous, funny, sweet and lovely personality a big win. Because otherwise, he's looking pretty shallow.
The hero in this book is actually pretty cool. He does recognize that the heroine is genuine and wonderful, even without the bird-inspired apparel. As far as contemporary romance novels go, this is a cute book, although the make-over details were definitely overdone.
Grade: B+
This is the third book in a trilogy.
All my best,
Penelope
Needless to say, Chubby Girl gets a make-over by Hollywood Dude aka French Dude With A Fake Goatee aka The Recluse. Gone are the big, baggy clothes, replaced with bright colorful shirts with parrot motifs, chunky jewelry, and hair loosely piled on her head instead of pulled back in a tight bun. Because nothing says New And Improved Sexy Girl like a parrot motif.
(Yeah, I'm being sort of sarcastic here but as soon as I read "parrot motif" I got thrown out of the story.)
So, as I'm reading this, I'm thinking.....(A) Make-over books are sort of irritating, and (B) If I was getting a make-over and someone made me wear a shirt with effin parrots on it, I would be seriously pissed off, and (C) Why can't the chubby girl get the hottie guy?
There is something inherently romantic about a mousy little thing transformed into Cinderella for a night. But there is also something distressing about it, too. Can't a mousy little thing be beautiful, appealing, sexy, loved? Do we really need clunky jewelry or mascara for men to find us attractive? Who the hell finds parrots sexy? (Maybe a zookeeper or something?) The point is, I think the "make-over" theme in romance novels is pretty juvenile....it seems like the kind of thing a teenager would like. Teens, who spend millions of dollars on hair products and make-up and accessories and shoes with sparkles on them. I am hoping that adults have realized there are more important things than soft, wispy tendrils of hair falling seductively around one's face. And I would surely, surely hope that a hero would realize it, too. Even if the heroine is slightly chubby, or wears drab clothes, hopefully he could see past that and find her kind, generous, funny, sweet and lovely personality a big win. Because otherwise, he's looking pretty shallow.
The hero in this book is actually pretty cool. He does recognize that the heroine is genuine and wonderful, even without the bird-inspired apparel. As far as contemporary romance novels go, this is a cute book, although the make-over details were definitely overdone.
Grade: B+
This is the third book in a trilogy.
All my best,
Penelope
June 22, 2012
The last installment in Julie Ortolon's Perfect trilogy.
1 Byron Parks + 1 Lance Beaufort + 1 Guy Gaspar = 1 hunky man Amy Baker can't resist.
Amy Baker's challenge is to conquer her fear of traveling alone. She almost failed the challenge when she was left stranded on St. Bart's. Instead of going home with her tail tucked between her legs, she found a way to complete her challenge by taking a job as housekeeper for the mysterious Guy Gaspar. She meets Lance Beaufort, Monsieur Gaspar's assistant, who tells her that she is not allowed to see Monsieur Gaspar. In reality, Guy Gaspar and Lance Beaufort is just one man, Byron Parks who is Hollywood's most wanted and is on a self-imposed exile to avoid the paparazzi. Amy is the most nurturing and reserved of the three women, but working for the mysterious Monsieur Gaspar allowed her to explore the many facets of being a woman. Under the direction of Monsieur Gaspar, "Lance" took her shopping for new clothes - for a new Amy. Although I think that "parrot" fashion isn't exactly an upgrade.
Although this book is by far the most unrealistic installment, this is my favorite. Cinderella and Beauty and the Beast all in one book. Another fun & quick read, I didn't like the epilogue that much. It's too short. I can live with the unrealistic plot, this is fiction anyway but a better epilogue would have prompted me to give this book a better rating. Too Perfect is still highly-recommended for readers looking for a quick & mushy read.
1 Byron Parks + 1 Lance Beaufort + 1 Guy Gaspar = 1 hunky man Amy Baker can't resist.
Amy Baker's challenge is to conquer her fear of traveling alone. She almost failed the challenge when she was left stranded on St. Bart's. Instead of going home with her tail tucked between her legs, she found a way to complete her challenge by taking a job as housekeeper for the mysterious Guy Gaspar. She meets Lance Beaufort, Monsieur Gaspar's assistant, who tells her that she is not allowed to see Monsieur Gaspar. In reality, Guy Gaspar and Lance Beaufort is just one man, Byron Parks who is Hollywood's most wanted and is on a self-imposed exile to avoid the paparazzi. Amy is the most nurturing and reserved of the three women, but working for the mysterious Monsieur Gaspar allowed her to explore the many facets of being a woman. Under the direction of Monsieur Gaspar, "Lance" took her shopping for new clothes - for a new Amy. Although I think that "parrot" fashion isn't exactly an upgrade.
Although this book is by far the most unrealistic installment, this is my favorite. Cinderella and Beauty and the Beast all in one book. Another fun & quick read, I didn't like the epilogue that much. It's too short. I can live with the unrealistic plot, this is fiction anyway but a better epilogue would have prompted me to give this book a better rating. Too Perfect is still highly-recommended for readers looking for a quick & mushy read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 17, 2010
This was a nice conclusion to the trilogy. I felt that Amy was the character that I was most able to relate to, and her ability to get lost was charming and embarrassing at the same time. I felt her love and her heartbreak, just like I was supposed to. Although, I found the ending to be a bit predictable. I just knew that Byron was going to show up at her house during the bridal shower. I found myself waiting for him to make his appearance. I'm glad that they were able to overcome their differences and be together. And I'm very happy that Amy finally stood up to Meme so that she could have a life and not feel guilty about it. I love this author and I'm really looking forward to reading more of her work. I hope they are all as good as this series. Great characters. I'm glad that it wrapped up all of the stories too, with their one year wedding anniversaries. It was nice to know what happened after the happily ever after.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 8, 2016
"Too Perfect (Perfect Trilogy Book 3) by Julie Ortolon is a beautiful ending to her trilogy. When three friends meet in college and remain friends in life sometimes it is not comfortable to step outside your bubble. Amy Baker, the chubby friend, who recently lost more than 40 lbs. is afraid to step away from her homelife. It seems that everytime she is away from home something bad happens, and that started when she was a little girl. Her Grandmother comforted her with food and that became her crutch. When her two friends find love and decide to step outside their comfort zone Amy doesn't want to be the one left behind. Unfortunately that is what happens when the cruise ship she was on leaves port without her. What happens when she becomes a housekeeper to 'The Beast' is such a turn of events, and it ends up being for the better.
October 31, 2011
A good read. But then another lack of epilogue. How did the press take in Byron and Amy together? Was it a scandal for months or what? Did Meme finally accept Amy for what she was and stopped bringing her down? At least I was happy enough about Christine's continued "epilogue" in this book. I also liked the first anniversary gatherings. I did sense a pattern in each book, though. Like on each of the turning point fights each couple had, there was begging of please don't go, and the steamy scene afterwards. Blah. Sorry for being critical, it just left me with so many open spots to question. The ending just felt too rushed. Still, a good read. :P
July 24, 2015
This is one of the earliest romances I've read (in high school) - before I even knew what genre I was reading! Quite an enjoyable contemporary. I do hope Julie Ortolon writes more.
September 21, 2019
Apparently the 3rd in a trilogy, but understandable alone. Amy Baker normally runs a nanny service from her home in Austin, where she also cares for her grandmother. After an ex-roommate wrote a book about her and her 2 best friends/old roommates titled "How to Have a Perfect Life" - they were the bad examples, all three have faced their fears. Amy wants to travel and look nice, but grandma has belittled and trapped her until she becomes a cruise ship nanny for two weeks. When she gets lost in St. Bart's and misses her boat, she takes a job for "the beast" renovating the local castle, as his housekeeper. The beast is really Byron Parks - son of two celebrities - who's hiding out from Hollywood. The two hit it of, but she has no idea who he is behind his disguise. They become lovers and fall in love, but when she discovers who he really is, she takes off for home. Eventually she forgives and they marry at the same time as the friends.
October 19, 2017
Another one read years ago when I was a huge chick-lit fan & "Too Perfect" is certainly the book to read if you want some romantic fun - it fits the bill, well, perfectly!
Think of a cross between "Beauty & the Beast", "The Ugly Duckling" & "Pretty Woman" (well, one part reminded me of a scene from the film) & you'll get the general idea of this story. Amy falls in love with the mysterious Gaspar who is also not only masquerading as the handsome Lance, but is in fact a wealthy celebrity...just the sort of person Amy despises! So does everything end happy ever after....well, what do you think :o)
Think of a cross between "Beauty & the Beast", "The Ugly Duckling" & "Pretty Woman" (well, one part reminded me of a scene from the film) & you'll get the general idea of this story. Amy falls in love with the mysterious Gaspar who is also not only masquerading as the handsome Lance, but is in fact a wealthy celebrity...just the sort of person Amy despises! So does everything end happy ever after....well, what do you think :o)
June 11, 2021
Amy Baker gets stranded on the Caribbean island of St. Bart's when her cruise ship leaves without her. With no luggage, clothes, and very little money, Amy is tempted to cut her vacation short and return to Austin, Texas.
But Amy is determined to show her friends, Maddy and Christine, that she can conquer her fears of traveling alone. So she applies for a job as a housekeeper with a recluse known as "Gaspar." Gaspar has one major rule: Amy can never see his face, and may only communicate with him through his assistant, Lance Beaufort.
What Amy does not know is that neither Gaspar nor Lance are real...
But Amy is determined to show her friends, Maddy and Christine, that she can conquer her fears of traveling alone. So she applies for a job as a housekeeper with a recluse known as "Gaspar." Gaspar has one major rule: Amy can never see his face, and may only communicate with him through his assistant, Lance Beaufort.
What Amy does not know is that neither Gaspar nor Lance are real...
September 28, 2020
A great woven story, a take on Beauty and the Beast. Them being in bed for three weeks with her not figuring it out is a stretch but I like how they brought it back together. I love the epilogue and glimpses of Maddy and Christine's life this gives.
The story of a woman facing her fear of being confident who she was physically and breaking out of her shy shell. While a man figuring out ita okay to be who he is and not who he's expected to be.
The story of a woman facing her fear of being confident who she was physically and breaking out of her shy shell. While a man figuring out ita okay to be who he is and not who he's expected to be.
July 8, 2019
Terrific romance, a twist on, “Beauty and the Beast,” but the problems are on the inside not the outside. The story is on a tropical island that gives it a roguish feel to it. A lot of great moments that make one believe that anything is possible.
This is the first ebook series I ever read and I still love it. I wish there was more.
This is the first ebook series I ever read and I still love it. I wish there was more.
August 13, 2021
Loved all three books. I can usually tell you which relationship I enjoyed the most but, much like their weddings, it's a three-way tie. Byron's acting skills, her astonishment. Her disbelief, them calling her chunky in the magazines. Him showing up to propose, him pretending to be two different people. Why haven't you read this yet?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 23, 2023
This book is the weakest of the three. The author does mix it up a bit by having this main character, Amy, be different in appearance and personality from the other two. However, the storyline is a bit far-fetched for my taste.
The allure of the books fades considerably by this third attempt. I think the concept was great, but the execution didn't match up.
The allure of the books fades considerably by this third attempt. I think the concept was great, but the execution didn't match up.
May 25, 2018
Ok for the first two books irritating me half way through, I was skeptical about reading this but dang it ended up being one of my fave reads this year so far. Amy made me laugh her insecurities seemed so much more real then Maddy’s and Christine’s and much more relatable.
May 22, 2017
Oh dear. Simply a ridiculous premise.
May 7, 2018
Another great book in the series was a very good series
July 20, 2018
Sweet Read
This series was sweet and stories were easy to follow. Tied up everything with a cute bow. The writing was ok, just didn’t pull me in fully.
This series was sweet and stories were easy to follow. Tied up everything with a cute bow. The writing was ok, just didn’t pull me in fully.
April 13, 2021
Fun, light read.
December 10, 2023
Best one out of the series!
December 11, 2023
Pisut liiga jamavõitu sopakas.
December 19, 2015
First Thoughts:
I've recently begun re-reading books that I'd initially given four stars to, this entire series was it. I feel like it should have been obvious to me that they'd be demoted because of how picky I'd gotten in books. Romances hardly ever get a four from me because I feel like they're missing a plot element by just being a romance. That's the issue with this book, it's still pretty good hence the three stars but it's missing something to make it a four.
Edit:I've actually changed my mind. I suppose writing a review really makes you question what you do and don't like about a book as I continue writing, I've changed the review to a two stars but it's still my favourite. I suppose it makes me think of what it's lacking and I don't think that the book compares to my other three star books.
What Is It About:
The university flatmate of three women recently published a book on how to live a happy life. Unfortunately for them, she'd used their lives as examples of what not to do. On the day of her book signing, they all make a deal. Everyone of them will confront a fear as a way of both evolving themselves but also showing their former friend that she was wrong.
This book is about Amy, who's fear is way bigger than the other two. The simplest way to explain it is a fear to leave the house and travel. Her solution is to become a travelling nanny as she is the owner of the company. Unfortunately, she's fired and goes to walk it off. She ends up getting lost and the cruise ship, that the job was on, leaves without her. She needs to think quickly so she gets a job as a housekeeper and cook at a fortress. Her boss is a guy who hides within one of the towers and is nicknamed "The Beast", as in beauty and the beast. Her only link to him is his assistant.
Unknown to her, her new boss is actually the "King Midas" of Hollywood, Byron, who is hiding out from the media. It gets worse that he's also his own assistant with a fake beard, hair and fake French accent. As Amy grows closer and closer to both "The Beast" and his assistant, it becomes clear that Byron is in way above his head as his secret will probably ruin the love that they have for each other.
What I Liked and Didn't:
I do enjoy reading books with the whole mystery lover theme running through it, this does a pretty unique spin on that so that was fun to read. I did like Byron and the way that he tried Amy, like through the intercom and computer with their conversations. While I do like the whole "Beast"/Gasper thing, I don't completely like whole assistant Beaufort lying bit of it. I feel like that's too far into the lying identity thing. I'm not completely fond of Amy either. I feel like the three main woman are rather annoying. I know the whole curvy heroine thing is becoming more popular and that's great because it's the whole everyone's beautiful but I don't like it when it's repeatedly shoved in the readers face that she's curvy, she's dieting, she thinks she's fat and is insecure but everyone else just thinks that she's lush. It's become to bit a plot issue that it begins to annoy me any time it's mentioned. Also, the whole refusal to leave home; I completely get the anxiety but she's a grown adult and it just makes me think of her as a bit childish and pushing the blame on her Grandmother (even though about 75% of the blame is her Grandmothers, 25% is still her own). I must say that I did cringe when Byron and her were writing a story, I don't know why but it just made me think of her, again, as a bit childish. It's a great memory to have with your mother but it just seemed condescending when she did it with Byron.
Final Thoughts:
Wow, I feel like more negatives poured out of me then than I'd expected. I suppose it was just a good read so it's harder to pick out positives unless something completely sticks out in my brain. I did try for to be as positive as usual but the ball began to roll on the negative aspect. Would I recommend this? I know it doesn't really sound like it but yeah, it's only when I think long and hard about the book that I notice my annoyances. It was a good read initially. Will I be reading any more of Julie Ortolon's books? I'm not going to seek them out but if I run across them and the plot is decent, then I'm willing to give it a try because she is good at writing.
I've recently begun re-reading books that I'd initially given four stars to, this entire series was it. I feel like it should have been obvious to me that they'd be demoted because of how picky I'd gotten in books. Romances hardly ever get a four from me because I feel like they're missing a plot element by just being a romance. That's the issue with this book, it's still pretty good hence the three stars but it's missing something to make it a four.
Edit:I've actually changed my mind. I suppose writing a review really makes you question what you do and don't like about a book as I continue writing, I've changed the review to a two stars but it's still my favourite. I suppose it makes me think of what it's lacking and I don't think that the book compares to my other three star books.
What Is It About:
The university flatmate of three women recently published a book on how to live a happy life. Unfortunately for them, she'd used their lives as examples of what not to do. On the day of her book signing, they all make a deal. Everyone of them will confront a fear as a way of both evolving themselves but also showing their former friend that she was wrong.
This book is about Amy, who's fear is way bigger than the other two. The simplest way to explain it is a fear to leave the house and travel. Her solution is to become a travelling nanny as she is the owner of the company. Unfortunately, she's fired and goes to walk it off. She ends up getting lost and the cruise ship, that the job was on, leaves without her. She needs to think quickly so she gets a job as a housekeeper and cook at a fortress. Her boss is a guy who hides within one of the towers and is nicknamed "The Beast", as in beauty and the beast. Her only link to him is his assistant.
Unknown to her, her new boss is actually the "King Midas" of Hollywood, Byron, who is hiding out from the media. It gets worse that he's also his own assistant with a fake beard, hair and fake French accent. As Amy grows closer and closer to both "The Beast" and his assistant, it becomes clear that Byron is in way above his head as his secret will probably ruin the love that they have for each other.
What I Liked and Didn't:
I do enjoy reading books with the whole mystery lover theme running through it, this does a pretty unique spin on that so that was fun to read. I did like Byron and the way that he tried Amy, like through the intercom and computer with their conversations. While I do like the whole "Beast"/Gasper thing, I don't completely like whole assistant Beaufort lying bit of it. I feel like that's too far into the lying identity thing. I'm not completely fond of Amy either. I feel like the three main woman are rather annoying. I know the whole curvy heroine thing is becoming more popular and that's great because it's the whole everyone's beautiful but I don't like it when it's repeatedly shoved in the readers face that she's curvy, she's dieting, she thinks she's fat and is insecure but everyone else just thinks that she's lush. It's become to bit a plot issue that it begins to annoy me any time it's mentioned. Also, the whole refusal to leave home; I completely get the anxiety but she's a grown adult and it just makes me think of her as a bit childish and pushing the blame on her Grandmother (even though about 75% of the blame is her Grandmothers, 25% is still her own). I must say that I did cringe when Byron and her were writing a story, I don't know why but it just made me think of her, again, as a bit childish. It's a great memory to have with your mother but it just seemed condescending when she did it with Byron.
Final Thoughts:
Wow, I feel like more negatives poured out of me then than I'd expected. I suppose it was just a good read so it's harder to pick out positives unless something completely sticks out in my brain. I did try for to be as positive as usual but the ball began to roll on the negative aspect. Would I recommend this? I know it doesn't really sound like it but yeah, it's only when I think long and hard about the book that I notice my annoyances. It was a good read initially. Will I be reading any more of Julie Ortolon's books? I'm not going to seek them out but if I run across them and the plot is decent, then I'm willing to give it a try because she is good at writing.
July 24, 2014
Too Perfect is the third book in the Perfect trilogy by Julie Ortolon. I do believe it is the best of the three. I didn’t think it would be from the first chapter as it dragged a bit; but once Amy got the job as housekeeper, it just grabbed me and pulled me into the book. I could imagine the Fort on St. Barts and see the lush greenery of the garden. The description of the house and kitchen was fabulous. I could even imagine it taking place in the 1800’s instead of now.
Amy Baker is a shy, slightly overweight pretty girl who hides her assets behind unflattering hairstyles and baggy clothes. She runs Traveling Nannies in her hometown near Austin, Texas. She lives and works in the remodeled carriage house behind her Grandmother (Meme)’s house. Other than having gone away to college, she has never traveled except in the stories she and her mother used to make up. Then she and her two best friends made a bet to face their fears. Maddie’s is to become an known artist, Christine’s is to overcome her fear of heights and go up on the ski lift with her brother to beat him skiing, and Amy’s is to travel somewhere on her own and manage to get back home. Amy has no sense of direction and easily gets lost. She takes a traveling Nanny job with grandparents who are taking their grandchildren on a cruise. Amy takes them swimming on St. Barts and returns them to the ship late. Since this isn’t the first problem, she is fired. Amy runs off in embarrassment and gets lost. She misses the ship and is stranded on St. Barts with very little money and nothing else. She manages to get her luggage packed up and shipped home from the cruise and gets her passport straightened out. Now she just has to get home. Instead of going directly home and not finishing her bet, she decides to get a job as housekeeper to a man who lives in “The Fort”. She will work for two weeks then hand in her two weeks’ notice and go home in four weeks. Meanwhile she checks up on her friends and grandmother by email.
Lance Beaufort hires her as housekeeper for Guy Gaspar. Her duties are to provide three meals a day and keep the house clean or as clean as possible while remodeling is going on. She is to put Guy’s meals in a dumbwaiter and then leave him alone. She is not to try to see Guy as he wants to be left alone. After a while, she manages to get Guy to eat dinner with her but she still doesn’t see him. As Guy and Lance help Amy come out of her shell and become the beautiful woman they see inside her, Amy comes to realize something is wrong. What secret are the two of them hiding? What will the cost be to Amy?
Amy Baker is a shy, slightly overweight pretty girl who hides her assets behind unflattering hairstyles and baggy clothes. She runs Traveling Nannies in her hometown near Austin, Texas. She lives and works in the remodeled carriage house behind her Grandmother (Meme)’s house. Other than having gone away to college, she has never traveled except in the stories she and her mother used to make up. Then she and her two best friends made a bet to face their fears. Maddie’s is to become an known artist, Christine’s is to overcome her fear of heights and go up on the ski lift with her brother to beat him skiing, and Amy’s is to travel somewhere on her own and manage to get back home. Amy has no sense of direction and easily gets lost. She takes a traveling Nanny job with grandparents who are taking their grandchildren on a cruise. Amy takes them swimming on St. Barts and returns them to the ship late. Since this isn’t the first problem, she is fired. Amy runs off in embarrassment and gets lost. She misses the ship and is stranded on St. Barts with very little money and nothing else. She manages to get her luggage packed up and shipped home from the cruise and gets her passport straightened out. Now she just has to get home. Instead of going directly home and not finishing her bet, she decides to get a job as housekeeper to a man who lives in “The Fort”. She will work for two weeks then hand in her two weeks’ notice and go home in four weeks. Meanwhile she checks up on her friends and grandmother by email.
Lance Beaufort hires her as housekeeper for Guy Gaspar. Her duties are to provide three meals a day and keep the house clean or as clean as possible while remodeling is going on. She is to put Guy’s meals in a dumbwaiter and then leave him alone. She is not to try to see Guy as he wants to be left alone. After a while, she manages to get Guy to eat dinner with her but she still doesn’t see him. As Guy and Lance help Amy come out of her shell and become the beautiful woman they see inside her, Amy comes to realize something is wrong. What secret are the two of them hiding? What will the cost be to Amy?
October 3, 2014
Check out my other listens at Eargasms Audiobook Reviews
Last book in the trilogy, I loved these characters from the first book to this one. Amy is very endearing and I Was more than ready for her story. It was not what I expected at all.
As per the trend in the series, Jane had it all wrong about what Amy feared. And yes, once again, her fears stemmed from her family. I really liked seeing her grow and strengthen throughout the book. Glad she picked up that backbone while on vacation.
I was not exactly happy with her low self-esteem, but after considering it, I realized it was important to her growth in the story. This is why I like her much better in the end than the begining.
I am torn on the whole Lance/Guy/Byron thing. He had moments where I liked him but most of the time I found him to be just as she first described him, shallow and jaded. I wanted more growth from his character.
The romance is sweet and steady but the feelings are hard to swallow. Mostly because we were told about the interactions and relationship building rather than seeing it happen. I need to read those dinner chats to be able to see them connecting. I saw more of it in the computer chats and emails. I just could have used more, especially in the end when they had so much to work out.
The steam is like the other books, slightly naughty but just short of erotic detail. An open bedroom door but lighter steam. Yummy in it's own way.
The book is a mixed narrative, going back and forth between the two lead POV. This goes a long way in making you like Byron and understanding Amy's issues. I really liked the whole dynamic they had.
I listened to the audiobooks narrated by Jane Cramer, who is lovely as always. She has a terrific pace that helps move the book along. Her voices are consistent and distinct throughout the read. I love the way she makes Amy come to life and brings new levels to her character. She even has a nice gruffness to Byron's read!
Overall, this has been a lovely series. Each story was entertaining and flowed beautifully. I loved the end, of course the Epilogue would bring us up to date on all the couples!! I did hope they would find Jane to be far from perfect, but alas, that was not to be! This is a delightful trilogy that had heart and humor. I am definitely going to watch for more of Ms Ortolon! She does wonderfully light and feisty romances!
Disclosure - I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts, opinions and ratings are my own.
Last book in the trilogy, I loved these characters from the first book to this one. Amy is very endearing and I Was more than ready for her story. It was not what I expected at all.
As per the trend in the series, Jane had it all wrong about what Amy feared. And yes, once again, her fears stemmed from her family. I really liked seeing her grow and strengthen throughout the book. Glad she picked up that backbone while on vacation.
I was not exactly happy with her low self-esteem, but after considering it, I realized it was important to her growth in the story. This is why I like her much better in the end than the begining.
I am torn on the whole Lance/Guy/Byron thing. He had moments where I liked him but most of the time I found him to be just as she first described him, shallow and jaded. I wanted more growth from his character.
The romance is sweet and steady but the feelings are hard to swallow. Mostly because we were told about the interactions and relationship building rather than seeing it happen. I need to read those dinner chats to be able to see them connecting. I saw more of it in the computer chats and emails. I just could have used more, especially in the end when they had so much to work out.
The steam is like the other books, slightly naughty but just short of erotic detail. An open bedroom door but lighter steam. Yummy in it's own way.
The book is a mixed narrative, going back and forth between the two lead POV. This goes a long way in making you like Byron and understanding Amy's issues. I really liked the whole dynamic they had.
I listened to the audiobooks narrated by Jane Cramer, who is lovely as always. She has a terrific pace that helps move the book along. Her voices are consistent and distinct throughout the read. I love the way she makes Amy come to life and brings new levels to her character. She even has a nice gruffness to Byron's read!
Overall, this has been a lovely series. Each story was entertaining and flowed beautifully. I loved the end, of course the Epilogue would bring us up to date on all the couples!! I did hope they would find Jane to be far from perfect, but alas, that was not to be! This is a delightful trilogy that had heart and humor. I am definitely going to watch for more of Ms Ortolon! She does wonderfully light and feisty romances!
Disclosure - I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts, opinions and ratings are my own.
August 1, 2012
In the trilogy, I think this was the instalment I liked the least. It still makes for a nice and pleasant reading, but not so comforting as the first two I thought, probably because a few things irked me and did not seem realistic enough.
First : the heroine, Amy, was extremely highly insecure about herself, physically speaking as well as emotionally. She's been overweight for a very long time (from 10 till 30 approximately), then took herself back in control, lost 40 pounds, managed to do enough sport to tone all that but however still sees herself as fat and flabby everywhere. She's been manipulated by her grandma her whole life, partly knew it but has never tried to do anything about it.
Then she met these 2 nice guys : the recluse hiding in his tower, Guy, and his secretary, Lance (in fact the same but disguised). She opened to them and very soon gave lot of secrets, lots of information, well lot of herself to Guy during their dinner at night, while I had the feeling he gave almost nothing back regarding himself. Of course he helped her build back her confidence, which was nicely done by the way, however I did not have a feeling that their relationship was balanced at all. And hearing Amy trying to make him accept his appearance, while in fact he was all along the most perfect hunk ever, made me cringe. On the inside, he did not like himself and I'm not sure I did either but what's worse is I'm not sure I liked him more at the end of the book.
So of course when realization comes about who Guy/Lance really is, Amy feels bad. And I did not like the way he behaved at that time and how we only got a very short glimpse of how they tackled their differences and adjusted to their new life.
Last detail that I positively hated : a few sentences in French are included, most of them largely incorrect. And none of the French names are realistic. I'd say the chances meeting someone named Lance or Fantina are probably higher in the US than in France.
I guess that would make it a 2.5
First : the heroine, Amy, was extremely highly insecure about herself, physically speaking as well as emotionally. She's been overweight for a very long time (from 10 till 30 approximately), then took herself back in control, lost 40 pounds, managed to do enough sport to tone all that but however still sees herself as fat and flabby everywhere. She's been manipulated by her grandma her whole life, partly knew it but has never tried to do anything about it.
Then she met these 2 nice guys : the recluse hiding in his tower, Guy, and his secretary, Lance (in fact the same but disguised). She opened to them and very soon gave lot of secrets, lots of information, well lot of herself to Guy during their dinner at night, while I had the feeling he gave almost nothing back regarding himself. Of course he helped her build back her confidence, which was nicely done by the way, however I did not have a feeling that their relationship was balanced at all. And hearing Amy trying to make him accept his appearance, while in fact he was all along the most perfect hunk ever, made me cringe. On the inside, he did not like himself and I'm not sure I did either but what's worse is I'm not sure I liked him more at the end of the book.
So of course when realization comes about who Guy/Lance really is, Amy feels bad. And I did not like the way he behaved at that time and how we only got a very short glimpse of how they tackled their differences and adjusted to their new life.
Last detail that I positively hated : a few sentences in French are included, most of them largely incorrect. And none of the French names are realistic. I'd say the chances meeting someone named Lance or Fantina are probably higher in the US than in France.
I guess that would make it a 2.5
March 9, 2013
When I read Just Perfect & Almost Perfect, I was not blown away but these books did perk my curiosity about Amy Baker's story. And I am so glad I read this book - it was the best modern rendition of the Beauty & the Beast tale.
Amy Baker is stuck on an island when she misses her cruise - penniless and possession-less. She wants so badly to go home, but she doesn't want to lose her bet and prove herself to be a loser. So putting on her girl panties, she takes up the post of housekeeper at a fort on the island. There, she meets Lance Beaufort - a happy-go-lucky employee of the Beast in the tower - Guy Gaspard. Even with the hunky Lance prancing around, Amy's heart goes to the "supposedly" disfigured guy in the tower. Of course, neither Lance nor Guy are who they say they are. They're both one and the same - Byron Parks. Hollywood producer and playboy, who's hiding out from the public eye after his much publicized breakup with America's sweetheart.
Amy is so likeable as a heroine - she's insecure, but it is so heartening to see her overcome her insecurities, come out of her shell and dare to love a man who won't show his face. Byron Parks is one of the best heroes ever. He's not a jerk, he doesn't mistreat Amy in either of his avatars - as a lot of romance heroes tend to do. He simply loves her for who she is, even when he's just hiding in his tower as Guy and doesn't want to lead her on to fall in love with a man who doesn't exist. She does leave him (as in Beauty & the Beast), but the ending is beyond romantic! Not a book to miss.
Amy Baker is stuck on an island when she misses her cruise - penniless and possession-less. She wants so badly to go home, but she doesn't want to lose her bet and prove herself to be a loser. So putting on her girl panties, she takes up the post of housekeeper at a fort on the island. There, she meets Lance Beaufort - a happy-go-lucky employee of the Beast in the tower - Guy Gaspard. Even with the hunky Lance prancing around, Amy's heart goes to the "supposedly" disfigured guy in the tower. Of course, neither Lance nor Guy are who they say they are. They're both one and the same - Byron Parks. Hollywood producer and playboy, who's hiding out from the public eye after his much publicized breakup with America's sweetheart.
Amy is so likeable as a heroine - she's insecure, but it is so heartening to see her overcome her insecurities, come out of her shell and dare to love a man who won't show his face. Byron Parks is one of the best heroes ever. He's not a jerk, he doesn't mistreat Amy in either of his avatars - as a lot of romance heroes tend to do. He simply loves her for who she is, even when he's just hiding in his tower as Guy and doesn't want to lead her on to fall in love with a man who doesn't exist. She does leave him (as in Beauty & the Beast), but the ending is beyond romantic! Not a book to miss.
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