《在晴朗的日子分手》- 陈德贤 (Breaking Up on a Sunny Day by Chan Takyin)

ISBN-13: 9789881753267

Publisher: 天苑文化

Published: 2008

Format: Paperback, 228pp

Source: Author

《在晴朗的日子分手》除了讲述男女之间的爱情故事以外，其实它也包含了亲情，以及一个关于气味和味道的故事。

女主角蓝莉喜欢穿Lolita style的服饰；为了喜爱的服饰她在一家化妆品牌柜台当推销员。除了推销产品，她的梦想就是到英国念化妆课程。自小她就恋上了一种气味； 这个气味使她联想到父亲的气味。虽然她不知道她的亲生父亲是谁，但是她在母亲接客的大多数男人中都嗅到了这个气味，所以就认定了它就是父亲的味道。

另一位女主角尤儿则喜欢吃蛋糕和甜点。除了爱吃，她更喜欢做甜点。自小因一场无情的车祸而丧失了母亲；她最难忘的事情便是当天和母亲到一家酒店品尝一块蛋糕。对她来说，那是件最幸福不过的事。从此她就一直在寻找记忆中那幸福的味道。

男主角林正 (注: 因为是繁体版，读者不知怎么拼男主角的名字。既然他的名字有个‘正’字在下，所以就干脆叫他‘林正’了。) 的职业是名小提琴和钢琴教师。为了这份工作，他不惜劳累奔波到学生们的住家教课。他在一次偶然中遇见了蓝莉，而蓝莉因他的气味而恋上了他。两人就这样顺其自然地走在一起。

尤儿为了自力更生而搬离住家出来租房子。可以说是种缘分吧，尤儿看了蓝莉的租赁广告后就这样地搬进了蓝莉家，成了她的室友。两人的感情本来融洽，但慢慢地她们的感情因林正而起了变化。爱情可以令热恋中的情侣快乐，但它其实也可以带给一对恋人痛苦，例如说对爱情的不安和缺乏信任。而蓝莉就是这个例子。但一个人很爱一个人时，自然而然地他/她很在乎对方，有时候甚至超乎了极限。要取得平衡，谈何容易。

林正本来对尤儿没什么特别的感觉，但他发现和尤儿在一起的时候那种感觉很自在，没有一点儿的压迫感。而且，尤儿对以后的事不抱太多的假想，一切凭感觉和自己快乐而去做每件事。但这并不意味着她对林正的感觉是草率的。她其实也对这份感情付出过的。

三人的感情纠纷，就围绕在寻找气味和味道之间。爱情是什么？幸福又是什么？我想，我在读完这本书后已大概有了答案。与其说是答案，不如说我对爱情和幸福有了更深一层的了解；原来这两者并不是我们想象中的那么复杂和难以追寻。

It has been a while since I read a Chinese novel, thus when the author contacted me and asked if I wanted to do a review for her two books, I said yes and on top of that, I was intrigued by the blurbs.

Though Breaking Up on a Sunny Day is a romance, there is also a theme between a mother and daughter relationship, and a story about scent and taste (read further and you’ll know why).

Lan Li has a passion for Lolita fashion. In fact, she loves them so much so that she joined a cosmetics brand which has the same style for their uniforms. Aside from this passion, her dream is to visit England and to pursue studies on makeup and cosmetics there. Since she was a child, she had a liking for one particular scent; this scent reminds her of her father though she has no idea who her father is. Many men who came to look for her mother shared this same scent and thereafter she would link this scent to her father as it always make her think about him.

You Er, on the other hand, has a passion for cakes and desserts. Not only she has a passion for those, but she loves making cakes and desserts too. One of her most unforgettable moments from childhood is having tea at a hotel with her mother and they were both sharing a pot of tea and a slice of cake. Unfortunately, her mother died in an automobile accident right after they left the hotel. Her mother’s death shattered her and through memories she vows to find that happiness she had had with her mother.

Lin Zheng, the hero in this story, is a teacher who teaches violin and piano. He would travel around Hong Kong to conduct lessons at his students’ home and though the job is hectic at times, he is quite satisfied and happy with his life. He and Lan Li met each other during a chance encounter and it is through him that Lan Li has found the scent that she has been looking for all this while (Lin Zheng would help out at his father’s barber’s shop at times). Needless to say, they fell in love shortly after.

You Er moved out from her father’s house to find freedom and independence. Through an advertisement, she rented a room from Lan Li and they became good friends. However, their relationship changed after You Er met Lin Zheng .

You Er didn’t mean to fall in love with Lin Zheng initially, and likewise Lin Zheng has no special feelings towards You Er, but after the time they have been together as friends their relationship started to blossom. Although Lin Zheng loves Lan Li, he finds he is more at ease with You Er as compared to the woman whom he thinks he is in love with.

Breaking Up on a Sunny Day tells a bittersweet love story between three people and lead readers to wonder about the complexity (and simplicity?) of love. Through the thoughts and behaviours of these three characters, this story highlighted the feelings and the dilemmas many couples face when they are in a relationship, e.g. if you love a person, how do you ensure that the love and attention you are giving to the other party is just right and not overwhelming? Is it even possible to create a balance and find the happiness that you want? Perhaps. But I have to say I have a better understanding of love and happiness after reading this book, and I think maybe those two aren’t as complicated and hard to achieve as we have thought.

Just the Sexiest Man Alive by Julie James

ISBN-13: 9780425224205
Publisher: Penguin Group (USA)
Published: October 2008
320 pgs
Source: Personal Library

I came across Julie James’ second book, Practice Makes Perfect, last year and loved it (my review here). At that time, I thought that was Julie’s debut novel, not knowing that Just the Sexiest Man Alive is actually the one. Anyway, given the fact that I haven’t been reading a contemporary romance for a while, I decided that Just the Sexiest Man Alive would be my next read.

Taylor Donovan, the heroine of the book, is a brilliant lawyer and she is very much confident that the current sexual harassment case she’s undertaking would be a winner. She took pride in her job, thus when her superior assigns her to coach Jason Andrews, People’s Sexist Man Alive, for his role in his next blockbuster legal thriller, she isn’t too thrilled herself. She thought she has better cases to work on instead of helping him to prep for the courtroom drama for his movie; and it doesn’t faze her even if Jason happens to be the hottest Hollywood heartthrob and not to mention a very good-looking man too.

When Taylor and Jason first met each other, sparks fly but it wasn’t the love-at-first-sight kind given that Jason has left a bad impression on her when he didn’t show up for their first meeting. Jason, on the other hand, finds her intriguing for he has never met any woman like her especially when she didn’t appear to be smitten by his charms, unlike the other women he met and dated. As they began to work together and seeing more of each other, they see something in each other in which they have never seen before but then is it too much to ask for love and commitment from a famous celebrity?

I’ve to say Just the Sexiest Man Alive was an entertaining read and while I very much enjoyed reading Practice Makes Perfect, I find this novel paled in comparison with the former though Julie James maintains her witty prose which I find a delight to read. However, I was not so impressed with the hero as I find him immature at times, and some of his behaviour just irked me though I knew they are intentional implemented by the author. Taylor, on the other hand, impressed me a lot and I simply liked her principles and the way she handles things. All in all, Just the Sexiest Man Alive was just an OK read to me. There are a few clichéd moments but suffice it to say they are enough to capture my attention.

Practice Makes Perfect by Julie James

ISBN-13: 9780425226742
Publisher: Penguin Group (USA)
Published: March 2009
304 pgs
Source: Personal Library

I have to confess that the main reason I picked up this book was due to my addiction to a drama serial I watched lately, in which it featured a charismatic lawyer who had lost his memory due to a brain surgery and how fate has brought him and his ex-girlfriend back together again. Though this book has nothing to do with that show, the hero in this book was a lawyer too and on top of that, I have read a few rave reviews of it which are enough to pique my curiosity.

Anyway, Practice Makes Perfect was a fun and entertaining read. Packed with witty dialogues and with a theme surrounding the battle between the sexes, this story is about two talented and ambitious lawyers who managed to find love in each other despite their differences and through some ordeals they encountered.

What I enjoyed about reading this book is the clash between the protagonists; Payton Kendall is a feminist at heart while J.D. Jameson is a cocky hero who thinks he has it all. It is no wonder that they could not see eye to eye with each other; and the most interesting part is where they are to compete with each other for the role of partner at the firm but what they did not realise is that despite all the competitions their feelings for each other have already taken shape right from the beginning they have set eyes on each other. Though I liked the idea that they are more or less attracted towards each other earlier (never mind if there is any misunderstanding issue or whatsoever), I have to say it might make the story more intense and interesting if they are portrayed as a pair of bitter rivals and nothing more as I would like to know how they would resolve their differences and all.

My views aside, I have to admit I had great admiration in Payton because of the way she handles things well in a calm and professional manner, and not because of her role as a lawyer but more of how she could manage to turn things around during an awkward situation (readers who have read this book about the court scene would be able to get what I meant). As for J.D. Jameson, the feminist in me cheered when I learnt that he did show remorse after all the things he had done to Payton earlier, and vice versa. All in all, I enjoyed reading this book. It made me laugh and think that opposite attraction does work. After all, there are no rules when it comes to the laws of attraction, and I couldn't agree more with that.

Other reviews:
Angieville
Babbling About Books, and More
Books Lists Life
Dear Author
The Raving Readers
(Let me know if I missed yours.)

Tangled Lies by Anne Stuart

ISBN: 9780373200016
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: March 2009
256 pgs



Rachel Chandler has not seen her brother, Emmett, for fifteen years. Not after he appeared to be involved with a radical group of protesters and that the bomb had accidentally killed several people, including his girlfriend. And for these fifteen years, no one seemed to have heard of him but deep in Rachel's heart she knew he is very much alive since she always receive a package on her birthday every year from him. But she could never guess where he is because every year the package is post marked from a different country.

However, that does not stop Rachel from finding her brother so she decided to look for him in Hawaii since he was last heard to be in that place. Despite her fear of flying, she gritted her teeth and went through her ordeal, but with the help of a little diversion from a friendly priest who first struck a conversation with her.

Just as she is anxious and thrilled to meet Emmett again, she is somewhat intrigued by the man because he does not seem to be the same Emmett whom she has grown up with. He appeared to be tougher and meaner, but Rachel thought this has got to do with the missing years that had torn them apart from each other. And another thing that troubled Rachel is, Emmett seemed to be giving her the warm and cold treatments at times and she fears he is not the real Emmett but an impostor who is out to get the trust which was left for the real Emmett after their parents had passed away when they were younger.

On the other hand, "Emmett" definitely has an agenda in mind but he does not expect the man's sister would be there to complicate things for him. Yet everytime he wanted to push her away, the deeper he find himself entangled in the web of lies and he is not sure if he should keep her with him or just send her away.

Tangled Lies is one of Anne Stuart's older works and I am very glad that this book is reissued as part of Harlequin's 60th Anniversary celebration. Being a fan of Anne Stuart and having read several of her novels, I am always in awe of her ability of creating a dark hero whom I am sure most readers would not consider one to be due to his 'extraordinary' position, be it a hitman or a cult leader (just to name a few) but yet she managed to tempt us into liking the hero and send us a few surprises along the reading journey. Tangled Lies is one of them and I loved it that there are enough sizzling romance and suspense that had me enthralled from the beginning till the end.

I also want to thank Alice and Julia for reading this book together with me. It was a blast reading with you both (as usual) and thank you for waiting on me at one time when I was behind my reading schedule. I am definitely looking forward to more of our joint-reading sessions in the near future.

Her Real-Life Hero

ISBN-10: 026384210X
Publisher: Harlequin Mills & Boon
Published: 2005
187 pgs

Tara Devlin likes men to be tall, dark and good looking, but most of all she likes them fictional. For you see, she is a writer and moreover she does not think men with the above qualities would happen in reality anyway. Until her sexy neighbour moves right next to her.

Jack Lewis' Jeep has broken down and he is in need of a mechanic. Having just moved into his house and without any telephone connection, he thought his neighbour would be able to help with his difficulties but he was dead wrong. Not only did his neighbour proves to be not trusting, but she even accuses him of imposing as her hero as it happens that he and her fictional hero shared the same name!

Tara thought it was a joke initially, but it proves not when she realizes Jack and hre fictional Jack have too many similiar concidences. But what infuriates her further is his flirtatious attitude and his charm that seems to affecting on most women, including herself even though she does not want to admit it. Although she finds his annoying, she could not help notice him and how he manages to evoke the emotions she feels about him the more they are seeing and understanding each other. She could not imagine and believing herself about liking him until it happens. And then she would realize that the Jack in reality is nothing like her fictional Jack after all.

Her Real-Life Hero is a fun read. It is a heartwarming love story about two different people falling in love. Although there is nothing complicated about the plots, what I liked most about this story is the characters and the dialogues that had me smiling and chuckling. This book is a good read if you want something light and entertaining.

Christmas Getaway

ISBN-13: 9780373837298
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: November 2008
282 pgs

From the backcover:

Take Eloise. First she's kidnapped by Santa, and now she's camping out in an abandoned lighthouse with the most infuriatingly intoxicating cop she's ever met. Is she sleeping with the enemy…or the man destined to make her Mrs. Claus?

Meanwhile Jean is abducted to a remote ranch, stuck teaching a handsome Texas Ranger how to enjoy a little sensual Christmas cheer.

And Molly? Her nuptials are shot up and her fiancé's a no-show, but when she arrives at a supposedly private Australian hideaway to recoup, she's not alone… and the heat is enough to melt the mere memory of a white Christmas.

Three women, connected by friendship and fate, are taking cover…with men sexy enough to unwrap!

Claus and Effect by Anne Stuart

Boston Police officer James "Fitz" Fitzpatrick is on the run after he has shot another cop out of defense. His ex-partner, Barber was involved in covering up a multimillion-dollar jewel robbery and he and the others have every intention of getting rid of Fitz. Fitz thought Dr. Eloise Pollar will provide all the answers to the mess he had stumbled into, after all he has seen her attending to Erica's funeral, whom he believed Erica and her husband were both dead due to the connection of the robbery case.

Meanwhile, Eloise is busily preparing for her wedding to Richard and having her wedding dress altered at a mall when there is an emergency evacuation. During the chaos, someone dressed as Santa abducts her. Eloise did not think it is funny to be abducted by Santa, but after she found out he was shot and apparently on the run, she stayed with him despite the danger. After all, she is a doctor and making sure her patients are well and alive is her job. Although she did manage to help Fitz about his gunshot wounds, but could she help herself from falling in love with him?

Caught at Christmas by Tina Leonard

Librarian Jean Norville is the maid of honor of Molly, her best friend's marriage at the Southfork Texas Wedding Chapel. However, chaos broke when shots are fired and everyone scrambled for safety. It seems that the Boston's IA Department is investigating the possibility that Connor O'Bannion, Molly's husband-to-be, and the other cop and a few other bad cops got wind of a diamond theft and in the takedown killed the real thief and kept the stones for themselves. Molly's handsome brother, Sam Broadbent who is a Texas Ranger offers to protect Jean and leads her away from the chaotic scene. Jean does not need any help from anyone but Sam thinks otherwise, not after she has accidentally walked into O'Bannion heated telephone coversation with someone.

They then meets Len Hughes, a helpful trucker after their car's tyre had been hit and he gives them a ride and offer an accommodation at his cabin. Jean could run away from whoever someone who is after her but could she run away from a sexy ranger like Sam, after all the attraction they have for each other?

Candy Canes and Crossfire by Marion Lennox

Sam Broadbent's sister, Molly is getting all ready for her marriage to Connor O'Bannion at the Southfork Texas Wedding Chapel but unfortunately, her wedding ceremony is disrupted by gunfire. In truth, Molly could see little point to this wedding. Although she and O'Bannion had been together for three years, she felt she knew very little of him except that he is a cop with the Boston P.D., and that they have to get married if he is to move up in the force. As for Molly, being a corporate lawyer she is aware that having a partner in her life would make her seem reliable and respectable in her profession.

Meanwhile, Joe Cartland did not want to do anything with Christmas or weddings but when her nephew and nieces bribed him into attending O'Bannion's wedding, who happens to be their late father's cousin, he has no choice but to agree, after all he is their only uncle. And it proved that his attendance is a bad choice when there is a gunfire and he has to knock someone down in the middle of the rosebushes to keep her from being shot.

As much as he wanted to keep Molly out of harm's way, Joe needed to get his nephew and nieces out of the place so they agree to find refuge at their parents' holiday house in Queensland, Australia. However, someone also told Molly that there is a house vacant in Australia and perhaps she could go there as a recoup from this unfortunate event.

Could Joe and Molly stay peacefully under one roof, together with his three preadolescent nephew and nieces?

* * *

Christmas Getaway consists of three inter-related novellas about three different women finding their true love during their 'escapade'. Although I enjoyed reading all three novellas, there is not enough intense and chemistry between the characters but I understand this is only an anthology and it would be unfair to compare this with other novels with more well-developed characters and plots. I have to say Anne Stuart's Clause and Effect stood out from the others because her story is fast-paced and humourous. Christmas Getaway is a fun and entertaining read and it is a good book to curl up with during this festive season.

Note: I want to thank Alice for agreeing to read this anthology with me. As usual, it was fun and I am looking forward to reading more books with her (and Julia) in the near future!

Merry Christmas to all!

Wild for Him

ISBN-13: 9780425221976
Publisher: Penguin Group (USA) Inc.
Published: June 2008
309 pgs

From the back cover:

Ex-Marine and security agent Ben Cabrera isn't going to complain about his latest assignment: protecting the daughter of a gubernatorial candidate. After all, spending 24/7 with Christy Delacroix isn't exactly a chore. But it turns out that Christy's seduction tatics are top-notch - and it soon becomes impossible to keep things strictly professional...

Christy is an uptown girl who's spent her whole life being perfect. Now she just wants to have fun. And who better to have fun with than the gorgeous guy hired to protect her around the clock? They're utterly wild for each other - in and out of the bedroom - but will Christy be able to convince Ben to give her the kind of pleasure that lasts a lifetime?

Without a doubt, this is a sensual romance novel just by glancing at its cover and the title. I was mulling what to read the other day when this book caught my attention while I simply browsing through my TBR pile. It was a pity that I was not able to get a glimpse of the cover model, but that is not the main point. The fact is, I have not been reading romance for some time so I thought this book would fit for my next reading after a sci-fi novel I had read.

Frankly speaking, although I do not think the premise is original (the bodyguard falling in love with his client or vice versa), but I think the main characters in this story made it an interesting read. The couple have known each other when Christy's father hired Ben as his bodyguard. Both of them have their own ugly past they could not forget - Ben lost his ex-fiancée during the Iraq War while Christy is recovering from a horrific relationship with a man whom her mother thinks her marriage to him will benefit both families. Getting sick of everything and her life, Christy wants to do something for her own - starting with flirting and having some fun with her sexy bodyguard whom her father has assigned to protect her after the election is over.

Ben takes his job seriously and never mix business with pleasure, but Christy is not making things easy for him. She asked him to pose as her boyfriend to ward off the attention from Craig, her persistent suitor and also to protect her from her ex-fiancé Jason who received a restraining order to keep away from her. It was at this time that both of them succumb to passion as they could not fight the attraction they have for each other. Then, the story moves on to another level when Jason became a threat and someone else sent a package filled with snakes to Christy.

Though I find the story to be fast-paced, there is not much suspense as compared to the sensual and the romance element and one may easily guess who is behind those threats. All in all, it is an entertaining and a wonderful romantic story.

What the Lady Wants

ISBN-10: 155166951X
Publisher: Mira
Published: 1995
250pgs


From the blurb:

Mitch Peabody was learning pretty fast that the life of a private detective was not all it was cracked up to be. Cheating husbands, suspicious wives, unsuspecting mistresses -- case after case left him cynical and disillusioned. This was nothing like the world of tough-talking detectives and smart-mouthed, stunning dames he'd envisioned . . . until she walked through the door.

Right down to her stilettos, Mae Sullivan was a knockout with a lethal body -- and a lethal family to go with it. There was something not quite on the up-and-up about her, but she came with a case he couldn't afford to refuse . . . and left him with a case of lust like he hadn't had since high school. It didn't take long for him to fall for her, hook, line and sinker. But was Mae only interested in catching the double-crossing crooks who murdered her uncle . . . or did the lady want to catch him?


It has been some time since I have read a romance novel. So the other day, I pulled out this book from my to-be-read pile because I have read a lot of good reviews about Jennifer Crusie's books.

So what made me pick up this book? Well, I love reading anything about private detectives. There is just something alluring about them, be it the heroes or the heroines. In this story, Mitch Peabody is engaged by the heroine, Mae Sullivan, to find out the death of her Uncle Armand and the mysterious disappearance of his diary.

After seeing nothing but numerous divorce cases, Matt is getting a little tired of his so-called job although it does not hurt he is doing so to win a bet. Just when he thought life is getting him to nowhere, Mae walks into his life (or into his office) and asked him to investigate a case. Mitch is intrigued by her at first glance, but that is because Mae is nothing like the women he met. Mae has the looks but most of all, she has a smart mouth. Mitch is not sure if he should be attracted or annoyed with her witty trait, but he is sure interested to find out more about her, besides the case that is.

What the Lady Wants is a fun read, after all Jennifer Crusie's books are known for their humour. The barb exchanges and the chemistry between Mitch and Mae are entertaining; however as much as I enjoyed this book, Mae's whiny attitude put me off at times. Still, her mob relatives are great supporting characters and they add some 'spice' to the story. I would recommend this book to any readers who wants a sheer escapism and a quick read.

---

1. Right now, I'm feeling pretty good.
2. A beautiful scenic place is where I want to be.
3. How does one describe love?
4. My family keeps me on track.
5. Please don't stop reading.
6. My two daughters fills me with joy.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to catching up on the TV shows, tomorrow my plans include having a family and friends' gathering at our place and Sunday, I want to spend time with my family!

Body Language

ISBN-13: 9780553591651
Publisher: Bantam Books
Published: May 2008 (Reissued)
279pp

Sandy Kirk and Clint McCade are good friends and have known each other for ages. They are like buddies; and they knew they could always count on each other whenever they encounter any problems.

Being a photographer who is always on the go, Clint gives people the impression of a free spirited bad boy due to his rugged personality. Sandy, of course, knew he is much more than that. Just when Clint decided he has had enough wandering around and is about to declare his love for Sandy, he finds she has fallen for another man.

Though disappointed and feeling heartbroken, still he supports and encourages her to pursue her dream man. But one thing is, Sandy knows nothing about men and how she should portray her image in front of them. Clint offers to coach her, giving her advice on the concept of body language and how she should read and use them to her advantage.

Sandy then realizes she has been in love with Clint all this while, however she is not sure how Clint would feel towards her while on the other hand, Clint assumes she is still head over heels in love with the other man. They will soon find out about their feelings for each other, as body language does not lie after all.

Body Language is a reissue copy which was first published in Loveswept series back in 1998. Though I find the plot a little outdated and not up to par with her current Troubleshooter series, Suzanne Brockmann penned a wonderful love story between best friends in this novel. It is a perfect read if you want something light and fun.