Welcome to the Susan Elizabeth Phillips Bulletin Board
All good-hearted readers welcome.
Lady
Member since Nov-9-07
10 posts |
Jan-15-11, 01:35 PM (CST) |
    |
1. "RE: CMI discussion -- warning SPOILERS!!"
In response to message #0
| |
Loved the book. Ted and Meg are perfect for each other. It was great seeing Nealy and Mat Jorik, Lady Emma & Kenny Traveler, Dallie & Francesca Beaudine, Torie & Dex O'Connor, and Shelby Traveler from the older books. Fleur & Jake Koranda make an appearance too. The storyline is pure SEP with humor and insight. Meg stops the wedding, becomes Wynette's most hated, and ends up living in the renovated chuch Ted bought for Lucy. Meg has to deal with the townpeople, an amorous plumbing king and his daughter who is hot for Ted. She picks up a stalker, ruins a big land deal( not her fault however), and learns a little about herself and what she wants from life. Ted comes down off the pedestal and has to start to allow himself to feel something and accept that life can be messy. Its a great book!
SharonCT |
|
|
Alert | IP |
Printer-friendly page | Edit |
Reply |
Reply With Quote | Top |
|
|
 |
Jewls
Member since Jul-11-05
4044 posts |
Jan-15-11, 01:43 PM (CST) |
|
|
2. "RE: CMI discussion -- warning SPOILERS!!"
In response to message #1
| |
One of my favourite early lines "Be a skank, Luce. It'll be good for you." CMI is filled with classic SEP humour and banter. In turn it reminded me of KAA, BR and MMIYC, all of which happen to be some of my favourite SEP books. I started listing all of my favourite quotes, but there so many. I maintain it is one of few books I've read over the last year or so that have had me giving a burst of laughter after reading a description or dialog exchange. It genuinely is a laugh out loud book, mainly due to the clever banter--trademark of a SEP novel. |
|
|
Alert | IP |
Printer-friendly page | Edit |
Reply |
Reply With Quote | Top |
|
|
|
|
|
|
hilight56
Member since Jan-23-11
4 posts |
Jan-24-11, 12:49 PM (CST) |
|
|
34. "RE: CMI discussion -- warning SPOILERS!!"
In response to message #18
| |
I agree Sonja. I've just finished Call me Irresistible and it did remind me a bit of Ain't She Sweet. I thought it was a like a cross between Dream...and Ain't she... I really enjoyed it: the path of true love never runs smooth in SEP world!
x
|
|
|
Alert | IP |
Printer-friendly page | Edit |
Reply |
Reply With Quote | Top |
|
|
|
|
sumbee
Member since Jul-25-08
669 posts |
Jan-26-11, 01:48 PM (CST) |
|
|
35. "RE: CMI discussion -- warning SPOILERS!!"
In response to message #34
| |
I thought that too! Between the whole town against her thing and the serving at a private party I was having book flashbacks. Also the teenager with an inappropriate older man crush reminded me of KAA. While I liked Megs spunk and the way she handles these that pop up I was still unable to focus completely because then I was picturing Lucy getting picked up on the side of the road in a choir robe like the beaver and the actress. I just couldn't pull myself away from the similarities enough. Sumbee
Failure is just a succeful attempt at finding out what doesn't work. |
|
|
Alert | IP |
Printer-friendly page | Edit |
Reply |
Reply With Quote | Top |
|
|
|
|
Kim S
Member since Jan-25-11
6 posts |
Jan-26-11, 08:03 PM (CST) |
|
|
36. "RE: CMI discussion -- warning SPOILERS!!"
In response to message #1
| |
Thanks such a terrific review. I, too, just LOVED Call Me Irresistible. It was so good catching up with old friends like Francie, Dallie, Lady Emma, Torie, Dex,... well, I could go on and on. And Meg's and Teddy's story is so heartwarming and humorous. I don't know how SEP does it again and again. Her insight into the dynamics of human nature always astounds me. I was surprised that SEP created, in adult Ted, a character that was somewhat aloof. But, when I think about people I've known to whom things have come too easily, I can understand it. I don't think Ted realized how entitled he felt until he came up against the Koranda family, ("Ah, yes, Mr. Irresistible"...). Meg was such an upfront, feisty character, you had to love her. I just felt so sorry for her when, after engaging in an affair with Ted, he told her he'd loved Lucy. Even though we all know he'd never REALLY loved his former fiancee, it was still difficult for her to hear (and for me to read). I went to the Amazon sight to read some of the reviews there and was shocked to see there were quite a few readers who didn't like the book. Some even called CMI a rehash of SEP's other works. While there are some comparisons to be made, I think this story stands on its own as one of her best. I can't wait for SEP to finish writing Lucy's story. I've tried to think of different scenarios ... perhaps a setting back in Chicago where we could catch up with more old friends would be interesting. I do hope to hear a little more about Meg and Ted, though, and how they're doing. |
|
|
Alert | IP |
Printer-friendly page | Edit |
Reply |
Reply With Quote | Top |
|
|
|
bes
Member since Sep-21-10
107 posts |
Jan-18-11, 05:42 PM (CST) |
|
|
4. "RE: CMI discussion -- warning SPOILERS!!"
In response to message #0
| |
I started reading today and I'm on chapter 7 right now. I love it so far but I have a question. Does the book ever switch over to Ted's point of view? I keep waiting but it hasn't happened yet. I've gotten Meg's, Lucy's, and Emma's but not Ted's. I'd like to see whats happening in his brilliant mind. He seems to have this sort mysterious air about him. |
|
|
Alert | IP |
Printer-friendly page | Edit |
Reply |
Reply With Quote | Top |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
kathialin
Member since Jan-13-10
3 posts |
Jan-19-11, 05:40 AM (CST) |
|
|
7. "RE: CMI discussion -- warning SPOILERS!!"
In response to message #0
| |
I had this pre-ordered for my Kindle ages ago and I sat there guarding it from 12:00am US time. Got impatient and had to contact Amazon customer support...finally got it at 3:00am. Luckily I'm in Australia and it was only 7pm here. This book has just shot up to No. 1 spot of all SEPs. When I first heard a year ago that Ted and Lucy were no more, I was totally bummed. But having had a full year to reconcile myself to that, I managed to approach the book with an open mind. And thank god for that because I can totally see how boring a Ted/Lucy book could have been. It's jam packed with stars from beginning to end, and there's never a dull moment. There were so many laugh out loud moments that really made me glad I wasn't reading in public. I've joined the female population of Wynette as a Ted fangirl and no real life guy will ever measure up. Sigh. I've already started my second reading. THAT's how much I loved it. Congratulations Susan, this one is an absolute cracker!!!! |
|
|
Alert | IP |
Printer-friendly page | Edit |
Reply |
Reply With Quote | Top |
|
|
princessjster
Member since Jan-29-10
254 posts |
Jan-19-11, 12:24 PM (CST) |
|
|
10. "RE: CMI discussion -- warning SPOILERS!!"
In response to message #0
| |
When I first got it I was kind of in shock and couldn't believe I was finally reading Ted's story, I've been anticipating it for so long. I laughed so hard out loud, my kids were starting to think I was crazy! I love that Meg found her way and I love that once she decided on something she didn't go back. The fact she wouldn't even take the furniture Ted sent over made me so proud of her! I would have caved...I like furniture! Now I can't wait to find out what Lucy was doing that whole time! Kim "We can do no great things...only small things with great love." |
|
|
Alert | IP |
Printer-friendly page | Edit |
Reply |
Reply With Quote | Top |
|
|
|
|
|
|
katenz
Member since Oct-11-08
1215 posts |
Jan-20-11, 10:49 PM (CST) |
|
|
19. "Loved it."
In response to message #0
| |
I was one of the ones really disappointed this was not going to be Lucy's book, but I have to say Meg was perfect. In actual fact she had the bad ass personality that I had associated with Lucy. I had forgotten she had had the Presedential years to tone her down considerably. So Meg was ace. My favourite line which can't quite find because on Kindle but its when Francesca walks through on a waft of perfume with a touch of hemlock. Loved that. Kate
New Zealand http://mistea.edublogs.org/ |
|
|
Alert | IP |
Printer-friendly page | Edit |
Reply |
Reply With Quote | Top |
|
|
Callanda
Member since Dec-1-07
135 posts |
Jan-21-11, 10:05 PM (CST) |
|
|
21. "RE: CMI discussion -- warning SPOILERS!!"
In response to message #0
 |
Like everyone else - I loved the book. I really enjoyed the round of golf when Meg was Ted's caddy and she kept causing him to lose strokes because she didn't know anything about the rules of the game, Joan
Queensland, Australia |
|
|
Alert | IP |
Printer-friendly page | Edit |
Reply |
Reply With Quote | Top |
|
|
|
|
SEP
Member since Apr-22-04
7879 posts |
Jan-22-11, 12:32 PM (CST) |
|
|
23. "RE: CMI discussion -- warning SPOILERS!!"
In response to message #0
| |
Didn't want to talk openly about the point of view thing with Ted until people had read it because it's a bit of a spoiler. But I can see you've already pretty much figured it out. We need to see this through Meg's eyes. ALSO... The minute you go into Ted's head, THE JIG IS UP! Once you're in a character's point of view, you pretty much need to let the reader know what he/she thinks. The mystery of Ted Beaudine is a driving force behind the book. It's interesting that romance readers expect the male pov but women's fiction readers don't. I've always straddled both worlds which sometimes puzzles pure romance readers. So,so great reading your wonderful comments. THANK YOU! |
|
|
Alert | IP |
Printer-friendly page | Edit |
Reply |
Reply With Quote | Top |
|
|
|
katenz
Member since Oct-11-08
1215 posts |
Jan-22-11, 06:04 PM (CST) |
|
|
24. "RE: CMI discussion -- warning SPOILERS!!"
In response to message #23
| |
I love the fact SEP that you straddle the worlds of romance and women's fiction, because that is where I most like to read. I was reading some Amazon reviews and thought they just didn't get the reason we didn't get Ted's pov until near the end. A reader needs to ask themselves, why did the author choose to do this?
Kate
New Zealand http://mistea.edublogs.org/ |
|
|
Alert | IP |
Printer-friendly page | Edit |
Reply |
Reply With Quote | Top |
|
|
|
|
|
|
LJ
Member since Apr-22-04
6986 posts |
Jan-22-11, 07:43 PM (CST) |
|
|
25. "RE: CMI discussion -- warning SPOILERS!!"
In response to message #23
| |
I felt comfortable waiting for Ted's POV because I trusted that we would get it eventually, but it did yank me out of the story for a bit when I first noticed that it was missing (YOOTS, as Pokey would say). I get tired of a single POV when a writer only writes first person stories- it makes me think that's all they can write. But this was a statement to the reader of "See, you don't really know who Ted is anymore than anyone in the story does." Sometimes I think Skeet is the only human who understands him and that's because I think Skeet is really a Labrador Retriever. Leslie near Seattle |
|
|
Alert | IP |
Printer-friendly page | Edit |
Reply |
Reply With Quote | Top |
|
|
|
|
|
|
bandit
Member since Dec-4-07
80 posts |
Mar-19-11, 04:57 PM (CST) |
|
|
46. "RE: CMI discussion -- warning SPOILERS!!"
In response to message #25
| |
Man, I have been saving this book since it was released, afraid to read it too quickly, lest I would regret having exhausted this precious new material too soon. Of course, I knew what would happen when I finally gave in to it yesterday. I loved it, but it was over way too soon, of course. Still, thank you SEP, for continuing to perpetuate one of my favorite biannual pleasures  My favorite scene was definitely the final showdown at the landfill. It was just so emotionally charged and Ted finally de-roboted and became a real boy. I didn't mind him telling Meg Lucy broke his heart so much, because it only showed how confused and distraught he felt, which was a relief from his actions up to that point, especially since we had no idea what was really going on in his head at all. I definitely understand the reason SEP deliberately didn't let us do that, but this was supposed to be "Ted's book," so even after I finished and understood the logic behind it, I still feel a little bit like I wanted to know him more. I loved Meg and wasn't sorry to see so much of her thoughts and feelings in the book, but I really wish there could have been at least a few glimpses into Ted's head throughout, if only for the enjoyment of a few hilarious surface observations. I mean, it's TEDDY! How long have we all been waiting for this book? It's not that I expect dual POVs from romance novels, but I do expect them from SEP, because of prior experience, so I was just a wee bit frustrated to keep turning pages and hoping, hoping the next section would be told from Ted's perspective. I felt the same way about Bram in WID4L, even though he had a few more things to say than Ted, so I'm wondering if this is maybe something we can expect to see more of from SEP from here on out? Either way, I loved MEG's book and can't wait for Lucy's. Do we know for sure that the guy she hooks up with in CMI is going to be The One? I love that SEP walks the line between romance and chick lit so well; the dual POV thing is definitely one of the big reasons why I prefer the romance genre, but I love the humor and dialogue of women's fic, and SEP always manages to blend the best of both worlds in her books. I also love Kristan Higgins and she writes purely in first person POV so you get NONE of the male perspective, yet I don't even notice it because her characters are so richly drawn, just like SEP's. One final question about CMI: I noticed this was the first one in a long time where we didn't have a secondary romance. I figured with the reunion of so many previous characters, there wouldn't have been room to really develop a new couple, so I didn't miss it. I actually appreciated having that extra attention focused on the main couple instead, especially since we were already missing the male POV. Still, I'm curious as to the reason for this change in MO. Has SEP talked about this? Bren |
|
|
Alert | IP |
Printer-friendly page | Edit |
Reply |
Reply With Quote | Top |
|
|
|
|
Onward513
Member since Jan-22-11
1 posts |
Jan-22-11, 10:33 PM (CST) |
|
|
28. "RE: CMI discussion -- warning SPOILERS!!"
In response to message #27
| |
Bought it this afternoon around 2:00; finished it tonight about 8:00. Could not put it down! Loved it, loved it, loved it! I've been waiting for Teddy's story for years and it didn't disappoint. Now I have to wait for Lucy's..... |
|
|
Alert | IP |
Printer-friendly page | Edit |
Reply |
Reply With Quote | Top |
|
|
|
|
liz60657
Member since Jan-23-11
1 posts |
Jan-23-11, 08:53 PM (CST) |
|
|
32. "RE: CMI discussion -- warning SPOILERS!!"
In response to message #29
| |
Been a lurker for awhile but have read all of SEP's books and probably one of the only authors left I'm willing to buy a hard back for Bought CMI yesterday and finished last night. Did a second round of reading today and I don't usually re-read books so quickly. I really loved this book. After reading all of the prior books, it was really fun to pick up the history. I really liked how scenes in this book made you remember how much you liked the previous story. For instance, when Meg is in Francesca's office and she sees a picture of Ted with his pants hiked high or on Pg 345 when Francesca is looking at the picture of him wearing that t-shirt Born to Raise Hell and how akward Ted was in Fancy Pants. I was a little put off not having Ted's POV in the story until the very end. I had already read some reviews in Amazon (spoiled it for me!) so I kind of expected. Once I finished the story, I really understood why it had been put at the end. I think that while the characters are clearly developed on their own, there seemed to be (or I interpreted) some parallels from other stories. I felt like Ted (the town thought of him as a saint) was the opposite of Kenny (the town thought of him as a lazy screw up) and that Meg reminded me of Sugar Beth. Liz, Chicago |
|
|
Alert | IP |
Printer-friendly page | Edit |
Reply |
Reply With Quote | Top |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
sanasarwar
Member since Feb-11-11
4 posts |
Feb-11-11, 05:33 AM (CST) |
|
|
42. "RE: CMI discussion -- warning SPOILERS!!"
In response to message #0
| |
Salam ,
I love this bk... i think they were sweetest couple ...and Meg was not like Sugar Beth Carrey...i could never warm up to Sugar .. Meg went into my heart….. Sugar was a self centered girl and then changed …..Meg was never self centered ...she was wonderful ... dialogues between her and Ted , the fight the love all were hilarious , warm , up right and sweet ....there was honesty between the couple which u rarely c in bks no misunderstandings no third party either .... the relationship was portrayed in such a manner that it was clear that Ted was never in love with Lucy unlike Dallie in fancy pants or unlike the Sugar Beth's high school sweet heart ....the thing is it was made clear that neither Lucy nor Ted were that much into each other ....... n the bk shows in end that no hard feelings at both side ..... I love Ted saying " she broke my mind u broke my heart ..." LOL that said it all ..... My only complain is that I want to c more and more of Ted and Meg ... that’s why I am waiting eagerly for Lucy’s bk as I want to catch up with Meg n Ted ... Dallie n his Fancy Pant were my fav. Couple of SEP bks ...now their son n Meg become my equally fav. ppl ... I think Lucy should fall in love with younger man ...I would love to c Lucy with one of Meg's brother ……PLzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
|
|
|
Alert | IP |
Printer-friendly page | Edit |
Reply |
Reply With Quote | Top |
|
|
|
|
JeninChicago
Member since Mar-27-11
5 posts |
Mar-27-11, 09:45 AM (CST) |
|
|
47. "RE: CMI discussion -- warning SPOILERS!!"
In response to message #0
| |
Despite the bad reviews on Amazon, I loved this book more than I expected. Though, I do have a few complaints about it. The most minor of them: Ted was born on the Fourth of July, right? So why didn't anyone mention it at Shelby's Fourth of July barbecue? I mean, sleeping with Meg for the first time was obviously his birthday present to himself, and there was a missed opportunity for a joke there |
|
|
Alert | IP |
Printer-friendly page | Edit |
Reply |
Reply With Quote | Top |
|
|
|
Printer-friendly copy
