Just the Sexiest Man Alive

August 25, 2008
In this awkward debut romance, the supposed hero's juvenile behavior sets the stage for a frustrating read that not even a sparkling final third can mitigate. Taylor Donovan, a brilliant Chicago lawyer visiting L.A. to defend a sexual harassment case, is not happy to be assigned to help heartthrob actor Jason Andrews prep for a courtroom drama. As they begin working together, Jason predictably behaves like a spoiled teenager, but becomes increasingly enchanted with Taylor. She eventually begins to see Jason as a nice guy underneath his Hollywood attitude—with sleazy, jealous actor Scott Casey as a convenient foil—but she can't set aside her trust issues. As Jason tries to convince Taylor to stay in L.A., the book suddenly turns witty and romantic, but getting there is no fun at all.

October 1, 2008
Chicagoan Taylor is driven to succeed, and her track record in defending corporate clients against sexual-harassment lawsuits is unsurpassed. On loan to her firms Los Angeles office, she reluctantly agrees to coach big-name actor and sexy heartthrob Jason Andrews for his upcoming role as a lawyer. His attitude irks her, while her insistence on maintaining a professional distance intrigues him. James herself is a practicing attorney in both Chicago and L.A., and her familiarity with both the law and the film industry lends credibility to this fast-moving, contemporary romantic comedy.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2008, American Library Association.)