Help Wanted by Barbara Valentin
Publisher & Release: Gemma Halliday Publishing, May 11, 2015
Genre: Contemporary Romance/Romantic Comedy
Book Length: 207 pages
Rating: 5 Gold Crowns
Book Description:
From bestselling romance author, Barbara Valentin, comes another hilarious and heartwarming Assignment: Romance novel...
When Claire Nelson decided that her happily-ever-after lay not in marriage but in a spot on the New York Times bestseller list, she vowed never to tie the knot. But that was before she met Paul Mendez, handsome and charming enough to have her breaking said vow and marrying him shortly after college.
Almost fifteen years and four sons later, Claire is now a burned out breadwinner ready to ditch her quest for happily-ever-after, and Paul has traded his dream of chairing corporate board meetings for volunteering at PTA meetings as a stay-at-home dad. Feeling trapped in a demanding job, Claire's repeated attempts to get Paul to return to work fall flat. Contemplating divorce, she drafts a letter to the Plate Spinner, a popular advice columnist, asking for help. But when the reply contains an offer that may just put her bestselling author dreams back on track, Claire’s only question is: will Paul be on board? Or does her charming husband make a surprise move of his own?
When Claire Nelson decided that her happily-ever-after lay not in marriage but in a spot on the New York Times bestseller list, she vowed never to tie the knot. But that was before she met Paul Mendez, handsome and charming enough to have her breaking said vow and marrying him shortly after college.
Almost fifteen years and four sons later, Claire is now a burned out breadwinner ready to ditch her quest for happily-ever-after, and Paul has traded his dream of chairing corporate board meetings for volunteering at PTA meetings as a stay-at-home dad. Feeling trapped in a demanding job, Claire's repeated attempts to get Paul to return to work fall flat. Contemplating divorce, she drafts a letter to the Plate Spinner, a popular advice columnist, asking for help. But when the reply contains an offer that may just put her bestselling author dreams back on track, Claire’s only question is: will Paul be on board? Or does her charming husband make a surprise move of his own?
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Vikki’s Musings
I recently read/listened to Fresh Start by Barbara Valentin and thoroughly enjoyed it. Wendy Rich Stetson asked if I would be interested in listening to this book, and since I loved the first book in this series, I eagerly accepted. Help Wanted is another great example of romantic comedy!
Claire Mendez is stuck in a dead-end job, but since she’s the bread-winner ever since her husband lost his job and decided to be a stay-at-home dad to their four boys. She’s grown resentful toward her husband and is questioning her commitment to their marriage.
When she receives her pink slip, she sees this as a chance to shake up her life in more than one way. While browsing the want ads, she stumbles across and advertisement for a writer of an advice column in a magazine. Unable to resist, she answers the ad and receives an offer to interview. Part of the process, the editor sent her a few letters from people needing advice, and she needs to write her responses.
The editor loves her answers and immediately offers her the part-time position. She accepts it, and fortunately, an old friend in her old career offers her a temporary position, one which will still give her the opportunity to write the column. Unsure of her husband’s reaction, she does not tell him about the column.
When Paul realizes his marriage is on the line and that Claire is close to calling it quits, he finds a temporary position as an accountant. He does not tell his wife since he can work from home and still handle their boys.
Can these secrets each is keeping from one another work in their favor and ultimately save their marriage?
Help Wanted is a hilarious romantic comedy with plenty of heart. The couple’s boys add a lot of flavor to the story. The pacing is fast and makes this book an easy read/listen. Although it has its serious moments, they are dealt with in a light- hearted manner that does not take away from the seriousness of the couple’s issues.
Claire is a great character. I fell in love with her from the first page to the last. I could understand her resentment toward her husband and her disappointment in having to give up her dreams because her husband has given up on his. She deals with her problems with humor and does not allow her difficulties affect her boys.
Paul lost his corporate job through no fault of his own, but nonetheless, it destroyed his confidence, rather than risk failure again, he has thrown himself into being a great dad. I completely understood why he made the decisions he did, but I was glad he could recognize he needed to change.
If you enjoy great characters, in interesting plot and plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, then you will love Help Wanted. Wendy Rich Stetson does another fantastic job bring the characters to life. Her narration is so good, I will go out of my comfort zone and listen to books I normally would not consider. I highly recommend Help Wanted, you’ll love it as much as I did. Happy reading!
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