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Just the Way You Are
Christina Dodd Book Review

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Plot Summary of Just the Way You Are
"

Pocket, Jun 2003, 6.99, 384 pp.
ISBN: 0743456173

is a major surprise for this reviewer as the queen of governess romances Christina Dodd easily switches into a delightful contemporary tale that, as far as I know, is her first modern day story.

When their parents were declared dead after vanishing, the three Prescott sisters were separated by the Texas foster care system as each went to a different home. Seven years later, Hope lives up to her first name as she optimistically searches for her two siblings and somewhat pessimistically her parents.

Hope works for a telephone service in Boston, but knows she needs a better paying job to finance the expensive search that is her obsession. When CEO Zach Givens calls for his messages, he acts so cold and aloof, Hope concludes he has to be the business mogul's butler. He continues the masquerade and when they finally meet, the attraction lights up New England. However, neither trusts in love so anything permanent seems out of the question.

Though a kidnapping sidebar slows down the tale, this is a charming, often humorous, romantic romp with moral and social questions to serve as a strong base. The lead couple is a fine pair needing each other in every way one can imagine yet unable to put faith in love or their beloved. Fans of the contemporary sub-genre will welcome Ms. Dodd's sequel(s) starring a lost sister or two.

Harriet Klausner
"

Harriet Klausner, Resident Scholar



Review Analysis of Just the Way You Are
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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot
Time/era of story - Present (2000-2010)
Who: - sister
Hidden Identity/Secret Motive Yes
Is really... - rich/upper class
Family focus? Yes
Family, loving Yes

Main Male Character
Profession/status: - business executive
How sexual is this person? - very picky
How romantic is this person? - somewhat romantic
How sensitive is this character? - sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor - Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence - Smarter than most other characters
Physique - very athletic

Main Female Character
Age/status: - 20's-30's
Profession/status: - secretary
How sexual is this person? - very picky
How romantic is this person? - somewhat romantic
How sensitive is this character? - sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor - Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence - Smarter than most other characters
Physique - very athletic

Setting
United States Yes
The US: - Northeast

Style
Person - mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death? - no torture/death
What % of story is romance related? - 70%
Focus of story - equally on him and her
How much dialog - significantly more dialog than descript
Most similar books to Just the Way You Are
Between Sisters by Kristin Hannah
My Long Tall Texas Heartthrob by Geralyn Dawson
Her Sister's Keeper by Sydell Voeller
Almost Like Being in Love by Christina Dodd
Same as It Never Was by Claire Scovell LaZebnik


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Christina Dodd Resident Scholar Profiles

TOP SCHOLAR:
  
Angel Manners  

SCHOLARS:
Marilyn Rondeau  L. Watson  Mary Honda  


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