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Hot Shot
SHE JUMPED ON THE BACK OF A BAD BOY'S HARLEY AND
FOLLOWED HIS RENEGADE DREAM....
In a single, impulsive act, Susannah Faulconer, the daughter of one of the country's most powerful industrialists, follows her heart and finds herself severed from her family and everything familiar. As a cool San Francisco socialite, she'd known exactly how to behave, but now she's a lone woman in a world of men...and there's no etiquette book in the world that can teach her how to survive.
The men are rebels, determined to take on corporate America with daring and vision, and they aren't going to let her play by good girls' rules. There's Sam, the charismatic visionary, on a rocket-driven ride to glory. And Mitch, the troubled corporate genius with no time for a rich socialite, no matter how beautiful. Together, they will force Susannah into the biggest challenge of her life as she tests her courage -- and her love -- in a bold experiment that will change them all forever.
Come share a glorious, heart-stopping love story, and meet the unforgettable woman called Hot Shot as she discovers a passion so rich, so tender, that she will be utterly and forever transformed.
496 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 1991
355 people are currently reading
2191 people want to read
About the author
Susan Elizabeth Phillips
47 books15.8k followersSUSAN ELIZABETH PHILLIPS
Susan Elizabeth Phillips has been called the “Queen of Romantic Comedy and is the creator of the sports romance, beginning with her 1989 bestseller, FANCY PANTS. An internationally acclaimed author, her books have been published in over 30 languages. She’s the only four-time recipient of the Romance Writers of America’s prestigious Favorite Book of the Year Award, and a recipient of their Lifetime Achievement Award.
Susan's newest book, SIMPLY THE BEST, is coming in hardcover, ebook and audiobook in February 2024. SIMPLY THE BEST is book #10 in the highly acclaimed CHICAGO STARS football series. Susan is also known for the Wynette, Texas book series and many stand-alone women's fiction/romance novels.
In addition to being a New York Times, Publisher’s Weekly, and USA Today bestseller, she is a hiker, lazy gardener, horrible singer, passable cook, passionate reader, wife, mother of two grown sons, and grandmother.
You can visit Susan on Facebook, Instagram or on her website.
https://www.facebook.com/SusanElizabe...
https://www.instagram.com/SEPauthor/
http://susanelizabethphillips.com/
Susan Elizabeth Phillips has been called the “Queen of Romantic Comedy and is the creator of the sports romance, beginning with her 1989 bestseller, FANCY PANTS. An internationally acclaimed author, her books have been published in over 30 languages. She’s the only four-time recipient of the Romance Writers of America’s prestigious Favorite Book of the Year Award, and a recipient of their Lifetime Achievement Award.
Susan's newest book, SIMPLY THE BEST, is coming in hardcover, ebook and audiobook in February 2024. SIMPLY THE BEST is book #10 in the highly acclaimed CHICAGO STARS football series. Susan is also known for the Wynette, Texas book series and many stand-alone women's fiction/romance novels.
In addition to being a New York Times, Publisher’s Weekly, and USA Today bestseller, she is a hiker, lazy gardener, horrible singer, passable cook, passionate reader, wife, mother of two grown sons, and grandmother.
You can visit Susan on Facebook, Instagram or on her website.
https://www.facebook.com/SusanElizabe...
https://www.instagram.com/SEPauthor/
http://susanelizabethphillips.com/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 312 reviews
February 10, 2017
YES!!! This is the SEP I love! Hot Shot is a real gem of a book!
It’s been a long time since I read anything that brought me such great pleasure like this book did. From the first page, I was drawn into the story and it kept me spellbound until the very last page. This book made me stay up late three nights in a row and I really had a hard time putting it down.
To be honest, I expected very little from this one considering the amount of negative reviews, plus my latest reading experience with the author’s work wasn’t that impressive. But to my amazement, there was never a dull moment in this story. It was incredibly good! Was it a long book? Yes. But was there a single minute I got tired of reading this? NO!
The author tells us the story of Susannah Faulconer. We will get to know her from the very start of her life. We will find out how her parents met, how she grew up with her mentally ill grandmother, how her life suddenly changed over the night, how she took a risk and chose to follow her heart, how she became a determined fighter, and how she got through the difficult times of her life. I admired Susannah for her courage and honesty. No matter how tough her life got, she still remained true to herself. Without doubt, she became one of my favorite female characters of all time.
"I know exactly who I am. I know what I believe in. And I believe in our mission. I've always believed in it. Our mission statement isn't just what SysVal is about. It's what life is about. Quality, excellence, honesty, taking pride in what we do no matter what that might be, and standing by it. That's what makes life good."
This book has a little bit of everything I love to read. Not only was there a compelling storyline, but also memorable characters. It was a story that filled with good times, bad times, love, laughter, tears, hope, loss, and of course, triumph.
Reading this book was like taking a journey together with these fascinating characters. I was surprisingly pleased with everything that took place in this story. I enjoyed every page of it and finished it with a big smile on my face. Despite its length (almost 500 pages), I really didn’t want it to end. I can wholeheartedly say that this is by far one of the best books I’ve read this year.
However, this book is not for everyone. If you haven’t read anything by this author before, I personally don’t recommend you to start with this one. But if you’ve read and loved her Chicago Stars series, then you’ll probably love this book as well.
All in all, this was a great read indeed. I loved it—simple as that!
-------------------------------------------
It was about time he started getting under Miss Hot Shot's skin. Although she might not know it, he had declared war and was banking on her love of a challenge. He prayed he wasn't miscalculating. How much longer would it be before she began to understand what he had known for so long—that they were kindred spirits, like personalities who viewed the world in the same way and fit together exactly the same way a man and woman should fit?
"This is forever, isn't it, Mitch?"
"Oh, my love. My sweet, sweet love. This is till the end of the world."
October 18, 2015
I honestly cannot believe that this book was written by one of my favourite ever authors. Her "Author's Note" at the end of the book states: "This novel is based upon fact: the events surrounding the birth of the personal computer industry" Maybe that should have been in the foreword ... because honestly, I doubt I would have read it if I had know. It pains me to rate this book 2 stars ... and I am being generous here.
Don't get me wrong. I love my Laptop, my iPhone, my Kindle ... I just don't want to know all the ins and outs about them.
Let me tell you a little story. It's great sometimes being the only female in the household. Himself and 2 sons and Binky (who is male) - but other times, it's not so great. A couple of years ago my oldest son decided that for Christmas he was going to build his own PC from scratch. Himself is into computers and technology and so is the youngest boy.
So a lot of family time was spent discussing "motherboards, processors, RAMs, video cards, hard drives, speakers, graphics, optical drives". You bored yet? Well, I sure was. I was kinda sad we hadn't got a female dog and I could have been putting pink ribbons on her tail ... but Himself said "One bitch in the household is more than enough!"
Where was the humour? The wit? I have all her other books 4 and 5 stars. I am gobsmacked.
I didn't like Sam. Susannah was OK. Mitch was passable. Paige was a bitch for most of the book. I liked Hank. All the discussions about PCs was boring.
Actually, the food descriptions that Paige was cooking was interesting enough.
SEP, this book was depressing for me. Sorry. Anyway, I wish I had better things to say about this one but cannot even muster up any enthusiasm to find the visuals for the main characters ... oK, maybe I will.
SUSANNAH
SAM
PAIGE
HANK
MITCH
If I wanted to know more about California and the dawning of the age of the computer I would have borrowed the copy of the Steve Jobs' biography that I gave Himself for Christmas a few years back.
Ah, well, onwards and upwards to look for my next great read.
Don't get me wrong. I love my Laptop, my iPhone, my Kindle ... I just don't want to know all the ins and outs about them.
Let me tell you a little story. It's great sometimes being the only female in the household. Himself and 2 sons and Binky (who is male) - but other times, it's not so great. A couple of years ago my oldest son decided that for Christmas he was going to build his own PC from scratch. Himself is into computers and technology and so is the youngest boy.
So a lot of family time was spent discussing "motherboards, processors, RAMs, video cards, hard drives, speakers, graphics, optical drives". You bored yet? Well, I sure was. I was kinda sad we hadn't got a female dog and I could have been putting pink ribbons on her tail ... but Himself said "One bitch in the household is more than enough!"
Where was the humour? The wit? I have all her other books 4 and 5 stars. I am gobsmacked.
I didn't like Sam. Susannah was OK. Mitch was passable. Paige was a bitch for most of the book. I liked Hank. All the discussions about PCs was boring.
Actually, the food descriptions that Paige was cooking was interesting enough.
SEP, this book was depressing for me. Sorry. Anyway, I wish I had better things to say about this one but cannot even muster up any enthusiasm to find the visuals for the main characters ... oK, maybe I will.
SUSANNAH
SAM
PAIGE
HANK
MITCH
If I wanted to know more about California and the dawning of the age of the computer I would have borrowed the copy of the Steve Jobs' biography that I gave Himself for Christmas a few years back.
Ah, well, onwards and upwards to look for my next great read.
October 30, 2012
I love SEP but I felt betrayed by this book... the fact she built the hero thru 80% of the book and instead of him having his hero moment and realizing what a great thing he has, he cheats and she ends up with someone else.
If that had happened at the 30% point, I might have been able to deal, but this was just a painful, cruel switch-up for me.
I WAS glad the heroine got a better man in the end, but her arc was painful and too wobbly to get behind for most of the book also.
One of the only 2 SEP books I didn't love. Skip this one and pick up any of her other books basically.
If that had happened at the 30% point, I might have been able to deal, but this was just a painful, cruel switch-up for me.
I WAS glad the heroine got a better man in the end, but her arc was painful and too wobbly to get behind for most of the book also.
One of the only 2 SEP books I didn't love. Skip this one and pick up any of her other books basically.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 5, 2021
#RetoRita5 #RitaSEP
4 Estrellitas. Iniciamos año de Reto Rita con Susan Elizabeth Phillips, una de mis autoras favoritas y su "¡Campeona!", el unico libro de SEP que me quedaba por leer.
No sé por qué estaba dejando éste libro para lo último y ahora me apena haberlo leído tan tarde, porque aunque es un libro distinto a todo lo que ha escrito, es genial.
Por otro lado es uno de los primeros libros de SEP y se nota, no son iguales los de los 80, que los de los 90 a partir de los Chicago Stars. Aquí tenemos un libro publicado en 1991, con reminiscencias muy ochenteras dentro de su estilo. No es un libro que vaya al grano en chico conoce chica, tienen sus rifirrafes divertidos, se enamoran y ya. No, en "¡Campeona!" tenemos un novela más densa y compleja de lo que parece, es un libro en el que la historia fluye lentamente en un ambiente original para la época, y del que estoy segura SEP tuvo que investigar mucho.
¿Qué nos cuenta éste libro? La historia de Susannah Faulconer, que tampoco será la típica historia, si no que la conoceremos rápidamente desde niña, hasta centrarse en su vida como adulta y su éxito empresarial desde 1976 a 1983.
En éste caso la vida y crianza de Susannah será como la de muchas protagonistas de SEP, una mujer que creció en un ambiente privilegiado y muy protegido, pues su padre era el presidente de una importante empresa de electrónica, y nunca la faltó de nada. La vida de Susannah fue supeditada a la de los hombres de su familia, estaba educada para ser la mujer de clase alta perfecta, una mujer discreta y elegante, dispuesta a servir al hombre de la casa y sin rechistar en nada. Mientras que la hermana pequeña de Susannah, Paige, es todo lo contrario, porque nunca podría ser igual que la perfecta Susannah.
El libro empieza en el momento en que Susannah va a casarse con su prometido, Cal. El hombre que eligió su padre para ser el próximo presidente de la empresa cuando él no esté. Pero un motero con una Harley irrumpe en la boda y convence a Susannah de que no cometa ése error, entonce ella se sube a la moto y huye, dejando su perfecta vida y lo que se esperaba de ella, y adentrándose en un mundo totalmente ajeno al de las mujeres de su entorno.
Éste motero, Sam Gamble, es un joven visionario, un chico con un talento único y aventurero para el mundo futuro. En el momento en que Sam conoce a Susannah se enamora de ella, y necesita sacarla de ése error en el que se va a convertir su vida. Sam se la lleva con él a vivir a su casa, con su madre, y también conocerá a su mejor amigo, Yank, un joven friki del estilo de los de Big Bang Theory, que juntos están a punto de hacer algo revolucionario, adentrarán a Susannah en el mundo de la creación de los primeros ordenadores.
El libro ocurre en California, en la cuna de las grandes sedes de la electrónica, y es el momento en que se mencionan los nombres de Steve Wozniak y Steve Jobs, al igual de Bill Gates. Sam y Yank quieren montar su primera empresa de ordenadores, Sam es el visionario y Yank el ingeniero informático. Con la ayuda de Susannah comenzarán a dar sus primeros pasos dentro de la industria en la que conocerán por último a Mitch Blaine, un genio de los negocios y el marketing, que puede llevarlos al estrellato.
El libro es esto y mucho más, pues siendo una novela de SEP podemos esperar mucho de ella a la vez que muchos cambios y giros inesperados en la trama, pues Susannah es una mujer inteligente y fascinante, de la cual estarán enamorados a su manera los tres protagonistas, Sam, Yank y Mitch. El problema es que por no desvelar la trama, no diré con quien acaba Susannah, si es que acaba con alguno. Aunque es una novela de SEP y garantizo que hay amor, al igual que historia secundaria con la hermana de Susannah.
Aunque la gran protagonista del libro es Susannah, no hay que restarle mérito al resto de personajes, pues Sam es quien salvará a Susannah de su aburrida vida aristocrática, y Mitch y Yank serán un eslabón en su vida y crecimiento como mujer de éxito.
Por mi parte ha colado y he quedado muy satisfecha con la novela. Como siempre, la recomiendo si eres fan de SEP, pero advierto que es de sus primeras novelas y se nota, es distinta, pero no pierde encanto pese a la complejidad de su trama, la vida amorosa de Susannah, y los ordenadores. Chapó por SEP, estoy deseando que la sigan publicando en castellano.
4 Estrellitas. Iniciamos año de Reto Rita con Susan Elizabeth Phillips, una de mis autoras favoritas y su "¡Campeona!", el unico libro de SEP que me quedaba por leer.
No sé por qué estaba dejando éste libro para lo último y ahora me apena haberlo leído tan tarde, porque aunque es un libro distinto a todo lo que ha escrito, es genial.
Por otro lado es uno de los primeros libros de SEP y se nota, no son iguales los de los 80, que los de los 90 a partir de los Chicago Stars. Aquí tenemos un libro publicado en 1991, con reminiscencias muy ochenteras dentro de su estilo. No es un libro que vaya al grano en chico conoce chica, tienen sus rifirrafes divertidos, se enamoran y ya. No, en "¡Campeona!" tenemos un novela más densa y compleja de lo que parece, es un libro en el que la historia fluye lentamente en un ambiente original para la época, y del que estoy segura SEP tuvo que investigar mucho.
¿Qué nos cuenta éste libro? La historia de Susannah Faulconer, que tampoco será la típica historia, si no que la conoceremos rápidamente desde niña, hasta centrarse en su vida como adulta y su éxito empresarial desde 1976 a 1983.
En éste caso la vida y crianza de Susannah será como la de muchas protagonistas de SEP, una mujer que creció en un ambiente privilegiado y muy protegido, pues su padre era el presidente de una importante empresa de electrónica, y nunca la faltó de nada. La vida de Susannah fue supeditada a la de los hombres de su familia, estaba educada para ser la mujer de clase alta perfecta, una mujer discreta y elegante, dispuesta a servir al hombre de la casa y sin rechistar en nada. Mientras que la hermana pequeña de Susannah, Paige, es todo lo contrario, porque nunca podría ser igual que la perfecta Susannah.
El libro empieza en el momento en que Susannah va a casarse con su prometido, Cal. El hombre que eligió su padre para ser el próximo presidente de la empresa cuando él no esté. Pero un motero con una Harley irrumpe en la boda y convence a Susannah de que no cometa ése error, entonce ella se sube a la moto y huye, dejando su perfecta vida y lo que se esperaba de ella, y adentrándose en un mundo totalmente ajeno al de las mujeres de su entorno.
Éste motero, Sam Gamble, es un joven visionario, un chico con un talento único y aventurero para el mundo futuro. En el momento en que Sam conoce a Susannah se enamora de ella, y necesita sacarla de ése error en el que se va a convertir su vida. Sam se la lleva con él a vivir a su casa, con su madre, y también conocerá a su mejor amigo, Yank, un joven friki del estilo de los de Big Bang Theory, que juntos están a punto de hacer algo revolucionario, adentrarán a Susannah en el mundo de la creación de los primeros ordenadores.
El libro ocurre en California, en la cuna de las grandes sedes de la electrónica, y es el momento en que se mencionan los nombres de Steve Wozniak y Steve Jobs, al igual de Bill Gates. Sam y Yank quieren montar su primera empresa de ordenadores, Sam es el visionario y Yank el ingeniero informático. Con la ayuda de Susannah comenzarán a dar sus primeros pasos dentro de la industria en la que conocerán por último a Mitch Blaine, un genio de los negocios y el marketing, que puede llevarlos al estrellato.
El libro es esto y mucho más, pues siendo una novela de SEP podemos esperar mucho de ella a la vez que muchos cambios y giros inesperados en la trama, pues Susannah es una mujer inteligente y fascinante, de la cual estarán enamorados a su manera los tres protagonistas, Sam, Yank y Mitch. El problema es que por no desvelar la trama, no diré con quien acaba Susannah, si es que acaba con alguno. Aunque es una novela de SEP y garantizo que hay amor, al igual que historia secundaria con la hermana de Susannah.
Aunque la gran protagonista del libro es Susannah, no hay que restarle mérito al resto de personajes, pues Sam es quien salvará a Susannah de su aburrida vida aristocrática, y Mitch y Yank serán un eslabón en su vida y crecimiento como mujer de éxito.
Por mi parte ha colado y he quedado muy satisfecha con la novela. Como siempre, la recomiendo si eres fan de SEP, pero advierto que es de sus primeras novelas y se nota, es distinta, pero no pierde encanto pese a la complejidad de su trama, la vida amorosa de Susannah, y los ordenadores. Chapó por SEP, estoy deseando que la sigan publicando en castellano.
March 16, 2013
I have to say I was kind of disappointed in this book. I am a huge fan of almost all of Susan Elizabeth Phillips other books, but this one sort of fell flat for me.
Ok so the story is about a girl named Suzannah (Suzie) who is an aristocrat from a good family, and is the perfect daughter/hostess, etc. Her father adores her and her sister hates her, mostly because Suzie does everything for everyone and is always acting accordingly and never does anything she wants to do. Well that all changes when she meets Sam. He has this brilliant idea for a computer (a small computer that will one day be in every household) and wants to tell Suzie's father about it, as he is a tycoon in the computer industry. Of course Sam is laughed at and thrown out of the office, I mean small computers that every household has, who ever thought that could happen!
Sam appears again, at Suzie's wedding, to take her away from the boring life she is living and of course there is the added bonus that she will help him gain respectability in the computer industry. The rest of the book details how Sam and Suzie, along with their other two partners, get into the computer business and try to succeed. Sounds like a great idea for a book, alas there are some problems.
The first thing I hate was the sequential order of the beginning of the book. The book starts on such a high note, with Suzie running away from her wedding and then we are suddenly back at the beginning, when Suzie was a little girl (like 3). Not that these facts aren't interesting, but we don't need to start that far back in Suzie's life. I also have a hard time with the father. First he rescues Suzie and is a hero, but almost immediately turns into a cold villain? It doesn't seem to make sense. Also it takes forever to get back to the wedding scene. By the time we actually get back to Suzie leaving her wedding, I'm not as interested as I was before.
The other thing I didn't like about this book was the way she did or did not develop the characters. She spends almost the whole beginning of the book developing Sam as Suzie's love interest
The other issue I had was with Yank. Yank is a computer genius who plans all of the stuff for the computer, he builds it, comes up with the ideas, etc. Except he doesn't really talk or interact much with the other characters. So despite the fact that he is a main character, I feel I don't really understand him at all, and thus I don't really care about how his character ends up.
I just felt that this book lacked something. This book had some interesting plot points, but when I finished it I just felt disappointed. Not a book I would recommend, even to other people who like Susan Elizabeth Phillips.
Ok so the story is about a girl named Suzannah (Suzie) who is an aristocrat from a good family, and is the perfect daughter/hostess, etc. Her father adores her and her sister hates her, mostly because Suzie does everything for everyone and is always acting accordingly and never does anything she wants to do. Well that all changes when she meets Sam. He has this brilliant idea for a computer (a small computer that will one day be in every household) and wants to tell Suzie's father about it, as he is a tycoon in the computer industry. Of course Sam is laughed at and thrown out of the office, I mean small computers that every household has, who ever thought that could happen!
Sam appears again, at Suzie's wedding, to take her away from the boring life she is living and of course there is the added bonus that she will help him gain respectability in the computer industry. The rest of the book details how Sam and Suzie, along with their other two partners, get into the computer business and try to succeed. Sounds like a great idea for a book, alas there are some problems.
The first thing I hate was the sequential order of the beginning of the book. The book starts on such a high note, with Suzie running away from her wedding and then we are suddenly back at the beginning, when Suzie was a little girl (like 3). Not that these facts aren't interesting, but we don't need to start that far back in Suzie's life. I also have a hard time with the father. First he rescues Suzie and is a hero, but almost immediately turns into a cold villain? It doesn't seem to make sense. Also it takes forever to get back to the wedding scene. By the time we actually get back to Suzie leaving her wedding, I'm not as interested as I was before.
The other thing I didn't like about this book was the way she did or did not develop the characters. She spends almost the whole beginning of the book developing Sam as Suzie's love interest
The other issue I had was with Yank. Yank is a computer genius who plans all of the stuff for the computer, he builds it, comes up with the ideas, etc. Except he doesn't really talk or interact much with the other characters. So despite the fact that he is a main character, I feel I don't really understand him at all, and thus I don't really care about how his character ends up.
I just felt that this book lacked something. This book had some interesting plot points, but when I finished it I just felt disappointed. Not a book I would recommend, even to other people who like Susan Elizabeth Phillips.
March 23, 2019
5 stars! SEP's books are food for my soul. I love them all so much. I have read almost every single one and Hot Shot is one of my favorites so far. It's not as light-hearted as the books in her Chicago Stars series. Hot Shot is the inspirational epic life story of one her most amazing heroines Susannah Faulconer.
Hot Shot gives us a small glimpse into Susannah's lonely and awful childhood with her mentally ill grandmother. She is soon saved by her stepfather and taken from New York to San Francisco. She is adored by her stepfather and she makes it her mission to please him well info her adulthood. Her father is the very busy founder, President, and CEO of his technology company FBT.
It appears to everyone that Susannah has it all, being the daughter of a wealthy and adoring father. But being the perfect daughter has taken a toll on Susannah and with the appearance of biker Sam Gamble, who is trying to sell her a life of excitement with the promise of changing the world with the invention of the microcomputer, she's questioning everything.
This book takes place primarily in the 70's and 80's and focuses on her life with the invention of the microcomputer and the start of her company with 3 other partners. I listened to the audiobook and absolutely loved it. I am not a techie by any means and feel that the audiobook was the way to go for someone that doesn't know much of anything about computers other than know how to use one. I was absolutely fascinated.
With everything that happens in this book, I can't just categorize it as a romance. This book is historical and interesting in relation to technology and how it took off in the 70's and 80's in silicon valley. There are many other companies and inventors mentioned in this book including Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, Apple, IBM, etc, etc.
This is a story of a woman in a man's world that has to deal with proving herself all while dealing with the betrayal of her father and sister. Listening to how her father and sister treated her was heartbreaking and I found myself getting so upset, you would have thought it was me who it was happening to.
The book does contain a love story, so any romance reader will love it. But this book is so much more. Susannah's hard work and success is such an inspiration. At the end of the book, tears of happiness were running down my face. But I was also sad. Sad that I was at the end of this amazing book.
This book is another amazing example of the intelligence of Susan Elizabeth Phillips. The work and research she had to have put into this book is astonishing. What was more astonishing, was learning that this was one of her earliest books, written in 1991.
Hot Shot gives us a small glimpse into Susannah's lonely and awful childhood with her mentally ill grandmother. She is soon saved by her stepfather and taken from New York to San Francisco. She is adored by her stepfather and she makes it her mission to please him well info her adulthood. Her father is the very busy founder, President, and CEO of his technology company FBT.
It appears to everyone that Susannah has it all, being the daughter of a wealthy and adoring father. But being the perfect daughter has taken a toll on Susannah and with the appearance of biker Sam Gamble, who is trying to sell her a life of excitement with the promise of changing the world with the invention of the microcomputer, she's questioning everything.
This book takes place primarily in the 70's and 80's and focuses on her life with the invention of the microcomputer and the start of her company with 3 other partners. I listened to the audiobook and absolutely loved it. I am not a techie by any means and feel that the audiobook was the way to go for someone that doesn't know much of anything about computers other than know how to use one. I was absolutely fascinated.
With everything that happens in this book, I can't just categorize it as a romance. This book is historical and interesting in relation to technology and how it took off in the 70's and 80's in silicon valley. There are many other companies and inventors mentioned in this book including Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, Apple, IBM, etc, etc.
This is a story of a woman in a man's world that has to deal with proving herself all while dealing with the betrayal of her father and sister. Listening to how her father and sister treated her was heartbreaking and I found myself getting so upset, you would have thought it was me who it was happening to.
The book does contain a love story, so any romance reader will love it. But this book is so much more. Susannah's hard work and success is such an inspiration. At the end of the book, tears of happiness were running down my face. But I was also sad. Sad that I was at the end of this amazing book.
This book is another amazing example of the intelligence of Susan Elizabeth Phillips. The work and research she had to have put into this book is astonishing. What was more astonishing, was learning that this was one of her earliest books, written in 1991.
March 29, 2009
If I could give this 6 stars I would. This was an amazing story...amazing. While the story was about the evolution of the computer industry, it could have been the start of any business. I have to admit though, being in the technology field, this did appeal to me.
It was a great story of the journey of a group of 4 young friends (each different types of people with different backgrounds) with ideas about the future and who they are, and who they ultimately become. They set off to change the world and as they find out who they are in the process.
The story centers mostly around Suzanne (Susie), a very smart 25 year old from an aristocratic family that follows the rules, but is very passionate and is dying to come out of her shell. She does this in a dramatic way was becoming a runaway bride, leaving everything to be with a man she is drawn to Sam and his dreams. Sam (age 24) is the kind of guy who has great visions for the future is also extremely passionate. He doesn't think of the details and often gets ahead of himself. He likes to live on the edge and anything else is just plain dull. He works with a college buddy Yank, who is a techie to the core.....not big for the big picture and is very passionate about technology and solving problems....he's simply brilliant He doesn't seem to have an emotional side, but we find that is not the case. They take on a partner, Mitch (31) very technical, business savy and sucessful, who is just coming off a break up with his life and is looking for something new and challenging....All 4 are very passionate, in similar, but different ways. They compliment eachother and build a business together.
Then there's Paige, Suzanne's estranged sister, Angela (Sam's Mom) and Suzanne's dad.....They all add to the great cast of characters that are so vividly drawn that you can see who they really are....And really, I have to say that I loved each of these characters, in spite of or because of their faults.
I have to say that there were certain aspects of the story that brought me to tears and it didn't have anything to do with the romantic aspects of the story. Sometimes being close to certain people can make you a better and a stronger person. There are also things that you love most about a person that also be the very things that can tear you apart.
I don't want to give too much away of about this story, but I can tell you as I sit here a little misty right now, I will be thinking about it for a while. It's one of those stories that will stick with me for a very very long time.....One of my top 10 reads of all time.
It was a great story of the journey of a group of 4 young friends (each different types of people with different backgrounds) with ideas about the future and who they are, and who they ultimately become. They set off to change the world and as they find out who they are in the process.
The story centers mostly around Suzanne (Susie), a very smart 25 year old from an aristocratic family that follows the rules, but is very passionate and is dying to come out of her shell. She does this in a dramatic way was becoming a runaway bride, leaving everything to be with a man she is drawn to Sam and his dreams. Sam (age 24) is the kind of guy who has great visions for the future is also extremely passionate. He doesn't think of the details and often gets ahead of himself. He likes to live on the edge and anything else is just plain dull. He works with a college buddy Yank, who is a techie to the core.....not big for the big picture and is very passionate about technology and solving problems....he's simply brilliant He doesn't seem to have an emotional side, but we find that is not the case. They take on a partner, Mitch (31) very technical, business savy and sucessful, who is just coming off a break up with his life and is looking for something new and challenging....All 4 are very passionate, in similar, but different ways. They compliment eachother and build a business together.
Then there's Paige, Suzanne's estranged sister, Angela (Sam's Mom) and Suzanne's dad.....They all add to the great cast of characters that are so vividly drawn that you can see who they really are....And really, I have to say that I loved each of these characters, in spite of or because of their faults.
I have to say that there were certain aspects of the story that brought me to tears and it didn't have anything to do with the romantic aspects of the story. Sometimes being close to certain people can make you a better and a stronger person. There are also things that you love most about a person that also be the very things that can tear you apart.
I don't want to give too much away of about this story, but I can tell you as I sit here a little misty right now, I will be thinking about it for a while. It's one of those stories that will stick with me for a very very long time.....One of my top 10 reads of all time.
February 7, 2011
This may be one of those times when I'm being harder on a book than I otherwise would have been, because I really enjoy the author, and was really disappointed by this particular book. But I honestly couldn't finish it. I barely got 1/4 through it, as a matter of fact.
The book begins with a melodramatic scene at a wedding -- Sam comes roaring in on his motorcycle and convinces the bride to run away with him just as she was about to say her vows. Then, it flashes back to her life growing up. An instant structural problem, IMO, but I went with it, trying to figure out what would have brought them to the opening scene.
By the time we catch up to the opening, I'm at a loss to explain the need for the melodrama, or the actions of Susannah, the runaway bride.
Worse, though, I don't understand anyone else. Susannah's father, a powerful industrialist who adopted her when she was six, after having saved her from his wife's grandmother, goes from being a loving father to a cold, demanding business tycoon between breaths. His reasons for having married Susannah's mother don't make sense. His attitude toward his biological daughter (and Susannah's half sister) make no sense. He curses his wife for being a god-awful human being, then he turns his back while she neglects her daughters. I couldn't follow a thread of logic in his entire being.
I could actually understand the visionary who took over his father's company turning down the next big invention, partly because he had reached a state of comfort in his business dealings, but also because Sam's approach was immature and ridiculous. Yes, I realize this was a recent historical, set at the dawn of the microcomupter, so we all know there's a good idea there, but Sam doesn't have enough of a hold on reality to make it happen. I guess Susannah will eventually help him be that hold on reality, but I don't see her jumping on the crazy train with him. He has no concept of what he really has, no marketing strategy, no cost analysis, no consumer demographic -- he's got a neat toy that will appeal to a handful of nerds and has these unfocused theories that everyone will want one, but for what? (If I recall correctly, the spreadsheet application turned out to be a big part of the answer that eventually sold the microcomputer.) I'm afraid Susannah's father was absolutely right, even if he was a bit of a jerk -- it wasn't about Sam's clothes, hair, or earring, it was that he was selling a dream, not a product -- he had no idea what he was talkinga bout.
Now, visionaries have their place in the world, and there was still a lot of book left to read before we got to the HEA, but I simply couldn't imagine Susannah riding off into the sunrise with him. (Yes, sunrise, because she pulled that stunt pretty close to the beginning of the book, and now I can't help but think the rest will be anti-climactic.) At that point, she had met him a handful of times, kissed him once, and on that basis, rode off with him? I do my best to suspend disbelief for these types of books, but I can only stretch credibility so far. She's already claiming (in her mind) that she's in love with him. I don't see it.
All of that adds up to a cast of characters I don't care about and a book I've decided to put down, before I get even more frustrated.
The book begins with a melodramatic scene at a wedding -- Sam comes roaring in on his motorcycle and convinces the bride to run away with him just as she was about to say her vows. Then, it flashes back to her life growing up. An instant structural problem, IMO, but I went with it, trying to figure out what would have brought them to the opening scene.
By the time we catch up to the opening, I'm at a loss to explain the need for the melodrama, or the actions of Susannah, the runaway bride.
Worse, though, I don't understand anyone else. Susannah's father, a powerful industrialist who adopted her when she was six, after having saved her from his wife's grandmother, goes from being a loving father to a cold, demanding business tycoon between breaths. His reasons for having married Susannah's mother don't make sense. His attitude toward his biological daughter (and Susannah's half sister) make no sense. He curses his wife for being a god-awful human being, then he turns his back while she neglects her daughters. I couldn't follow a thread of logic in his entire being.
I could actually understand the visionary who took over his father's company turning down the next big invention, partly because he had reached a state of comfort in his business dealings, but also because Sam's approach was immature and ridiculous. Yes, I realize this was a recent historical, set at the dawn of the microcomupter, so we all know there's a good idea there, but Sam doesn't have enough of a hold on reality to make it happen. I guess Susannah will eventually help him be that hold on reality, but I don't see her jumping on the crazy train with him. He has no concept of what he really has, no marketing strategy, no cost analysis, no consumer demographic -- he's got a neat toy that will appeal to a handful of nerds and has these unfocused theories that everyone will want one, but for what? (If I recall correctly, the spreadsheet application turned out to be a big part of the answer that eventually sold the microcomputer.) I'm afraid Susannah's father was absolutely right, even if he was a bit of a jerk -- it wasn't about Sam's clothes, hair, or earring, it was that he was selling a dream, not a product -- he had no idea what he was talkinga bout.
Now, visionaries have their place in the world, and there was still a lot of book left to read before we got to the HEA, but I simply couldn't imagine Susannah riding off into the sunrise with him. (Yes, sunrise, because she pulled that stunt pretty close to the beginning of the book, and now I can't help but think the rest will be anti-climactic.) At that point, she had met him a handful of times, kissed him once, and on that basis, rode off with him? I do my best to suspend disbelief for these types of books, but I can only stretch credibility so far. She's already claiming (in her mind) that she's in love with him. I don't see it.
All of that adds up to a cast of characters I don't care about and a book I've decided to put down, before I get even more frustrated.
April 24, 2022
I loved this book so much. Not a month goes by that I don't think about some scene or character in that book--that's how memorable it was for me, and I read it when it came out. As someone who was in college for the personal computer revolution, I loved reading one author's version of that, and a brilliant version besides. Susannah was such a strong heroine--and this is really her story (but she does end up with the hottest guy, IMO). I recommend it highly.
February 14, 2011
My first Susan Elizabeth Phillips novel was Ain't She Sweet, and I was immediately blown away. In its complex, brilliant pages, she took the romance genre and used it to launch a beautiful rumination on love, regret, family, community, and memory. In short, she created a great book, not merely a great romance novel.
Since then, I've read most of Phillips' books and have enjoyed them immensely, but I've also been a little disappointed. While they were all fine romance novels, filled with great characters and wonderful humor, they were also a little rote. The plots seemed obvious, the complications a little too simple. In short, while they were great romance novels, they weren't great books and I have often felt like Phillips is skating by on her amazing ability to tell a story, but ignoring her potential for truly great and revelatory fiction.
I just finished Hot Shot and was again amazed. I'm not sure if it's a great romance novel -- it was unclear who Susannah, the main character, is going to end up with, and the plot often slides away from romantic entanglements -- but it is certainly a great book. While it lacks some of the polish and much of the humor that characterize Phillips' later novels, its depiction of good people trying to discover themselves is simply outstanding. Bottom line, this book is a gem that shows the kind of work that Phillips is capable of writing, but all-too-rarely does.
Since then, I've read most of Phillips' books and have enjoyed them immensely, but I've also been a little disappointed. While they were all fine romance novels, filled with great characters and wonderful humor, they were also a little rote. The plots seemed obvious, the complications a little too simple. In short, while they were great romance novels, they weren't great books and I have often felt like Phillips is skating by on her amazing ability to tell a story, but ignoring her potential for truly great and revelatory fiction.
I just finished Hot Shot and was again amazed. I'm not sure if it's a great romance novel -- it was unclear who Susannah, the main character, is going to end up with, and the plot often slides away from romantic entanglements -- but it is certainly a great book. While it lacks some of the polish and much of the humor that characterize Phillips' later novels, its depiction of good people trying to discover themselves is simply outstanding. Bottom line, this book is a gem that shows the kind of work that Phillips is capable of writing, but all-too-rarely does.
September 24, 2017
Powerful, wonderful story. I loved it.
The four main characters were unique, special and strong in four very different ways. I loved these characters The plot included guys creating computers out of a garage in the 1970s as well as a much larger computer corporation. I had a hard time sleeping because I kept thinking about it.
AUDIOBOOK NARRATOR:
Anna Fields was great.
DATA:
Narrative mode: 3rd person. Story length: 487 pages. Sexual language: moderate. Number of sex scenes: six. Setting: computer industry in the U.S. in the 1970s and 1980s. Copyright: 1991. Genre: contemporary romance.
OTHER BOOKS:
For a list of my reviews of other Susan Elizabeth Phillips books, see my 5 star review of “It Had To Be You.”
The four main characters were unique, special and strong in four very different ways. I loved these characters The plot included guys creating computers out of a garage in the 1970s as well as a much larger computer corporation. I had a hard time sleeping because I kept thinking about it.
AUDIOBOOK NARRATOR:
Anna Fields was great.
DATA:
Narrative mode: 3rd person. Story length: 487 pages. Sexual language: moderate. Number of sex scenes: six. Setting: computer industry in the U.S. in the 1970s and 1980s. Copyright: 1991. Genre: contemporary romance.
OTHER BOOKS:
For a list of my reviews of other Susan Elizabeth Phillips books, see my 5 star review of “It Had To Be You.”
October 14, 2021
Not your typical SEP story. Our heroine Susannah has two heroes. The first one is the rebel of her youth and the second is the real hero of her adulthood. I love the time period - the start of the computer age. I enjoyed it just as much on the re-read.
Read
March 21, 2020
Come share a glorious, heart-stopping love story, and meet the unforgettable woman called "Hot Shot" as she discovers a passion so rich, so tender, that she will be utterly and forever transformed.
My least favorite book by SEP so far...I was expecting glorious and heart-stopping love story but instead I got something quite different.
SEP put a lot of effort into researching the back story of computers but it was quite boring. I think that there were too many characters and side-stories that disturbed the pace of the book. I disliked those long, long passages of narration and flashbacks that slowed down the story (a few well-done scenes could have provided all that information more quicker and smoother!).
I usually like how SEP's characters develop and I enjoy watching their journey but in this one the characters were not engrossing. I really disliked some of them till the end. Eventually there's a Happy Ending with the "right" man, but the journey was too overwhelming, distressing, and the ending felt kinda rushed.
July 6, 2018
Leído: 41%.
Páginas total: 520.
Para todo hay una primera vez y esta es la primera y única vez que he abandonado un libro de Susan Elizabeth Phillips. Debo admitir que me puso sumamente triste abandonar este libro porque yo nunca había pensado que podría abandonar un libro de mi amada Susan. Creo que por esta razón no he cogido un libro desde que me rendí con éste. Me quedé totalmente desanimada.
Este fue el primer libro que escribió Susan Elizabeth Phillips y se nota porque yo aquí no he encontrado nada de esa Susan a la que conozco. Es asombroso que su primer libro fuera un documental sobre la creación de los primeros ordenadores particulares y después se convirtiera en una autora de narrativa. Con este libro Susan intenta hacernos creer que vamos a vivir una obra de ficción pero realmente el foco son los ordenadores y es lo único sobre lo que se lee / se aprende.
Leí hasta el 41% con muchísima fuerza de voluntad pero os juro que estaba odiando a Susan por haber escrito una porquería de libro como éste. Porque esa es mi perspectiva. Este libro es un auténtico timo que promete contarnos como Susannah se convierte en alguien y en realidad solo es el trofeo de un tío muy machito, y toda la obra gira entorno a piezas de ordenadores. Estaba harta de leer sobre esto una y otra vez, además de que Susan se esfuerza al máximo porque su narrativa sea tediosa, técnica y aburrida.
La única parte de novela trata de cómo Susannah se rebela a su padrastro, que pasa de ser un gran papá a un hijo de puta controlador que no quiere una hija con voz propia. Susannah cambia el control de su padre por el control de Sam, el friki obsesivo de los ordenadores que quiere triunfar a costa de la inteligencia de su amigo y de esta chica florero. Susannah y Sam inician la más tóxica de las relaciones donde a él le importa una mierda lo que ella pueda pensar. Ella se convierte en la esclava y chica florero de él, y ella a cambio le sirve en la cama. Es jodidamente tóxico y absolutamente patético.
Tampoco podéis esperar que Susannah tenga una personalidad. NO LA TIENE. Es simplemente una chica mona que nunca se ha atrevido a pedir nada y que se pasa el día cachonda por Sam. Sam es el típico machito de pelo largo que cree que todas las tías se deben tirar a sus pies y hacerle la vida más fácil, es un machista y un gilipollas.
Es un malísimo libro para conocer a Susan Elizabeth Phillips, y yo que la adoro tanto me he sentido muy decepcionada por su modo de vendernos este libro y sus baratos personajes.
Páginas total: 520.
Para todo hay una primera vez y esta es la primera y única vez que he abandonado un libro de Susan Elizabeth Phillips. Debo admitir que me puso sumamente triste abandonar este libro porque yo nunca había pensado que podría abandonar un libro de mi amada Susan. Creo que por esta razón no he cogido un libro desde que me rendí con éste. Me quedé totalmente desanimada.
Este fue el primer libro que escribió Susan Elizabeth Phillips y se nota porque yo aquí no he encontrado nada de esa Susan a la que conozco. Es asombroso que su primer libro fuera un documental sobre la creación de los primeros ordenadores particulares y después se convirtiera en una autora de narrativa. Con este libro Susan intenta hacernos creer que vamos a vivir una obra de ficción pero realmente el foco son los ordenadores y es lo único sobre lo que se lee / se aprende.
Leí hasta el 41% con muchísima fuerza de voluntad pero os juro que estaba odiando a Susan por haber escrito una porquería de libro como éste. Porque esa es mi perspectiva. Este libro es un auténtico timo que promete contarnos como Susannah se convierte en alguien y en realidad solo es el trofeo de un tío muy machito, y toda la obra gira entorno a piezas de ordenadores. Estaba harta de leer sobre esto una y otra vez, además de que Susan se esfuerza al máximo porque su narrativa sea tediosa, técnica y aburrida.
La única parte de novela trata de cómo Susannah se rebela a su padrastro, que pasa de ser un gran papá a un hijo de puta controlador que no quiere una hija con voz propia. Susannah cambia el control de su padre por el control de Sam, el friki obsesivo de los ordenadores que quiere triunfar a costa de la inteligencia de su amigo y de esta chica florero. Susannah y Sam inician la más tóxica de las relaciones donde a él le importa una mierda lo que ella pueda pensar. Ella se convierte en la esclava y chica florero de él, y ella a cambio le sirve en la cama. Es jodidamente tóxico y absolutamente patético.
Tampoco podéis esperar que Susannah tenga una personalidad. NO LA TIENE. Es simplemente una chica mona que nunca se ha atrevido a pedir nada y que se pasa el día cachonda por Sam. Sam es el típico machito de pelo largo que cree que todas las tías se deben tirar a sus pies y hacerle la vida más fácil, es un machista y un gilipollas.
Es un malísimo libro para conocer a Susan Elizabeth Phillips, y yo que la adoro tanto me he sentido muy decepcionada por su modo de vendernos este libro y sus baratos personajes.
Read
August 28, 2019DNF @ 38%
I’ve decided to stop here because this one is just not working for me. I adore SEP and her writing. And while the writing isn’t bad, I have found the plot theme just isn’t my cup of tea. 🤷♀️ 💻
I’ve decided to stop here because this one is just not working for me. I adore SEP and her writing. And while the writing isn’t bad, I have found the plot theme just isn’t my cup of tea. 🤷♀️ 💻
September 16, 2018
DNF 6%
August 28, 2019
Bueno...con esta novela completo formalmente mi lectura de toda la obra de mi querida Susan !!!🥳Es un poco para festejar y reír pero también es una despedida triste y melancólica 😪😩para lo que representa como lectora esperar encontrarme con un nuevo libro o novela no leída a descubrir y que ya no será más.Me tome mi tiempo para leer “Campeona”,de hecho lo intente un par de veces y la abandone,tal vez no era el momento...mi momento.Esta semana que me tomo terminarla,fue un tiempo hermoso para descubrir una Susan que no había leído antes,y llegué a la conclusión de que ella puede escribir sobre lo que quiera,cualquier cosa,lo que se te ocurra y lo va a hacer jodidamente bien ! Campeona es una novela diferente.Dificil ? tal vez,que nos sumerge en el mundillo de los frikis tecnológicos de Sillicon Valley a mediados de los 60 y sus albores en garages.La protagonista de esta historia no solo es Susannah sino Sam Gamble,Jank y Mitch ,un cuarteto de lo más particular.Susie en todo caso es una mujer en un mundo de hombres que debe luchar por su lugar y su identidad y no se le hace fácil ,ni de la mano de su padre adoptivo Joel Falcouner ni de la mano de Sam.Lo de novela diferente lo decía porque a diferencia de otras (muchas y tantas) novelas de SEP acá los protagonistas no mantienen la clásica historia de amor(si bien en Susan nunca lo son)la cuestión funciona y fluye de otra manera,con otra energía y densidad sobre todo desde el lado de Sam Gamble quien a primera vista es el hombre para Susan.su alma gemela.pero odiamos a Sam,nos abruma todo lo que pretende y exige a Susan,y a su vez con semejante personaje Sep reformula la idea de su antihéroe,el semental y todo poderoso Sam no es más que un rebelde egoísta con una visión.Sam nos envuelve con su discurso,nos enamora,pero así como llega a cautivarnos con todo su palabrerío,este se diluye,y ese amor para Susan ya no es tal y ahí aparece súbitamente Mitch...y no es que este mal en absoluto.no por nada es una novela larga que se divide en dos partes!Mitch representa otro tipo de héroe romántico. Y es tan bien real.Esta novela me deja con muchas ganas de leer más sobre esos hechos reales en los que se inspiró SEP para escribir esta historia allá por el lejano año 1991...y que pudimos leer traducida muchoooossss años después.Si me preguntan si recomiendo esta novela ? Diría que claro que si,porque si estás acá leyendo este review amas a Susan Elizabeth Philips tanto como yo o por lo menos la leíste alguna vez.y si no es el caso tenes que adentrarte a esta escritora porque ella se lo merece .
April 11, 2016
I know I am going to date myself, but since this is a book set in the recent (40 years ago) past, I remember everything about the start of the computer age. My husband was one of those hobbyists who built his own computer. Names like IBM, Hewlett-Packard, Xerox and others were all jockeying for market share and upstarts like Bill Gates and Steve Jobs were killing them. So much industrial espionage and backstabbing. Big companies were so entrenched in their historic business models that they failed to seize the new technology and basically were left in the dust. This book is fascinating from the historic viewpoint alone. Add a heroine who is also on the edge between the old views of women and the new equal rights movement and it is a fascinating plot.
July 9, 2013
I don't know how I feel about this book... There were several parts that got under my skin. Sam really broke my heart. Every time I remember It felt an ache in my heart. This is more drama than romance. In the end I connected the most with Yank and was disappointed that he was not given more of the lime light.
May 16, 2019
Dated, boring, naive, simplistic.
October 18, 2021
Ich gebe es auf... Drei Anläufe reichen. Es haut mich einfach nicht vom Sockel.
Read
March 24, 2024This is a DNF absolute snooze fest. SEP you write the goods, I know you do, but this early work isn’t there.
August 2, 2017
I loved this book. Being an electronics engineer myself I loved the trip to the past. I have grown up around pc, laptop, smart phones. A story about a lifetime ago when there were no personal computers is unfathomable to me. That's what made it so exiting!
And of course Mitch!
If you are looking forward to a contemporary romantic book, then you might be slightly disappointed here. This book, although, is a romance, it's more of a sub-genre here.
It has more of science, technology and history.
Susannah and her relationship with all the three men in her life - Mitch, Sam and Yank is fascinating.
Try as I might, but I could never hate Sam. He does despicable things in the end, but he was the one who broke Susannah's cocoon and let her become a butterfly. If it wasn't for him and his demanding personality Susannah couldn't have been able to find her courage and self worth.
But I never felt they were right for each other. Sam took a lot and gave very less. Even when they got married, I couldn't come to terms with them as forever. It just wasn't right.
I always held hope for Mitch and Susannah.
I loved how Mitch and Susannah are with each other. I love their friendship, banter, confidence in each other!
They were kindred spirits, made for each other!
I loved this novel, because it talks about second chances. I loved it because, it teaches us that even failed marriages, which seem to be the end, can be overcome when you meet the person meant for you. I loved it because, here no one is perfect and everyone had their faults, it tells us that mistakes must be made to understand when not to make them.
Yet, I give this book 4 stars because, I wanted more of Susannah and Mitch.
I wanted more of the romance we were promised.
And of course Mitch!
If you are looking forward to a contemporary romantic book, then you might be slightly disappointed here. This book, although, is a romance, it's more of a sub-genre here.
It has more of science, technology and history.
Susannah and her relationship with all the three men in her life - Mitch, Sam and Yank is fascinating.
Try as I might, but I could never hate Sam. He does despicable things in the end, but he was the one who broke Susannah's cocoon and let her become a butterfly. If it wasn't for him and his demanding personality Susannah couldn't have been able to find her courage and self worth.
But I never felt they were right for each other. Sam took a lot and gave very less. Even when they got married, I couldn't come to terms with them as forever. It just wasn't right.
I always held hope for Mitch and Susannah.
I loved how Mitch and Susannah are with each other. I love their friendship, banter, confidence in each other!
They were kindred spirits, made for each other!
I loved this novel, because it talks about second chances. I loved it because, it teaches us that even failed marriages, which seem to be the end, can be overcome when you meet the person meant for you. I loved it because, here no one is perfect and everyone had their faults, it tells us that mistakes must be made to understand when not to make them.
Yet, I give this book 4 stars because, I wanted more of Susannah and Mitch.
I wanted more of the romance we were promised.
November 6, 2022
"Sometimes the best part of loving somebody is loving them even though they've hurt you. Listen to me, Joel. Any fool can love somebody who's perfect, somebody who does everything right. But that doesn't stretch your soul. Your soul only gets stretched when you can still love somebody after they've hurt you."
Yes, it wasn't typical SEP romance. No athlete and rather little humor (although one of the last scenes - with betting - was pricelessly funny). But what a great novel it was!
I can't decide if I liked more the parts about the beggings/the emerging personal computer industry or the love stories. And adding to this: what plot-twists! I don't remember when I was so much surprised about romance.
I think that it was so marvelous because Mrs Phillips created interesting characters. They simply led the story. Again, I can't decide which one I loved the most. They were such perfectly imperfect.
"You've made a mistake, [here I have deleted the name, it would have been a spoiler]. Don't you see? I've turned into your vision of me. And the woman you've created won't put up with you any longer."
January 28, 2016
Es un libro precioso, una historia solida, bien construida y documentada. Es asombroso como SEP logra trasmitir las personalidades y que desean cada uno de sus personajes. Me he quedado encantada como con todos los libros que voy leyendo de esta escritora a la cual admiro.
January 28, 2016
4,75. Esta autora es increíble, como te puede mantener enganchada en más de 500 páginas y crear tantas historias tan bien contadas amen de estos maravillosos personajes.
January 5, 2012
I love SEP and this book was so refreshingly different from her other books (especially if you compare it to the Chicago Stars series). I like the way the book explored the view of women back in those times. I'm used to reading romance books where everything ends in 'Happily ever afters' but this book has a dose of reality that just got me glued to the plot. However, everything seemed to happen so fast in the end. I wish she would have explored the last chapter in broader details. Everything seemed to be rushed and after reading a book that is 400-something pages long, the last thing I need is a rushed ending.
September 15, 2009
A fantastic story with great cast of characters!
August 10, 2015
I love this author! Usually her books have more happier times, but still, It was a good book. I really felt Sam's betrayal. So well written!
October 28, 2015
Odlična priča iz pera sjane Susan Elizabeth Phillips! No, moram reći da me lik Sama užasno živcirao, pa mi se tim više svidio završetak knjige! Uživala sam!
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