A Novel with Thoughts and Ponderings

ALL I EVER WANTED

Author: Ellen Fisher ISBN:1586083759 (e-book) 2/2004 CONTEMPORARY Publisher: NEW CONCEPTS PUBLISHING

Maxfield Sinclair, the author of a popular science fiction series, is revered by fans everywhere as "The Creator." Drew Cooper, a snobbish literature professor, isn’t impressed with Max’s books, or with Max himself, for that matter. As Drew gets to know Max, however, she realizes there’s more to the shy, awkward writer than meets the eye. But can a woman who enjoys escargot and caviar fall in love with a guy who thinks fine cuisine means supreme instead of pepperoni?

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

Ellen Fisher writes beautifully. Her style is smooth with snappy dialogue, nice pacing and richly defined characters.

ALL I EVER WANTED is top notch work; a breezy, sexy and fun effort with a really dreamy hero. Ms. Fisher has also cleverly woven a nifty little mystery into this story. I'm normally pretty good at whodonits, but one of the culprits was a total surprise.

Max Sinclair, the hero, is a gem of a character and the real strength of this story. A nice blend of shy, insecure and awkward, Max is, by his own admission, a nerd. But, oh boy, what a nerd! Tall, drop dead gorgeous - Max is definitely a hunk.

The fact that Ms. Fisher's characters are so finely crafted might ironically account for why I never warmed to the heroine, Drew. She is so well drawn, she is, in a word, annoying. A college English literature professor, Drew looks down her perfect little nose at anyone who does not read the classics. So imagine what she thinks of Max who is a famous science fiction author.

Presented as an Amazon Barbie (with perfect features, perfect figure and naturally platinum blonde hair), Drew bemoans the fact she isn't homely so she'll be taken seriously. She is not only a snob, she is superficial, narrow-minded, shallow, controlling, cool (bordering on cold). Oh, and she's intentionally cruel to Max, who already has no self-confidence.

I wanted to smack Drew throughout most of this story. Every time I felt the slightest thaw toward her character another fact was revealed to show her in a poor light. To be fair though, this heroine did redeem herself in the end.

Surprisingly, Drew didn't distract from my overall enjoyment of this story. At least not too much. Ms. Fisher peppered ALL I EVER WANTED with several interesting secondary characters who, in a subtle way, softened Drew's sharp edges.

All in all, I would highly recommend ALL I EVER WANTED.

Debbie Jett

Close Window or Back to Previous Page