SEX AND THE SINGLE ZILLIONAIRE

Author: Tom Perkins ISBN: 0060851678 2/2006 CONTEMPORARY Publisher: HARPER COLLINS/Regan Books

When Steven Hudson, a wealthy widower in his late sixties, agrees to appear on a reality TV show with a group of beautiful twentysomething gold diggers, romance breaks out where he least expects it. As the head of a somewhat stodgy old-money Wall Street firm, Steven’s partners are against his decision to appear on the show, but his children—especially his ne’er-do-well son, Henry—support him. While Henry is smart—he’s invented many clever applications for computers—he’s lazy, and has never had to work a day in his life. But if Henry can help out his father with the TV show, and end up with some of the girls who are eliminated from the show each week, how can that hurt? When Steven least expects it, love jumps up and smacks him between the eyes. Jessica James—the TV show’s producer—is about thirty-nine, and a single mother with a teenage son. But unlike the siliconed and perfectly toned babes vying for Steven’s love—and wallet—she is a real woman who has lived life and knows what she wants. Legendary venture capitalist Tom Perkins pens a charming, slyly wicked tale of love among the fabulously rich and the sexy young things who aspire to marry them!

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

The twist on reality TV as we know it, made for an interesting plot line in SEX AND THE SINGLE ZILLIONAIRE. As the characters fell into place at the beginning of the book, I found myself looking forward to watching this couple come together, even though their paths seemed only to be crossing for a short time. However, the characters lacked the depth I was hoping to find in them. I would have liked to have seen more sparks, more heated discussions and definitely more romantic interaction between the main characters. Conversations I spent the entire book waiting to hear resulted in a simple summary of the events, with little or no dialogue. Also, the characters of Steven and Jessie seem to go from attraction, straight to marriage. Did I miss the falling in love part?

The characters and the reality show storyline make for a pleasant way to pass an afternoon. However, while the characters are likeable, they are not necessarily memorable. As much as I wanted to, I just couldn't get caught up in the story.

Amanda Rutherford