7 Days and 7 Nights

Even after being saturated by reality television--this story about two antagonistic former lovers, who are competing to keep their own vastly different radio programs on the air, is a winner. They reluctantly agree to live together for one week while being tele-cast on the Internet so viewers vote for their favorite celebrity; the winner keeps their show. Wendy Wax keeps her characters interesting because she has the courage to make them not quite perfect, but still endearing. The sub-plots are well developed and provide a nice thread to the story. I wish that I could as enthusastically recommend the books that followed 7 Days and 7 Nights, but my slight disappointment won't keep me from reading more books by Wendy Wax.

Dr. Olivia Moore is a therapist who hosts a radio talk show, "Liv Live", in Atlanta. Olivia offers advice to her listeners dealing with actual, grown-up problems. Matt Ransom hosts the show "Guy Talk" where he prefers to discuss issues such as sports and cars. Unfortunately, the station can no longer afford to continue carrying both shows, so one will have to be cut. How to decide which show gets the boot? Let the listeners decide. Lock the two hosts up in an apartment for a week. They will do their shows from the apartment, web cams will be installed, and their every moment will be broadcast on the internet 24/7. During this week, listeners will make food donations to a local charity in the name of the host that they support. The person who receives the most donations will get to keep their show. Spending a week together will be difficult for Olivia and Matt. Their personalities are like night and day--Olivia is responsible and serious, while Matt prefers to relax and go with the flow. And making things even more difficult is the fact that years ago, while working for a radio station in Chicago, they were lovers (information that is unknown to anyone else). That affair didn't end on the friendliest terms. There is a sub-plot involving two listeners, JoBeth and Dawg. JoBeth is 41 and ready to settle down and start a family. Dawg has already been married and divorced and is in no hurry to repeat the experience. JoBeth seeks Olivia's advice and Dawg seeks Matt's. This sub-plot was enjoyable and blended beautifully with the rest of the story. I had two very small complaints about the book. (1) About 3/4 of the way through the story I started to get a little irritated with Matt. It took him entirely too long to wake up and face facts. Of course, he did eventually come around, but as a reader, I was ready for it to happen just a tad bit sooner, because his constant denial of his feelings did start to get a bit old. (2) I didn't like the fact that the love scenes were completely skipped. I was so involved in the story that I wanted to follow these characters right into the bedroom, so when that bedroom door was slammed in my face :) I didn't care for it. Note: what I wanted most was not necessarily descriptions of the physical act itself, but the emotions that went along with it. However, the story was so good I was more than willing to overlook these two very small things. The book is well written. The writing is fresh and humorous. Wonderful, likeable characters. Just a very entertaining book. It's definitely going on my keeper shelf.

Radio personality Matt Ransom hosted Atlanta's raucous, testosterone-fueled "Guy Talk". Dr. Olivia Moore hosted a morning talk show at the same radio station called "Liv Live". She helped her listeners with their problems. Both have their contracts due for renewal at the same time. But the station can only afford to keep one. Their ratings were almost identical. How to choose? How to choose?The sleazy PR man decided on a week long contest. It would be a combination of the reality TV shows "Big Brother" and "Survival". Matt and Olivia were to be sealed into a very tiny apartment for seven days and seven nights. The public could view the apartment on the internet thanks to a webcam. That same public would decide upon the winner.Things were hotter for the two than anyone knew though. Matt and Olivia had once been lovers! And the heat is on ... ***** A hilarious and romantic romp that is unforgettable! I laughed all the way through it. Highly recommended!

Once you pick up this book, plan on letting the laundry pile up, the dishes sit in the sink and all other tasks to go on hold. From the first chapter you are thrown into the lives of the characters. They are so real, you care about them and can't wait to see what happens next.Wendy Wax creates an intriguing humorous mix with the two main characters. There is laughter, frustration, and of course romance all wrapped up in one delightful read.

Atlanta radio station WTLK operations manager TJ Lawrence informs his two highest paying talk hosts that the Detroit based front office wants "one brand of dog food gone". TJ will make a decision in one week as to which one he fires. The competitors, Dr. Olivia Moore runs a show aimed at helping hurting women while Matt Ransom hosts a program targeting macho males. Adding to the rivalry is that eight years ago, the duo was lovers in Chicago, but though the intern Olivia loved the experienced Matt he could not commit to more than a quick fling.The twosome gets into an on the air feud that stirs up listeners and drives up each one's ratings. This leads to the station deciding to have a contest. Matt and Olivia will share a house for one week with their respective shows aired at this abode and they will be on the net 24/7. The individual who obtains the greater amount of food donations to a local charity will keep the job. As the two combatants argue on the air and kick box over the net, their love resurfaces, but will these opposites overcome his Peter Pan tendency to find happiness together?This amusing contemporary romance stars two delightful lead characters. The audience will relish the gender war between Matt and Olivia, but at the same time will want to spin kick some sense into the brain of the lead male. Wendy Wax provides readers with an enjoyable look at relationships at a radio station.Harriet Klausner