Breathing Room

In a plot that could have originated in today's headlines, best selling self help guru Dr. Isabel Favor finds her world crashing down around her when her personal assistant does a false, tell all interview, her accountant embezzles her money, and her fiance tells her she has sexual problems and leaves her for a frumpy older woman. Desperate for escape, she flees to Italy, where she soon finds romance with a handsome stranger who can not even speak English. One night of passion is what she needs to help her sore feelings. However, the good doctor is in for another shock when she discovers that her mystery lover is her landlord in the farmhouse she has rented for her vacation, he not only can speak English, but he is notorious American actor and bad boy extraordinare, Lorenzo (Ren) Gage. He is exactly the last kind of man she should be seen with, much less with whom have a passionate affair. Yet, that is what Isabel finds happening. More surprises are in store when another woman shows up with a troop of kids all calling Ren "Daddy". Ren's ex wife has left her current husband, taking their children with her, and moving in with Ren. Quiet farmlife erupts into the chaos of childhood fears and potty training. On top of that, the abandoned husband shows up looking for reconciliation, and Isabel finds herself playing marriage counselor, just when she needs to get her own life together. *** It is always a joy to read a book from this author; and BREATHING ROOM is no less of one. Like all of Ms. Phillips' books, this one is going to make you laugh and cry at the realism and sheer fun it contains. Ren is a delicious bad boy, who is running away from his goodness, and getting tired of it. Isabel is the kind of heroine Ms. Phillips usually has, a very proper lady who needs to find the fun in her life, and has a heart too big for her own good. Again, as always, the supporting cast has much more than just background roles, adding vibrance and fun to every scene. This is a novel filled with love and laughter that contains no silliness, just entertainment and soul satisfaction. *** Reviewed by Amanda Killgore.

I have to admit it, I'm hooked! Ms. Phillips is a new author for me and I have just contacted my used book store and they are holding all of her other books for me. I loved everything about this book. The descriptions of all things Italian were delicious...not to mention Ren (picture Pierce Brosnan). Somehow, Ms. Phillips has hit the story/love/family/sex/ humor/profanity level that I enjoy in a good read. I love her sense of humor and everything else is just right. This is one author I will treasure.

Susan Elizabeth Phillips is a big deal these days... a big star in the publishing world, who sells lots and lots of books. So why should I write a review? After all, what does one more review matter? Well, I can't help myself. I just have to say to anyone out there thinking about whether or not to buy this book that ... it's wonderful. It's Susan Elizabeth Phillips at the top of her game, writing a deft, dramatic, emotional story about two people who find love with one another. Yes, they're both flawed. Yes, he can be a bit of a flake. Yes, she can be a sanctimonious prig at times. But who among us is without flaws? :)It's a romance novel, but don't let that label get you down if you're not a "romance reader." It's just a plain, old, wonderful story, with great characters and a description of Tuscany that makes me want to quit my job and run away to Italy tonight.

How do I describe Breathing Room by Susan Elizabeth Phillips? Well, let's see-it's sexy, romantic, naughty, has characters I adored, fabulous secondary characters, great dialogue, and takes place in an exotic location. Let me ask you, as a romance reader, what more can you ask for? Dr. Isabel Favor has it all. She's a self-help guru who can do no wrong, or so she thinks. Then she is attacked in the tabloids by a disgruntled ex-employee, she finds out the IRA is after her for unpaid taxes, her accountant who was supposed to take care of the taxes has skipped the country with all her money, and her fiancé has gotten another woman pregnant. All this happens within a space 24 hours to a woman who is supposed to have all the answers. Lorenzo Gage is a drop dead bad boy. He makes his living playing the most horrendous villains in movies. His attitude is he can do whatever, whenever, with whomever he wants when he wants. Life is good until a former girlfriend, who just happens to be America's favorite actress, dies and the blames lands in his lap. Two people on top of the world find themselves hiding out in Italy waiting for the bad press to die down. However, they end up finding more when they discover each other. Breathing Room is a fantastic read. Lorenzo, or Ren as he is called, is that bad boy every woman wants to tame. He has it all, looks, money, talent, and loads of sex appeal. Isabel is the self-contained character that needs to learn to live life. Put them together and you have a wonderful story. Ms. Phillips outdid herself in Breathing Room. This is one of those books that will go on my keepers' shelf and will be read over and over.

I absolutely love Susan Elizabeth Phillips. I could not wait until this book came out, and I was extremely satisfied by the way that it turned out. I absolutely love the sexy story between Lorenzo "Ren" Gage, and Dr. Isabel Favor. Isabel was a hishly successful author of a self help book when her whole empire came crashing down around her shoulders. She had immense personal trouble in that her fiance left her for a frumpy older woman (who was pregnant with his child), her accountant skipped town with 1.2 million dollars of Isabel's money that was supposed to go to the IRS for her taxes. Meanwhile, Isabel's best friend was supposed to travel to an Italian farmhouse to write a book. However, Debbie (I think)met the man of her dreams so Isabel was able to rent the farmhouse for a small fee. When she travels to Italy she is still haunted by the things that her drip of an ex-fiance told her. So, she throws caution to the wind and has a wild encounter with the sexiest man that she has ever seen-Dante.Of course, Dante is our hero Ren, and he is one of the sexiest that Suan Elizabeth Phillips has ever created. Also, I love the subplot where the Itialian people are searching for the fertility statue. I adored this book, and Susan Elizabeth Phillips is one of (if not the best) author that I have ever read. ... I was sooo pumped yesterday when I was reading it, and it did not disappoint me. P.S. Please do not judge me so harshly when you read this random review, it is my first.