Not So Snow White

I think this is one of my favorite donna books! READ IT!!!! I'd love to see this be a movie!

Donna Kauffman's books always make me laugh. They are a great escape from reality. Any of her books that brings in the Godmothers are sure to be a hit. This one is no exception. A must read for any Kauffman fan! If you like Janet Evanovich's novels you will like Donna Kauffman.

Donna Kauffman is a fabulous adult fiction writer. I enjoyed every one of her books (some more than others, but enjoyed them all). Tess Hamilton has been tennis pro since age 15. But after a shoulder injury during a game and loosing her sponsorship, Tess needs to find a new way of getting money. So, when her brother ends up in Wimbledon (and he's getting married), Tess decides to fly to London and try to get another sponsorship. Gabrielle Fontaine has just become pro and in her eyes, is being held back by her brother. Now at Wimbledon she's seeking advice and help and a coach that isn't picked out by her brother. Aurora is now trying to help Tess out by giving her a place to stay and hopefully a job. Although Tess thinks no one knows her financial status but herself, Aurora's a smart lady and knows something's up. Aurora is able to get Tess to help Gabrielle, even though Max isn't happy about it. Watch sparks fly between Max and Tess. And see Gabrielle go to Wimbledon.

I enjoy this author, and I usually buy her books. However, the last book, Sleeping with Beauty, wasn't really one of her best. I was disappointed when I read it and ended up giving it to a second hand bookstore--not what I usually do with a Kauffman book. I liked this book a lot better. Kauffman clearly has a love for tennis and that shows in this book. But also, she managed to write a character, Tess, whom I found believable and endearing. I also liked her hero and his little sister. These were much better characters than those in Beauty. The Godmothers from Glass Slipper, Inc. were back in this book, but this time the focus is on Aurora. I am beginning to be tired of these mavens and hope Kauffman gets a new plot device, but unlike Beauty, I didn't find Aurora's appearance in this book overshadowing the romance. And the romance is back in this book unlike Beauty. If I were to rank the books including the Godmothers, I liked Cinderella Rules, then Dear Prince Charmind, then this book, and Sleeping with Beauty a distant last.

Tess Hamilton has been on top of the tennis world for years, but failed to plan on a post sports future as she thought she had years to go. Poor investments and bad spending habits leave her near broke even as an injury may have ended her career. A desperate Tess decides she needs some sponsors so she hides her injuries hoping to bluff her way through a few victories due to her unbeatable reputation. Glass Slipper, Inc co-founder Aurora Favreaux knows something is wrong with Tess so she coaxes her friend to coach the new teenage phenomena fifteen years old Gabrielle Fontaine. Tess unenthusiastically accepts the job with plans to get back on the circuit as soon as possible. She finds her student is talented, but somewhat stubborn; worse she finds herself attracted to Gaby's over-protective over bearing, older brother Max, who manages her tennis career. Max reluctantly agreed to hire Tess, but has doubts about a woman who has been tabloid heaven or hell (perspective) for fifteen years starting the same age as his sister is now. Neither understood what love in tennis really is before. The latest Glass Slippers tale (see SLEEPING WITH BEAUTY) is a fun sports romance starring an extremely responsible male and a great female athlete who knows what she has lost as her career begins to fade. Needing money due to poor financial management that left her broke and owing the IRS is why she took the job, but Aurora soon becomes more like a big sister to Gaby than just a coach and the soulmate to Max. Though some mixing of sports metaphors might Tee off fanatics NOT SO SNOW WHITE serves up a six love romance starring a couple of aces. Harriet Klausner