The Counterfeit Secretary

From the back cover: Ria was tired of leading a double life. James Everett, the domineering head of Everett Communications, had never found a secretary who could meet his impossible standards - not until Ria came along. James demanded cool efficiency and exclusive loyalty from a secretary so Ria donned spectacles and learned to blend in with the sleek office furniture But she couldn't escaper her boss's notice. As James became increasingly fascinated by his elusive secretary, Ria found herself responding to him with a long dormant passion. As their attraction grew, she wondered what James, a confirmed bachelor, would think when he discovered she was a warmhearted, tempestuous woman, the widowed mother of twins - and very much in love. My thoughts: I enjoyed this book VERY much. Even though the story has most likely been done before, heroine pretending to be dowdy, etc. it was done in a funny and entertaining way. The heroine is just too funny and has a great personality. And its also rare but the heroine actually loved her first husband and there was nothing wrong with her first marriage, which was cool with me. The story, the mystery, the suspense of waiting for the hero to find out, hahaha! This book is definitely going on my keeper list!

James Everett is the head of his own firm and is sick of secretaries who flirt with him. He's not the marrying kind. Ria is a widowed mother of twin boys and at a restaurant overhears James talking to his friend/employee about his ideal qualities for a future secretary. She pins up her red hair, upon which she also sprays a bit of mousy brown color; dons a pair of clear eyeglasses and snags not only a job interview but the job. As a mother of sometimes grumbly boys, Ria hilariously handles James' tirades and by diverting his anger helps him avoid firing and re-hiring employees. Her co-workers appreciate her barometer sense of what kind of mood the boss is in. After 3 years of working for James, she's out to eat with a dull man who considers Ria a sensible woman and she just knows he's gonna pop the question. After a satisfying, loving first marriage, can she settle for no sparks with Louis? Ticked off that her steady doesn't appreciate her dress, she makes eye contact with a young man across the room who comes over and asks her to dance. As they dance, he tells her about his uncle who is lecturing him during their meal tonight. Who else could that be but Uncle James! In a panic lest she be recognized, she pulls the young man outside the restaurant. Uncle James catches Tony kissing her, and then James decides she deserves to know how a full grown man kisses. Ria keeps up her disguise in the office and withholds her widow/mother status as well, since she does not want James to cross a line with her and she's finding him all too tempting after their scene at the restaurant. This book just kept me reading and laughing. It's not a farce or one of those slapstick romances, but it has some amusing moments. James and Ria are perfect for one another and of course they eventually recognize that. Along the way though, it's like that Heinz ketchup commercial theme song, "An-ti-ci-paa-yaa-aa-tion!" Susan Napier makes us wait, but this truly fine story makes it a pleasure. No silly heroine that makes you want to slap her for being so ditzy or wimpy: Ria lives up to her red hair and bristles right back at the boss when he upbraids her. James is a driven, sexy man who is quite oblivious to the treasure right under his nose. But eventually he snaps her up...just like you should this book. GREAT story!

This book is one of my favorites for a variety of reasons. First of all it featured a woman who was a mother and a career woman who made it in a man's world with great success. Also the plot featured an intricate twist of her being labelled a scarlet woman by her own boss unknowingly which led to a very interesting and entertaining read. I would recommend this book to all even though some might find it a bit too predictable. But isn't that why we read M & Bs? To find a happy ending!