The Mating Game

I first read Melanie George in 'To Die For' and I immediatley went to see if she had anymore contemporary novels in print. I absolutley fell in love with the characters in this book.Dexter and Mallory were perfect for each other. It's hard to find romance novels that have depth to them and can still be humorous. My favorite part of the book was when he used 'dough' to describe her skin. I couldn't stop laughing!!!I never would have thought that I would have enjoyed a nerdy hero, but I really enjoyed Dexter. Mallory was very sweet also. It is definitley worth your time to pick up this book!!

I never thought I'd find myself catching my breath over a nerdy sex scientist, but when you're built like Dexter Harrington, Earl of Braden, and boy genuis, you can't help but fall in love. Mallory, with her sassy New York ways, is his perfect foil. I love Melanie George's books because she never gives you the same old story. I never know what to expect when I start, but I am never dissapointed.

Melanie George is indeed at the top of her game here. She delivers her impressive contemporary debut, THE MATING GAME after her success in the historical field mainly the Devil's series. It's a sheer bliss as she spins the comedy with a sparkling dose of wits and panache - narrating how romance novelist Zoe Wilde aka Mallory Ginelli strucks a deal with the reclusive British sex professor Dextor Harrington to participate in his research on love and emotions with a handsome payoff. Mallory needs the money to free her sister from her debtors; Dextor enlists her help to aid him in further knowing a woman when he is about to be married. It's a win-win situation but it all crumbles when the equation ineffably switches to love chemistry.It's an all-out riot with Ms. George's cynical characters manifested in Freddie, Mallory's Jewish best friend; Cummings - Dextor's friend ... assistant and a delightful ensemble of sub-characters. Yet it is the golden couple Mallory and Dextor who charms with their insecurities and vulnerablities. Mallory is resilient as a sister and Dextor is tied down by his traditons as an earl and his shame as a test-tube baby. Their relationship is tender faith and friendship maturing to passion and chemistry. It'a a laugh-aloud ritual with George's self-effacing characters in their cloak of thorns. It is funny as it is warm and gratifying as the characters weather their miseries through dark secrets like a sexual abuse and bridges torn relationship. The MATING GAME is certainly the spunkiest and most energetic contemporary so far with George's radiant pen. It's a blast.

Ok, I'll start off by saying that if you want to laugh, this is the book for you. For some people, there may be too much humor. But for me, I eat it up. If you liked the secondary character of Reggie in George's historical, Devil May Care, then you'll .love Freddie, the heroine's best friend. The zingers she comes out with had me on the floor! And if you think Dexter is a bit of a stuffed shirt in the beginning, hold on for the ride and see his transformation! Brava, Ms. George.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I had been searching for something else to read by this author after reading the short story she did in "A Very Gothic Christmas". Professor Dexter Harrington, a sex scientist needs help. He has decided to go through with the arranged marriage, (his deceased parents set up when he was a child) however he's been told that he lacks passion and feels he needs to learn how to speak "love words" to a woman. His secretary/best friend, Cummings suggest he hire romance writer, Zoe Wilde aka Mallory Ginelli who has read her books as a guide to see what women want. Mallory always wanted to go to England and she also needs the $20,000 advance to pay for her sister's gambling debt and reluctantly agrees to go with her best friend, Freddie aka Freida Feldman. After discovering the type of research she was needed for, the 26 year old virgin becomes hysterical. Since the professor firmly assures her that there would be no hanky-panky, she is obligated to teach him ($20,000 worth of obligation that he uses to manipulate her into staying because he already knows how desperately her sister needed the funds). I was actually glad the author let us know what was causing Genie (her sister) to continually get arrested and create gambling debt she has no means of paying.What will be the professor's score in the mating game? Pick up this book to see, it's definitely a keeper.