What a Woman WantsAuthor: Judi Fennell
Series: Manley Maids #1
Published by: Berkley
Publication Date: March 4, 2014
Format: eBook
Source: Purchased
What happens when three irresistibly sexy brothers lose a poker bet to their enterprising sister? They get hired out for her housecleaning venture. Now, the Manley Maids are at your service. Satisfaction guaranteed. It’s what a woman wants...
Resort entrepreneur Sean Manley was all set to buy an historic mansion at a great price, making a name for himself while making millions, when the seller and a poker bet change the game. Now he’s in the place as a hunky male maid and there’s one more complication: Livvy Carolla.
The house is Livvy’s inheritance. Her plan? Unload it to the highest bidder and use the cash to start her own bakery business. One look at “the help” and she’s hot to take him with her. Until she finds out he’s got a secret agenda.
But when Sean falls for the free-spirited, strong-willed Livvy, he has new ideas for the estate—and Livvy’s part in it. If all goes well, they’ll both be getting what they want. And then some.
When I was in high school, my friend and I always talked about starting a company like Manley Maid. Okay, so our plans mostly ventured into more salacious endeavors, but it started with innocent intentions. I swear! I mean, c’mon, who doesn’t want to watch a hunk down on his hands and knees scrubbing the floor, with his rippling biceps and …. ? Ahem. Anyway, so you can understand the appeal What a Woman Wants had to me. While the road was a little bumpy, I ended up liking it.
Livvy inherits a historic family manor from a grandmother who never gave her the time of day, so you can imagine Livvy harbors some resentment. She wants to sell the place and be done with it, and use the money to expand her baking business. Unfortunately, dear ol’ grandmama had a few cards up her sleeve that requires her to go on a scavenger hunt before she gets the place. Enter Sean Manley. He wants the mansion, and he wants it bad. In fact, his livelihood is riding on it.
I wasn’t in love with these characters, but I did like them. However, Livvy drove me up the wall at times, especially in the beginning. I definitely felt Sean’s pain when she showed such disrespect to the home and its contents. I get her reasons, I really do, but it still made me cringe. I warmed up to her after a while though, and liked her more when she and Sean actually verbally flirted and teased each other. Sean was a pretty good guy. It was funny how he had to deal with Livvy and her chaotic herd of animals.
I didn’t feel the chemistry between them for the first part of the book, the connection seemed more superficial. I finally had to start skimming parts where they kept ogling each other, because it was over and over. They were constantly getting lost in thought while in the middle of conversations, usually having dirty thoughts. They had to be brought back to reality numerous times by the person they were talking to, and it got old real quick. I swear if someone zoned out around me as much as they did, I would think there’s either something wrong with them or they were high. It just would’ve been nice to have some more verbal banter instead of them constantly getting lost in their own heads.
Also, I got tired of hearing how every little thing gave him a boner. We get it, seeing Livvy gets you aroused; hearing Livvy gets you aroused; thinking about Livvy gets you aroused! Livvy makes you hard! Message received. And, I was curious about something regarding Sean that was just kind of left open. It isn’t a big thing, just curious.
The scavenger hunt was interesting and fun. I liked how Livvy learned more about her family history with each clue, bringing her closer to understanding her family. It was fun when Sean and Livvy worked together, even though he had ulterior motives.
Sean’s family is a fixture in this book and I really enjoyed that aspect of it. Sean has two brothers and a sister, and this book is a great starting point for each one of their individual stories. I suspect the author is going to have each book take place during the same timeline, which is actually a great idea! I love the prospect of that. I’m looking forward to each one and seeing how they unfold.
So overall, I did like What a Woman Wants. I promise! I just had a few issues with it. Despite the issues, I’m eager to continue the series.
That’s great you still want to continue with the series. I think some of your complaints would be aspects that would annoy me too.
It wasn’t completely terrible, just some annoyances. Hopefully the next book will be better.
It sounds like a nice book and at the same time I wonder how I would felt about the characters because it’s a lot too and I’m not sure I could like the story because of their action… So I don’t really know. Thanks for the review.
Who knows, you might love it. 😀
Sounds fun! I’m a little wary of the repetitive messages though… Thanks for sharing your review!
Yeah, repetitive it definitely was. 🙂
I totally wanted to read this book right away when I first read the blurb. Mmmm, a hot man on his knees washing my floor. “Oooh, you missed a spot.” *giggles* But I get scared with the lack of connection with the characters. I really like a deep connection with the couple in a romance or it’s just no fun.
Their ‘connection’ just felt off. I don’t know, it just didn’t feel legit until almost the very end.
I loved how you were honest with us and said even though the book had issues which you outlined, that you still enjoyed it. Haha hilarious how they kept on zoning out while something was happening, and everything made him hard! That’s great.
lol – yeah, it was … interesting.
A hot male maid! Um, where can I get one please. 🙂 This sounds like it is pretty good, and hey at least with the few issues you had you still want to continue the series. So, that says something. Great review!
lol – I know, right? I think my friend and I could make a killing starting that business.
I am glad you were able to overlook a few things (even the characters flaws) and eventually settle into this one.
Yeah, it was fun, but far from perfect.
Agreed it was not perfect. Personally the herd made me laugh the most
lol – I liked the herd too, just not how she let them destroy the house.
“I got tired of hearing how every little thing gave him a boner.”<—–this made me snort, LOL. I'm glad you did like this even though it took you a while to warm up to the characters. This does sound like a fun read, but maybe one I'll wait to go on sale before getting.
Lol. Yeah, annoying but fun.
“Also, I got tired of hearing how every little thing gave him a boner.”
*SNORT* That’s my favorite line from one of your reviews EVER. I totally get what you’re saying though – we understand that he’s attracted to her. We don’t need a description of his wood every time he pops it. We’re women, we have imaginations and we know how to use them:) Glad that despite a few hiccups you warmed to Livvy and this story in the end!
I know, right? The guy was always uncomfortable – lol.
The constant getting lost in their own thoughts things would probably frustrate me too, but this still sounds pretty entertaining overall. 😀 I’m glad that you enjoyed it despite the issues that you had.
Yeah, and the always being asked if they were okay or whatever because they zoned out. Just made it feel awkward.
The issues you had would probably drive me NUTS! I’m glad you still enjoyed it okay though.
Yeah, I still cute.
*giggle* boner . Btw I love matt bomer . I love to see him scrubbing my floor , ahem .haha ha . Ok on to the review . I don’t think I would like this novel .i have to be in the mood for such a title . Glad you liked it , Christy
lol. I like to see any man scrubbing my floor.
I’m glad that you ended up enjoying it, but not sure if this one is for me. I can see how his “boner” would get tiring after a while. LOL Still, I think with so much out there, I’ll take one with better chemistry. Maybe one of the other books in the series? Hm…
Who knows, you might like it a lot more than I did. 🙂
LOL and see your issues I didn’t have but had some others. Her waffling drove me nutty being determined to win then throwing in the towel first little bump. I really liked him. I was hoping his little issues was more explained but liked that it was included at all. Was kinda different. I totally don’t remember all the boners which is kinda funny since that word always makes me laugh. I just finished the second one and it was pretty good. A bit repetitive as well but still a fun read.
Yeah, she was an issue for me overall, but I warmed up to her. Lol – I don’t remember if he actually used the word ‘boner’, it’s just what I’m calling it.
Admit it… your favorite part of the book was reading about the boners!
Oh, believe me, I love boners. But he mentioned his hard-on every other page practically.
I ended up liking this okay, but I really struggled. The animals and their destruction, and her attitude about it, drove me bananas! And yes to gratuitous boners. We get it!
Great review!
Yes, for sure! I love animals and used to have my own herd, but … ugh, she drove me crazy.
…I’m sorry, what? You kinda lost me at rippling biceps.
Haha – My friend and I should’ve started that business.
Hahaha, actually the sight of well-endowed (in muscles and elsewhere lol) men scrubbing floors and stuff is quite disturbing to my virgin mind 😛 but at the same time, it’s hilarious, too! Nevertheless, I’m not sure this one is for me. It seems like the guy overwhelmed himself with ecstasy if he keeps getting aroused over simple things. Mmmmm no thanks! Glad you liked it despite certain issues, though! 😀
LOL – This is my favorite comment on the post.
I can understand flicking over parts of the story because it seems repetitve like that. But otherwise, it sounds like a fun read! Great review!
Naomi @ Nomi’s Paranormal Palace
Yeah, it was good, overall. It just had some issues that brought it down a little.
Christy! You should have counted how many times Sean got a boner just for shits and giggles. Ok, actually, it would have been just for my own personal entertainment, but still! 😉 Glad to hear that you still enjoyed this one overall and will be continuing the series.
Haha, I hate it when romances have the guy and the girl lost in dirty thoughts constantly about the other. I agree, verbal OUT LOUD banter is where it’s at. This made me giggle! Hopefully I’ll still enjoy this without laughing too much at it. Great review!
Haha, honey, the man is very taken with her, and all the stiffy is to be admired :)) Better to roll eyes at the excess than at the lack of, right? Haha.
Seriously though, this sounds like the kind of read I’d go for only if I’d fall for the characters. It might not happen, and I can’t deal with bookish heartbreak right now.
ehehe yeah, who wouldn’t want to look at that 😉 despite the few issues it looks like a promising new series. I need to get book 1 from the library o.o
I love the idea of Manley Maids, please feel free to come clean my house, haha. I’m glad you still liked the book despite some issues! It sounds like there’s lot potential, will have try it out sometimes. Great review!