Madison O’Donnell’s twenty-eighth birthday is in just two weeks. For many people, this would not be a milestone age, but for Madison it is. On this upcoming occasion, Madison believes that she will die of a stroke. Her father had a stroke at fifteen and then another at twenty-eight, which resulted in his death. Madison was only a baby at the time. It appears that Madison is following in her father’s footsteps, and not in a good way. Similarly to her father, Madison also had a stroke at fifteen, which left her with one side of her mouth slightly tilted, a shaking hand and three overprotective brothers. Since the stroke, Madison has been convinced she is going to die at twenty-eight. This is why she has always lived every moment as if it could be her last. She has even had her mother swear to have her cremated. Madison cannot stand the thought of being buried, thanks to her brothers taunting her with ‘the worms crawl in, the worms crawl out’ as a child. There is one thing she wants to do before she dies, and time is fast running out: fall in love. She has two weeks, but first she needs to find a candidate. Richard, the mystery man she meets over the phone, seems perfect. Yet Madison is soon torn between Richard and her boss of seven years, T. Laurence Hobbs. Never before has her boss, whom she has nicknamed T. Larry, shown a personal interest in her. For that matter, she hasn’t been drawn to him in a man-woman way before, either...at least not consciously. Now he’s butting into her personal life, questioning her decisions, trying to protect her - and acting jealous. In her hunt for The One, is it possible that she's overlooked the best, the only, candidate for the love of her life? Would a relationship between a spontaneous, live-for-each-day secretary and a staid, balding, plan-for-everything tax accountant work?

T. Laurence Hobbs is in awe of his secretary, Madison. He has never known anyone quite like her. She is spontaneous to the extreme, he has to plan everything. Madison is forever taking the Michael out of his Financial-Family Plan. Despite their personalities being complete opposites, he cannot imagine his life without her in some capacity or other. Even their workplace is unimaginable without her in the office, distracting as she is, with her short skirts and tight, low-cut tops. She is the only one who can get away with calling him T. Larry, the nickname she has given him. She is forever trying to work out what the T in his name stands for, but that is one secret he is going to keep. It is only when she makes a date with a complete stranger over the phone that his protective instincts surge to the foreground. He is determined to protect her, both from herself and from her own foolhardy actions. But how? His solution: get Madison to see him as The One. It's all for a good cause, after all. Yet, once his plan is in motion and they have The Kiss, his pretence vanishes into thin air as he comes to realise that he wants Madison and all her quirky ways for himself - for real. But will she choose him over Richard, the man with a full head of hair and a less rigid outlook? Will T. Larry be able to protect Madison not only from herself, but the unknown danger that seems to have cropped up in her life?

Jennifer Skully has taken the boss/employee cliché romance and turned it on its head. For those of you who have tired of these plots, I assure you this one does not conform to the boring monotony of tales with similar base scenarios. Drop Dead Gorgeous is unique in so many ways, not the least of which is the heroine’s steadfast belief that her death is imminent. The office tensions and jealousies will further embroil you in the plot - as will the threat posed to Madison’s safety. You’ll laugh, you’ll sigh, and your eyes will sparkle with glee. These are simply fabulous characters, different though they may be, fully developed and entirely believable. Secondary characters are just as fun, one pair in particular being of significant importance with their own sub-plot. There is some sex, although nothing nontraditional - though there is an encounter or two at the office. This book will forever remain on my keeper shelf, with a pride of place setting in my heart and mind. I have now determined to watch out for more from Jennifer Skully, and believe that after reading this book, you’ll find yourself doing the same.


Reviewed by: Elizabeth