Mr. Perfect

By: Linda Howard

Narrated by: Laura Hicks

Length: 10 hrs and 6 mins

Publisher's Summary

What would make the perfect man?

That's the deliciously racy topic that Jaine Bright and her three girlfriends are pondering one night at their favorite after-hours hot spot: Mr. Perfect. Would he be tall, dark, and handsome? Caring and warmhearted - or will just muscular do? As their conversation heats up, they concoct a tongue-in-cheek checklist that becomes an overnight sensation, spreading like wildfire at work and sizzling along email lines. But what began as a joke among friends turns deadly serious when one of the four women is murdered....

Turning to her neighbor, an unpredictable police detective, for help, Jaine must unmask a killer to save her friends - and herself. Now, knowing whom to trust and whom to love is a matter of survival - as the dream of Mr. Perfect becomes a chilling nightmare.

©2001 Linda Howard (P)2012 Simon & Schuster

Critic Reviews

"Sexy fun....A frolicsome mystery...Jaine Bright lives up to her name: she's as bright - and explosive - as a firecracker." ( People)

"There is nothing quite like a sexy and suspenseful story by the amazing Linda Howard! The sparring relationship between Sam and Jaine is a delight. Mr. Perfect is funny, exciting, gripping, and sensuous - in fact it ranks as one of her all-time best!" ( Romantic Times)

I LOVED LOVED the two main characters

STORY (romance/thriller) - Four girls compose a list of requirements for "The Perfect Man" while out drinking on a Friday night. Next thing they know, they're famous and being hunted by someone who wants to kill them. Then there's the romance between one of the women, Jane, and her detective neighbor Sam.

The relationship between Sam and Jane is one of my favorites of all the books I've listened to. They both have strong personalities and cutting humor, and their clever bickering is my favorite part of what is otherwise a very good book. And Sam...yeah, Sam is delicious. Their romance is fun and sexy, but sex isn't a large part of the book. Sam is, of course, trying to protect Jane and her friends, while also trying to figure out who is stalking them. You will probably enjoy everything about this book.

PERFORMANCE - Pretty good job. She tries to distinguish between characters and some of them sound a little weird but, as always, I appreciate the distinction and the effort.

OVERALL - There is probably about ten minutes of sex in this book. I would call it moderately explicit. Jane has a potty mouth, so be prepared for quite a bit of swearing. There is brutal murder, but the description isn't overly gross. I'd highly recommend this for anyone who likes romance/mysteries.

Oldie but Goodie!

I read this book years ago when it was first released and am now delighted it finally came out in unabridged audio! This story encompasses all the elements of a great read without having to rely on the trendy gimicks of most books today. The storyline, humor and just the right amount of heat makes this one of my LH favorites.

I have waited so long for the unabridged version.

I love Linda Howard and I have always thought this was one of her best books. I had an abridged copy of the audio but now that this one is out, I'm excited. The main character is so real to me, I know many people just like her. Some others by Linda that I like are Open Season, Now you see her, Cover of Night.

OMG

A real page turner with several surprises I did not see coming. At first I thought that I had wasted my money as the "list" seemed very silly and juvenile to me as well as the public's reaction to it not ringing true but I kept on listening and I'm so glad I did. I was shocked by what happened as well as the brutality of it. It held my attention through the every page of the book. A good read or rather listen.

Enjoyed

I was totally surprised by this book. I purchased it because it was on a special, boy was I surprised. I really didn't think I would like it, but I have already listened to it more then once.

The book starts off calm and sort of cute taking you by surprise with the drama and suspense that follows. It sort of ease you right into the drama. You think it's a soft story and then boom - the drama and suspense begins. It was about the list the ladies put together as to their version of a perfect man. This unfolds and the drama begins concerning this list but not in the way you may think until you get more into the story. It is an old book, but a good one.

I loved the relationship between Sam and Jane. The friendship between the 4 friends was written well. I didn't like what happened to them, but that was the essence of the book. The only negative thing I can say is I was not thrilled with the narrator. She was just okay.

The story was exciting, kept my attention the entire time. That is not an easy thing to do with me because I get bored fast. This one had it all for me. Drama, suspense, funny, and romance. Well, I guess it was a bit interesting how Sam and Jane fell in love in all of 3 weeks, but I've heard that in real-life so I guess it can happen.

Snarky Jaine meets Smarty-pants Sam

This is one of my favorites of the old Linda Howard titles, many of which I prefer to her newer stories. Although the story is dated, the humorous interaction between Jaine Bright and her trio of girlfriends remains engaging. Jaine is quick witted and the quintessential snarky heroine, and I love that. She is working hard to stop swearing, and as I cleaned up my language a few years ago I really empathized with her efforts! With three failed engagements behind her, she has stopped looking for a man. Most likely they just couldn't keep up with her quick wit and snappy repartee; in fact Sam may be the first one who can keep up! For me, the suspense part of the story was secondary to the relationships between Jaine, her family, friends, and neighbors. This is more a romantic comedy than a murder suspense story, and if you go in expecting that, you will be in for an enjoyable listen.

Hooked

If you could sum up Mr. Perfect in three words, what would they be?

Cheeky, sexy, suspense

Who was your favorite character and why?

Female protagonist - Many women can relate to her.

What does Laura Hicks bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Emotional depth

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The climax had me on the edge of my seat.

Any additional comments?

Don't use this recording to fall asleep with. You won't want to turn it off.

Finally on Audible

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. Very entertaining book with suspense and romance.

Any additional comments?

I read this book years ago and so happy to see on Audible. I love anything by Linda Howard.

Enjoyable story

I liked this audiobook and had read the book previously. I wasn't too thrilled with the narration of this book. For some reason, the narrator has a voice that just grated on my nerves. Otherwise I liked this audiobook ok

Girls Night Out Brings a Lot of Trouble

How many times have you gone out with the girls and the subject turned to men? Lets face it, that is the age old question, what is your idea of a perfect man? So the girls wrote down "their" idea of what attributes the Perfect Man should have. The trouble begins when someone discusses their list with another person in the office, and someone emails another person, and so on and so on, until it makes national news. Bewildered, befuddled the women can't believe the interest this list starts. Needless to say, someone takes it personally and the real trouble begins.
Jaine and Sam are the two protagonist in the story, the dialogue between these two is witty and at times sarcastic.
I gave this story 5 stars, for its plot, character development, and action. The ending was so twisted and one I didn't see coming until near the end. Bravo! Ms. Howard this was a good one.

This story was so good, the narrator did a credible job keeping the story flowing and interesting.

Great read

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend this to anyone its a geat read funny and sad and also a mystery

What was one of the most memorable moments of Mr. Perfect?

Its hard to say memorable but the on that comes to mind is when Sam mentions about the cucumber it will roll off I absolutely howled so funny.

What about Laura Hicks’s performance did you like?

Yes it was amazing as the story just rolled off her tongue her voice was in your head.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes it was I have the paperback and I had to listen to it again in audio.

Any additional comments?

Just read it its so funny in places you just can't stop laughing. I will be listening to it again and again.

Perfect indeed

Linda Howard delivers again. I listen in the car to and from work and her stories never fail to cheer me up. Sexy and funny, what more could you ask for.

Just about perfect.

Jane and her three friends became overnight media sensations with the accidental publication of their (drunken) list of requirements for the "perfect" man. Unfortunately someone takes offence at their list and what follows is a perfect combination of mystery and romance. The age of this book is obvious by the fact that many of the main characters do not own mobile phones, but this does not detract from a story which manages to be incredibly funny and heartbreaking at the same time. I particularly liked that the writer resists the temptation to make characters one dimensional - usually either very good or very bad. The best example of this is Jane's sister, who was initially irritating and rather unlikable, but then steps up when her sister needs her. Special mention must go to the narrator who was (of course!) perfect.

I'll give it 5 stars anyway

All the main characters are great but the female lead is an absolute firecracker. The story line is average, it's the narration that brings it all to life. Laura Hicks is absolutely fantastic, the words just flow of her tongue with no slips or awkward silences. I've listened to this book 3 times in the past couple of years and it still makes me laugh out loud.

Very entertaining

I quite enjoy Linda Howard's books but wasn't expecting to get much out of listening to it being read aloud. I found the story entertaining and quite funny and darker than I thought it would be. Really liked the reading by Ms. Hicks. Would be happy to try another by both the author and the narrator.