Simply Irresistible

By: Rachel Gibson

Narrated by: Kathleen Early

Length: 11 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's summary

Georgeanne Howard leaves her fiancé at the altar when she realizes she can't marry a man old enough to be her grandfather, no matter how rich he is. Hockey superstar John Kowalsky unknowingly helps her escape, and only when it's too late does he realize that he's absconded with his boss's bride. This bad boy isn't looking to be anybody's savior but his own. Still, a long night stretches ahead of them - a night too sultry to resist temptation.

Seven years later, Georgeanne and John meet again. She is on her way to becoming Seattle's domestic darling and he is past his hellraising days. Shocked to learn that he has a daughter, John's determined to be part of her life. Georgeanne has loved John since the moment she jumped into his car, but will he risk the wrath of his boss, and one final chance at glory, to prove that this time his love will be everlasting?

©1998 Rachel Gibson (P)2013 HarperCollins Publishers

Glad I got to read her first effort!

When I started reading contemporary romance I discovered Rachel Gibson fairly quickly. I didn't read her early books because I was already listening to books and only her newer books were in audio. I've always thought of her as "Susan Elizabeth Phillips - Lite". I thought she had real writing skills but her books often echoed SEP with a little Jennifer Crusie thrown in. I enjoyed her books but never thought she had her own voice.

This first book out though was genuinely good. It was polished, tight and well-written, especially for a debut and it definitely made me appreciate her as a unique voice. I still think the sports team theme was a little too obviously borrowed, but she created a truly unique character in Lexi, Georgie and John's daughter. I loved the character Rachel created and the voice the narrator gave her. Whenever she was in a scene the story really glowed. Georgie was a complex character as well. And just annoying enough to be believable.

My only criticism is that John was not as fleshed out as Georgie, Lexi or even other secondary characters. And the transition in his feelings for Georgie was missing. I sensed the author just decided it was time for him to love her so the book could end. I also wondered if an aggressive editor hadn't cut a little too much out of the story line about Georgie's TV career. That part of the story seemed like it was supposed to be important, then it just fizzled out. I usually think books should be shorter. Another 2 chapters would have been appreciated on this one.

Those were actually minor points though. This was a well written and very well narrated book and I highly recommend it.

I went back and read my review of the author's most recent book. Her freshman effort was far better. I hope she finds that voice again.

Very Irresistible!!!

It captured me from the beginning. You can’t help but fall in love with the little girl (Georgeanne) who doesn’t quite fit in. Then we go to the young woman who just can’t marry the man with all that money who would make her life so much easier. Then there’s John who’s not going to be nice to her no matter what or at least that’s what he tells himself. Not sex, no way he’s going there. Of course he does and after one fabulous night of passion he dumps poor Georgina and walks away.

Seven years later Georgeanne has survived and become a successful woman all on her own. I just love strong independent women. John comes back into her life and discovers she had his daughter. You get drawn in and keep thinking him so clueless not realizing how special Georgeanne is. Will he come to his senses or lose a wonderful woman?

This is a big YES from me on this one. It’s worth a credit or just buy it. It’s one of the best I’ve heard in a while. There’s some sexual content but not overmuch.

I'm returning it

I don't often return books but this one just got me so mad I stopped listening. The narrator had the most annoying accent I have ever heard, and I do live in the south. Furthermore, grain of salt time, I abhor the idea that a woman can just not tell a man for 7 years that he has a kid and when he accidently discovers it she tries to block him access to that child. Maybe it got better after the first 5 hours but I couldn't stick with it. It was slow to start and then it just ticked me off, so back to audible you go!

Is this a re-release????

I own all the other hockey series...Any Man of Mine is still my favorite. But I related to this main character. I appreciated the story RG gave this book. This is a good love story. Yes it is a light read but it is a lovely story. I read to be entertained...this entertained me very well. Thank you.

Laugh out Loud read

What a fun story! The over the top beginning with a wedding the size of Texas to her being left to make it for herself was fun to listen to. Throw in some romance with the hockey player and I just love me some Rachel Gibson. I found myself always wanting to listen and having a hard time putting it down! Georgeanne was just this side of out there that made you really embrace her character, and John was just broody enough to get it. All in all, i may actually re-read this!

"Texas, We Cream Everything"

Would you consider the audio edition of Simply Irresistible to be better than the print version?
yes as reader made heroine as sweet as author intended.

Who was your favorite character and why?
Georgie, as she didn't have a bad bone in her body, wished others well, and overcame issues many others just give up on or endure.

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?
Ms Early has so much potential and she can deliver. She will have to work on her male voices as she barely has one. She did manage to still make you feel the big "hunky-ness" of our hero, but that was due to her delivery of good author's words.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
I had purchased about 6 of this author's books all at once and found this was one of the sweetest characters author writes about. Georgie steals your heart with her learned charm.

Any additional comments?
If you enjoy this author, try Julie James series, the best, and Jill Shelves read by the great Karen White.
Were my comments helpful?

As good now as it was back then

I started reading romance novels about the same time Rachel Gibson started publishing them. I'm pretty sure I read Simply Irresistible circa 1998 when it was new and I remember that I loved it -- really, really loved it. When I saw there was to be a new audiobook of this beloved story that I had very tender feelings about I was a little afraid to test my memory and see if my love was still strong. Well, hell yeah!

There's an awful lot of talk in romancelandia about tropes-tropety-trope-tropes that seem to serve a purpose for some reviewers in allowing them to pigeonhole, condemn, dismiss the lovely things about romance novels that made me fall in love with them in the first place. Let's see, here we have a bimbo-ish heroine, an alpha sports star asshole hero, a meet-cute, a one-night stand, a secret baby, a long separation, infidelity, a cute kid, and a woman who rejects help from her very wealthy (this was before billionaires were all the rage) baby daddy. I loved every word of it. It was fresh back then and it holds up very nicely in the hands of a talented writer of Rachel Gibson's skill who knows how to work a ROMANCE. It's warm and funny and hot and sexy.

Narrated by Kathleen Early, who does an adequate job. There are narrators who could have punched it up, but the the story is most important here and Early didn't really add to or detract from it.

At long last!

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

This is my favorite Rachel Gibson book. I was thrilled to find it was finally available on audio. The story of John and Georgie is filled with heart and humor.

What did you like best about this story?

I loved the arc of both John and Georgie, how they grew and changed. I also loved the dialogue between Lexi and her mother, and between Lexi and her new found father. And the parallel between both Lexi's insecurities and Georgie's insecurites. Very sweet.

Which character – as performed by Kathleen Early – was your favorite?

She did a wonderful job on Georgie. Georgie's southern drawl was not over done as they sometimes are. It was just enough to always know that this was a southern gal.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

As always with Rachel Gibson books, there was laughter as well as heartfelt awwwwwws.

Any additional comments?

It is my sincere hope that more (ALL) of Rachel Gibson's backlist of books will be available soon on audible. I will keep checking!

Resistible

The story started out interesting,but then became very predictable. I know that these stories are just romantic dribble, but it seems that the characters could have a little more depth. The main characters have unrealistic responses to occurances within their lives. The narrator
was very good which is the only thing that kept me listening to this story.

Wonderful listen!

Very entertaining, easy to listen to story. The narrator did a fantastic job with all of the voices, from sexy male, voluptuous southern belle to precocious 7 yr old. At no point did I hate any of the characters and think they were stupid and/or frustrating. This will be a story that I will be able to come back to and listen to again : )