Material Girl (The Fancy Lives of the Lear Sisters Book 1)

Robin Lear has it all, or so it seems. She has money at her disposal and a cushy job. She can take one of the family jets to Paris on a moment's notice or shop frivolously for designer shoes. But she's still seeking the approval of her father, who's now dying of cancer. When he decides she must make it on her own, she has no direction except that of ex-lover Evan who dogs her every step. Both humorous and poignant, it's fun to watch her growth into a mature woman.She's hired Jake Manning to renovate her mansion and has ridiculed him from the beginning. She's unaware of his struggles with his nephew or that he's close to his degree in architecture. She does recognize his virility, and there's a strong attraction. Jake is aware of their different places in society although he refuses to take a back seat to her status. He fears her relationship with Evan but plows ahead despite it. He uncovers a real person beneath the veneer.I enjoyed this book from beginning to end. I laughed, then shed a tear at the unexpected conclusion. Pick up this book if you want to read about people that are flawed but become more aware of themselves as the book progresses. A good contemporary romance.

I bought this book as part of an Amazon special and am not interested enough to purchase the rest of the books in this series. The book was well written, but I didn't particularly care what happened to any of the characters.Robin was a vapid twit who I was repeatedly assured had a good heart, but I didn't see much evidence of it (despite her magical ability to connect to a teenage boy and turn him into a well adjusted, nice guy in the space of two conversations). Her thought process about her job made me angry - I was supposed to be on her side after how irresponsible and selfish she was? Her inability to do any kind of research or preparation for the deals she was supposedly making was just ridiculous.Jake was a nice enough guy, I suppose, despite his rage issues when dealing with his mother and nephew. I never really got the feeling that he actually *liked* Robin, as most of his thought process was focused on her backside (despite his numerous thoughts about how she was too skinny).The obstacles to their relationship were ones that any half functional adult would dismiss within a minute or two, or actually - and this will probably be a crazy idea for a romance novel - talk to each other about! Instead, these two managed to draw them out into major problems. Robin's father was such a caricature that it was difficult to take him seriously. The similarities between father and daughter were the only well drawn relationship in the book, I thought - I could easily believe that someone as selfish and head-up-his-ass as Aaron could have a daughter like Robin.While I didn't hate it, I was left completely uninterested in the second and third books in the series and glad that I hadn't paid full price for the book.

I read a 3 star review after I finished reading this book and I could relate to the reader's frustration. I kept putting the book down and then coming back to it. The main character, Robin, is SO unlikeable, in every way, Ms. London did not hold back. I kept thinking WHY am I reading this book? But Jake enters the picture and I had to keep going, even though I kept putting it down!! Robin continues to get MORE unbearable. She is a beautiful, wealthy, spoiled, useless person and Jake is studying engineering and renovating Robin's newly purchased huge house. Her dysfuntional family, horrid friends, sleazy sort of boy firiend annoyed me, and other characters were fun and I got hooked and had to find out how it all turned out. I believe this is the sign of a good author. She gets us worked up and involved with what is happening. You will too plus It is all worth it for you will meet Jake. SIgh! I see no reason to give the whole story line to those reading reviews. What is the point of buying the book?

I am 30% of the way through this book and the female protagonist is still an unbearable, entitled, taker. (There is NO forgiveness for someone who eats another's donuts) I prefer to like the main characters in my books, so this thing is a slow slog for me. I am not sure why the guy is so enthralled. Oh, no, wait, I AM sure. It's because he loves her body. When a person is that ugly on the inside, I'm sorry, but having "perfect" breasts does not make up the difference. I see that the author is trying to make the guy see this lady's inner nice-girl, but it's contrived. Contrived, because she hasn't actually demonstrated any nice-girl characteristics. Liking rock music and baseball, being able to use a sledge hammer and the ability to have a conversation is not a high enough bar to set. The plot has a blaringly clear arch, the editing is good and I'm sure that this thing will get the job done like it's supposed to. However, it's already lost me by giving me NOTHING to like about the main character. Read if you can get further than I did while totally despising the main female character.

Aaron Lear, a big businessman finds out he has cancer with a diagnosis of six months to two years to live. He decides to use that time to reach out to his ex-wife and also do something about his spoiled daughters. Robin definitely gives off that impression at the start of the novel and it can be hard to like her. But as her interactions with the contractor working on her house and working on her new job at her father's company she really starts to grow and become likeable. But are the differences between her and Jake's background too great to overcome especially when it comes to Jake's beliefs about her friends especially when it comes to Evan. Jake is convinced the man is out for more then just showing her the ropes of her new job. Is Jake right that he is not good enough for Robin? Or are they more right for each other then even they realize?

Don’t waste your time

This is a book that explores what money and greed can do to influence a person’s view of people and the world they live in. I love the way Robin discovers how her life can be so much richer and fuller when she stops and smells the roses.

Gutes Buch mit voraussehbarem Ende. Leider keine großen Überraschungen und ein Man der mal wieder den Rücktritt annimmt ohne zu kämpfen.Das schön geschrieben und vor allem realistisch

Great start to a series. Enjoy the continuation too.

I liked the story, not overly constructed. Likable characters. Very good writing. The one star missing here is for the lack of originality.

This is the first in the trilogy about the Lear Sisters. The luxurious life of the Lear sisters is shattered when they try to come to terms with the illness of their rich and powerful father. He, of course, does not make it easy for them by trying to correct what he considers is his mistakes. This book concentrates on his oldest daughter, Robin who works for his firm. He feels she has had it too easy and has not really learned the basics of the business. Robin meets Jake when she employs him to refurbish her house and so the rich world meets the poor world. It is a typical romantic story line but it has lots of twists along the way. The characters are great. Although Robin and Jake are the main characters there are many other endearing ones to encounter. The writing style was pleasant and easy to read but I felt it was very long winded and I was bored before I was captivated hence the three star rating. Im glad I persisted though as I enjoyed the latter half of the book. It is one that can be read anywhere at all.