Linda Howard, like Nora Roberts or Sandra Brown, is an author I’ve been reading for more than 15 years. Her books make me laugh and give me an old school romantic suspense feel. I have THREE favorite books by her, Mr. Perfect, Open Season and After the Night. That means I have read each of these three books multiple times, and they never get old. On the other hand, it becomes more obvious with each reread, that times are changing. And what was the norm in 2000, 2001 and 1995, might not be trendy today.

Mr. Perfect – Linda Howard

Mr. Perfect by Linda Howard

What would make the perfect man? That’s the delicious topic that heats up the proceedings at a certain table of professional women at their favorite restaurant. What qualities would he have? Would he be tall, dark, and handsome? Caring and warmhearted—or would just muscular do? Jaine Bright and her three girlfriends start off with the basics: he’d be faithful and reliable, the responsible type, and have a great sense of humor.

But as the conversation picks up momentum, so do the quartet’s requirements for Mr. Perfect as and they write down a tongue-in-cheek checklist that’s both funny and racy. The next thing they know, the List, as it has come to be called, becomes an overnight sensation, spreading through their company like wildfire and grabbing the interest of local newspapers and television coverage. No one expected this avalanche of attention for something that began as a joke among friends. But the joke turns deadly serious when one of the four women is murdered…

The prime suspect in the case is the victim’s boyfriend, who was one of a number of men who found the List sexist and offensive. An impenetrable alibi gets him off the hook, but a deadly stalker targets the three remaining friends. Now, with the help of Jaine’s neighbor, an unpredictable police detective, the puzzle must be solved as the dream of Mr. Perfect becomes a chilling nightmare.

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My thoughts

Mr. Perfect – Linda Howard

As I mentioned above this is not my first time reading this book. But it’s the first time I participated in a group read of Mr. Perfect on Instagram. Discussion of the book is this weekend, and I can’t wait to talk about my favorite scenes. Because it’s also the first time that I’m reading this book while also blogging about books, I must have read it at least five times or more over the last 15 years, I’m finally sitting down to write a review.

There are multiple reasons why I love this book….

a) the banter

b) the chemistry

I can’t count anymore how often this book made me laugh out loud. The dialogues between Sam and Jaine are on point, funny, sexy, hilarious. Janie is such a straightforward kind of person, she attacks life with gusto, and tenacity. She is not afraid of anything, and it shows. Sam, the poor guy, should be afraid, but he is the opposite, he loves everything about Jaine. He is confident, unfazed, and perfectly equipped to handle a strong-willed woman like Jaine, and it shows in many ways throughout the novel. And he is never in danger of losing sight of what’s important, and the way he takes care of Jaine is still my favorite part of the book.

Together they were explosive. And I had a first row seat, enjoying it all.

Also their easy way with each other, their no-nonsense approach to a future relationship was refreshing, and so Linda Howard. Now, reading this book in 2019, I realize that there is a hefty dose of insta-marriage in this book. I’m trying to remember if this was the norm in 2000. I’m not usually a fan of insta-anything, but the overall feel of this novel is still the same as it was when I read it the first time.

The suspense is through the roof, and I’m actually shocked every time about the author not pulling any punches. There is quite the body count in this novel. I feel like this rarely happens in romantic suspense novels anymore. And it surprises me every time I read it.

So, if you love romantic suspense you MUST read Linda Howard’s books, but especially this one.

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4.5 stars

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Mr. Perfect – Linda Howard