Review: You Dropped A Blonde On Me by Dakota Cassidy

She was the perfect party-planning, haute-to-the max trophy wife. Now Maxine Cambridge is broke, unemployable and living with her mother and teenage son in a retirement village, with her self-esteem kicked to the curb.

Until her geeky former classmate Campbell Barker returns, all grown-up- and off-the-scale smokin’ hot. Campbell refuses to believe Max isn’t that smart, funny girl he’s crushed on since high school. The more Max tries to show him he’s wrong, the more she rediscovers her long-retired mojo. Now, she’s ready to throw down some payback on her ex-life and fight for what she deserves…(Contemporary chick-lit)

Review:

You Dropped A Blonde On Me is a fun, empowering contemporary chick-lit. Dakota Cassidy’s snarky writing style is always fun to read although she’s known more for her paranormals. This is the first book in her new Ex-Trophy Wives series and her first contemporary romance.

Maxine was dumped by her emotionally abusive and controlling ex-husband Finley after she caught him cheating. He’s moved on to a new younger model now that Max is over 40. Not only has the wealthy Finley left her penniless but he’s using his wealth and power to try to control her through their son. This guy is a real ass to put it mildly. Finley was Maxine’s first and only love.
Being a Trophy wife had its advantages when she was married; all the creature comforts, maids, fake boobs and fancy cars but now that it’s all been taken away she doesn’t really know who she is anymore. Not only is she broke and living in a senior trailer park with her mom, she also can’t find a job to support her teenage son.

By the time she is turned down for a job at the Cluck-Cluck Palace chicken restaurant Max has lost it and creates a scene only to be rescued by the extremely sexy Campbell Barker. She is stunned to learn that this is the same geeky boy from chemistry class back in high school.

Max struggles with so many issues that are relatable to women whether you are going through a divorce or not. She is at times over dramatic but it still seems real considering the bubble that she has lived in and the culture shock she’s experiencing. She flies off the handle going all “woman hear me roar” on all the wrong people. It should be directed at Finley but since he is still exerting control over her future she hurls most of her venom on the people close to her instead.

What I enjoyed about this book was that even though her friends and family are all very supportive, they have no problem giving her a swift kick in the ass when she’s throwing a pity party. More importantly – she sees it too and tries to change.

The supporting cast is fun. The retirement community residents are quirky and Campbell is fairly swoon worthy. Her best friend Len gets a little romance of her own that ties back into Max’s story. That felt a little too contrived to me but it all works out so I was ok with it.

Nitpick: In the first half of the story there was a lot of “playa” & “brotha” language that felt out of place and some of the scenarios where a little over the top. And for some reason I kept confusing Campbell – the boyfriend with Connor – the son. Made for a few whaaaat?? moments.

Rating: 3 out of 4 Good if you’re a fan of contemporary chick lit.

Author's website: http://www.dakotacassidy.net/

Publisher: Berkley Trade

Buy the book! You Dropped a Blonde on Me