Book Review: What A Woman Needs

Author: Judi Fennell

Publication Date: June 3, 2014

Publisher: Berkley

Series: Manley Maids # 2

What happens when three irresistibly sexy brothers lose a poker bet to their enterprising sister? They get hired out for her housecleaning venture. Now, the Manley Maids are at your service. Satisfaction guaranteed. It’s what a woman needs...
 
Big shot movie star Bryan Manley is destined for fame and fortune, not a repeat of his penny-pinching "normal" childhood. But a bet is a bet, so he agrees to play maid for Beth Hamilton—as long as he can use his servitude as research for his next role, and then resume his life in the spotlight.
 
After her husband’s death and the publicity surrounding it, all Beth needs is a quiet, normal life for herself and her children. She never expected a new Prince Charming to show up at her door, let alone as the new maid. But when the paparazzi follow, Beth is sure of one thing: Bryan has to go.
 
Then flirtation turns into seduction, and Bryan needs to convince Beth he’s more man than maid—or an actor playing a maid. Because this latest gig as the love of Beth Hamilton’s life just might be the role of a lifetime… 

Bryan hoped that was a good thing, but in his experience, when a woman said nothing, it spoke louder than if she yelled at him.

It’d be interesting to see if Bryan was still laughing when these four weeks were up.

“Will you make me a peanut butter and applesauce sandwich?” She blinked her big brown eyes at him.

I am a sucker for all the new series of books that come out each year. The first book in the Manley Maids series was released in March, I believe, and completely won my heart. I love the concept behind the books: the Manley brothers lose a huge bet to their sister who owns a cleaning business. In exchange, they must allow her to hire them out for housecleaning ventures, in which they meet wonderful, sweet women that they clean for. It really is the perfect fantasy! The first book was adorable and this one followed suit. This story is about Bryan Manley, the big shot movie star. Bryan meets Beth Hamilton when he is hired out to do some cleaning for her. Beth is meek and mild and is just trying to rebuild her life after her husband’s death when she meets Bryan.

Beth’s life if a little tumultuous. Her husband passed two years ago leaving her with five kids, multiple pets, and a whole of life to take care of by herself. Her best friends buy her a month of cleaning service because they know how hard things have been for her: enter Bryan Manley. Bryan sees that he really is needed in Beth’s home. Everything seems to be spiraling out of control. Beth is not the most dainty or put together of women, but her flaws and her emotional heartache is what makes her so real. She is trying her best to pick up the pieces after Mike’s death. She is a very realistic portrayal of what any women would be like in her shoes.

Bryan really becomes connected to Beth’s kids. He quickly learns that he is needed for more than just to clean up the kid’s messes and the messes made by the animals. Her oldest son, Jason, needs some training in how to become a man, and her oldest daughter, Kelsey, needs some training in what to expect from a man and how to be herself around them. He begins spending a lot more time with the kids and his character really begins to flourish when he is in their presence. This is such a heartwarming story for more than just the romantic elements it shares.

***A free copy of this book was provided to me by the publishers at Berkley in exchange for my honest review***