Once Upon A Romance's Review Of...
Real Women Don’t Wear Size 2 by Kelley St. John

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Reviewer: Lori Graham
Title: Real Women Don’t Wear Size 2
Author: Kelley St. John
Publisher: Warner Books
ISBN: 0-446-61721-0
Release Date: September 2006
Genre/Sub-genre: Contemporary Romance - Romantic Comedy
Year/Setting: Current
Overall Rating: 5.0
Sexual Content Rating: Sexual
Language (Profanity) Rating: None
Violent Content Rating: None
Kelley's Website: www.kelleystjohn.com

Clarise Robinson is the sister who has been given the gift of the "Robinson Treasures" (and just to avoid the suspense I will give you the clue that the treasures isn’t any piece of jewelry). While Clarise laments her sister’s willowy beauty, her Granny Gert (who also has "treasures") encourages Clarise to just have some fun with the gift God gave her. Clarise just doesn’t know how to have that fun but she is aiming to find out.

Clarise works in sales for Eubanks Elegant Apparel where she has risen quickly in the rank and earned the respect of all those she works with. She has even earned the friendship of her boss, Ethan Eubanks. However, it has finally sunk in for Clarise that she isn’t interested in his respect or his friendship. Well, okay, those things are nice and she does like having them but it is something much more elemental which is now driving her.

Each year, Eubanks takes their star people to Florida for the Gasparilla Pirate Festival. This trip has taken on legendary status and been given a motto which covers any fears since what happens at festival stays at festival. This is the perfect time to let go of her inhibitions and let her emotions control everything. She is tired of being a good girl who wears conservative clothing. There are fellow females in her life who quickly take care of hair, make up and clothing issues. There is some hesitation when Ethan announces he won’t be at the festival this year, but Clarise only turns 30 once and it is time to change things up.

Ethan surprises even himself when he shows up at the festival and begins the job of looking after Clarise. The only way to truly do that is move into his friend’s hotel room and stay with her every moment. I won’t give more away than that but let’s just say Ethan is in for quite a few surprises and Clarise discovers there is more to life than conservative clothing.

There are so many singular words I could use to describe this book – witty, funny, cute, sassy, touching, affirming, but a singular word won’t cover it. This is a great romance (definitely a hot one) that is a real hoot. I gotta admit I am one of the "real" women since I haven’t seen a size two since I was probably five years old (although I can’t say I have treasures) so maybe I had an inside track to enjoy this story.

Clarise is moving beyond how she has always viewed herself. No, not everyone changes themselves by wearing flirty clothing and making certain "lists," but we all could do with a dose of the courage she finds. With all of the humor going on, it would be easy for the reader to lose track of the true strength and determination displayed by this young woman (yes, 30 is young). She could give up and say Ethan is unattainable but she is willing to risk everything (her pride, her heart and even her career) to give it a shot. I loved, too, how Ethan got involved without fully realizing why he was getting involved. Big surprise how many times we all do that one!

Kelley St. John has hit the ball out of the park with Real Women Don’t Wear Size 2.

Lori

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