“I hope you’ve got a library card, sweetie, because I’m checking you out.” — One of the pickup lines on page 310
Synopsis from the back cover:
Gallery director Izzy Duncan has lost her faith in men. But then she meets two gorgeous guys in one week; dangerously delicious art dealer Avery, and infuriatingly moody and mysterious artist Grady. Suddenly she finds herself willing to take a risk—but which one of them should she trust?
Pick Me Up by Zoe Rice is a romantic comedy. This post will be in a Q&A style.
What led you to pick up this book?
It is one of the five books chosen for the “Romance Reading Challenge” hosted by Naida. I still have two more books to read before wrapping up the challenge.
What did you like most about the book?
I thought the story was cute. I laughed in some parts, and in others, I felt like smacking the stupid men who hurt Izzy. I loved that friends support each other when they are down. For a debut book, it is highly readable.
What did you think of the main character?
Izzy is a smart yet down-to-earth girl, and she is totally lovable. She loves her job (how many people can say the same?) and takes pride in it. She gets flustered easily and, needless to say, is totally smitten with the impossibly handsome new dealer, Avery Devon. I also enjoyed her strong bond of friendship with the outgoing dealer, Freddie, and co-worker, Kimmy. Her interactions with Grady Cole, the new artist her gallery will represent, are interesting. I smell chemistry between them right from the start, even though they didn’t start off on the right foot. Although Avery sounds really good (but smells fishy, at least to me), I did not like him. I have a feeling he is up to no good. He and Grady, although they know each other, are hostile towards one another. But why?
Jamie, one of Izzy’s best friends, shows me that people can and do change when fame catches up with them. This dude, a struggling writer for a dating column, becomes famous overnight when he suddenly has a breakthrough. He writes a piece on pickup lines, and it becomes an instant hit. Over time, the shy guy “disappears” and is replaced by one whom Izzy cannot believe is the same person. Here are ten pickup lines I like, which are found at the start of every chapter as headers:
“If I follow you home, will you keep me?”
“So you believe in love at first sight, or should I walk by again?”
“I’m a thief, and I’m here to steal your heart.”
“I’m not drunk. I’m just intoxicated by you.”
“Would you like a raisin? How about a date?”
“Your legs must be tired, because you’ve been running through my mind all night.”
“Baby, if you were words on a page, you’d be what they call fine print!”
“You’re so hot, you must be the reason for global warming!”
“If you were a new hamburger, you’d be the McGorgeous.”
“If I could rearrange the alphabet, I’d put U and I together.”
What about the ending?
The ending is wrapped up nicely. I love happy endings. Watch the truths unfold…
Would you recommend this book?
Yes. It has a clever plot, although slightly predictable. The supporting cast—Izzy’s hippie mother, her cousin Mimi, her boss and friend Freddie, and her best friends Jamie and Dix—are all very interesting.
Should anyone NOT be encouraged to read it? Why?
This is a safe and totally fun and witty book save for the occasional f-word.
Would you read more books by this author?
Yes. Pick Me Up is the author’s debut novel, but I would sure like to read more of her works in the future.
Would you re-read the book?
Probably. I would want to refer to the pickup lines again…
