Southern California and Remote Arizona - Present Day

Marisol Winston is filthy rich, and just about as spoiled, but her father and friends watching from afar decide she needs help in a big way. Marisol believes she and her stepmother Jamie are heading for a new outlet mall in a remote town in Arizona. Jamie stops the car in front of Dzeel, a mansion-like building that looks like a resort, and Marisol is so trusting she believes it's a surprise. When she steps inside and it's all quiet and she sees her dad and her two best friends waiting, it still hasn't sunk in. She's in a rehab center to recover from being a 'shopaholic'. She wants out immediately; she doesn't think just because she likes to shop that it's a problem. When her dad tells her she will not receive one dime until she finishes the program, and her friends hug her and tell her they love her, but realize she does have a problem, Marisol finally 'gets it'. Jamie, the stepmother who loves her like a daughter, is the one who finally gets Marisol to agree to the program. This little beauty, the one who is habitually harassed by the paparazzi everywhere and anywhere, is going to give the employees at Dzeel a real challenge. Marisol sticks it out; she's not a quitter! And near the end of her stay she must actually go out and WORK-ugh! For her work assignment, she's taken to an even more remote area to be nanny to six-year-old triplets, children of former superstar quarterback for the Scorpions, Cash Connelly.

Cash Connelly has his share of problems. He retired from football at the height of his career --- after he found his wife was having an affair with the back-up quarterback, Tyrell, but not before the press had a field day when he gave Tyrell a thrashing after practice. His front office is still not happy with Cash, and he isn't happy with himself, either. His agent is only getting him yucky public appearances that are embarrassing. What hunk would want to hand out coupons to housewives in a grocery store, for heaven's sake! Cash is almost broke, has lost his car, his home, and just about anything else of value to his ex-wife, and he can only see his children on scheduled weekends. He loves his kids and wants a better chance at custody of them. The only way he knows to get what he wants is to go through try-outs and get back to the team again. He's renting a rustic cabin near the practice field from a former teammate and he and the triplets are living there. Problem is the kids have gone through four nannies already, and the agency refuses to send anyone else. Soooo....since he is the founder of the rehab center, Dzeel, he agrees to have one of the patients there do her work assignment as nanny to his children. And now, the fun begins... <grin>

Lisa Plumley has a great sense of humor as evidenced in most of her previous novels, and this book is filled with her witty lines. Her characterization of Marisol is nothing short of wonderful. She begins the story with an image of a brainless, spoiled heiress, but as the story progresses readers find she does have a brain. More importantly, she has so much love to give that it is a delight to watch her mature into a beautiful woman. Marisol just needs to learn she doesn't have to give presents to be loved; all she needs to give is herself. Ms. Plumley brings this about in a way that will touch your hearts. Then she introduces Cash Connelly, a handsome hunk of a guy. He's not just a sports jock, although this is your first impression. Underneath, where he doesn't allow it to come alive again, he hides a vulnerable heart. He's determined he will never let himself become attached; he is not going to love and lose ever again. Ah, but Lisa Plumley has other plans. <grin>

Ms. Plumley brings together two people who couldn't be more opposite and has sexual tension fogging up the windows -- really! <grin> LET'S MISBEHAVE is aptly titled as this couple does just that. The triplets, two girls and a boy, are also great at misbehaving, but are the catalysts that bring Marisol and Cash together. They are adorable and just absolute fun to read about. In addition to these main characters, there are family and friends to flesh out the story, and it's all written in a way you just have to love. It's a laugh out loud tale, but also has a tender side. You will so enjoy watching this couple mature, but you will equally enjoy watching them misbehave. It's a joy to read, and one you do not want to miss.

Carol Carter