Austin, Texas ~ Present Day

Socialite Chloe Flynt has had a string of broken engagements and is now also financially broke. With these two unrelated factors, Chloe decides that she should start advising people on how to break up relationships. She chooses Texas as the perfect place for this business. It might be far away from her home in Great Britain, but with a state where people live like they do on Dallas and Dynasty, there has to be a need for a business like hers. Her hunky landlord (and next-door neighbor) Matthew Tanner is abrupt and suspicious of Chloe, but that doesn’t matter because soon The Break Up Artist business is booming.

Matthew got hurt on the job while with the police department in Austin. This has him spending part of his days watching the comings and goings of one sexy Chloe Flynt and wondering what she’s up to. He knows she has to be selling her body, otherwise why would strangers be dropping off money for her and thanking her for “her services.” Maybe Matthew wishes she would offer her services to him? But heck, he has his own problems not being able to break up with his nice girlfriend, Brittney.

Chloe needs a receptionist, and spotting a woman in the mall one day, Chloe decides that not only is this woman her employee, but that she needs a little help breaking up herself. Stephanie is being forced by circumstances to get engaged to a man she doesn’t love. Stephanie has a little problem that pops up whenever she’s stressed out. It involves a little shoplifting. Spotted by Rafe, Matthew’s one time partner on the force, Stephanie is soon being pursued by the curious cop. Then Rafe meets Chloe, who in turn offers him a job and . . .

Okay, I think you get it by now. THE ONE I WANT has a multitude of characters who sometimes need a flowchart for readers to see how they all connect. If you can get past the first seventy pages or so of characters being introduced, then you’re in for an entertaining read. Chloe has a breezy personality and knows exactly which people belong together and which should break up. She’s good at her job, even if Matthew spends a good portion of THE ONE I WANT not sure if he understands what she does. You’ll smile knowing what he does think her occupation is.

Stephanie’s inner good girl says she should marry her fiancé and steer clear of bad-news Rafe. However, the bad girl comes creeping out and can’t resist the allure of a fling with Rafe. Meanwhile, Stephanie is dealing with her shoplifting urges and seeing Dr. Deborah Beaumont, who is in a relationship with a colleague. Turns out Rafe is hired by Chloe (who was hired by Deborah’s partner) to break up Deborah’s relationship. (I told you that you’ll need to keep track.) How will all this play out in the course of THE ONE I WANT? You’ll have to pick up your own copy and read for yourself.

Nancy Warren has penned an intriguing and humorous tale that is sure to delight readers once you get all the players in place. Dialogue is funny and crisp. While there are not a lot of love scenes, the tension between each of the couples reaches out to draw you in and makes you want to see everyone get a happily ever after. Run to the nearest bookstore and grab THE ONE I WANT off the shelves today for a fun read.

Patti Fischer


A second look

THE ONE I WANT - Nancy Warren

Italy, England, and Texas - Present Day

Chloe Flynt is a party girl extraordinaire. Unfortunately, it’s time for this English rose to grow up and find a job. So far she’s tried training as an artist, a chef, and an interior designer, but nothing has really taken. Truthfully, the only thing she’s really good at doing is breaking up. Three failed engagements, as well as friends’ testimony as to her usefulness in breaking off their own bad relationships, certainly seem to prove it. A meeting with some of those very same friends convinces Chloe that this is the job that could very well last. She’ll become The Breakup Artist and help those in need end their unwanted relationships, for a hefty fee of course; after all, nothing priced too cheaply is ever valued highly. But where will Chloe start her new business? Why, America of course! The country is known for its appreciation of an entrepreneurial spirit, and given what they put on the telly, there're certainly many people who could use her talents.

Arriving in Texas, Chloe is thrilled to discover that there’s a long, tall Texan living right next door who looks good enough to eat. Too bad Matthew Tanner is her landlord, not to mention taken. If only he, or his girlfriend Brittany, required her services. Oh well, there are plenty of fish in the sea, and luckily for Chloe, many of them are eager to escape their own bad relationships.

In the beginning of THE ONE I WANT, readers are introduced to Chloe, a woman who comes across as somewhat spoilt and shallow; she also appears to have the attention span of a gnat. Though the spoilt part is true (Chloe herself admits to it), Chloe isn’t shallow, and once she sinks her teeth into her new business, it becomes clear that she’s also not the thoughtless girl she first appeared to be. In fact, this is one tough cookie with not just brilliant (and expensive) fashion sense, but brains aplenty. You’re sure to fall in love with Chloe, even as she helps others end their loves. Will Chloe ever be able to say “You’re THE ONE I WANT”? You’ll have to read her story to find out.

It’s difficult to regard the secondary characters in this book as anything but primary as they all contribute greatly to the story, enriching Chloe’s life and adding their own special spin to THE ONE I WANT. First off is Matthew Tanner, an ex-cop who now makes his living in real estate; he’s sexy and honest, a good guy who just needs the right woman to complete his life; luckily he’s found her in Brittany. Or is Brittany the right girl? Sweet Brittany is a bit overwhelmed by Matthew, allowing him to walk all over her without protest. Then there’s Stephanie Somers; she just got engaged (again) to a man everyone claims is perfect for her, so why is she so certain that their first breakup should have been forever? Rafael Escobar has problems, too; this cop is trying to get over his bad habit of falling for women who need “fixing.” Deborah Beaumont, together with her lover Jordan, has just released a best selling book on love. Despite that, their relationship seems to be at risk. All of these characters, along with Chloe, will learn and grow throughout the book, finally coming to terms with who, and what, they want.

For a romance certain to delight and entertain, you can’t go wrong with one of Nancy Warren’s fabulous books. Stop by www.nancywarren.net for a complete listing. If you enjoy Chloe’s story (and how could you not?), I’d suggest getting BRITISH BAD BOYS (Nov. 2006). This anthology tells Chloe’s brother’s story (as well as those of a couple of other sexy Brits). Don’t miss THE ONE I WANT, available in bookstores now.

Lori Ann