"Wicked" Women 101

I can't seem to resist Brava titles. When I see them in the bookstore, I always read the back covers to see if I would enjoy them. I wish they weren't always released as trade paperbacks first, but that just makes me more selective; it doesn't stop me from buying. Last week, I bought Susannah Carr's "Wicked" Women 101. It's quite good: 4 out of 5.

"Six Weeks to Sensuality": 3 out of 4
Amy's ex-boyfriend publically proposed to her nemesis, which was a big blow to her self-esteem. Amy reacts by joining Dr. Marc Javier's sensuality project, so she can go to the engagement party and show everyone that she doesn't care about the ex.

Marc and Amy have been attracted to each other for some time, but neither has acted on that attraction. There are some nice moments between the characters, but I don't like the whole make-me-over-into-a-sensual-woman theme. To give Marc credit, he says that he likes her the way she is, without changing. But that's not the message I got from the rest of the story. The ex and his fiancee are a bit too stereotypical, too.

"Code Pink": 4 out of 5
When Jennifer goes to the restaurant to meet a man, she wasn't expecting him to be her former lover Bryan. Jennifer is a skilled encryptionist, and Bryan decoded the message to her date. Sparks fly as they make a bet about whether he can decode three more messages.

Jennifer and Bryan have an interesting history, which unfolds nicely through the story. They also have chemistry--always a good thing in a Brava title. This is the shortest of the three stories, and it's excellent.

"Fantasies Are Forever": 4 out of 5
Caroline has been fantasizing about coworker Joe, and it's gotten to the point that she can't focus. Her solution: she'll sleep with him and get him out of her system. Joe has other plans. He's wanted Caroline for months, but he doesn't want only one night.

I like reading about men who know what they want and aren't afraid of commitment, and Joe is both these things. This story is at its best when Joe and Caroline are together. I wanted to see a little less of Caroline talking with her friends; there's a distracting subplot with a magic potion. I understand the point Carr makes with it; I'm just not sure it's necessary. But I love the way Caroline and Joe finally get together.

This anthology is one I'll keep; I'll enjoy rereading the last two stories.

As a side note: what's up with the weird punctuation? "Wicked" Women 101 doesn't need quotation marks. I think readers can tell that the women aren't really wicked. Otherwise, why haven't they been added to titles like Bad Boys Next Exit?

Alyssa