Wrong Address, Right Place has a paper-thin plot that would be difficult to swallow if written by most writers. Thankfully, in the hands of seasoned funny-lady Lass Small, this romance is an entertaining and zany read.
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Wrong Address, Right Place by Lass SmallRating:
Published: 1990
Illustrator: Ed Tadiello
Imprint or Line: Silhouette Desire #569
Published by: Silhouette
Genres: Category Romance, Contemporary Romance
Pages: 188
Format: Paperback
Buy on: Amazon, AbeBooks
Reviewed by: Introvert Reader
SPOILER-FREE REVIEW
The Book
What can be said about Lass Small‘s Wrong Address, Right Place, that the title doesn’t already say? It’s a 1990 Silhouette Desire contemporary category romance. Other than that, you can guess in for a quirky rom-com treat.
The Title
With certain category lines, even though there was a general standard the authors had to adhere to, a reader could find an enormous variety of themes, characters, and tones among the monthly releases. Some might be serious and action-packed, detailing the lives of the ultra-rich. Other books might be set in small towns telling simple love stories about relatable average characters.
Such was the case with Silhouette’s Desire line in the 1980s and 1990s. You could always tell what you were in for with a Lass Small book, as her titles were dead giveaways. Often they were puns or detailed the plot in a few simple words and were always a hoot.
Did an editor come up with them, or did she? The title of this book is right on the mark.
The Setup
The hero of Wrong Address, Right Place, Mitchell Roads, is a big, fat liar.
Well, maybe not so fat. He’s a good-looking, muscular, blond, thirty-year-old, temporarily out-of-work oil worker. To make some money in the off-season, he does some odd construction jobs here and there.
Currently, he is working on the finishing touches to the new home of his friends, a married couple who are expecting a new baby in just a few months. Mitch stays in the house while the Smiths remain in another place, counting the days until they can move into their dream home.
The Plot
Linda Parsons is very stupid and slow a bit gullible. And she’s absolutely stunning.
She arrives at a suburban home where she sees a man doing construction. Linda says she’s looking for a bed and breakfast, for which she has a flyer. After asking if she has the correct address for Fremont Street, Mitch tells her it’s the right place; only she’s on Premont Street as there was a misprint.
Linda registers as a guest despite the fact that there are no other patrons, a guestbook, nor or any amenities. The building is being renovated, and the only person present is a single man who obviously has got the hots for her.
It was hilarious to read about Mitch’s bumbling attempts to keep his scheme going, especially since his lies to Linda were so obvious. He struggles to get bed sheets, make meals, and provide towels… You know, all the things that a bed and breakfast should be able to handle!
But because Mitch is a smooth-talking charmer—and, oh yeah, really hot—Linda believes all of his obvious lies. As Mitch caters to his sole guest, they flirt with each other, and eventually, things take a romantic turn.
After a while, Mitch feels bad about his deception and is about to confess when Linda tells him the only thing she despises are liars. So he keeps his ruse going.
And going…
And going!
Despite a strange man and his pregnant wife coming over to check the status of Mitch’s work on the home, and no new guests arriving, Linda continues to believe Mitch.
Mitch and Linda fall in love. But what will happen when Linda discovers Mitch’s lies?
Final Analysis of Wrong Address, Right Place
In the hands of any other author, the thin premise of Wrong Address, Right Place would be better suited for a short story. However, Lass Small‘s trademark humor makes this romance worth reading.
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| Overall: | 4.3 |
Synopsis
THE COMFORT INN
Linda Parsons was excited about her first business trip–and a shambles of a bed-and-breakfast place wasn’t going to dampen her spirit. Especially since ruggedly sexy innkeeper Mitch Roads seemed determined to make her stay enjoyable. There was certainly nothing wrong with this perfect specimen of a man, and his all-too-personal kisses soon drove all professional matters out of Linda’s mind.
Mitch knew Linda had come to the wrong address, but she was too beautiful to turn away. He’d play host and win her heart. But Mitch quickly learned that Linda despised liars. If she found out about his charade, would she check out–for good? Or could he convince her to make a lifetime reservation?
Wrong Address, Right Place by Lass Small