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After getting spectacularly dumped by the latest in a long line of loser boyfriends, pretty and perky video game designer Annie Long decides enough is enough. In a fit of anguish and rage, she comes up with the brilliant concept of 'Joe Video' - an ideal interactive boyfriend on DVD who's sexy, charming and adoring; in other words, every woman's dream come true. Her boss Matt Abington isn't pleased with the concept but then he's the exact opposite of what Joe Video represents.
Anne and Matt were intimate once and the embers of the passion they once shared are still smoldering. When Rico, the to-die-for handsome model who plays Joe Video, makes Anne the object of his unswerving attention, he's like Anne's dream come to life and Matt's worst nightmare. But then why isn't anybody happy? Readers are kept intrigued as characters struggle to answer this essential question.
Candy Halliday steals the show and the year with this shining contemporary romantic story. Like Joe Video, the concept of the novel is somewhat unique and yet not. The age-old differences between men and women are legendary and the subject of countless books. In this book as well, Anne wants adoration and commitment while Matt wants no-strings-attached sex, or so they both think. But over the duration of this story, aided by a lot of emotional upheaval and interference by side characters, the situation reverses completely and that's when the comedy comes to the fore. These two so opposite and yet so right together people come to understand that what's ideal may not be exactly what either of them truly wants. A novel that not only teaches but also makes the reader smile throughout is one that's impossible to forget and that's the case with Candy Halliday's perfect "Dream Guy".
Reviewed by Rashmi Srinivas
for The Road to Romance
February 7, 2005
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Video game designer Annie Long knows she’s broken her curse. Ever since she turned sixteen, her luck with men had been nothing but down hill, until Dave. Dave was Mr. Perfect. The day Dave was supposed to return from an extended business trip, Annie planned a gourmet meal, new lingerie, and expected confessions of love from Dave. What she got was a video tape mailed to her with Dave breaking up with her. Determined to change her love life, Annie takes a hair-brained idea to her executives and miraculously sells them on a new interactive video, Joe Video. Joe Video is the ideal interactive boyfriend.
Matt Abbington has never forgotten the one “mistake” between him and Annie. On a whim he let Annie take the reigns on a new project. He never thought it would backfire on him or bring to the forefront his ever present yearnings for Annie.
Joe Video hit the ground running, but Annie has her hands full with an over zealous bartender turned actor, a feisty jilted girlfriend, and a conniving reporter. She’s totally unprepared for Matt’s assault on her and gives in, if only for a short time. But Matt’s determined to prove to Annie that no one, not even “Joe”, is more of a perfect man for Annie than him.
In a day and age of instant gratification, what woman wouldn’t want a video boyfriend to listen to our troubles, say we’re beautiful, and never leave the toilet seat up? I enjoyed each characters personal growth and their developing relationship with each other. The secondary characters are hysterical and while the book is entertaining with just Annie and Matt, characters like Helena, Collin, and Rico push this story over the top. Candy Halliday has a vivid imagination and is an exceptional author. If you’re looking for the perfect date, a quiet night with DREAM GUY is just the thing.
Reviewed by Tina Burns
for The Road to Romance
June 15, 2005
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