This is the sequel to Invitation to the Boss's Ball (Harlequin Romance). I haven't read it, but I never felt lost as to what was going on. Each one is a stand-alone book.
Coreen Fraser is all about proper fashion--her personal style is a 50's bombshell sex kitten and red shoes, always red shoes. She loves the male attention she grabs with her Marilyn Monroe inspired walk (she practiced for days after watching her movies) and her flirtatious personality. But when Nicholas Catterton-Jones refuses to be charmed by her Coreen is completely thrown off her game. No one is immune to her charms...well, no one besides her best friend Adam Conrad. When Coreen is invited to a weekend party where the guests play parts in a 1930's murder-mystery Coreen jumps at the chance to spend a weekend in Nicholas' company so he can see what a catch she is. But Coreen is horrified that her part in this murder-mystery requires she loses the stilettos, the lipstick, and eye-liner for a tweed suit and sensible shoes! How will she win him over wearing when she's not looking her absolute best? And worse, why is it that it is Adam who is coming to her rescue over and over again instead of Nicholas.
SWEPT OFF HER STILETTOS was a fun, light read. My favorite theme in romance novels is "friends to lovers", and this story really delivered. This story was a bit unique in that it was told in first person, so we only see things through Coreen's eyes. But that also made if fun to try to understand what other's thought and did, which is just like real life.
Coreen was a fun character. When we first meet her, she is in her girly-girly world that revolves around her and her warped view of relationships. Her idea of a relationship is having a man who adores her and follows her around. When she is forced to take off the red shoes, the red lipstick, and put aside her flirty sex-kitten attitude we finally see the real girl underneath--and it's hard for Coreen to deal with herself without her armor. It was kinda funny because I liked Coreen in the beginning, but once I got to know the girl behind the lipstick I thought she was genuine. Then, when Coreen tries to put the mask back on I really didn't like her little flirtatious getup anymore even though in the beginning I thought it was fun. Once I saw behind the eye-liner, I didn't like her mask. It really reminded me of What Not To Wear Season 1 - Episode 1: Morna where the person being made-over is required to take off whatever mask/clothes/make-up they are hiding behind and be the real person.
I really liked Adam. He doesn't put up with any of Coreen's crap. He's been her best friend since they were kids. He has a way of telling Coreen how it is and seeing through her crap without being mean nor being a complete doormat. He doesn't push things, but he won't allow her to lead him around by the nose like she tries to with others.
The development of the relationship was nicely done. I liked that Coreen was forced to grow and be her true self. She makes some stupid decisions and has to live with it. And I loved Adam and how strong he was.
If you like "Friends to Lovers" type stories, this is for you. There are no sex scenes and no bad language, which is always a bonus for me.
