Reviewed by Grant Leishman for Readers' Favorite

For around thirty years, Georgette Alden’s life had revolved around her career as the incredibly sexy and devious Electra Holmes on the day-time soap, Our Time Tomorrow. In Georgette Alden Starts Over, by Annie Hoff, we meet Georgette just as she is contemplating life as Georgette rather than as her alter ego, Electra Holmes. Her character has been unexpectedly killed off by the producers who want “young and sexy” for their audience now. Confronted with the prospect of unemployment for the first time in her career, Georgette is persuaded to participate in a Public Announcement spot for a local charity, Helping Hands, which provides for the many homeless of New York City. When Georgette first meets the charity’s director, the wheelchair-bound but still incredibly handsome Tony Rodriguez, there is an instant and palpable connection that neither of them wants to deny. But is Tony ready for a full-on relationship, especially with a woman he once fantasized over on television as a college student? Georgette has to come to terms with whether she is really Electra Holmes or the hitherto hidden and less obvious Georgette Alden. Tony must decide if he is ready to put it all out there on the line and risk the possibility of rejection from a woman he still thinks is probably way out of his league.

If there’s one thing I do love it is a good, quirky romance and author Annie Hoff has certainly brought me one of those with Georgette Alden Starts Over. There is nothing terribly complicated or deep about these characters and their interactions and yet the author manages to weave a tale of faltering, yet determined love between two unlikely partners that not only works but creates great empathy in the reader for both of the main characters. I particularly enjoyed the “aha” moment when Georgette finally realizes who she is and what she wants more than anything in the world. I also enjoyed the battle Tony was going through as he panicked about his ability to satisfy such a glamorous woman, especially given his condition. The writing is simple, sweet, and draws you into the two characters’ psyches as we ride along with them down those first tentative relationship steps. If you like a good, modern romance with quirky characters, especially so with the fringe players, then this would be a fantastic read for you. I certainly enjoyed it very much.