REVIEWS!

From: Romantic Times Book Reviews

“Kauffman has again given a modern-day twist to an old favorite. Her dialogue is witty, fun, and always what you wish you could say out loud but never have the guts to. Her characters have the right amount of real-life dramatics and enchanted humor. It’s a perfect “match” for sure. 4 stars.” – Kristen Foley

From: Booklist

Tess Hamilton was a top tennis player with attitude. She led a jet-setting life, was a media darling, had money to burn, and kept her family cringing. After a career-ending injury, all that’s left is the attitude, and she’s desperate for money. Max Fontaine has raised his sister, Gaby. Now 16, she’s poised to become the new phenom in tennis. Concerned about Gaby’s penchant for temper tantrums, Max sends her to Glass Slipper Inc. for some moderation training. Aurora, one of the Glass Slipper’s godmothers, recommends Tess as a coach for Gaby. Who better to guide her than the original bad girl of tennis? Max isn’t happy, but Gaby is ecstatic. And Tess slowly realizes that coaching isn’t so bad. Max and Tess can’t be in the same room without going for each other’s throats, which, of course, is a cover for their attraction. Readers will enjoy Kauffman’s excellently well-written contemporary romance with its lively byplay, humor, and very human characters. —Maria Hatton

From: FreshFiction.com

NOT SO SNOW WHITE – Donna Kauffman – Bantam – 0553383094 – 11.00 – 400 pgs – 5/30/06 –
Katie Rudkin, publicist Morgan Chilson, Reviewer

Tess Hamilton failed to plan. She thought her career as one of the world’s top tennis players wouldn’t end for years, she thought all the sponsorships would continue so money wasn’t an issue, and she just never thought her body would fail her. But after surgery fails to get her back into playing shape, Tess is frantic not to let anyone know how desperate she is to avoid bankruptcy. Determined to put on a game face and snag a couple of sponsorships, she tackles the tennis world.

Aurora Favreaux, one of the founders of Glass Slipper, Inc., knows something is up with Tess and she helps by insisting that Tess coach a new teenage tennis star, Gabrielle Fontaine. Tess reluctantly agrees, never intending for the job to become permanent. Gaby is a little difficult, but even more trying is Gaby’s over-protective older brother and manager, Max. He’s definitely unsure that Gaby needs the influence of Tess – who’s been in the tabloids since she started hitting the big-time at age 15 – and he knows he doesn’t need someone like Tess in his life.

One of the goals of writing is to show the transformation of characters. Tess is definitely a character who needs transforming – you have to dig rather deep to get to the kind heart buried under her smart-mouth, over-confident attitude. She’s so busy putting on a façade that she’s forgotten a lot of things she needs to remember, like kindness and caring for other people. Luckily, those qualities are inside of her and helping Gaby and facing up to her own dire financial situation means she starts making those changes.

But can she be the kind of woman that super-responsible Max could fall in love with? Lust, definitely. But love is a different matter.

This is a fun, high-spirited look at the cut-throat world of professional tennis. Watching Tess shed her rabble rouser image and move on to the next stage of her life is satisfying. As is watching Gaby enter the professional world protected by a loving brother. You’ll root for all the characters, though it did take me a while into the book to become attached to Tess. A fun read! You’ll enjoy Tess’ snappy attitude.

From: Romance Reviews Today

“Ms. Kauffman writes the character of Tess masterfully as someone who knows her own worth, but at the same time, cares about family and friends. Gaby is wonderful, focused, and vulnerable. She deserves a book of her own. Ms. Kauffman conveys the excitement and tension of Wimbledon in detail; I could envision Gaby playing on a grass court. Excellent secondary characters come from the three preceding books, CINDERELLA RULES, DEAR PRINCE CHARMING, and SLEEPING BEAUTY. It is not necessary to read them to understand the current offering, because all stand alone. Take a little vacation from your troubles, read NOT SO SNOW WHITE.” – Lisa Baca