Book Review: Stealing Jason Wilde by Dee Ernst

Stealing Jason Wilde
Author: Dee Ernst
Publication: Lake Union Publishing (May 17, 2016)

Description: After her divorce, librarian Annie Reynolds thought she’d closed the book on love for good—it just wasn’t part of her safe, comfortable routine. But if there’s anyplace she can relax and have a little fun, it’s Dune Road, where she and her closest girlfriends return for their annual getaway in the Hamptons. She knows it’s just what she needs to escape her empty nest (and empty bed).

A chance encounter with a ruggedly handsome local promises Annie just that. But when one of her friends turns a simple flirtation with B-list movie star Jason Wilde into seduction—and Jason accidentally mixes a few drinks and his back-pain medicine—the ladies end up with a very high-profile houseguest. The media calls it a kidnapping, and before long, the FBI is on the hunt.

Soon the ladies’ tame little trip has turned into the adventure of a lifetime. But will this case of mistaken misdoing sabotage Annie’s second chance at love, or will she have the confidence to take matters into her own hands to find her happily ever after?

My Thoughts: This was a really cute romance about a group of 50-somethings who get together each year for a weekend in the Hamptons. This tradition began when the women were all stay-at-home mothers with young children. It has continued through divorces and other drama. This year four women make the trip. Annie is a divorced children's librarian who is set in her routine and likes it. She's the narrator. Deb is an African American Emergency Room nurse who tends to be the voice of reason. Kelly is an attractive, newly-divorced realtor. Tina is the odd one out. She is neurotic, medicated, and has a major crush on actor Jason Wilde that has led to a restraining order on her.

Tina is determined to see Jason Wilde while they women are in the Hamptons. They do meet him when he overindulges in alcohol. Since his rental is near theirs on Dune road, they offer to drive him home. He passes out before he can give his address. So they bring him to their place to wait until he wakes up. Since he combined alcohol with a medication, he doesn't wake up for more than 24 hours.

Since Jason is supposed to be shooting a television show, he is missed. In fact, his agent schemes to get Jason some job-saving publicity out of his disappearance and spreads the word that he has been kidnapped. Jason always does what his agent says. So he won't leave the women's house.

Getting Jason back where he belongs without being arrested by the FBI who are looking for him leads to all sorts of zany adventures. It really doesn't help that Annie has met and fallen in love with the head FBI agent on the case.

This book was fast-paced and funny.

Favorite Quote:

I had a sudden urge to spray perfume between my breasts and slip into a filmy black negligee. Sadly, I didn't own a black negligee, and if I had, I wouldn't have packed it for the Hamptons. So I settle for my nightshirt with the little owls, because nothing says blooming romance like tiny red birds. 

I bought this one. You can buy your copy here.