Sunday 21 January 2018

Book Review - Izzy As Is by Tracie Banister

Amazon UK
Title: Izzy As Is
Author: Tracie Banister
Format reviewed: Ebook
Source: Netgalley
Publisher: Self published
Publication Date: 24th January 2018
Rating: 3.5 Stars


The party is over for bikini model Izzy Alvarez. For six years she’s made a good living by flaunting her God-given assets on runways and in front of cameras, but now as she approaches the big 3-0, the bodacious Latina is shocked to learn she’s aged out of the profession that’s kept her in mojitos, mani/pedis, and designer thongs. What’s a girl with a taste for the finer things in life and no marketable skills to do?

Getting a regular job is too boring to even consider, so Izzy decides to follow in the footsteps of her newly-engaged frenemy and become a trophy wife. Although she’s desperate and too broke to get a chipped nail fixed, Izzy still has standards for her future husband, which means no uggos, no vertically-challenged guys, and no geezers who need to pop a blue pill to perform in the bedroom. Enlisting the aid of her computer whiz nephew and her closest pals, Izzy goes on the prowl for a rich, marriage-minded man, encountering likely candidates in a lot of unlikely places.

The high life she’s dreamed of may be within reach when Izzy meets a charming, successful man who’s not only hotter than a steamy summer night in Miami, but ready to settle down. Now all Izzy has to do is make sure her loud, crazy Cuban family doesn’t scare off el hombre perfecto—oh, yeah, and squelch those pesky, romantic feelings she keeps having for the sweet, cash-strapped guy she's known forever.

Will Izzy’s hunger for money win out, or will her fiery heart demand to be heard?

Ever since I first saw this cover revealed, I was enticed into reading this book, it is so summery and gorgeous looking, just what is needed in a cold British winter, a slice of warmth in Miami.  Given I have spent a few day in Miami and done two loops on the hop on, hop off buses, I did have some idea of the basics of this city, and was very excited when a mall I went to got mentioned briefly! 

Unfortunately I soon realised that Izzy is the sort of main character that I no longer have time for,  5-10 years ago I would have probably loved her, but I find now that shallow characters that predominately care about their appearance, and bagging a rich husband just don't interest me anymore.  However that is my problem and I know plenty of people will have no problem with this element of the book. 

For I really did enjoy the writing, I loved that Izzy is a Latina, and part Cuban, and thus would occasionally start talking Spanish, and I was really glad to know that my knowledge of Spanish was up more than up to it and that I knew a swear word when I saw one!  

There were plenty of moments in the book which made me chuckle, and the sibling rivalry Izzy had with Pilar and Ana was amusing. In fact I loved Izzy's mother too, who was just a slight hypochondriac, and tried to make every scene she was in revolve around her. 

Though my absolute favourite character was Nate, Izzy's 11 year old genius nephew. We didn't see too much of him, but I loved his insights and just how intelligent he really is. His sister Gabi was adorable too, and her 5th Birthday party was the sort of party that little girls must dream of! 

Izzy's best friend Zane is the other character I really really loved, in fact I think I fell a bit in love with him, but whether Izzy will ever notice him properly is another matter as she is determined to become a trophy wife and comes up with various plans to meet a rich sexy future husband!  

If only I had connected more with Izzy, I would be giving this a much higher rating, as the rest of the book was really good, I just find if I 'm not keen on the main character it becomes a problem for me.  The story itself was predictable but I didn't mind that too much, just wish I had been able to read this on holiday, as it would be a great poolside / beach read! 

Thanks to Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. 

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