After a near death experience during a plane landing, business woman, Ruth Harper decides it is time to find a man and begin a relationship. Her best friend and colleague, Dee helps her with online and speed dating, both of which turn out to be disasters. What is going well is her growing friendship with landscape architect, Nick who is designing a relaxing outdoor space in Ruth's backyard. Ruth only wishes she would stop comparing every date she has against the time she spends with Nick.

It's Not PMS, It's You is a light, low angst romantic comedy that would be a perfect beach read for summer. Both Ruth and Nick are likable as well as the supporting characters in their lives, and it's nice to see protagonists over 40 years of age. Some of Ruth's dates are hilarious, and there are a few moments of drama, but the stakes are pretty low, making this an easy, quick read. I did have a bit of an issue with the depiction of a workaholic woman by a male author, but overall, It's Not PMS, It's You is a very entertaining romance and an enjoyable read. ( )

Honestly, I LOVED Ruth's character. I think she epitomized a fair percentage of the female population climbing their way to the top of corporate America, while still trying to stay in the game life wise. It's definitely a balancing act, and one that she lost sight of until her unfortunate flight (which, by the way, was TOTALLY SCARY! I mean, I placed myself in her shoes for those pages and yeah, no thank you...~shudder~) made her reconsider the importance of her work and home/love life (or lack thereof) ratio. I get it, she was good at what she did, no scratch that...GREAT at what she did...but when do the achievements ever become enough? When does that last one make us feel like the top dog, winner over all, champion of the masses, etc and let us feel comfortable in our life? It's not the number of wins or the height of our successes that make us feel at one with ourselves and our lives, but the ability to bask in their glow with the ones we love. Whether they be blood relations, our chosen family/friends, or a significant other, those bonds allow of to share our feelings of elation and truly shine at our best.

So yes, this is a FABULOUS book that shows the world how women do in fact run things more often than not, but it's also a fun-infused Contemporary Romance that reminds us that no matter how hard we may fall, the ride was worth the effort, so picking yourself back up off the ground and trying again is an absolute must because we owe it to our selves!


**ecopy received for review; opinions are my own ( )

Another very enjoyable, funny and entertaining read from Rich Amooi! I was hooked immediately and laughed out loud at the wedgie incident at the gym. Things like that do really do happen, especially when you're trying to look calm and in control.

The story is about two forty-somethings - Ruth Harper, a high flying, workaholic partner in a corporate takeover firm, and Nick Morris, a divorced landscape gardener who had to reevaluate his life choices after a heart attack.

Ruth is the only female partner in the firm, and is being groomed for the role of managing partner. She lives to work and has set aside family and relationships to get where she is today. After a near miss with death, she decides life should hold more than just work, and determines to find her soulmate. In true Ruth-style, she writes a list of attributes for her soulmate, more akin to a job interview. Nonetheless, helped by her best friend and assistant Dee, she goes on a couple of hilarious dates in search of 'the one'.

Working on Ruth's garden and enjoying her annoyance at the men she is wasting her time on, is Nick. They both feel an attraction but Nick doesn't tick any of the boxes on Ruth's must-have list.

Nick decides to introduce her to some eligible bachelors in his own family but dreads Ruth taking a romantic interest in anyone other than himself. There are hurdles to jump and life lessons to learn before we see the pair finally united in this well written and comic tale.

The secondary characters are as interesting as the main characters. Judy, Ruth's octogenarian fellow passenger who we meet in the arrivals lounge, watching and waiting as her bag goes around and around on the carousel, is helped to make a life-changing decision to get involved with life again. Ruth arranges to meet Judy weekly, and by the end of the story, we find that Judy has developed a very active social calendar, and even a young man!

Dee is an amazing friend and diligent assistant to Ruth. With her eye firmly set on Nick's assistant, Brandon, Dee manages Ruth's work commitments and her dating schedule. Bagel Barney is a comical character, and one who sees himself as an irresistible catch.

Another entertaining read from Amooi, and one which will leave smile on your face! ( )

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