First Lady - Susan Elizabeth Phillips I want to become Susan Elizabeth Phillips when I grow up some more. She writes the sort of books I really, really wish I had written. Not because they're sheer genius, or the characters are phenomenal, or the plot's epic, or anything extraordinary like that, but simply because they comfort me. They actually matter and make a difference in my opinion of little things like love, happily ever afters, second chances, and the power of fate.

Call me cheesy, but it's true. I read SEP's novels, and they instantly put me in a good mood. No matter how tough or tiring the day is, SEP never fails to put a smile on my face. The world needs more books like these. Books that serve a purpose, make a difference, have some sort of moral story as well.

Now, about First Lady in particular. I began the book praying for a swoon-worthy hero, because I didn't find him in the first 3 books, and ended the book head over heels in love with Mat. He's such a man! And I don't say that lightly. There's nothing feminine about him at all, but he still manages to be sweet and emotional when the situation calls for it. A more perfect fictional man I have yet to come across.

Nealy is also an extremely capable and admirable woman, but all my love is still reserved for Mat, which is a nice change from the first 3 books where I rated the books mostly because the heroine was so wonderful.

Lucy and Button complete this impossible family. Lucy's the kid I wish I'd been and Button's the kid I wish I had. I'm so glad there will be more of Lucy in [b:Call Me Irresistible|10145673|Call Me Irresistible|Susan Elizabeth Phillips|http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51ZhtFhHqRL._SL75_.jpg|13300953].

I could go on and on about how much I loved this book, and how I loved reading it even more, but I'll stop now and let this suffice:

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Favorite Quotes:

1. The final few years before his escape from the Hell House of Women had been especially bad. His father had died by then, putting an end to the fantasy Mat had entertained that he'd come back and take charge. The girls were growing older and more temperamental. Somebody was always getting ready to have her period, going through her period, getting over her period, or sneaking into his room late at night in quiet hysterics because her period was late, and he was supposed to figure out what to do about it.

2. "You bought white underwear."
"Only because I wanted to irritate you. If you hadn't been there, I would have chosen something more exotic."
"Like what?"
"Like none of your business."
"No, I'm serious. This is an important question. The kind of underwear a woman buys reflects her character."
"I can't wait to hear this."
"That's why the idea of you wearing white panties bothers me."
"I seem to be having trouble keeping up."
"Isn't it obvious? That's the favorite underwear of female serial killers."


3. How could he have been so blind? From the moment they'd met, he'd been drawn to her like hot fudge to ice cream. He'd never enjoyed a woman's company more, never been so
aroused by one. And not just physically, but intellectually and emotionally. If some evil genie came up to him right this minute and said he could have Nealy forever, but they could never make love again, he'd still take her. And what kind of thing was that?

He had it bad.


4.5/5 stars