Miss August is the second that I have read of the Calendar Girls series. Some time ago, I purchased, read and thoroughly enjoyed Miss February. Thinking back I find it quite shocking how long ago it was that I read this first book. Time certainly does fly, and these last few years seemingly passed quicker than the ones that came before (I am in my third and final year of university and can hardly believe it). The series is connected sometimes through the naming of the characters, but the main link is that most of the books contain the stories of friends. In Miss August, I met several characters who have their own tale, for example Brett from Miss February, although I cannot remember whether I met Shelley or Robert from Miss August in Miss February. Other characters also made brief appearances in this tale. It is because I enjoy reading stories where the characters are known to one another that I shall be making a concerted effort to read the rest of these novellas (though some would perhaps call me obsessive in this respect, since I do not tend to even read the synopsis of a book if it is part of a series I am reading or am interested in). I would also like to read the other books because I like Madison Hayes’ writing style. I am much looking forward to reading the other Calendar Girl books.

Should you be a fan of workplace romances, for instance the boss falling for an employee, or if you fantasize about men who should be off limits to you, whether because they are married or for whatever reason, then Miss August could well be for you. Certainly both of these are covered by Miss August, since not only is Robert Shelley’s boss (workplace relationship) but he is also married (unavailable/off limits).

Secretary Shelley August needs a job – badly. Having been fired from her previous position because she wouldn’t sleep with the boss, she doesn’t even have references (it’s rather ironic that she wouldn’t sleep with her boss from her previous job but had Robert not been married she would very likely have succumbed to the attraction between them, boss or no). The chance of becoming Robert Brooks’ secretary is too good to pass up, though at first it appears that she will not get the job (Robert wants a male secretary. There’s sexism for you, though granted he does have his reasons). Glad when he hires her, she cannot quite feel relieved, for there is a sizzling attraction between them that will be hard for her to resist. But resist she must, for as well as Robert being her boss he is also a married man, husband to the popular romance writer Bobbi Brooks. As a live-in secretary, to be called on at all hours of the day or night, Shelley will be spending a lot of time with Robert. Will she be able to withstand his allure? And what is the mystery surrounding his wife?

Having sprained his wrist Robert Brooks finds himself in need of a typist. Ordinarily, he writes his own novels but with his injury is incapable of doing so. Intending to hire a man, he very nearly does not take on Shelley. He knows she’ll prove to be a distraction, one he can ill afford, especially since it has been many months since he has had sex. With her voluptuous figure, Shelley may well prove to be his undoing. From the get go, his action-adventure novel takes a turn for the erotic - an area he had intended to stay well away from - thanks to the presence of Shelley, in his office and in his mind. Each time they begin writing, the novel takes a decidedly raunchy path, necessitating much backtracking. Robert is increasingly attracted to Shelley, as well as frustrated at his lack of focus with regards his writing, and no amount of cold showers or swimming exercises is cooling his ardor. But Robert does not believe in the emotion of love. Will his time with Shelley change his view? And will a relationship between them ever get off the ground when Robert is keeping a huge secret?

Miss August is one hot novel and a great addition to the Calendar Girls series. Though the basic plot – secretary and boss falling for one another – is slightly cliché, Ms Hayes takes the storyline and makes it her own. The heat between the characters is very real, and sexual tension is built up by their trying to resist their attraction to each other – though neither is entirely successful in their attempts from the beginning. At times you’ll surely be wearing a smile, for oftentimes there is something in this tale that is cause for amusement (at least, I thought so, but that’s just me and I often receive strange looks from others when a laugh escapes my lips when I am reading, or when my mouth wears a permanent grin of delight). Whilst sometimes Miss August can seem a little rushed, overall it is very enjoyable and fairly well written. Although I foresaw the ‘plot twist’ from the beginning of the tale (I’m a fairly perceptive person, if I do say so myself), you may not. Even so, whether or not you know the secret of the story you’ll still enjoy it, since Shelley herself is ignorant of the truth. Personally, I cannot see myself becoming involved with a man who is not free, but I tend to reserve judgment and this facet of the story did not effect my enjoyment. If you have read Madison Hayes before, then Miss August should certainly be on your purchase list, and if you haven’t read Madison Hayes before then you should certainly make a point of doing so – especially if steamy stories are a favorite of yours.

Reviewed By Elizabeth
© November 2006