Julia James has blossomed as a self-help writer since she embraced her single lifestyle. She's devoted herself to helping others learn to live successful, satisfied single lives. Her newest book, 101 Ways to Cheat at Solitaire, offers tips for living safely, sanely, economically and happily. She has fans around the country clamoring for book signings and wanting to share their own stories of content single life.

Lance Collins has been a struggling actor for most of his adult life. He's handsome and talented, but he isn't famous. Good directors won't talk to him. Even his sleazy agent is avoiding him, at least until Lance is spotted talking to hot author Julia James. Lance's agent takes full advantage of the opportunity, leaking photographs of the couple and hints of romance to the tabloid papers. Lance becomes an overnight sensation, but he barely knows Julia, despite headlines now wildly speculating about their love child. Even if Lance fires his agent, he can't stop the rumor mill, so he and Julia leave town to dodge the media.

Julia may admit to cheating at solitaire during bouts of insomnia, but she's furious with the reporters who claim she's been hiding a secret boyfriend. At the risk of losing her professional credibility, Julia begins to respect and trust Lance. She's going to make sure the newspapers start reporting the truth about her love life, just as soon as she figures out what that might be...

Julia James is such a personable and believable character that I instantly adored her. Her family and friends provided comic relief, and even though she and Lance are thrown together by chance, their relationship isn't forced. I loved the snippets of self-help advice that start each short chapter. This book was so enjoyable that I started recommending it to friends before I was finished reading it.

This novel reminded me of the 2004 movie Down with Love, in which Renee Zellweger's high-profile character publicly advocates unemotional relationships until she falls for Ewan MacGregor's seduction routine. However, Ally Carter's novel is more intelligent, practical, romantic and ultimately satisfying. If I had to choose between the two fictitious relationship philosophies, I'd much rather practice CHEATING AT SOLITAIRE.

Book Summary

Self-help guru Julia James is so good at being single that she's become famous for it-advising women that they don't need a man to be happy. Then the unthinkable happens. Just when her newest book, 101 Ways to Cheat at Solitaire, is about to hit stores, a trumped-up piece of gossip linking her to a gorgeous actor hits the papers. Their pictures are splashed all over the tabloids, and now Julia's credibility is about to hit rock bottom. But she isn't going down without a fight. Unless, that is, the actor is going down with her.