Calendar Girl Series Review

Calendar Girl Series

By: Audrey Carlan
Rating: ★★★★★

Reviewed By: Jill-Ann Guyette

Beginning this series, you wonder if an author can keep you captivated throughout a dozen books. Well Carlan certainly managed this and left you feeling as satisfied. Each book is no more than 150 pages, making a quick read but one that leaves you waiting for more. And thankfully the wait wasn’t long, with books released at the end of the month. The last, December, was released December 29 and I could hardly wait to have it on my kindle! Now on to my review of the books!

                January: We start out learning about our lead lady Mia Saunders. Her mother abandoned her and her sister. The father is no better, an alcoholic with a major gambling problem who gets himself beaten within an inch of his life because he owes the loan sharks a ton of money. Well survivor’s debt kicks in and the loan sharks are after Mia for the money. And the only way she can think to come up with this money is by going to work for her aunt who owns an escort service. Her first month long gig is with Weston Channing the third. And it gets hot and steamy. Wes offers to pay any debt she has owing if she’d get out of the business. You’ve got to admire Mia’s dedication to paying off her father’s debt without help. And with a heavy heart Mia moves onto Mr. February, with the hopes of seeing Wes again.

                February: Bring in sexy artist Alec Dubois who decides he must have Mia as his muse for his next collection. Taking Mia a little out of her comfort zone as he asks her to walk around nude to keep him inspired. He brings out things in Mia that were hidden deep down. The pain her mother caused, the love lost with Wes. But don’t fret! Alec kisses her all better, all over and then some! And in the end she is once again offered a way out of the escort gig and a debt paid in full. Being a very independent woman, she once again refuses and moves onto her next client. Excited for want March would hold for her.

                March: Who doesn’t love reading about sexcapades with a hot all around Italian man! Not going to lie, I was excited to see what mind blowing sex Mia was going to experience. Antony “Tony” Fasano pays to have Mia play the part of his fiancé. This man does not need a fake fiancé! But Carlan quickly throws you for a loop when she introduces you to Tony’s partner Hector. So much for mind blowing sex for Mia! But don’t worry she’s not left lonely, because Wes makes sure he keeps her bed warm. And at the end of March, Wes once again asks her to stay with him but Mia moves onto April and her next client.

                April: Mason Murphy, star pitcher for the Boston Red Sox and ultimate player of women. He is arrogant and rude, among other things. Mia is about ready to walk away from this one, appalled by his behaviour, but sticks it out. She gives Mason ground rules as she is there to help his public appearance. But she helps him in more than that, she helps him with his love life. Mia quickly notices the sparks happening between Mason and his Marketing Assistant Rachel and plays matchmaker! Quickly you see Mia growing and you aren’t looking forward to her monthly sexual rendezvous, but rather to see her story unfold. Also, to see what other characters Carlan is going to bring in and make you love. Mia quickly builds a foundation of friends that she never thought she’d have.

                May: Mia is off to Hawaii to be a swimsuit model in the “beauty comes in all sizes” campaign. The designer is happily married and only has interest in Mia modeling his designs. Now you think Mia is going to just get a month to relax, sink her toes in the sand and enjoy life. Well that’s not far off. But insert a sexy Samoan name Tai and you have some hot, wild, and extremely loud nights for Mia. Joined in Hawaii by her baby sis Maddie and best friend Ginny, Mia enjoys her May month to the fullest. One last night in Hawaii, Mia and Tai are out for dinner, insert matchmaking Mia, she introduces Tai to a new waitress that matches his grandmothers prediction of his forever mate.

                June: Mr Warren Shipley needs to be a “daddy” to keep up with the times and the men in his circle. And I don’t mean biologically because he has a son, Aaron. Mia is paid to simply be arm candy for Warren. And he is able to make his goals within his company thanks to Mia’s quick thinking and mingling with the ‘ladies’ in the circle. Mia lends her insight to Warren as she noticed him and his housekeeper Kathleen were rather close. Finish the month with Aaron Shipley being a complete douche and forcing himself on Mia. She ends up in the hospital with her friends Mason and Tai by her side, much to Wes’ dismay.

                July: Hired to be the seductress in a music video by the Latin Lov-ah Anton Santiago, Mia finds herself having a hard time recovering from the June attack. And while she wants to move on and into Anton’s arms, she realizes she is hopelessly in love with Wes Channing. Anton being a gentleman is excited for Mia and quickly Wes is by her side. Mia also gives Anton a heads up that he needs to make Heather (his current personal assistant) his manager before she gets a better offer. All is right in the world at the end of July for Mia, and she is headed to Texas for August. But something feels off.

                August: Maxwell Cunningham needs Mia to ‘pretend’ to be his long lost sister. Or at least that’s the story he’s going with. Little does Mia know, Max thinks she may be the real deal. And after some tests, turns out, he’s right! Mia’s mother left Max just as she had Mia and Maddie. Speaking of Maddie, Mia can’t help but notice a strong resemblance between her siblings. The plot thickens as we find out Michael Saunders is not Maddie’s bio dad, but she and Maxwell share the same parents! This only brings the siblings all closer as they band together and get to know each other. Oh, and did I forget to mention that Jackson Cunningham (Max’s dad) was loaded and left a buttload of money to Mia!? Family and money! This is turning into a pretty damn good year for Mia!

                September: Wes is on the job on some remote island. And Mia can’t reach him. Her father is hanging on by a thread. Mia rushes to Vegas to be with her sister in case the worse happens. Mia’s brain is mush. Finally willing to get out of the escort business. Mia uses some of her newfound riches to pay off the bookies. Max comes to Mia’s rescue and helps track down Wes with the help of Warren Shipley. Wes is brought home but not without some PTSD to follow.

                October: Mia is in Malibu, living with Wes and free to live her life! Happiness seems like it’s finally settling in. And then she gets a gig on a local tv station doing a segment called Living Beautiful. This job comes from all the publicity Mia has received throughout the year. From her being the muse of Alec, the pretend fiancé of Italian mogul, the not so private girlfriend of the red sox pitcher, and then the modeling in Hawaii! Mia is on a career whirlwind! Only now her struggle is how she will help bring Wes back from the horror he saw while being held hostage by terrorists. Sex tends to keep him grounded but Mia does find other ways.

                November: Newly engaged and doing a segment on being thankful. Mia calls in some of her famous friends as guests to her segment to find out what they’re thankful for. And it quickly turns into an engagement announcement for Mason and Rachel..and Mia and Wes!! Surprise! Mia was a little stunned but it all panned out in the end. Only Wes wants to get married in a month!? Holy balls the man moves fast.

                December: The long awaited conclusion to Mia, our Calendar Girl. She has her wedding planned with Wes and they head for the alps for Christmas. Shooting a segment on the local artists in Aspen. She will get to have her whole family with her, white Christmas and her first real Christmas tree. Things are coming together and she’s very excited to view the local talent. Until one of the local artists turns out to be Meryl Banks, Mia’s mother. Mia is less than thrilled at the shock of seeing her mother again after so many years. Maxwell and Maddie are quickly by her side and they decide to begin to get to know their mother. Except Mia, she’s still slightly hostile. But nothing stops Mia from having an amazing wedding day to the man of her dreams.

              Carlan ends her series with an epilogue of Where are they now. And gives you a glimpse into all the characters you love and how their lives pan out. She leaves you with a sense of completion. You don’t feel the need for another book and you don’t feel as though the series took to long. It was a perfect mold of smut, drama, good feels all wrapped up in a perfectly timed series.  I rate this series a 5/5!