Fans of The Kiss Quotient will love Perfectly Adequate, a heartfelt and hilarious journey along the “human” spectrum from USA Today & Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author Jewel E. Ann.
Dorothy Mayhem is a nursing student, patient transporter, reckless driver, and emu owner. She knows she isn’t like other girls. Neurotypical people are nothing if not predictable, though, and that’s why she … if not predictable, though, and that’s why she has made a hobby of studying their behavior through books and TV.
It helps her fit in with her peers when she can emulate them.
But nothing can prepare her for Dr. Elijah Hawkins.
He’s a single dad. A brilliant pediatric oncologist. Widely agreed to be the sexiest doctor at the hospital. And entirely unpredictable.
Though getting to know the man behind the chiseled features and top-notch reputation would be her pleasure, Dorothy misunderstands one attempt after another to ask her out. Instead of dates with Elijah, she finds herself on a series of playdates with his son.
Roman is cute, sweet, and brings her unexpectedly closer to his father every day.
Dorothy Mayhem is about to find out that the only thing more unpredictable than a child—is love.
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REVIEW: 4+ STARS
“Your happiness is a reflection of you and only you.”
Purity. This is the kind of book you have to go into with an open mind and an understanding of the love that’s playing out. It won’t be simple-minded or single-layered, and it won’t be normal – and I’m not saying that in any way, shape, or form being disrespectful. This was hilarious, but pure. The heroine was definitely not the normal subject of a romance book and Jewel handled that with reality, and she never disappoints. She can undoubtedly write a quirky heroine with so much depth and reality to her, and she seems to do it with ease. Add to that, she forever writes a perfect Hero and I love that they aren’t ever the same guy. She does an amazing job not only giving me a unique storyline, but she gives me original and not recycled. She gives me real and honest, not fabricated. She gives me love with different voices, and she gave me Dorothy and Eli.
“I don’t mind being me. No one else can do it better.”
Dorothy, her world, her life, is matter of fact – that’s her world and that’s how it is if you want to live in it. No apologies accepted, because she won’t apologize for who she is or how she views the world, but knowing that’s her truth – that’s the best part. I loved how her ‘personality’ didn’t affect Eli’s thoughts, but I liked more that he embraced it all with a smile more than anything else. If people miss the deeper cues of *who* Dorothy is, they’re going to miss the perfection that is this love.
“I want to discover her, not study her.”
With Dorothy, I knew there was a more personal infusion of knowledge. Jewel’s words portrayed an intimate knowledge and understanding of the nuances of a young lady like Dorothy, and I feel like she brought out the emotions allowing slow growth with feelings inspiring her characters beyond the ‘moment.’ I love the way she tells me a story. Sure, you can ‘technically’ tell a story, but I want to feel the words emotionally, and if they aren’t delivered passionately, the emotion doesn’t come through. Jewel bleeds passion. She bleeds emotion. She creates magic.
“The spectrum is human. It’s not autism.”
I’ve only read two stories with a main character with Asperger’s, and both times I have been able to relate and smile and understand. I was able to see my son in some of the actions, so I think that’s why this book was so relatable for me. I asked where her inspiration came from and she said it was a real friend, so I liked that she had some truth to her character and reality to back it up. I feel like we get the best parts of JEA with her books because they are full of heart. Every book has a hook. It’s organic. It’s fluid and it moves, regardless of any preconceived notions, and she will always set you straight OR change your mind. Perspective – it’s amazing the way she delivers it.
“You weren’t supposed to be a choice. Not you.”
Learning a new lover and how they work/do things can be difficult sometimes, but when the realities are so different – it adds a new element of discovery and I really enjoyed that part. Even though the truth is ugly sometimes, this book – the way Jewel told their story, it was from the heart with so much depth and understanding. I’m worried that this will be misunderstood by some readers trying to ‘find’ Jewel because they won’t read her words but they’ll just read the story without the emotion that I know Jewel E Ann saturates every book with. Not because of the writing. Not because of the angst or pain we all know she can bring. But for the simple fact that it’s not ordinary and some people may not truly connect and may leave before the story is complete. I’m begging you, as I do every time I read one of her stories, to please stick with it. Understand that love is realized in many different ways. Love is expressed and felt and grown and nurtured in so many different ways. This story, I couldn’t put it down. I couldn’t stop thinking about Dorothy’s world and Elijah’s truth. I couldn’t stop giggling at their relationship and how it actually worked because of the charm and love, even given a circumstance that didn’t feel navigable. I don’t have the in-depth personal experiences that Elijah does, but I will tell you that he has to be an amazing man. Admirable is the wrong word, because that insinuates he’s doing something out of the kindness of his heart and not from the depths of his soul.
I already know that I have to go into every single JEA book with an open mind, trust in her storytelling abilities, and listen with an open heart. She’s never once not made me think about the deeper story within. I love that she tackles subjects that aren’t talked about often. I also love that she puts her twist and spin on them while making the story a reality and the outcome fathomable. This story was less angsty and more emotional for me, which was a nice change of pace with her books. Every time I read a JEA book, I feel like I become a more firm believer in the heart doing what the heart wants. I love where her mind goes in her stories – where she takes them, how she tells them. Because she twists me up every time; she makes me think about things from a different perspective and I absolutely love it. She marries edge with emotion, producing a remarkable read. It was…..perfectly adequate.
“And it’s amazing how a single breath can take a life, give a life, and sometimes…save a life. She is my breath of life.”
~BEE
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2oJ4rVT
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Just loved everything about this book. Its wonderful. So glad to see ASD represented more and more in romance books and I just loved Dorothy and Eli. They were really wonderful together. The end is sigh worthy. I went back and read the end twice. Also the characters are really nice people, its very much a romantic comedy in some ways, and I loved every second of it. 5 stars.
Perfectly perfect! This book is extraordinarily unique, unpredictable, and unexpected. I absolutely adore the heroine and all her selfless, perfect flaws. Every book JEA writes is different and unforgettable in its own right. This is no exception. The humor is wildly fun. The romance is compelling and damn hot. And the plot is unlike anything you’ve ever read. I highly recommend!
“The spectrum is human.”
A book that made my heart soar, Perfectly Adequate by Jewel E. Ann is a standalone contemporary romance filled with lots of love and moments deeply rooted in emotion.
Elijah Hawkins is a single father, a sexy doctor, and… divorced. He’s struggling with how his marriage ended after being with his ex-wife Julia for 22 years. The night he meets Dorothy Mayhem, a transporter at the hospital his life is forever changed.
Dorothy Mayhem is a rather quirky woman. She’s a bit of a odd ball. At first I was frustrated as I didn’t understand her, but with time I began to truly appreciate her and love her as soon I realized how selfless and wonderful she is. Gah, there is no one like her!
“I don’t mind being me. No one else can do it better.”
Eli and Dorothy aren’t your typical romance couple. Eli struggled with Dorothy’s facets. He couldn’t comprehend how he went from a relationship where he felt loved and wanted to another where his new love interest acts indifferent and distant. Regardless, Eli never gave up on Dorothy and worked to gain access into her mind and heart.
“Dorothy …” He scratches his chin. “You are … unexpected. Like balloons, flowers, and winning lottery tickets.”
The best moments had to be between Dorothy and Roman. They had play dates and she even introduces him to her two pet emus, Wilbur and Orville, and her dog Gemma. Just too cute!
Perfectly Adequate was sweet with a bit of drama involved. The beauty of Jewel is she takes real topics and gives them life throughout her stories. She isn’t afraid to step out of the box and write characters that are unique because she gets that these characters matter too. This book is bound to captivate your heart… It did mine .
Perfectly Structured. Perfectly Wondrous. Perfectly inspiring.
Sometimes a book comes along that grabs your imagination and demands you to vividly experience, feel, see, scent and taste every single word conveyed by its Author. A story that burrows so deep into your heart that it finds a home. This is one such story.
“As much as I want to believe I know Dorothy Mayhem, I’ve only caught tiny glimpses of her. Each one so luminous, I know she’s too bright for anyone to ever truly see all of her.”
The moment Dorothy walks in the elevator wearing red shoes with red soles and red laces, I had no choice but to adore her, fall in love with this girl wizard. How could I not, her crystal clear soul shines like a diamond, her heart so compassionate and generous, it’s almost a fault. I felt minuscule next to her, puny in my intents and purposes in life.
“The spectrum is human. It’s not autism.”–Dorothy Mayhem
I believe people like Dorothy are our spiritual gurus. They teach us honesty, unconditional love and devotion, hopefully making us a more considerate and patient human being. Her radiance & beauty had me misty eyed all through the book
My tears that had been rolling non-stop while reading. Mostly because I’ve laughed so hard. I had stomach cramps and as the story progressed into uncharted waters, I didn’t even realise when the pain moved from my stomach to my heart.
Believe me I’m crying right now, choking on the lump stuck in my throat
“Do you always laugh so hard you cry?”
“I’m not sure I’ve ever laughed so hard in my life.”
Creative minds think out of the box but I think free-spirited Jewel STAYS out of the box, camping under the open sky, her imagination has a free reign.
I’ve read 17 books by her and my fondness for her grows with every word she writes
I’d give the biggest piece of my apple pie to her…any day
“I think I love her too”
Jewel has a knack of penning some very compelling stories. each has struck a different chord in my heart. The emotional range she possess and binds into words, is astounding. Every book makes you laugh out loud, sob in your hands, pinch in your heart and grin the widest you can.
This story too is full to the brim with all the sentiments in “human spectrum”
Dorothy Mayhem is a patient transporter in a hospital where her idol, Dr. Julie Hathaway works. Dorothy worships the ground Julie walks on, in awe of her incredible talent as a plastic surgeon.
Problem is she’s caught the eye of Dr. Elijah “hotness” Hawkins…her husband!!!!
“Dorothy Mayhem. Now there’s an odd duck.
She’s too messy.
Too organized.
Too energetic.
Too lazy.
Too picky.
Too indifferent.”
She’s just too adorable, owner of a painfully truthful heart which struggles to lie, often to the chagrin of others. I’ve never read a fictional character with such disorder, and my personal experience is NIL, so I just saw it through Dorothy unfiltered eyes.
“Maybe Dorothy is on the autism spectrum, lacking the social filter of neurotypical people, or maybe she prefers complete honesty over frivolous lies.”
The book entertains and enlightens, gives a voice to hyper sensitive Autistic and Asperger’s people.
Their daily struggles with articulation, sensory overloads, their coping mechanisms, all are eye openers.
It resonates and impacts deeply. Thoroughly researched, vastly knowledgeable, I believe jewel is closely attached to this story, some of it from her own personal experience. That’s why it’s very real, inspirational and touching.
Having said that, this book is NOT about ASD. It’s a LOVE STORY of the groundbreaking kind. One that jumps over the boundary walls, delicately leans in for hugs, sleeps in a zipper bed, writes in the journals, pets emus and gleans selflessly and tirelessly.
She loves and shows love very openly, cutting straight to the chase
I had trouble staying on pages Dorothy was not mentioned. I wanted to stalk her, follow her down the yellow brick road, just listening to her thoughts.
Equally commendable is Elijah, he fell for Dorothy the human, who adjusts himself to fit with her!!
“I want to discover the layers of Dorothy Mayhem by following her pace.”
Beats any Muscled, Tattooed Alpha I’ve ever read about. This is the stuff soulmates are made of
One of the BEST BOOKS that I’ve read ever!! And that’s saying something because ALL her books are masterpieces in their own right. To pick one as her best is akin to Sophie’s Choice, but after ONE, this book has hit a bullseye in my heart
It is the Okayest Story ever and that’s the highest compliment Dorothy would give
6 okays
Jewel E Ann- what a great discovery. An author that writes unconventional and emotionally unique stories. And Perfectly Adequate delivers just that- a sweet, unique story that packs a lot of meaning and an unexpected emotional journey.
Dorothy is such a wonderful heroine. Quirky, endearing, honest and relatable. I loved viewing the world through her eyes- marinating in her honesty and her joie de vivre. Often misunderstood or misread, often judged by her diagnosis rather than her humanity, she sees the world on her own terms. IN part by nature, but in part by choice. I just loved her beautiful soul. And I loved watching her connect with Eli- and Eli’s son. Their connection really stole the show for me- the chemistry and sincerity between them captivated. She delighted me in every way- a truly unforgettable character.
Elijah is coping with a life changing heartbreak as after years of marriage his wife left him. He’s a bit lost, trying to figure out just what his life can be, when his path crosses with Dorothy. There were times I struggled with him- didn’t understand and was frustrated by him. Ironic since he’s the character that the world best accepts and understands, but I connected with him less than Dorothy- her humanity was just so profound. He has his charms, and his journey is challenging for him.
There’s so much I loved about this story- Dorothy and Roman, the characters on their own, it’s just their chemistry together that didn’t always work for me. They never clicked in the way other Jewel books have, but Dorothy is such a wonderful heroine, she makes the story worth telling and worth reading. And I love how Jewel continues to tell stories that are so unique and interesting.
I had immense pleasure in reading this book. From the beginning, I had a smile plastered on my face while I enjoyed the interactions between Eli and Dorothy. The most enjoyable was that she always said what was in her mind and never lied. Eli couldn’t find a better match after being dumped by his high school sweetheart. How could a 38 years-old single dad who never had dated manage in the world of Tinder? Only Dorothy could make him trust a woman again. It appeared so evident to me that our inability to be forthright makes relationships so complicated.
Although the book starts as a sweet, funny rom-com, I shed tears multiple times in the second half.
I started a book challenge in February, and this month I had to look for a story with a neurodiverse character. I already read the two Helen Hoang’s novels and Graeme Simsion’s Rosie project. I was surprised to find so easily another romance with a character with ASD. Luckily, these writers have a great imagination, and it was the only common point in these novels. In particular, with The Rosie Project and Perfectly Inadequate, I found myself very close to the ASD characters, the way they don’t understand the “normal” people. I loved that Dorothy called neurotypical what is generally expected.
If you’re looking for a good book, try this one.
Seriously. I’m such a fan of anything Jewel E Ann writes. Perfectly Adequate is no exception. Get a drink, get comfortable, and dive in. It’s so, so good!
With its unique and thought-provoking story combined with witty humor and characters that you can’t help but love and adore, ‘Perfectly Adequate’ is the kind of romance that will make your heart feel overflowing and happy!
While Dorothy Mayhem’s name did represent the quirky and quaintness of her character, it didn’t define who she was, which was just so much more. With her need for speed, planning to a fault, and irresistible spontaneity, Dorothy put so much thought into every little detail of her life and always tried so hard to put others first where she could.
Eli Hawkins had incredible patience and so much love for his son, Roman. With everything that he had been through, spending time with Dorothy was a refreshing change that he desperately needed. She challenged him at every turn, and like Eli, I enjoyed seeing life through her eyes. Their connection wasn’t like the ‘normal’ romances that we know per se, and sometimes it was pretty hard to see, but it was ‘perfectly adequate’ for them and so genuinely honest and true!
I love Jewel E. Ann’s wonderful ability to take me to situations and places outside of my everyday life and really make me think, feel, and relate. She definitely kept me laughing and filled with hope throughout this romance and then provided quite the happily-ever-after for Dorothy and Eli!
Oh Dorothy Mayhem….you crazy woman…your quirks had me LMAO while reading!!
Poor Elijah didn’t know what hit him some days lol.
Such a fun read as always when you pick up a Jewel E Ann book!! You never know what your going to get but I will tell ya it will always be one helluva story!!
4.9 Strs
Doctor Eli. A year ago he was a 37 year old, very happily married man. With a two year old son. Working his dream job at the hospital. He still is most of those things. But he’s not married anymore. His wife left him. Just like that. From one happy second to the not-so-happy next. They’re now sharing custody for little Roman and they’re still working at the same hospital. But that’s it.
Enter Dorothy. She’s in her last year at Nursing school and she’s working several odd jobs at the hospital. And she’s kind of super attracted to the sexy single doc. But she’s also … different. People think she’s weird. But Eli thinks she’s fascinating. Refreshingly honest and adorable.
But he’s not ready for anything new, right?
But even if he was, he doesn’t have a single clue how to go about asking Dorothy out. Especially when she misunderstands his every weird attempt! LOL!
Plus Eli’s ex is not yet really out of the picture ….
What will happen with Dorothy & Eli?
Will there be a HEA?
READ THE BOOK TO FIND OUT!
ADORABLE!
I just loved this book!
You immediately fall in love with Dorothy and Eli and little Roman!
But Dorothy is not an easy person to get close to. She has Aspergers and with that come a lot of little and bigger issues. The one that makes the most problems for her: her social awkwardness. She says what she thinks and she doesn’t understand most jokes or innuendos. She has no filter!
She really likes Eli and he seems to like her back. But then there’s his ex wife – and Dorothy loves and respects Docter Hathaway!
Eli is fascinated by Dorothy. He feels like a highschool kid falling in love and lust for the first time! But Dorothy is not making it easy. Well, she’s very easy in some aspects, but she’s so very complicated in others. But Eli knows she’s worth everything.
It’s so super adorable for the reader to watch them fumble their way to that happily ever after!
Even though we don’t know if there will be a happy end for a long while, because there’s still the ex wife. And up until a year ago Eli had the perfect little family with Julie and Roman.
I adored every little second of this story!
I NEED to see this on Netflix asap!
PERFECTLY ADEQUATE was so much more than just adequate!
I ADORED THIS BOOK!
It was funny, sweet, charming, moving, fresh, adorable.
A heartwarmingly and beautifully (im)perfect love story!
Run to your nearest amazon for your own Doctor Eli – this one is MINE!
I was totally speechless even after I had closed the final page. Jewel had transformed the world of Adequante into a whole coccoon of furball. I jumped into the book without any warning and I was shocked.
Dorothy Mayhem, my girl who was unique quirky, she live inside ‘Dorothy’s world’ with Gemma the dog and her overly cute Emues! Her spirit amd personalities had opened my eyes to see Dorothy as a human being.. perfectly normal and nothing less. I had laughter and giggles so much that my face was hurting. Dr. Elijah Hawkins, the sexy doctor who had the cutest boy little Roman.. A single Dad who was struggling to find himself again until Dorothy..
This romance have touched my heart so deeply. I have seen the struggle and breakthrough between Dorothy and Eli. It wasnt perfect like regular couple but its perfectly enough for both of them. I love the diversity and enjoyed each chapters. This book will stay with me for a long time.. Dorothy was a strong woman and I had my respect for her.. totally recommended.. so so good
I am absolutely 100% okay. Not fine but Perfectly Adequate
I’m fighting tears of happiness, understanding, and acceptance. I’m learning, loving, and smiling. Jewel E. Ann is opening windows when we were all looking at locked doors.
Perfectly Adequate is an emotional upheaval. Learning the lingo and processing it was a journey in itself. Okay means something completely different. Fine…well, when spoken by a woman always means NOT FINE. (That wasn’t so hard to process!)
Experiencing life through a different lense has always intrigued me. Dorothy Mayhem and her wildly appropriate name are beyond okay. She is a spectacularly wonderful breath of fresh air and a completely beautiful soul. She is the embodiment of everything wonderful in this world that doesn’t have it’s own “translation.”
I had the hardest time not smacking sense into the most stubborn individuals in this book but its….fine. I got over my urge to shake them once it all became…Okay.
Perfectly Adequate is like nothing I’ve read before and also the most OKAY book ever. Jewel E. Ann had some amazing insight into humans. I am both envious and amazed by her revelations (also known as quotes).
I can’t fangirl enough about these beautiful souls and their amazingly Perfectly Adequate story.
Reviewed for Sweet Spot Sisterhood
#perfectlyadequate #jeweleann #bookstagram #books #romance #whatdidbeckythink #feels #human #unconditionallove #sweetspotsisterhood @authorjeweleann
Perfectly Adequate was a heartfelt and so charming romantic comedy, a breath of fresh air thanks to the marvelous heroine Dorothy Mayhem and the man who stole her heart in the way. A real page turner.
The author explored the experience of being a divorced man, struggling with all the things that went wrong in his marriage. Dr Elijah Hawkins has it all, the perfect family, a job when he could make a difference until the moment his wife decided that it was over. Trying so badly to rebuild his life but never really moving on and dedicated to his son, the moment he met Dorothy put some mayhem in his life, suddenly a world vibrant with color, and turned his life off his axis.
Dorothy Mayhem was definitely my hero here. Diagnosed with ASD, she had her routines to keep her for overthinking too much, and the author managed to show how it affected her daily, to her social interactions to her vision of the world. I guess I fell in love with this selfless character, who had no filter and not beating around the bush. A heroine of modern times who definitely not needed someone to shook her world. A man who was willing to understand her, to give her time and respecting her boundaries.
A story that kept me captivated, unique and so beautifully written. A heroine totally unexpected and a hero utterly endearing. They gave me all the feels. I smiled, I laughed and I almost cried at times. Sincere and honest.
My admiration for this author is off the charts her writing is impeccable, her stories are unique never the same sentence written in any of her genre’s. She can write suspense, mystery, and rom-com like no other, she brings it all to the table, leaving pieces of herself in all her work.
You will fall in love with Dorothy Mayhem the best human being to ever grace us within these pages, you can tell that she was based on a real human being just by her huge personality and her gift of giving to others. She is a lover of animals, a nursing student, and she does Dorothy Mayhem better than anyone else.
Dr. Elijah Hawkins is mourning the life he once had with his ex-wife Dr. Julie Hathaway, who appears to be having a life crisis of her own. You will laugh out loud with some of the hijinks and cry at some other parts, your emotions will be all over the place, expect the unexpected, that’s also part of the Jewel effect!
This book encompasses so much more than the coming together of a romantic relationship. Jewel E. Anne uses her talent as a writer to connect the reader to some of the more neglected pieces of self-worth and acceptance. The characters that she has created are unique, charismatic, and take on tangible personalities. They settle deep in the small crevices of your heart and take root. An absolute much read, 5 stars.
Perfectly Adequate was a story about love. I know that makes it sound simple, but the complexities of this story made what the characters were feeling more profound.
Newly divorced, Dr. Elijah Hawkins was trying to figure out his new normal. Then along came Dorothy Mayhem, a woman who couldn’t be more different from his ex if she tried. She made him feel young again, feel joy again. She made him smile and made everything okay.
And honestly, for the most part, this story was perfectly lovely.
I loved every moment spent with little Roman and his Dorfee. They were so cute together. I also enjoyed every time that Dorothy misread a situation or responded in a way that I didn’t expect.
What I didn’t like? The times when I couldn’t decide who Eli loved more… his ex who he was desperate to have back… or Dorothy. I also couldn’t stand how much everyone compromised and accommodated Dorothy without her even attempting to do the same. I’m pretty sure she wasn’t able to, but that fact didn’t make her any less frustrating.
Jewel E. Ann sure knows how to write! I think I highlighted practically 40% of this book because I was swooning over so many words. I fell in love with these characters… hard … and I’m a fan of how things ended on such a mature note.
I loved the portrayal of how different a brain processes information when on the spectrum. Dorothy is an incredible character, not the best at social cues but with the biggest heart and brain like a computer. Eli and young Roman had no choice to do anything but fall in love with her.
The story is a lovely journey filled with the ups and downs of life. Be prepared to laugh and cry.
This book is amazing. It gives you an inside look of what it is like to live with Aspergers. I think this book is a must read for everyone and does not get the recognition it deserves.
Finished it but found it to be slow and didn’t capture my attention