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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I loved it. It had me feeling all sorts of feelings. I need this in paperback to put on my keeper bookshelf.
This was a novel my book buddy told me I’d enjoy, and she wasn’t wrong. I had moments of laughter with the characters, times my heart broke for the way life was playing out for them, and rejoice when I read the conclusion and epilogue.
It was a story of thinking your life is going one way with a certain person, and fifteen years later when you’re sitting pretty, it gets flip on its head. Next thing you know, an anomalous young woman greets you in the elevator and wham! Life will never be the same.
I got a big kick out of this book. I loved the characters and all their flaws, even Julia. I’m not sure if I loved Dorothy or Eli more, probably the same really, for different reasons. Dr Eli had a heart of gold and a sensitive sole, which made him a brilliant pediatric oncologist. He loved, and he loved hard and unconditionally and was extremely loyal. Dorothy was a woman who we know is on the Spectrum, but she was the most caring, thought thinking and selfless patient transporter and trainee nurse. She definitely has a few quirks and mannerisms but she would give up the thing she thought she loved too, as she considered it was the correct thing to do, a no brainer. I adored her thought process, her directness and her love of animals.
Grab this one, don’t miss out. If for nothing else, find out what the Emu is up to!
Whenever I pick up a book by Jewel E. Ann, I know I’m in for a unique, refreshing and unpredictable tale, and “Perfectly Adequate” was just that! I loved the quirkiness of the heroine, Dorothy Mayhem, whose diagnosis on the “human” spectrum brought a lot of whimsical and endearing moments to this warm-hearted and comical romance. The author also added a very genuine layer of reality that expressed all the feels and emotions that come along with understanding Dorothy’s world, as well as the difficult choices and decisions any human must make in relationships. We learned first through frustration and then discovery of what the heart wants, and in turn how Dorothy needed to be loved. And maybe Eli and Dorothy’s relationship was not perfect… but it worked, and in Dorothy’s words it’s simply “adequate”.
You broke my heart yet againt, Mrs Jewel E.Ann!!! It was amazing, funny and sooo emotional read, not just “okay” although “okay” has now a new meaning to me. I like “okay” I like it a lot!
Dorothy Mayhem was hell of a brilliant character, one of the most intresting I read about lately, hands down! And Eli? What can I say – perfection! Everything in this book was perfeclty adequate, and I loved it so much.
You’re my nailer, dear Jewel E. Ann, and you proved it once again. (heart emoji)(applause emoji)(big smile emoji)
OMG Dorothy had me laughing out loud! Loved her quirky behavior and big heart. Eli was swoony and loves deeply. Roman was an absolute doll. I knew that Jewel E Ann would take my heart for a ride with her words but I still wasn’t prepared. Jewel knows how to write a story that covers all all your emotions. I love Perfectly Adequate!
Perfectly Adequate is perfectly wonderful! Jewel A. Ann has done it again with this heartwarming, compelling, and unforgettable romance.
This story was a bit of a question for me. I felt the characters took a long time to develop and I’ll be honest when I say I almost put it down at 70%. But I didn’t and I’m glad. I adored Eli and grew to adore Dorothy. The story had strong supporting characters which I really liked. By the time I finished the book I felt like I learned and bit about how to live with Aspies and how to learn to love them for their unique qualities. Great job with that Jewel.
Perfectly Adequate by Jewel E. Ann is laugh out loud funny. Even when you think you shouldn’t be laughing, you won’t be able to help yourself.
Dorothy Mayhem is my new hero! I seriously want to be her when I grow up.
Add in a hot doctor name Elijah, and what more could you ask for?
Seriously though, Jewel E. Ann tackles some very tough issues in this book, and does so in a way her readers get to feel the emotions, and be grateful she brings us through to the other side.
4.5 Stars
Perfectly Adequate, was just that perfectly adequate and an overall enjoyable read.
This book was laugh out loud hilarious. I have been down in the dumps with this morning sickness nausea and this was a great book to lift my spirits and make me laugh- hard.
Dorothy is an autistic woman who studies other humans through tv and books so she can easily fit in with others around her. She has many degrees in different fields, mainly because she gets bored and moves on to something different, but everything she does she excels at.
Eli is a single-dad sharing custody of his son with his fellow doctor and ex-wife. His mother thinks he should get back into the dating scene and he hasn’t been in the dating scene since high school that he doesn’t even know what to do first. And when he meets the unexpected Dorothy in the hospital elevator, she was definitely not what he expected. To him, everything she does is unexpected and its what he likes most about her. But when he tries to ask her out on a date over and over again, she thinks he is just trying to warm up his son to her so she can babysit for him some time.
When circumstances arise to put his family back together, its all he has ever wanted, but now he wants more. He wants Dorothy. But Dorothy doesn’t want to prevent Eli’s son from being able to have the chance at having both of his parents together again.
Eli just needs to convince her otherwise.
I’m smiling so BIG right now. What a refreshing and insightful novel into the mind of an autistic woman.
Dorothy Mayhem is one adorably, unforgettable character in the most OKAY way! Doctor (dreamy) Eli Hawkins has an amazing heart that used to only beat for his ex-wife until Dorothy and all her OKAYness came along.
I don’t know how Jewel does it, but she’s proven she can write anything from suspense to comedy and everything in between.
Don’t miss this one. Get the popcorn out, sit back, and relax while enjoying all the mayhem.
4.5 Dorothy Mayhem Stars
You are the very best of humanity.
Perfectly Adequate had me smiling before I was finished with the second page. I don’t know how Jewel E Ann does it. I’m in absolute awe.
Dorothy Mayhem. Gah! You’ve got to love her. She’s quirky, feisty, lovable, selfless. She sees and reasons life as simply as doing the right thing regardless of its benefits. She puts others first. She is an extraordinary soul that I could never come close to being. I’ll admit there were a few times I wanted to pull my hair out because I just wanted her to be a little selfish, but then that wouldn’t be Dorothy.
Eli Hawkins is a man. And I don’t say that to be facetious. I say it because men are complex. His thoughts and reasoning and his complete acceptance of Dorothy is exactly how it should be. Of course, he is not without his flaws. He makes mistakes. He wants to love and be loved. He wants to do the right thing. He wants to be okay.
Dorothy and Eli are as human as it gets. They love and live life in all its beautiful and messy ways. They are not without struggles. And that’s exactly how Ms. Ann gives it to us and I wouldn’t want it any other way.
Jewel E Ann never ceases to amaze me. She can write anything. She doesn’t just tell a story, she tells about life. She writes characters that are inspiring. And this time she perfectly wrote a story that is way beyond adequate.
Dorothy Mayhem! The name says it all!
A girl who has a form of Asperger’s and the heart of gold stole Dr. Elijah Hawkins heart! This divorced Dr. had no idea how his life would change but he wasn’t prepared to be swept off his feet!
Love at its purest form!
This was a fun read! Jewel E. Ann is always a one click author for me!
Laughing my ass off. This is the sentence I chose to describe this book because I did. It was refreshing to read a hot guy (doctor in this case) having absolutely no game, seriously it was to the point of embarrassing. I read a lot of uber alpha and am used to them being cocky and knowing how to get the girl. Eli is definitely not this way which is why I found him refreshing. He’s a single dad after a marriage break up, great dad, great doctor so why no game. He’s just out of practice. It’s hard to describe Dorothy Mayhem (great name right). She’s a trip like no one he has ever met. He soon learns he needs to be direct with Dorothy. He’s so infatuated with her. They make sense together.
This is definitely not your ordinary love story.
I love Dorothy Mayhem. She’s hilarious, socially awkward, and says whatever is on her mind. She’s brutal! Dr Elijah Hawkins is a widow/single dad who is still wondering where it all went wrong that ends his 13 years of marriage. Then Dorothy Mayhem enters his life and takes over all of his thoughts. Wonderful, quirky Dorothy, who both fascinates him and frustrates him in equal measure as he tries to figure out how to date her.
Dorothy knows she’s different from everyone else, as she has ASD. This makes it harder for her to gauge social cues and overall interact with others. When the hospital’s hottest doctor, Dr. Hawkins, starts taking special interest in her, Dorothy doesn’t know how to react.
Perfectly Adequate gave me all the feels especially when the “drama” starts. Cue waterworks as Dorothy is so selfless… I was smiling, laughing and crying as Dorothy and Elijah navigate their relationship and their families. A great read, I really enjoyed it!
I think Dorthy just became my most favorite female book people. I laughed and laughed. She had me in stitches, so much so (I’m using her term) I want more Aspie books.
Eli Eli Eli. Man did you have it rough. I wasn’t sure what you planned on doing and that hurt my heart.
Little Romeo was the sweetest and I love when authors write like kids talk.
PLEASE Jewel we need more of this couple. So much more.
Perfectly Adequate is the quintessential story that made me fall in love with the characters.
Dorothy, was a real breath of fresh air and the way she goes about her life is just wonderful. She’s amazing. I admired her way about everything. How blunt she was but also candid in her thoughts.
I loved Elijah so much for seeing Dorothy for the beautiful human she is and the way this story progressed had my heart all a flutter.
I laughed, I felt so many emotions throughout the book and I have to say the author has written a story she should be so immensely proud of. I loved every word written, every emotion the characters felt and especially the way it ended.
This was a profoundly beautiful story! Makes you feel good inside!!!
Wow….just wow. This book took me through a true rollercoaster of all the feelings ever. I laughed, I cried, and at one point was pacing and yelling at the characters. Dorothy and Eli are just amazing. I am in complete and utter awe of this story and as usual with Jewel E. Ann’s books has left me with a massive book hang over. EVERYONE should read this story.
I’ve never interacted closely with an ASD spectrum person. I know some of their characteristics but I didn’t really know their limitations and strengths like I learned in this book. I found Dorothy very intriguing and touching. She’s very clear on her condition and how difficult it is for her to interact with “neurotypical” persons, and I was very touched by her effort in trying to understand nuances in conversations, being what others needed from her. This book was a learning experience, apart from a charming love story.
Dr. Elijah Hawkins, otherwise known as Dr. Hottie Hawkins in the children’s hospital, is divorced from his high school sweetheart, wife, mother of his child, Roman. They had been together for twenty years until one year ago, two months after their son turned two, she wanted out of their marriage. For that entire year, Eli has been pining for his wife and the life they used to have. Then one day he met Dorothy and was enchanted.
A man who rarely smiled and when he did, it was a tight smile, just to make a social gesture, now he can’t stop grinning with Dorothy’s comebacks. She’s so literal that she doesn’t understand that Eli is interested in her and confuses his invitations to breakfast, lunch or dinner as playdates with Roman, and thinks Eli wants to hire her to babysit Roman. Meanwhile, Eli is loving his time with Dorothy, he loves the strong rapport that formed between Dorothy and Roman, and for the first time in one year, he started to enjoy life and looks forward to a new day where he can see Dorothy.
There are a lot of laugh out loud situations, that describe Dorothy’s personality and Aspie characteristics exactly and at the same time are so endearing. Other times, she is very annoying and frustrating because she just doesn’t get it. Despite all the miscommunications, one thing does shine clear: she is selfless. Her love for Roman, or Romeo, like she calls the little guy, is above everything else, even her welfare. She is sincere, direct, socially inept, hides her social blunders with a smile and a “have a good day”, and loves with her whole heart. Her logic sense is extreme and not very logical to neurotypical persons, yet it is heartfelt. I loved her and found her hugely entertaining and refreshing, same as Eli did.
Eli is a perfect boyfriend. He loves with such devotion and loyalty that he will accept anything and deal with any situation that may arise, so that he may have the person he loves at his side. I loved him with Dorothy, hated him with Julie (the ex). I loved that Roman called Dorothy “Dorfee”, loved that she illustrates her texts with a million emojis and eventually got Eli writing emojis and uses a bib so Roman uses his. She’s brilliant, caring and adorable. I loved, loved this story with such wonderful characters and a warmhearted story.
One of those books that sucks you into a world that’s a delightful, funny, interesting, different place. I loved it.
We have a hunky children’s cancer doctor, still reeling from a recent divorce and having to share custody of his adorable three-year-old, and a heroine who is different in a way that’s sweet, funny, awkward at times and incapable of lying.
I hate that it ever had to end.