I’ll get the less-good aspect of Aint Misbehaving out of the way first. Annalee Chambers was not an easy character to like in the early chapters. We’re first introduced to her as she is on trial for a hit-and-run accident, to which she pleads guilty (her only saving grace). As the story progresses it soon becomes apparent that Annalee is somewhat naieve, but not nearly as shallow, self-absorbed, or selfish as her mother. In fact, given her mother’s personality defect, it’s a wonder Annalee has turned into a decent person.

And she is—she’s had an extraordinarily privileged upbringing, living a charmed life until a car accident shows her exactly how privileged she is. She is sentenced to community service at a community centre providing free after school care for children from a lower socio-economic area. Annalee is enthusiastic, but finds the other workers are less than keen to have her there, to the point of obstruction.

Annalee also has a problem that she’s attracted to the janitor … someone who would be at the top of her mother’s list of inappropriate men. And CJ is hiding his own secrets: he’s not actually the janitor. He’s the manager, and he’s rich—rich enough to keep Mother happy.

I’ve read several of Marji Laine’s romantic suspense novels, but Aint Misbehaving (as far as I know) is her first straight romance novel. It’s a good read—partly frustrating (thanks to Mother), partly amusing (thanks to CJ and his secret), and another part frustrating (the social worker). It all provides lots of conflict, and made for a good read.

I also liked the faith aspect. Annalee has the typical upper class view of church and religion—it’s something for Christmas and Easter. Working with CJ and the children shows her another side of church and religion, faith and belief in Jesus. It was well done, and ensured Aint Misbehaving was more than an average romance.

Thanks to the author for providing a free ebook for review.

About Marji Laine

Marji Laine is a home-schooling mom of four with twin seniors left in the nest. When she can’t indulge in her passion for story-telling, she’s transporting teenagers, teaching various high school classes at a local co-op, and directing the children’s music program at her church. She loves acting in musical comedy, has directed many stage productions, works with a youth group, sings in her church choir, coordinates high school classes for a large home-school group as well as maintaining their website, scrapbooks, and is the historian for the Dallas/Ft. Worth chapter of the American Christian Fiction Writers. Her faith in Christ is central to her writing and her life.

You can find Marji Laine online at:

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About Aint Misbehaving

Annalee Chambers: Poised, wealthy, socially elite. Convict.

Annalee Chambers floated through life in a pampered, crystal bubble until she smashed it with a single word. Dealing with the repercussions of that word might break her, ruin her family, and land her in jail. True, Annalee’s crime amounted to very little, but not in terms of community service hours. Her probation officer encouraged her with a promise of an easy job in an air-conditioned downtown environment. She didn’t expect her role to be little better than a janitor at an after-school daycare in the worst area of town. Through laughter and a few tears, Annalee finds out that some lessons are learned the hard way, and some seep into the soul unnoticed.

Carlton Whelen hides behind the nickname of CJ so people won’t treat him like the wealthy son of the Whelen Foundation director. Working at the foundation’s after-school program delights him and annoys his business-oriented father. When a gorgeous prima donna is assigned to his team, he not only cringes at her mistakes but also has to avoid the attraction that builds from the first time he sees her.

What can a bunch of downtown kids teach an uptown Texas princess?

You can find Aint Misbehaving online at:

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You can read the introduction to Aint Misbehaving below: