Donna Kauffman: 'The Bachelorette' week two

It's Week 2 on The Bachelorette! We're down to, well, still a ridiculous number of men, and we open as the guys trade the bizarre that was their first-impression sartorial choices for the more normal jeans and polo shirt with sleeves juuuust tight enough to show off the push-ups they did before the camera went on. And, hey, I'm a fan! If the fit across the chest is a bit snug, also not the worst thing ever. In fact, this is a far more interesting-looking group now than I would have expected after the crazy that was last week.

And precisely because I was forced to sit through the crazy that was last week, I take a few minutes to indulge myself openly ogling the bevy of man candy, then I grab my fruity umbrella drink and settle in for what just might be an interesting evening. I skip right past the previews because I only want to watch all of this happen once, and preferably in the order in which it happens, without the subterfuge and shameless misdirection that the editors on this show are famous for. Also? It's no fun if you already know what's going to happen. A hundred times. Just sayin', Show.

So we jump right to Chris and the first date card, which goes to ... Brooks! I kind of like Brooks, but my jury of one is still not quite sure about this guy who I finally realize looks like Michael Keaton's hotter, much-younger brother. So I'm glad we'll get the chance to figure him out. Des decides she wants him to see what she's all about, and since she's a bridal designer, that means heading to a local bridal boutique and trying on tuxes and gowns. Now, this could either be extremely awkward and uncomfortable, or a fun and loose good time. Brooks gets major points from me for going immediately for the latter. He's a great sport and genuinely enjoys himself. (Note to last season's bachelor, Sean: See? You don't have to torture your dates to learn more about them. This is what most people think of as f-u-n.)

I'm liking Brooks more and more. Decent, solid guy, open, willing to laugh at himself, clearly smitten with Des. And given she's girl-next-door gorgeous, open, down to earth and funny, well, duh. He might be a bit too much of a gentle soul and lacking a bit of the alpha gene. Like ... I'm thinking when they drove that car through L.A. that if there had been some issues and that bridge hadn't just been closed off so they could have a romantic dinner, that Brooks might have been in a tough spot protecting Des. In fact, she might hold her own better than he would. But the deal with Brooks is, he would have laid down his life trying, and you gotta give the guy credit for that.

After some one-on-one time at the Hollywood sign, a romantic dinner for two where they were way vibing on each other and truly having a fabulous time, they bring in Andy Grammer and his band (sing with me: "Gotta keep your head up, whoa-oh") to close the night out with dancing and more laughter. Des is openly sparking on Brooks, so it's all very giddy and mutual and you can see why. They're good folks having a great time. Brooks earns some alpha male street cred from me by proving he knows his way around a kiss and isn't shy about staking his claim.

Through all of this, you absolutely understand why Brooks is already falling down that slippery slope and, while it's sweet to see, I worry for the guy. I think he's a heart-on-his-sleeve type who goes with the flow and, when he sees something he wants, he doesn't put up many barriers or safeguards, or is simply incapable of it, despite knowing he should after learning the hard way. If this were just two people meeting, I'd be rooting him on and wildly cheering that mind-set. But I worry that this process will eat him up and spit him out at the end. And I like the guy now ... a lot ... so watch your back, Brooks. And your heart. Don't let this journey crush you. Sweetest guy ever.

Group date!

Then we're back at the mansion and it's time for the group date card. After the laundry list of names are read, those men head out to the mansion, where Desiree announces that she wants to find out how comfortable they are with being goofy. Aaaand, to that end, they're going to be making a rap video. She brings out rapper Soulja Boy to put them through the motions.

Now, the one thing I have to say here is that these guys really do seem to be a great bunch. It's clear they're all enjoying the process and each other. They all seem to be having a great time, laughing, joking, keeping the desperation levels down to such a new low on this show I'd swear they're all more interested in the fraternity that seems to be effortlessly hatching between them than worrying about who is going to end up with Des. It's kind of shocking, really.

Not that they aren't paying attention ... James has a few moments of surprising sincerity and clarity of judgment to what is going on around him and my opinion of him swings more to the positive. Not sure I can see him with Des, but he's a good guy. And I'm always a fan of those.

Brandon is still kind of quirky and way too emo for me, but goodness gracious, when they make him don a pair of skimpy undies to do his part in the video, not only does he go for it, despite being uncomfortable, and the butt (hah!) of the other guys' jokes, he has a great sense of humor himself. Still ... he's a bit too odd and emotional for me. And I'm betting Des will feel the same.

The other surprising revelation was that for all the male bonding going on so seamlessly between these guys, there does seem to be a growing consensus that the dude who's going to cause friction is, of all people, single dad Ben. This really surprises me. And I assume the producers knew that was going to be the case, as they make sure to show us some clips of Ben stating the classic Bachelor/Bachelorette Line of Doom. Say it with me ... "I'm not here to make friends." Again, didn't peg him for That Guy. Frankly, I'd have pinned that on Brandon and a half dozen others before ever getting to him.

But as the day and evening wear on, more men are shown making comments and it is clear that it seems to be common knowledge amongst the group. Hunh. So ... that's going to be interesting. Because Ben is freaking adorable, and his son is that times infinity, and you know Des is already sparkling around him. And, frankly, at this juncture, I can't blame her. No clue how that's going to unfold, but when they have one-on-one time at the cocktail party after the video shoot, he says all the right things and goes in for a kiss in a way that also shows he knows his way around a woman's face. And tonsils. Well ... hmmm ... Other than those few "I'm only here for Des" comments, I haven't really seen him being a bad guy, but where there's that much smoke, you know there's fire. Wonder how long that will take to burst into flame.

Ultimately, with the video shoot, the one thing I came away with is what a great group of guys these are in terms of attitude, playfulness and keeping things in perspective. If any of them were being jerks straight off, we didn't get to see it. Thank you for that, editor monkeys! It's refreshing and makes the show fun to watch. I found myself grinning and laughing watching them as they fumbled, danced and acted their way through the taping. (Oh, and the lyrics? They are all rap slams against prior Bachelorette contestants. Wow! Also? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHA!)

If you want to see the complete video, go here.

So we're at the post-group-date cocktail party and straight off there's another really surprising revelation ...

Who is it from? And what does he do? Well, you'll have to blog hop with me over to my Big-Time Author Website and continue the dish fest there! But first!! Last week we launched the first of our weekly Bachelorette Blog Giveaways! One lucky (and oh-so-happening) Blog Babe will score a signed copy of my brand, spankin' new release, Honey Pie!

Avalanches of entries came in from all over the world and, you guys! You're all so cool! I feel like we're already bonding over our fruity umbrella drinks and sometimes less-than-flattering man-candy snark. I'm a little verklempt. I just hope you're all here for the right reasons!

So, who gets the first Book Giveaway "Rose"? Why, come on down, Chris B from Iowa!!! Congratulations and thank you again for jumping into the shallow end with me here. I hope you hang out awhile!

Now, all of you who aren't Chris, don't despair! You're just as fabulous and I promise, we're keeping the group date going another week. I'm not sending anyone home and everyone gets a chance at another Free Book Rose! This week? The whole flower shop is open and up for grabs. Yep, the winner of this week's giveaway gets her (or his! I love my Happening Blog Dudes, too!) choice of aaaaaaaaany book from my website bookshelf.

So, pop on over there and do some browsing, then send me an e-mail to donna@donnakauffman.com with "I'm a happening blog babe! Choose me!" in the subject line, and the book you'd like if you win in the body of the e-mail. If you want a print edition, include an address, and if you prefer digital, just make sure you include what device you want it delivered to.

Then jump on over to my website and let's continue the party, shall we? Freshen up that drink, slide a crisp new umbrella in with the crushed ice and join me in the shallow end as we find out who goes, who stays, and who does the most remarkably stupid thing ever. (No, I haven't yet watched the rest of the show, but it's a safe bet, don't you think?)

Donna Kauffman is a best-selling romance author. Her latest release in her popular Cupcake Club series is Honey Pie. Random House has also been e-releasing her earlier Loveswept romances. Her website is DonnaKauffman.com.