Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.61 AVERAGE
3.61 AVERAGE
I'm pretty sure I've said this about each of the last few of these I've read, but it's OK to stop writing books if you don't want to write then anymore, Janet Evanovich! If we frame these increasingly as purely fluff, okay, but even then this is some pretty dang fluffy fluff. I will keep reading then, though, because in some things I am a completionist.
I admit, it is getting harder and harder to continue with the series. The triangle going on between Joe, Stephanie and Ranger sometimes has me wanting to scratch my eyes out. I know that Stephanie seems to think she has made her choice with Joe, so why does she still get panty-melting kisses from Ranger and think about what it would be like if she could get him to settle down. I know Ranger and Steph must work together in a lot of situations, but seriously, the sexual tension is way too much, and if she has any doubts about being able to stay out of Ranger's bed she shouldn't be making any kind of commitment to Joe. Poor guy.
Anyway, put aside that love triangle and we have an ok story. Top Secret spends a whole lot of time with Ranger and dealing with someone from his past. Yes, Ranger has a past! He actually pulls Stephanie in to help him with his case, instead of the other way around, which was different.
We also have our side characters that almost always seem to crack me up. We have a wee return of a past character involved in Steph's case, then of course Grandma Mazur and Lula. Joe is in domestic, trusting boyfriend mode, which makes me even more pissed at Stephanie at times. I can't say I didn't get what I paid for, which was a light hearted mystery with some comedy, with this book including some scary, relatable creatures. I don't know how much more of the triangle I can take though.
This was the first Plum book I listened to and I loved the accents and the general overall narration of the book. I love Lorelei King and I think she did an amazing job on this book!
This review was originally posted on Rantings of a Reading Addict
Anyway, put aside that love triangle and we have an ok story. Top Secret spends a whole lot of time with Ranger and dealing with someone from his past. Yes, Ranger has a past! He actually pulls Stephanie in to help him with his case, instead of the other way around, which was different.
We also have our side characters that almost always seem to crack me up. We have a wee return of a past character involved in Steph's case, then of course Grandma Mazur and Lula. Joe is in domestic, trusting boyfriend mode, which makes me even more pissed at Stephanie at times. I can't say I didn't get what I paid for, which was a light hearted mystery with some comedy, with this book including some scary, relatable creatures. I don't know how much more of the triangle I can take though.
This was the first Plum book I listened to and I loved the accents and the general overall narration of the book. I love Lorelei King and I think she did an amazing job on this book!
This review was originally posted on Rantings of a Reading Addict
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I thought this one was okay which is better than most of the recent books have been. There's still no decisions made on the Ranger/Morelli front but it seemed like Stephanie didn't agonize over the two of them as much in this book so it annoyed me less than usual. Also, the humor wasn't quite as madcap and over the top as it has been in the last half of the series so that was nice.
Another enjoyable read by Janet Evanovich. It's more of the same with Stephanie Plum.
typical/predictable. god help me, i can't quit this series.
Stephanie is neck deep in it again. She is trying to get FTA Jimmy Poletti who seems to also be trying to kill on again, off again character Randy Biggs who was his bookkeeper. She's also pulled into Ranger's orbit as a man from his past is trying to kill him in the most Bond way possible. Add to that Granda Mazure heading into a stand off with Joe's Garndma Bella and you have a recipe for zaniness.
Except you don't. There is definately a formula to these books. Crazy FTA's that Stephanie has to track own, normally with Lula. Stephanie gets pulled into Morelli's investigations. Ranger is involved somehow. Stephanie is mostly with Morelli, but tempted by Ranger. A reoccuring character makes an appearance. Grandma Mazur does something inappropriate. Stephanie eats way more food than is healthy. And this book follows it to a T. But it comes off as tired and lacking the life of the earlier books in the series. Maybe that's because we are 21 books in and Evanovich is not a good enough writer to keep this going. Maybe it's because Evanovitch is refusing to evolve Stephanie in any way. Maybe it's because Evanovitch has taken a page from Patterson and is writing multiple series with writing partners. Maybe it's because Evanovitch doesn't care anymore and a Stephanie Plum book is easy money. I don't know, but I do know this is not Two for the Dough. The series is showing its age.
So why do I keep reading? Not to hate read as some people might think, but rather because these books are what my Oma calls toothache books. They are turn your brain off books for when you are having a bad day and need something comforting and familiar to feel good about. And that's it. I read one a year right after school ends to relax for the beginning of summer. And then I move on to deeper, more challenging and fufilling things. Because this book is like eating a can of Pringles all by yourself. You know you shouldn't, but it feels good when you do. You really can't control yourself and you end up feeling very guilty afterwards.
Only for diehard Stephanie Plum fans, otherwise skip it.
Except you don't. There is definately a formula to these books. Crazy FTA's that Stephanie has to track own, normally with Lula. Stephanie gets pulled into Morelli's investigations. Ranger is involved somehow. Stephanie is mostly with Morelli, but tempted by Ranger. A reoccuring character makes an appearance. Grandma Mazur does something inappropriate. Stephanie eats way more food than is healthy. And this book follows it to a T. But it comes off as tired and lacking the life of the earlier books in the series. Maybe that's because we are 21 books in and Evanovich is not a good enough writer to keep this going. Maybe it's because Evanovitch is refusing to evolve Stephanie in any way. Maybe it's because Evanovitch has taken a page from Patterson and is writing multiple series with writing partners. Maybe it's because Evanovitch doesn't care anymore and a Stephanie Plum book is easy money. I don't know, but I do know this is not Two for the Dough. The series is showing its age.
So why do I keep reading? Not to hate read as some people might think, but rather because these books are what my Oma calls toothache books. They are turn your brain off books for when you are having a bad day and need something comforting and familiar to feel good about. And that's it. I read one a year right after school ends to relax for the beginning of summer. And then I move on to deeper, more challenging and fufilling things. Because this book is like eating a can of Pringles all by yourself. You know you shouldn't, but it feels good when you do. You really can't control yourself and you end up feeling very guilty afterwards.
Only for diehard Stephanie Plum fans, otherwise skip it.
I love this series. It's predictable in some ways, but I still laugh out loud at other unexpected moments. I'll keep on reading as long as Evanovich keeps on writing it.
Not a whole lot changes in Steph’s world. She’s still a bounty-hunter dealing with the crazies in Trenton, NJ. Her partner’s still more interested in fried chicken than finishing a job. Her grandmother’s still up to all sorts of shenanigans. And her love life’s still a toss-up, though she’s leaning more in Morelli’s favor. For now.
The Plot:
Steph keeps busy in Top Secret Twenty-One hunting down a used-car dealer whose poker buddies are turning up dead. The question is, why? And who’s doing the dirty deed? His accountant turns up seeking shelter when his apartment is firebombed. Because, y’know, hanging with Steph is so safe…
Not so much, with Jimmy Poletti gunning for Randy, Grandma Mazur warring with Morelli’s Grandma Bella, and the assorted bail-jumpers who just aren’t anywhere near normal. Add in one vodka convention, Ranger facing an old nemesis, and you won’t be able to stop turning the pages – and laughing at the absurdity between the covers of Top Secret Twenty-One.
The Collateral Damage:
Because there’s always collateral damage when Steph’s on a case. In this installment, they include:
1 Ford Explorer (stripped)
1 apartment (rocket launcher)
1 Porsche (Ranger’s, bomb)
I’ll admit it, I teared up at the demise of the Porsche…
This installment is as much fun as expected, and it’s as much fluff as its predecessors. Pick it up anyway, because it’s never a bad thing to laugh out loud at what you’re reading.
drey’s rating: Pick it up!
This review was originally posted on drey's library
The Plot:
Steph keeps busy in Top Secret Twenty-One hunting down a used-car dealer whose poker buddies are turning up dead. The question is, why? And who’s doing the dirty deed? His accountant turns up seeking shelter when his apartment is firebombed. Because, y’know, hanging with Steph is so safe…
Not so much, with Jimmy Poletti gunning for Randy, Grandma Mazur warring with Morelli’s Grandma Bella, and the assorted bail-jumpers who just aren’t anywhere near normal. Add in one vodka convention, Ranger facing an old nemesis, and you won’t be able to stop turning the pages – and laughing at the absurdity between the covers of Top Secret Twenty-One.
The Collateral Damage:
Because there’s always collateral damage when Steph’s on a case. In this installment, they include:
1 Ford Explorer (stripped)
1 apartment (rocket launcher)
1 Porsche (Ranger’s, bomb)
I’ll admit it, I teared up at the demise of the Porsche…
This installment is as much fun as expected, and it’s as much fluff as its predecessors. Pick it up anyway, because it’s never a bad thing to laugh out loud at what you’re reading.
drey’s rating: Pick it up!
This review was originally posted on drey's library