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jafeyrer's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.5
ingenioussups's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
gossamerwingedgazelle's review against another edition
5.0
Quick, interesting and a lot of fun. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who likes mystery and romance, especially those who like the Stephanie Plum novels.
lyssidoll's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I first read this book maybe… 16 (?) years ago and loved it, couldn’t get enough of the characters and their quirks. Happy to say that all these years later and nothing had changed.
What a fun read! Genuinely one of the most laugh out loud hilarious books I have ever read. The characters were wild, the plot so unbelievable and fun that it almost becomes believable. I was determined to add a copy of this to my library and I’m so glad I did.
Something about Cranky Agnes and Shane, about Carpenter and LL, all the characters thrown in throughout. It really did feel like one big dysfunctional family planning a disaster of a wedding with wild flamingos and hitmen. 10/10 I absolutely adore this book.
What a fun read! Genuinely one of the most laugh out loud hilarious books I have ever read. The characters were wild, the plot so unbelievable and fun that it almost becomes believable. I was determined to add a copy of this to my library and I’m so glad I did.
Something about Cranky Agnes and Shane, about Carpenter and LL, all the characters thrown in throughout. It really did feel like one big dysfunctional family planning a disaster of a wedding with wild flamingos and hitmen. 10/10 I absolutely adore this book.
bhnmt61's review against another edition
4.0
I’ve long said that this is my favorite romance novel and that’s probably still true. But the last time I read it was six or eight years ago, and I noticed some problems with it this time that I don’t remember noticing before.
On the plus side, the complicated plot feels like one of those old 1940s rom coms - mistaken identities, orphan origins revealed, and mob connections, with elements of farce and almost slapstick sprinkled in. It’s still one of the best examples of snappy, witty dialogue that I think I’ve ever read. And Agnes’s journey to acceptance of her own inner crazy still strikes me as remarkably wise.
But there’s also the character of Carpenter, who probably qualifies as a “magical Negro” - a trope noted by Spike Lee which I had never heard of until about a year ago. And even having said that, I still love Carpenter in this book. He has far more agency and personal power than what Lee is talking about, I think, but unfortunately it’s still there. And in a more contemporary romance, Agnes would be out there kicking ass and taking names instead of letting Shane handle it.
But it’s still an enjoyable read and still far wittier and more intelligent than most in this genre. Maybe the shine is off a smidge. I wish Mayer and Cruise would get back together and write again, because the three books they wrote together are better (imo) than the books they’ve written on their own.
On the plus side, the complicated plot feels like one of those old 1940s rom coms - mistaken identities, orphan origins revealed, and mob connections, with elements of farce and almost slapstick sprinkled in. It’s still one of the best examples of snappy, witty dialogue that I think I’ve ever read. And Agnes’s journey to acceptance of her own inner crazy still strikes me as remarkably wise.
But there’s also the character of Carpenter, who probably qualifies as a “magical Negro” - a trope noted by Spike Lee which I had never heard of until about a year ago. And even having said that, I still love Carpenter in this book. He has far more agency and personal power than what Lee is talking about, I think, but unfortunately it’s still there. And in a more contemporary romance, Agnes would be out there kicking ass and taking names instead of letting Shane handle it.
But it’s still an enjoyable read and still far wittier and more intelligent than most in this genre. Maybe the shine is off a smidge. I wish Mayer and Cruise would get back together and write again, because the three books they wrote together are better (imo) than the books they’ve written on their own.
book_concierge's review against another edition
1.0
The dialogue is trite. The sex is bland. The characters are cardboard cutouts. The plot is inane and unbelievable. It seems that the author(s) can’t figure out what kind of book this is. Is it a comic crime caper? A mystery? A romance? A mafia thriller? A cooking cozy? Bodies pile up left and right, plot lines disintegrate or appear from thin air. Even the editing is bad … the electricity goes out, thanks to a bad guy who “did something” to the power, but early the next morning Agnes is in the kitchen using her coffee grinder and CD player. The authors would have us believe that her cooking is so great that people set their guns down to feast on pancakes and ham (and where does all this food come from when she never goes to the store … and remember that the electricity was out … we’re talking South Carolina summer HEAT). Oh, and what’s with the psychiatrist (who just disappears in the middle of the book). Crusie (or Mayer) does manage to write a few humorous scenes that tickle me, but if it weren’t for a Shelfari book group Challenge I would not have finished it at all.
avocadojam's review against another edition
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
sallyjm's review against another edition
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0