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dpalomo214's review
4.0
The perfect spring break read!
If you’re looking for the next literary classic, this isn’t it. It is however, a hallmark movie in a book WITH better writing. It’s perfectly witty and just the right amount of steamy. Take it to the beach or to your next flight. You won’t be disappointed.
If you’re looking for the next literary classic, this isn’t it. It is however, a hallmark movie in a book WITH better writing. It’s perfectly witty and just the right amount of steamy. Take it to the beach or to your next flight. You won’t be disappointed.
megatza's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This is the second book that’s made its way to me as a part of #8BabesTravelingFaves selected by @whiskers_and_paperbacks
While having read a range of Meg Cabot books in the past (obviously including Princess Diaries), this isn’t one I’d read before, nor do I think I would have selected it on my own, but kudos to Manda for selecting it, because I had an absolute blast. It’s an absolute blast from the past.
Lou Calabrese is the Oscar-winning screenwriter for the movie The Hindenburg; it’s been heralded a “triumph of the human spirit.” But her actor boyfriend of 10 years, Barry, recently left her, eloping with his co-star from The Hindenburg, Greta. Greta also recently split with her own paramour, the famous Jack Townsend, who has starred in four of Lou’s cop-drama adventure films. On the way to filming on location, the helicopter on which Lou and Jack are passengers goes down, leaving them stranded in the Alaskan wilderness in the middle of a blizzard. And there’s basically no one on the face of the planet Lou would like to be stranded with less than the man who has been voted a top-50 best-looking man in the world ten years running and who always wants to change the lines she’s written for him.
Published in 2002, Meg Cabot’s books are often deeply reflective of their time, and this was no different. I admit there were some cringe-worthy moments, particularly with regards to gender norms (must all women other than Lou be interested in fashion and not eating dessert? Maybe in Hollywood), but I reminded myself this was 20 years ago and let it roll off me. (Ok, there are plenty of comments in the margin on it LAUGH). But this was a light, snappy, and smart mix of a romantic suspense and lighthearted chick lit romcom. There’s a compelling mystery driving the plot, but we also get a classic enemies to lovers and yes, only one bed.
hurricanecait7's review against another edition
1.0
I read the reviews of this and foolishly thought it couldn't be that bad...well it was. I guess my overall opinion of it is poor because it just so thoroughly disappoints you. I do find Meg Cabot's work, as others of noted, varies widely across the spectrum of good to bad depending on which book you pick up. Historically I have loved some of her sassy teen fiction. I know what I want when I pick up a Meg Cabot book and it is frustrating when it disappoints. This book in particular was just silly. They set up was okay: We have an empowered, assertive leading lady with a noted dislike for our main guy. He, we are told but never shown, is not only drop-dead gorgeous but importantly a man's man. I don't know about you but the last time I checked cowboy boots in an Alaskan winter were not a sign of toughness but of silly attachment to fashion in defiance of weather. This is kind of my point I guess. The book devolves into silliness rather quickly. Yes, there is the inevitable romance between our two characters, but it happens while they are bizarrely and unrealistically chased through the Alaskan wilderness by unknown strangers trying to kill them. The romance itself is also quickly and poorly drawn. Yeah, we were expecting them to get together, but the ease with which a serial monogamist proposes marriage is kind of...silly. We are led to believe his historic behaviour in relationships is merely a result of an incredibly poor taste in women (shallow, skinny starlets). However, now he has met our leading lady (a real woman with curves and a brain and stuff) he is a changed man and wants her to move in after sleeping with her once, and marry her after sleeping with her twice. Add in a elderly parents finding love story line, a totally random resolve regarding the people-trying-to-kill-you story line, a few other characters getting together in a nobody-is-allowed-to-be-alone move by the author and the silliness is on extreme. So safe to say I didn't enjoy this edition of Meg Cabot fiction. Sure I was looking for an escapist romance and an easy read, but I don't like being alternately frustrated and bored.
sasaboba's review
1.0
PROS:
- Easy read.
- Sex.
- Great premise.
CONS:
- Fatphobia.
- Repetition, repetition, repetition!
- Non-fluid writing.
- Odd character development.
- Poor plot pacing.
- Jack is a jackass (pun intended).
- Unoriginal and unbelievable.
- Stick to reading the back of the book; it's better than the actual novel.
COMMENTS:
Exactly what you would expect from a skinny person writing about fat characters. I haven't read a lot of Cabot's stuff compared to other people but they're usually tolerable at best.
After reading this, I understand why it's easier for Cabot to write in email/text/diary format. Was it necessary to keep reminding the reader that Jack Townsend was handsome? Or that he was an action-adventure movie megastar? Or that he ad-libbed a line in Lou Calabrese's movie? Or that Lou and Jack's exes ran off together? Or that Lou wrote a screenplay for her ex? Or that they each won an Academy Award? Or that Jack was in this movie and that movie? All of these weren't repeated just two or three times. It had to have been at least fifty times from start to finish. Each. I can flip to almost any page and you can bet there will be one of those. We get it!
I also felt like the characters were flat, especially the minor characters. Vicky was supposed to be Lou's best friend but it didn't feel that way. She didn't seem to care about Lou at all. Characters that only showed up once had more personality than 90% of the major and minor characters. They ramble so much. It felt like Cabot was just filling space with repetition and rambling.
I mentioned that Jack was a jackass. I hate that Lou used to be a fat girl and is only attractive because she got skinnier. Cabot reminded the reader that fat is unattractive.
There were also constant perspective changes. I love perspective changes when they're done right. Usually, there's a pattern of some sort and some indication that there will be perspective changes. There was NO INDICATION in this book. Halfway through, it was as if Cabot had forgotten she had other characters. Cabot also forgot there was an actual mystery plot to write. She kept dabbling in the characters' romances, even the minor characters. It was as if she'd forgotten someone was trying to kill Jack. When she'd suddenly remember, she'd plug in a random explosion/gunfire to remind the reader it's supposed to be a mystery novel.
To conclude, the premise was great and the sex was there. I wish the sex weren't so censored. It is an adult novel. Oh well! The writing style really needed working on. I also hate how Lou's badassery was reduced to jelly in the end. She became a different person and the chemistry died, especially because the build-up for the end was super cheesy. I wanted to see some witty sarcasm from Lou and there was nothing.
- Easy read.
- Sex.
- Great premise.
CONS:
- Fatphobia.
- Repetition, repetition, repetition!
- Non-fluid writing.
- Odd character development.
- Poor plot pacing.
- Jack is a jackass (pun intended).
- Unoriginal and unbelievable.
- Stick to reading the back of the book; it's better than the actual novel.
COMMENTS:
Exactly what you would expect from a skinny person writing about fat characters. I haven't read a lot of Cabot's stuff compared to other people but they're usually tolerable at best.
After reading this, I understand why it's easier for Cabot to write in email/text/diary format. Was it necessary to keep reminding the reader that Jack Townsend was handsome? Or that he was an action-adventure movie megastar? Or that he ad-libbed a line in Lou Calabrese's movie? Or that Lou and Jack's exes ran off together? Or that Lou wrote a screenplay for her ex? Or that they each won an Academy Award? Or that Jack was in this movie and that movie? All of these weren't repeated just two or three times. It had to have been at least fifty times from start to finish. Each. I can flip to almost any page and you can bet there will be one of those. We get it!
I also felt like the characters were flat, especially the minor characters. Vicky was supposed to be Lou's best friend but it didn't feel that way. She didn't seem to care about Lou at all. Characters that only showed up once had more personality than 90% of the major and minor characters. They ramble so much. It felt like Cabot was just filling space with repetition and rambling.
I mentioned that Jack was a jackass. I hate that Lou used to be a fat girl and is only attractive because she got skinnier. Cabot reminded the reader that fat is unattractive.
There were also constant perspective changes. I love perspective changes when they're done right. Usually, there's a pattern of some sort and some indication that there will be perspective changes. There was NO INDICATION in this book. Halfway through, it was as if Cabot had forgotten she had other characters. Cabot also forgot there was an actual mystery plot to write. She kept dabbling in the characters' romances, even the minor characters. It was as if she'd forgotten someone was trying to kill Jack. When she'd suddenly remember, she'd plug in a random explosion/gunfire to remind the reader it's supposed to be a mystery novel.
To conclude, the premise was great and the sex was there. I wish the sex weren't so censored. It is an adult novel. Oh well! The writing style really needed working on. I also hate how Lou's badassery was reduced to jelly in the end. She became a different person and the chemistry died, especially because the build-up for the end was super cheesy. I wanted to see some witty sarcasm from Lou and there was nothing.
booksnwhiskey's review against another edition
2.0
It is not my favorite Meg Cabot book. This is more romance than chick-lit. The romance was predictable and was an easy read. If you are looking for a one day read to pass some hours pick the book up. As others have said the plot is ridiculous and the person/reason is crazy. I'll probably sell the book on ebay since i only keep a select few books.
gijanechosen's review against another edition
3.0
Decent book, though not as good as some of her other books. When I got towards the end of the book, I recognized the ending... I have read this book before; it was just a while ago, so apparently the only thing that made much of an impression on me was the ending?
gkaltam's review against another edition
3.0
It was a bit predictable but if a good romance is what you're looking for, this is a good read.
ksanders013's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
kslhersam's review against another edition
3.0
Nice, easy read for a rough week. This is a little sleazier than some of Meg Cabot's other novels though.