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amibunk's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars but rounding up because it was such a nice surprise.
This book is part The Turn of the Screw and part Harlequin Romance with large doses of comedy thrown in for good measure- which, I admit, is a strange sort of conglomeration but it really, really worked for me. I thought the supernatural element was well done- just creepy enough to raise your eyebrows but not scary enough to need to hide under the covers.
Jennifer Crusie has a great talent for funny dialogue and it does a great job as acting as comedic relief when tensions get too high. The romance is more subtle and sweetly understated- no great drama or steamy sex scenes in this novel. The ghost story definitely takes priority over the love story.
In addition, I thought the characters of Andie, Alice, and Carter were exceptionally portrayed and their growing relationships were very well done. Those three just made me love the book even more- particularly Alice.
I can understand why some readers haven't rated this book very high- it is a strange concoction of scary, funny, and sweet, but I fell in love with this book-enough to go purchase my own copy of it off of Amazon.
This book is part The Turn of the Screw and part Harlequin Romance with large doses of comedy thrown in for good measure- which, I admit, is a strange sort of conglomeration but it really, really worked for me. I thought the supernatural element was well done- just creepy enough to raise your eyebrows but not scary enough to need to hide under the covers.
Jennifer Crusie has a great talent for funny dialogue and it does a great job as acting as comedic relief when tensions get too high. The romance is more subtle and sweetly understated- no great drama or steamy sex scenes in this novel. The ghost story definitely takes priority over the love story.
In addition, I thought the characters of Andie, Alice, and Carter were exceptionally portrayed and their growing relationships were very well done. Those three just made me love the book even more- particularly Alice.
I can understand why some readers haven't rated this book very high- it is a strange concoction of scary, funny, and sweet, but I fell in love with this book-enough to go purchase my own copy of it off of Amazon.
bikes_books_yarn's review
4.0
I got WAY more sucked into this book than I wanted to. I loved the dry wit of some of the characters - the psychic for one. What a hoot! I also loved that the main character was very "I will do anything for these children!" without making the reader (me!) feel the weight of my ticking time bomb ovaries. The evil reporter woman - was it Kelly? Made me hate with the glee you can only get from living through the 80's and having watched original airings of Dynasty. (Joan Collins - YOU were an AWESOME Bitch!)
I was thinking that I would have written Andie (main character) a bit stronger. She allows herself to be swayed into believing the ghosts she KNOWS exist were actually hallucinations. I mean - REALLY? And then I thought - yeah. That is probably closer to real then you want. So I guess I cannot dis on Andie for not being able to feel confident in her ability to see the ghosts in the house. I mean - she was REALLY not a believer before moving to "The House of Archer" - so I guess she did good in coming around.
Some really engaging characters in this one. Really happy I gave it a listen. And may I add the narrator for this was REALLY good? Angela Dawe - I will be stalking you on Audible.com!
I was thinking that I would have written Andie (main character) a bit stronger. She allows herself to be swayed into believing the ghosts she KNOWS exist were actually hallucinations. I mean - REALLY? And then I thought - yeah. That is probably closer to real then you want. So I guess I cannot dis on Andie for not being able to feel confident in her ability to see the ghosts in the house. I mean - she was REALLY not a believer before moving to "The House of Archer" - so I guess she did good in coming around.
Some really engaging characters in this one. Really happy I gave it a listen. And may I add the narrator for this was REALLY good? Angela Dawe - I will be stalking you on Audible.com!
pattydsf's review against another edition
3.0
I have several bad habits when it comes to books and reading. Owning and reading this fun novel actually encompasses two of my vices. First of all, I am a true believer in the idea that you can never have enough books. So even though I had three paperbacks and many Kindle books with me as I drove from Lititz, PA to Staunton, VA, I was not sure that I could survive. I was going to be on my own for two days. What if I finished everything?
Which brings me to the second vice. I can't pass a bookstore without going in to just look around. On my journey, I stopped at a mall in Martinsburg, WV. The mall had a Books-a-Million store. I don't have easy access to one of those anymore. This was a chance to see if these stores had changed.
So the only surprise to this adventure was I managed to leave the bookstore with only one book.
This romance was supposed to be my backup to all the other books I had with me. I had plenty to read and I am in the middle of several books. I could use my time to finish one of the other books I had schlepped on my trip. But of course, when I got to Staunton and was resting in my room, this book is what I started reading.
I had a good time with Andie, North, Alice and Carter. Their story was so full of holes that I couldn't think too much about what was happening. If I had the whole thing would have collapsed. In the meantime, I relaxed, laughed and forgot all about all the drama that had taken me to Staunton this week. Which is exactly what I needed.
If you haven't read Crusie before, I would suggest you start with Faking It or Welcome to Temptation. However, if you have read Crusie before and haven't read this, suspend your disbelief and sit down to a laugh out loud romance.
In the meantime, does anyone know of a 12 step program for recovering bibliophiles?
Which brings me to the second vice. I can't pass a bookstore without going in to just look around. On my journey, I stopped at a mall in Martinsburg, WV. The mall had a Books-a-Million store. I don't have easy access to one of those anymore. This was a chance to see if these stores had changed.
So the only surprise to this adventure was I managed to leave the bookstore with only one book.
This romance was supposed to be my backup to all the other books I had with me. I had plenty to read and I am in the middle of several books. I could use my time to finish one of the other books I had schlepped on my trip. But of course, when I got to Staunton and was resting in my room, this book is what I started reading.
I had a good time with Andie, North, Alice and Carter. Their story was so full of holes that I couldn't think too much about what was happening. If I had the whole thing would have collapsed. In the meantime, I relaxed, laughed and forgot all about all the drama that had taken me to Staunton this week. Which is exactly what I needed.
If you haven't read Crusie before, I would suggest you start with Faking It or Welcome to Temptation. However, if you have read Crusie before and haven't read this, suspend your disbelief and sit down to a laugh out loud romance.
In the meantime, does anyone know of a 12 step program for recovering bibliophiles?
merkyr's review against another edition
Much more paranormal than romance for me. This was my first Crusie but maybe I just need to find the right one?
jkkb332's review against another edition
4.0
This is such a fun read with a kooky cast of characters. I went in with very low expectations, I was just hoping for something light-hearted and easy to read. This delivered and then some! Andie, Alice, Carter, Mrs Crumb, North, Southie, the ghosts, the medium, the skeptic, the journalist, the jilted ex, the mothers, the cameraman, the detective, the handyman - no matter how major or minor the character, they showed up clearly defined and easily identifiable. And then they get into a big mess and some things that aren't very fun for the characters but are a blast to read about. The writing is clever and the whole thing never takes itself too seriously.
My ONLY qualm here is But that minor hiccup did not take away my enjoyment of the book even the tiniest bit.
My ONLY qualm here is
Spoiler
the salvia. What difference did it end up making if they were drugged if the ghosts were real anyway? I think it was to make it easier for May to possess them, but unclear on that.elidavis's review against another edition
2.0
felt a little meandering and not really up to her other books.
rmmcdowell's review against another edition
3.0
You can't go wrong with a Crusie novel. This one is as lighthearted and fun as any others I've read. Crusie does such a great job developing minor characters that sometimes I care more about them than the main characters--or at least every bit as much as I did this time. I'm hoping I get a "Southy" book next.
gotobedmouse's review against another edition
3.0
That wonderful moment, when you pick up a book that has been on your TBR pile for years and enjoy a pleasant afternoon with it. This is a perfect example of why you never get rid of a book.
ruthiemacgregor's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25