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3.38 AVERAGE
3.38 AVERAGE
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was a super quick read. It wasn't quite as laugh-out-loud funny as many of Ms. Evanovich's books are, but it had more of a warm humour, which I found quite enjoyable.
This is one of Evanovich's earlier works, and man, does it show. Though there are flashes of humor throughout, the plotting is inconsistent, the characters are underdeveloped, the mystery lacks complexity, and the romance is implausible.
On the other hand, this is the kind of thing that kept Evanovich writing, and she eventually hit One for the Money, Stephanie Plum's debut. While the characters in this book--the Naughty Neighbors in the title--are no Stephanie and Morelli (or Ranger, if you prefer), there is trace evidence here.
The book becomes more interesting if I look at the writing more as an objective observer instead of as a reader/fan. It's almost like a point on a graph that illustrates Evanovich's growth as a writer, and the progression from Naughty Neighbors to One for the Money is unmistakable. It's a good object lesson to aspiring writers.
On the other hand, this is the kind of thing that kept Evanovich writing, and she eventually hit One for the Money, Stephanie Plum's debut. While the characters in this book--the Naughty Neighbors in the title--are no Stephanie and Morelli (or Ranger, if you prefer), there is trace evidence here.
The book becomes more interesting if I look at the writing more as an objective observer instead of as a reader/fan. It's almost like a point on a graph that illustrates Evanovich's growth as a writer, and the progression from Naughty Neighbors to One for the Money is unmistakable. It's a good object lesson to aspiring writers.
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
OK, reprint from 1992. Upstairs neighbor turns out to be famous screenwriter and downstairs tenant is dragged into investigating a pig that went missing from the halls of Congress. Silly premise, but could have been a lot more fun. 070108
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Fairly ridiculous comedy romance from Evanovich in her pre-Plum days with broadly drawn characters and obvious set ups and misadventures to draw out the laugh and push the relationship line further. It is all pretty contrived and obvious not terrible but like a McDonalds meal deal forgettable in twenty minutes and you are hungry for something more substantial not long after that.
Very Stephanie Plumish but less fleshed out and more to the point. Almost gave it a 3 stars for effort but overall, no.
It's cutesy and easy to read fast - the characters are well enough and the dialogue funny - but it didn't tickle my tickle bone enough to make up for how fluffy it was. It has another 'modern grandmother' at the end but she's barely in it. We also get sleazy politicians and a strange mystery side story about a pig. The mystery side story wasn't important after all, just a cute thing for the couple to do together and keep the story flowing.
It's readable but not enough substance, even for a romance humor novel, to gain a higher rating.
It's cutesy and easy to read fast - the characters are well enough and the dialogue funny - but it didn't tickle my tickle bone enough to make up for how fluffy it was. It has another 'modern grandmother' at the end but she's barely in it. We also get sleazy politicians and a strange mystery side story about a pig. The mystery side story wasn't important after all, just a cute thing for the couple to do together and keep the story flowing.
It's readable but not enough substance, even for a romance humor novel, to gain a higher rating.
Okay, the early Evanovich books are cheesy and more than a little uneven. Louisa is a press secretary for some politician or another. Pete is a screenwriter and novelist on the track of a new story. And they live together. Well, kind of. She's in his downstairs apartment and very annoyed 'cause he's so loud. But she doesn't realize that he can hear her too. The story is bleh. Avoid.