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3.71 AVERAGE
3.71 AVERAGE
I've been eyeing contemporary romance for a while now, and after seeing this one recommended in a discussion thread, I decided to finally branch out from my historicals and give it a try. It was...fine? I honestly found the main pairing uninspiring — I liked Nell all right, but Gabe was super bland. I was much more interested in Suze and Riley (would also have taken Suze and Nell, tbh). And the mystery plotline really didn't hold my interest at all. I'm not much of a mystery fan anyway, and the doubling (and tripling!) of plot elements got confusing. Which body was in whose freezer? Which fancy china set are we concerned about? Whose controlling husband is whose?
That said, it was not un-entertaining. Some of the dialogue was really amusing, and I liked how Nell's friends always had her back. It was also fun rooting for Nell as she got her life back on track. Nothing inspired here, but nothing terrible either; I'll call it three stars.
That said, it was not un-entertaining. Some of the dialogue was really amusing, and I liked how Nell's friends always had her back. It was also fun rooting for Nell as she got her life back on track. Nothing inspired here, but nothing terrible either; I'll call it three stars.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Funny mystery read - great for a holiday!
Reread, January 2011.
Reliable Crusie - funny, hot, engaging mystery.
Reliable Crusie - funny, hot, engaging mystery.
I never connected with the characters. I found them unlikeable for various reasons and different points in the story. Every time one of the female characters was making a stand she would fall back into a cycle with some guy. The guys were not very nice to the girls.
I read this book as a teenager and now reading it as a 32 y/o (about the same age as the characters) - nostalgic and comforting. I cannot imagine marrying so young as they did & am glad this book sheds light onto how toxic that can be. Perhaps subconsciously that saved me from making those mistakes.
I received this book as a birthday present many years ago and still remember how pleasantly surprised by the book. I've recently started reading other books by Crusie, and I like the way she writes.
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-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
Published in 2002, it holds up surprisingly well, though some things have changed in the meantime.
Nell is a compelling character, as a reader I rooted for her. I found the friend and familial relationships (lots of brothers, sisters-in-law, etc) more than a little hard to sort out, until well into the book. Gabe I pictured in my mind as a younger, hotter Lou Grant - the same gruff personality with a heart of gold.
The ongoing murders... I guess they were necessary? But there really wasn't any ongoing tension, until very near the end. Seems like, if bodies kept turning up near me, I would be a bit nervous.
Riley was great. I loved the use of condoms for sex, and also, lots of sexual relationships occurring without any slut shaming. Sex for the sake of feeling good is something romance fiction seems to have drifted away from, and I think that's sad. The tone is light and funny and flirty. Really enjoyed.
Nell is a compelling character, as a reader I rooted for her. I found the friend and familial relationships (lots of brothers, sisters-in-law, etc) more than a little hard to sort out, until well into the book. Gabe I pictured in my mind as a younger, hotter Lou Grant - the same gruff personality with a heart of gold.
The ongoing murders... I guess they were necessary? But there really wasn't any ongoing tension, until very near the end. Seems like, if bodies kept turning up near me, I would be a bit nervous.
Riley was great. I loved the use of condoms for sex, and also, lots of sexual relationships occurring without any slut shaming. Sex for the sake of feeling good is something romance fiction seems to have drifted away from, and I think that's sad. The tone is light and funny and flirty. Really enjoyed.
I am sure I loved it at the time, I went through a whole single woman stage... don't care much for this genre anymore...
Crusie's characters always seem to skirt the edge of unlikable, and this one is no different. However, if there's an author who can have their hero still sleeping with his ex-wife at the beginning, and the heroine sleeps with the hero's brother...and still pull off a satisfying story, it's Crusie. Snapping dialog, and relationships that hold real risk and reward, all combined with a biting/dark sense of humor - it's a beautiful thing.