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bibliozabs's review against another edition
3.5
Keep in mind this was written in 1999. I’m writing this in 2023 and that when I first read it.
The very bad - dog abuse, super stalking, domestic violence. The not great - a lot of “she’s mine” (from both hero and villain), some questionable relationship dynamics from a lot of people in the book, off hand homophobia from townspeople. So to me, the good outweighed the bad.
But I still stayed up all night to finish it (partly bc it was compelling, partly bc I’m sick and stuffed up). The good - chemistry btwn the couples, supportive and real female friendships, small town dynamics, realistic toxic masculinity, realistic reaction to someone you love turning into a monster, HEA.
This isn’t my first Jenny Crusie. I’ve read a couple of her books. This is one of her earlier ones and you can see how her later ones change with the times. So read it with the time period in mind.
The very bad - dog abuse, super stalking, domestic violence. The not great - a lot of “she’s mine” (from both hero and villain), some questionable relationship dynamics from a lot of people in the book, off hand homophobia from townspeople. So to me, the good outweighed the bad.
But I still stayed up all night to finish it (partly bc it was compelling, partly bc I’m sick and stuffed up). The good - chemistry btwn the couples, supportive and real female friendships, small town dynamics, realistic toxic masculinity, realistic reaction to someone you love turning into a monster, HEA.
This isn’t my first Jenny Crusie. I’ve read a couple of her books. This is one of her earlier ones and you can see how her later ones change with the times. So read it with the time period in mind.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Animal cruelty
novelesque_life's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 STARS
"High school art teacher Quinn McKenzie's life is perfectly normal--and it's making her insane. She's living with Bill, the nicest guy in Tibbett, Ohio, and he's crazy about her. Really crazy. Quinn is already having serious doubts about the future of their relationship when Fate intervenes, in the form of the scrawniest, squirmiest scrap of a dog you'd ever want to lay eyes on. She figures if the dog has the good sense to detest Bill on first sight, she ought to pay attention. And besides, there's Nick Ziegler, local mechanic and totally unsuitable love interest. Of course, that only makes Nick all the more appealing, not to mention his phenomenal aptitude between the sheets, and against the wall, and in the car, and... But getting rid of Bill is harder than Quinn ever expected. In fact, Bill was the last person she would have thought would try to hurt her. Thank God Nick is as capable with a two-by-four as he is with an automobile engine!" (From Amazon)
My first Jennifer Crusie contemporary romance and I loved it. It is very funny and has charming characters. (For fans of Carly Phillips and Janet Evanovich)
"High school art teacher Quinn McKenzie's life is perfectly normal--and it's making her insane. She's living with Bill, the nicest guy in Tibbett, Ohio, and he's crazy about her. Really crazy. Quinn is already having serious doubts about the future of their relationship when Fate intervenes, in the form of the scrawniest, squirmiest scrap of a dog you'd ever want to lay eyes on. She figures if the dog has the good sense to detest Bill on first sight, she ought to pay attention. And besides, there's Nick Ziegler, local mechanic and totally unsuitable love interest. Of course, that only makes Nick all the more appealing, not to mention his phenomenal aptitude between the sheets, and against the wall, and in the car, and... But getting rid of Bill is harder than Quinn ever expected. In fact, Bill was the last person she would have thought would try to hurt her. Thank God Nick is as capable with a two-by-four as he is with an automobile engine!" (From Amazon)
My first Jennifer Crusie contemporary romance and I loved it. It is very funny and has charming characters. (For fans of Carly Phillips and Janet Evanovich)
sejacobson14's review against another edition
4.0
A good, fast, fun read. I laughed out loud a few times.
givemaribooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
rini1310's review against another edition
2.0
2,3/5
Pleasant characters and an alright-enough plot.
At the beginning I was not sure but after a while, becoming familiar with the main characters and the pace of the book, I found my self enjoying the journey of Quinn. Mainly the dog is the trigger for the plot. To be honest, the writer could have thought a better one but then again it is romance..
After
Spoiler
her boyfriend goes locoBut still a bit common as a plot, ordinary characters who most people will like ( still not my thing).
I'll be here, awkwardly waiting for something better...
kvsreads's review against another edition
challenging
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
vivartois's review against another edition
1.0
Terrible.
The plot is so slow, the characters make you want to tear your hair out. Too many side characters with stories that were barely adjacent to the main romance.
The hero/heroine don't even kiss until basically 60% into the book and the heroine goes from thinking that he's her ex-bro in law / platonic friend to OMG I LOVE HIM SO MUCH in a matter of a chapter.
I legitimately hated most of this book!
The plot is so slow, the characters make you want to tear your hair out. Too many side characters with stories that were barely adjacent to the main romance.
The hero/heroine don't even kiss until basically 60% into the book and the heroine goes from thinking that he's her ex-bro in law / platonic friend to OMG I LOVE HIM SO MUCH in a matter of a chapter.
I legitimately hated most of this book!
rachbreads's review against another edition
1.0
Yikes.
This started out cute and quirky and ended up weirdly intense - angry stalkers and “pseudo-rape fantasies” (AGHHHHHHH) and such. Not what I was expecting from a pink cover with a dog on it...
This started out cute and quirky and ended up weirdly intense - angry stalkers and “pseudo-rape fantasies” (AGHHHHHHH) and such. Not what I was expecting from a pink cover with a dog on it...
mandy_pandy's review against another edition
5.0
I could not put this book down once I got going. It was fantastic! I found it to be suspenseful but also really funny. I was actually laughing out loud while reading it. I LOVED this book!