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3.45 AVERAGE
3.45 AVERAGE
This is basically the missing link between Stephanie Plum and Fox and O'Hare that made me undererstand why Evanovich uses so many co-writers these days.
The characters are the gang from Stephanie Plum, but with the names changed and a few tweaks - there's no triangle so the romantic lead is a hybrid of Ranger and Morelli, Barney's inner voice turns a bit Lula at some point, there's a gay guy who reminded me a lot of Sally Sweet (I think that's the right name) from some of the early Plums, and a feisty older lady who is basically a younger version of Grandma. There are also Porsches... Nascar guy gets some of the less appealing traits of Ranger and Morelli - or rather the combination of traits he gets don't really work together to make an appealing hole, and some of the Nascar schtick didn't work (or ring true/accurate) either.
The plot is a bit different - it's a heist caper not a bail bond drama which is why it reminded me of Fox and O'Hare. It's a bit far fetched (what's new!) and it wraps up very quickly in the finale (again what's new) and because the characters felt so much like a retread to me, that bothered me a lot more than it does when the same things occur in the Plum series.
It's still quite a page turner though - even if it was mostly to play spot the Plum-swap! I'm not sure I'll read another, unless I spot it at the library and have space on my card. I wouldn't pay at any rate.
The characters are the gang from Stephanie Plum, but with the names changed and a few tweaks - there's no triangle so the romantic lead is a hybrid of Ranger and Morelli, Barney's inner voice turns a bit Lula at some point, there's a gay guy who reminded me a lot of Sally Sweet (I think that's the right name) from some of the early Plums, and a feisty older lady who is basically a younger version of Grandma. There are also Porsches... Nascar guy gets some of the less appealing traits of Ranger and Morelli - or rather the combination of traits he gets don't really work together to make an appealing hole, and some of the Nascar schtick didn't work (or ring true/accurate) either.
The plot is a bit different - it's a heist caper not a bail bond drama which is why it reminded me of Fox and O'Hare. It's a bit far fetched (what's new!) and it wraps up very quickly in the finale (again what's new) and because the characters felt so much like a retread to me, that bothered me a lot more than it does when the same things occur in the Plum series.
It's still quite a page turner though - even if it was mostly to play spot the Plum-swap! I'm not sure I'll read another, unless I spot it at the library and have space on my card. I wouldn't pay at any rate.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I liked this book. But it was hard since you can't help comparing it to the Stephanie Plum series. It's not as good as the Stephanie books but it was still good enough for me to want to read the next one sometime.
A fun summer read. Headed to the next one in the series. I love a book that makes me laugh
This is one of the worst books I have ever read.
I read it because my grandmother, who has dementia, gifted me the second book in the series, which I am now DREADING reading.
Some highlights of the awfulness include the endorsement of the myth that women who deny men's sexual advances secretly DO want them (complete with repeated nonconsensual kissing and a happy ending for the perpetrator in question--blech), the ubiquitous, nonsensical sexual imagery and innuendo ("His body was toned and golden, and the red thong showed off a terrific ass and a bunch of lumpy things in the front. I was trying to think positive about the bakery concept, but the bagels in his bathing suit weren't doing a lot for me."), the main character's self-hating inner monologue ("Good thing I watch a lot of television. If it wasn't for television I wouldn't have any ideas at all."), and the unnecessary description of what the main character is eating, which is almost nothing for the majority of the book, and its direct comparison to the more indulgent eating of the men around her.
The author clearly can't see that her book is harmful in any of these ways, or any of the many more ways I didn't mention (there's a bunch of stuff that is harmful to men, too). Appalling. SKIP IT!
I read it because my grandmother, who has dementia, gifted me the second book in the series, which I am now DREADING reading.
Some highlights of the awfulness include the endorsement of the myth that women who deny men's sexual advances secretly DO want them (complete with repeated nonconsensual kissing and a happy ending for the perpetrator in question--blech), the ubiquitous, nonsensical sexual imagery and innuendo ("His body was toned and golden, and the red thong showed off a terrific ass and a bunch of lumpy things in the front. I was trying to think positive about the bakery concept, but the bagels in his bathing suit weren't doing a lot for me."), the main character's self-hating inner monologue ("Good thing I watch a lot of television. If it wasn't for television I wouldn't have any ideas at all."), and the unnecessary description of what the main character is eating, which is almost nothing for the majority of the book, and its direct comparison to the more indulgent eating of the men around her.
The author clearly can't see that her book is harmful in any of these ways, or any of the many more ways I didn't mention (there's a bunch of stuff that is harmful to men, too). Appalling. SKIP IT!
Evanovich writes fun, fast-paced and completely implausible mysteries. I love 'em! (I always give bonus points to books that make me giggle.)
I needed a fun, mindless quick read because I needed a little break from The Three Musketeers, and Metro Girl gave me just that. If you didn't keep thinking to yourself how poorly written and unimaginative it was, and enjoy it for the guilty pleasure book it was, it was quite enjoyable.
3.5 stars. I like this book better than the beginning Stephanie Plum books. I like the chemistry between Barney and Hooker. I used to reread these regularly but it’s been quite awhile since my last read through. Some elements have definitely not stood the test of time!