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3.85 AVERAGE
3.85 AVERAGE
Probably one of the better chick-lit stories I've read thus far. I usually don't like books that have so much going on with respect to events and drama that it makes your head spin, but this book was more endearing than I expected. For me, this book has so many elements that I like (and dislike on some terms) that I can't help but call it a guilty pleasure. A bit of humor, some great action, a little mystery, and a lot of romance give this book enough leverage to make me want to read it again. (Not to mention it's excellently read by Sandra Burr in the audiobook version.)
The story revolves around Agnes Crandall, a gifted cook and culinary columnist who has a history with bad relationships, and a well-established anger problem. When an intruder tries to take her dog, she delivers a characteristic defense using a frying pan. I say characteristic because she has a history with frying pans and...well...cheating lovers.
The intruder (accidentally) ends up dead, and not necessarily by Agnes's hand. What happens from there is a series of events that involve a former mob boss and his nephew, who happens to be a government issued hitman and his "cleaner" partner. Agnes thinks her problems are over, but when more people start coming not only to take her dog but to kill her, she's not very happy about it. (Understatement, lol)
Not to mention Agnes has to deal with the witchy (with a capital "B") former owner of the house to prevent a swindle so elaborate that it involves people closer than she knows are possible. Granted, you have to suspend disbelief at the number of times she's actually able to get away with some of the things she does (then again, you also have to do it with some of the conflicts and cliches in this book - the character relationships and dynamic are something that helps carry these along better than most would).
I loved the relationship between Agnes and Shane in this book - Shane actually has a bit more flesh than I thought a hitman would have in a story structured like this, and the characters are genuinely funny and easy to like, with a southern hospitality twist that makes it all the more interesting in its dysfunction.
I think the collaboration of two different authors to create an environment like this was very well done, and the story comes across with a lot of spice and sweetness. I'd recommend it for those who like a little something more than the light romance read.
Overall score: 4/5
The story revolves around Agnes Crandall, a gifted cook and culinary columnist who has a history with bad relationships, and a well-established anger problem. When an intruder tries to take her dog, she delivers a characteristic defense using a frying pan. I say characteristic because she has a history with frying pans and...well...cheating lovers.
The intruder (accidentally) ends up dead, and not necessarily by Agnes's hand. What happens from there is a series of events that involve a former mob boss and his nephew, who happens to be a government issued hitman and his "cleaner" partner. Agnes thinks her problems are over, but when more people start coming not only to take her dog but to kill her, she's not very happy about it. (Understatement, lol)
Not to mention Agnes has to deal with the witchy (with a capital "B") former owner of the house to prevent a swindle so elaborate that it involves people closer than she knows are possible. Granted, you have to suspend disbelief at the number of times she's actually able to get away with some of the things she does (then again, you also have to do it with some of the conflicts and cliches in this book - the character relationships and dynamic are something that helps carry these along better than most would).
I loved the relationship between Agnes and Shane in this book - Shane actually has a bit more flesh than I thought a hitman would have in a story structured like this, and the characters are genuinely funny and easy to like, with a southern hospitality twist that makes it all the more interesting in its dysfunction.
I think the collaboration of two different authors to create an environment like this was very well done, and the story comes across with a lot of spice and sweetness. I'd recommend it for those who like a little something more than the light romance read.
Overall score: 4/5
In this ongoing series of me rereading books I was way too young to be reading, this week I tackle Jennifer Crusie's books. I first read this when I was 12 and too young to be in the adult fiction section. I remember getting really bored with it and promptly throwing it aside, so imagine my surprise when I found out, nearly 10 years on, that Jennifer Crusie wrote this, and that I actually really enjoyed it. The first 100 pages were still really difficult to get through but after slogging through it, the book really grew on me. Fun and nostalgic read.
As always, Jennifer Crusie kept my interest with a complicated plot that got more and more complicated as it went on. What could just be another romantic comedy, excels with the use of suspense mixed with humor (a frying pan for a weapon?!).
But I don't want to spoil it, so read it for yourself.
But I don't want to spoil it, so read it for yourself.
Murder, mayhem, fun and sexy
5 stars
Food columnist, Agnes Crandall is having a bad week. She has the wedding of the century to plan all while someone attempts to sabotage it; she has dog-nappers appearing in her kitchen; the threat of losing her house and a fiancé who is more interested in making money than in her. And then Shane, the hitman, appears through her bedroom window and Agnes realises her old problems were nothing compared to what's about to come.
This book is a deliciously chaotic but fun crime caper and really shows off Jennifer Crusie's humour and how well she and Bob Mayer work together.
Agnes, given the moniker of 'Cranky Agnes', is more feisty than cranky and she is funny and despite her issues, someone you want to be like. Although this isn't really a romance, her interactions with Shane (who himself is a gorgeous, complicated, man's man) are great and very sexy.
The body count in the book is high but the crime and murder isn't particularly gruesome (despite the book being full of mobsters and hitmen!) and is more fun and entertaining than anything. There is so much going on that you really are kept guessing and I wasn't sure exactly what was what until the very last chapter.
Overall, this is an entertaining and sexy romp of a read and certainly one that will have you turning the pages. [a:Jennifer Crusie|19005|Jennifer Crusie|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1295982567p2/19005.jpg] and [a:Bob Mayer|19006|Bob Mayer|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1597686473p2/19006.jpg] seem to be perfect writing pairing and I look forward to more of their collaborations in the future. Definitely recommended. 5 stars.
I love Jennifer Cruisie books. They are perfect for those days when you wished you lived on a desert isle, which just happened to include catering and a comfy bed.
I thought this would be a typical Romance novel- maybe one of the newer breed, but a Romance novel nonetheless (yes, capital "R"). Not so much! I mean, yes, there was romance in it but that wasn't the main focus of the story. There were also dead bodies (and almost dead bodies), strong women, and laugh-out-loud humor. For me, that's winning the Trifecta. I really loved this book. It's funny and sexy, with great characters and a complicated plot about a wedding, the Mob and a big, old house with more than a few skeletons in its closet. It is a lighthearted comedy with plenty of sex, intrigue, and characters with so much attitude they almost jump off the page. A romance between a fiery chief who is used to taking care of herself and an unapologetic hitman who has always been commitment-free offers up some tasty banter, amusing situations, and a plot with enough twists to keep Agnes and her frying pan busy. And the ending leaves you satisfied with a smile on your face. This would make a good movie.
I thought this would be a typical Romance novel- maybe one of the newer breed, but a Romance novel nonetheless (yes, capital "R"). Not so much! I mean, yes, there was romance in it but that wasn't the main focus of the story. There were also dead bodies (and almost dead bodies), strong women, and laugh-out-loud humor. For me, that's winning the Trifecta. I really loved this book. It's funny and sexy, with great characters and a complicated plot about a wedding, the Mob and a big, old house with more than a few skeletons in its closet. It is a lighthearted comedy with plenty of sex, intrigue, and characters with so much attitude they almost jump off the page. A romance between a fiery chief who is used to taking care of herself and an unapologetic hitman who has always been commitment-free offers up some tasty banter, amusing situations, and a plot with enough twists to keep Agnes and her frying pan busy. And the ending leaves you satisfied with a smile on your face. This would make a good movie.
That was just too much fun.
Absurd humor with murder, schemes and romance is my jam!
Absurd humor with murder, schemes and romance is my jam!
Jennifer Cruise, you've stolen my heart again! This time with a delicious hitman named Shane, and an adorable chef name Agnes.
One thing I really adored about this story was the fact that underneath all the fluff, all the adorable love and the crackling sexual tension there was legitimate characters.
Actual real personalities who have flaws, and kill people. She doesn't dance around the death in this book. (Well, her and bob Mayer.) She shoots people left and right, kills people with various kitchen objects, and doesn't take no for an answer. And yet at the end of it all, it only makes me love the characters all the more!
So this book gets five very shiny gold stars for being downright delightful.
One thing I really adored about this story was the fact that underneath all the fluff, all the adorable love and the crackling sexual tension there was legitimate characters.
Actual real personalities who have flaws, and kill people. She doesn't dance around the death in this book. (Well, her and bob Mayer.) She shoots people left and right, kills people with various kitchen objects, and doesn't take no for an answer. And yet at the end of it all, it only makes me love the characters all the more!
So this book gets five very shiny gold stars for being downright delightful.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This plot is straight-up whack and requires a healthy dose of suspended belief in reality to properly absorb the story. But, let it be known that it does not take that long for suspended belief of reality to settle in though. And once it does, as long as you just roll with the punches of this plot, it's pretty damn enjoyable of a read.
With respect to the humour, I chuckled aloud because I was amused at times, but not enough for me to claim this was hilarious.
And plotwise? It’s pretty much as advertised. All of the ridiculousness of the synopsis is the truth of what you can expect from this story.
Embrace the chaos, and you'll have a decent time with this one.
With respect to the humour, I chuckled aloud because I was amused at times, but not enough for me to claim this was hilarious.
And plotwise? It’s pretty much as advertised. All of the ridiculousness of the synopsis is the truth of what you can expect from this story.
Embrace the chaos, and you'll have a decent time with this one.
5 blinding stars
I have kind of lost count how many times I have read this book and it is still as hilarious and surprisingly moving and I kind of suspect I might have fair bit of "whack them with a frying pan and ask questions later" Agnes in me.
I MIGHT draw a line at the meat fork though. Although there's no guarantees. Maybe I haven't just been pissed off enough.
I have kind of lost count how many times I have read this book and it is still as hilarious and surprisingly moving and I kind of suspect I might have fair bit of "whack them with a frying pan and ask questions later" Agnes in me.
I MIGHT draw a line at the meat fork though. Although there's no guarantees. Maybe I haven't just been pissed off enough.