A review by allingoodtime
Bet Me by Jennifer Crusie

funny hopeful inspiring fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

Since it is not something that can be parsed out by the blurb of this book, I want to make it very clear this story contains a LOT of body shaming and internalized fatphobia. The arc the MFC has to make is learning to love her body and understanding that she is actually sexy and wonderful. It turns out to be very inspiring and those closest to Min always lift her up. Yet I know this is a huge trigger for some people and feel it needs to be known before going in. Also, this book was published in 2004 so the language used in regards to food and bodies is of that time. Quite grating.

The way this story is set up reminds me of a sitcom in many ways. We don’t just get the POV of Min and Cal. Once in a while we see things from the POV of their exes and their friends. I wasn’t sure how I felt about that the first time it happened, but it worked. You’re able to see all the forces working against this couple and the way fate just won’t let them get away from each other.

Because of the language used about some issues and the way technology was sometimes referenced, the story feels dated at times. This made the first few chapters move a little slow for me. Things evened out and the flow was much smoother once I got used to it and was invested in Cal and Min’s relationship. They are great together and kept this story engaging. I wanted to know what they’d say to each other next. They did not like each other when they first met but they were never mean to each other. As much as they didn’t get along, they couldn’t seem to forget each other. Even when they weren’t being inadvertently thrust together by circumstance.

While I loved the romance overall, my favorite part of this story is how much Cal is attracted to Min and lets her know it over and over. And when she disparages herself, he tells her she’s not listening and reiterates what he said. It never comes across as her fishing for compliments or being a Debbie downer. Cal never comes across as smarmy or insincere. It’s a great balance and helps build Min up in the one area of her life she’s always felt has kept her down.

This was my first Jennifer Crusie book. I enjoyed it enough that I’m sure I’ll read more by her. 
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