Welcome to Temptation (Bookcassette(r) Edition)

Rating:
Summary: Porn, pool, civic phallic symbols, and politics ...
Review: I made the mistake of reading "Faking It" first. That one took so long to get into, that I was not sure I wanted to invest any time in "Welcome to Temptation," which intorduces readers to the Dempsey family. I am sure glad I decided to throw caution to the wind. I just loved this book! It is the story of two sisters who come to town to make a documentary, and end up unwittingly making a porno film and falling for upstanding pillars of the community.

The characters of Sophie and Phin are so well drawn out and sexy, that they jump from the page. There is also a lot of attention to detail for the secondary characters - they are all so well fleshed out. The initial "romantic" encounter between Sophie and Phin is the stuff that romance dramas thrive on, and I had misgivings at first (I thought I was reading a Harlequin romance novel), but then Crusie hooked me in with her inventive prose (and more inventive imagination). And she has a great knack for Dusty Springfield and goofy movie quotes (I found myself trying to guess the movie too!)

Crusie brings a mixture of romance, emotion, mystery and plotting to tell an engaging story of how two lost people manage to find each other in a storm of controversy. And let's face it, porn, pool, phallic symbols, and politics make for good storytelling.

I do not understand why Hollywood has not discovered her stories instead of churning out remake after remake of really bad television.


Rating:
Summary: Deliver me to Temptation
Review: The arrival of the somewhat bent Dempsey sisters to the small town of Temptation, Ohio starts a with a car accident right at the town line. It continues like a chemical reaction gone awry to create upheaval in Temptation. Small-film producer Sophie Dempsey meets small-town mayor Phin Tucker, the preppy, cool, pool-playing single father who is bored with his life and the prospect of another term, but determined to win just the same. Only in town for a few days, Sophie's humiliating high-school loss of virginity to another preppy "town boy" doesn't stop her from being attracted to Phin and succumbing to a one-night stand. Despite his coolness, when it comes to seduction and sex, this man has imagination and skills. The sex scenes are simultaneously laugh-out-loud funny and sizzling hot. And though I know nothing about billiards, the pool scenes are just as good. There are lots of other characters to love, just as strongly drawn as Sophie and Phin. Crusie's dialog is some of the best I have read and her insight into small-town dynamics and her matchless ability to keep her characters moving and growing - and keep me laughing -- makes for an immensely enjoyable book. I picked this up in print, and am currently listening to the book on tape. It is a keeper and a re-reader. This is a "pre-quel" to Faking it which features Davy Dempsey. As a New Yorker, I love living vicariously in her small towns, and I hope Crusie does another book in Temptation, or another Dempsey book, this time with Amy Dempsey and Wes Mazur. I also hope to see re-prints of her older books, which are not available in Massachusetts libraries and are selling for ridiculously high prices used.

I think WTT is Crusie's best but also loved Fast Women, liked Tell me Lies, Manhunting and Crazy for You. If you've run through all the Crusie titles, you may also like Rachel Gibson and MaryJanice Davidson.


Rating:
Summary: Started Slow but Quickly Made Up for it
Review: It took me a while to get into this book. I felt like it just was moving way to slow, but once the relations between Sophie and Phinneas began the story made up for its slow start. So many crazy things happened to Sophie and her sister on their visit to tiny Temptation, Ohio where they are filming a video which may or may not be X rated. This book takes on so many twists and turns but what ultimetly got me hooked was the passion between Sophie and Phinneas. Deff. a guilty pleasure type novel.

Rating:
Summary: My favorite book of all time!
Review: The writing is so witty and edgy. The characters are smart and funny. It is nearly the perfect romance book. You won't be able to put it down!

Rating:
Summary: Absolute Immersion Fiction Therapy
Review: I picked up Faking It as my first Jennifer Crusie title, just curious what everyone was raving about. I enjoy the romance genre among others, but was absolutely floored by this two-part story of the Dempsey family. The quality of Crusie's writing is phenomenal, the artfully crafted plot and absolute veracity of the characters' inner monologues and develpment were enthralling. I cannot recommend these books highly enough. And when you're through with Temptation and Faking It (roughly 2 sleepless nights), move right on to Bet Me and be sure it's the best gamble you'll ever take.

Rating:
Summary: Nothing but good things ahead!
Review: This book never forgets this very important statement! Loved it, couldn't put it down. Pack romance, bad characters, good characters, a who-done-it and family in a story and you have this book! I look forward to reading others by Ms Crusie! Bravo!

Rating:
Summary: READ THIS BOOK!
Review: My genre is romance. It takes a lot for a book to really please me in this department and Welcome to Temptation was over the top. I have never enjoyed a book more in my life! It was witty, funny, SEXY, and intriguing. The characters are well developed and easy to relate to. The plot is easy to follow and keeps you hooked. If you do not read this book, you have missed out on one of the greatest pleasures life has to offer.

Rating:
Summary: I could read this one over and over again
Review: Ms. Crusie is an amazing author. She developes characters that you can believe, that are humerous, and entertaining. She creates a story that is always orginal, maybe a little far-fetched, but written in a way that you might believe something like that could actually happen to you. Well at least for a few minutes. Sophie is one of those characters that you can feel sorry for, root for, hope for, and can even respect a little. Sophie is the perfect example of Ms. Crusie's ability to create, and convey to her readers her characters perfectlly.

This is a novel that explores small towns, theirs secrets, their streotypes, and their romance. I enjoyed reading about how Sophie dealt with all of this as well as how she handeled her family which really couldn't be too much more unnerving for her. I would recommend this read to anyone.

Enjoy!

Rating:
Summary: The best of the genre
Review: You can't go wrong with this contemporary romance. Great plot, terrific characters and hilarious to boot. I have read and re-read this one. A keeper!