Rating: 
Summary: If this were another author, I'd rate it five stars
Review: Don't get me wrong. I highly recommend this book because Jennifer Crusie is among a very small circle of writers who are consistently funny. The caliber of her writing transcends the romance genre. Add in her ability to write comic, yet sexy love scenes and the circle grows even smaller. If this were the first Crusie I was reading, I'd be jumping up and down for joy in discovering this writer. She's that good.I read "Bet Me" in one setting, and I enjoyed it. It's funny and witty and fast-paced. The small feeling of dissatisfaction I felt after reading it was the sense that the story could have been more. This is a return to a more romance-focused story than Crusie's later efforts and I missed that a little. The subplots involving Harry/Bink/Reynolds and Diana/Greg weren't as fully developed as Crusie's usual subplots, which are often so strong they threaten to overwhelm the major plot, but in a good way. I missed that in this book and I think Crusie missed the boat. The romance between Min and Cal wasn't enough story. It needed these subplots. The characters were there, the hint of conflict was there, Crusie had my interest but then their stories were cut short a little. That was my only complaint and it's a minor quibble.
Rating: 
Summary: All bets are off....
Review: I don't read a lot of "chick lit" -- but I do love Jennifer Cruisie. Cruisie's wit shines through in her characterization, her dialogue, and her ability to laugh at situations she's doubtless been in, through her characters' eyes. All of that seems missing from "Bet Me", her latest. I'm told it's an older manuscript that got polished for publication -- but much of what I enjoy about Cruisie's work is missing. There are no really likeable characters here, especially in the parents of lead characters Min and Calvin. In terms of romance and sexual situations, which Crusie excels at - you can get warm reading what Calvin thinks about Min, but you really can't see much real passion from any of the other characters for their various partners. The characters I hated included Cynthie, David...and I was pretty impatient with Bonnie and her outlook on fairy tale lives (although her proposal to Calvin's friend was witty)...and Crusie went on and on about Min's weight, her self-consciousness, and her carb count. Truly, this book was an advertisement for Krispy Kreme donuts and chicken Marsala. Crusie can do much, much better, and I'm looking forward to her next work of original, and not reworked material. 2 stars - I really wouldn't bother, if I were you.
Rating: 
Summary: Kat
Review: I really enjoyed this book. As someone who has tried the low carb low fat diet, I found the food scenes particularly entertaining and very easy to relate to-I thought they added a certain amount of realism to Min's character and made Cal even more likeable(what's not to like about a man who will feed you?). The only characters I didn't like were those you weren't supposed to-Cal's Mom, Min's Mom, Greg, and Cal's Brother, but you understood that they put up with them because they were family, and thats what you do with family. Overall a very entertaining novel that was a highly enjoyable read.
Rating:
Summary: Crusie hits a home run again!
Review: Some may argue about the semantics of novel writing and Crusie's application of them in "Bet Me", but I just enjoyed her colorful, hilarious characters. She comes through once again with lots of laugh-out-loud moments throughout this book. "Bet Me" definitely leans towards the more light-hearted end of Crusie's collection of novels so far, but there's nothing wrong with that! Crusie is at the top of the game of romantic comedy and REALLY funny dialogue. Another truly enjoyable read. Another Crusie keeper for me!
Rating:
Summary: WOW!
Review: I loved this book! It was funny and sweet and hot! I could not put it down! Cal and Min were so cute, determined not to be attracted to each other and constantly assuring the other that they weren't! A definite keeper!
Rating:
Summary: Fast read, lots of wit!
Review: I loved this book! I read it in an afternoon. I read some of the reviews prior to picking up the book so I was prepared to be disappointed. Crusie has the ability to do humor that few authors have achieved and she came through with this one. I'm a WWII history buff so many of the books I read are pretty heavy. Occasionally I want a light read and Crusie is one of my favorites. Why does she need to "fully develop" all the characters? I don't need an analysis, just a good time and she delivered! Read and enjoy.
Rating: 
Summary: Did we read the same book?
Review: This book was so ridiculous I couldn't finish it. The bar scenes the pick-up lines the author described were so trite and phony I felt like it must have been a flash-back to Studio 54. I honestly don't think the author has ever experienced the bar/pick-up/dating scene. It felt as though she was writing about what she thought it would be like and certainly not from any personal experience. I found the situations so unbelievable I laughed out loud. Do some research next time, Ms. Cruise because believe me you are way off base here. I gave it one star because I liked the cover. Read The Devil Wears Prada or the Nanny Diaries instead.
Rating:
Summary: LOVED THIS BOOK!
Review: I have not laughed so hard for a long time. This was my first book that I've read by Jennifer Crusie, but it certainly won't be my last. Crusie makes believable characters with more attitude, and more issues then the National Geographic. I could certainly relate to Min's overbearing mother, and her lousy luck with outfits.. well except shoes. We both have excellent taste in those! LOL.. This book was well written, and it was refreshing to have a main character who wasn't the stereotypical female romantic lead. Min is 33, curvy, and very individualistic. The book was not predictable in any way, and it didn't get bogged down in melodramatics. This is definitely going on my favorite books list!
Rating:
Summary: Take a Chance!!!!!!!!!
Review: Jennifer Crusie is the Jane Austen of Contemporary romance. This is her best book ever. It is a rollercoaster ride of fun, romance, humor, and insight. Calvin is a player, who hasn't got any idea of the kind of woman he wants, as a matter of fact, he's pretty sure he doesn't want one for keeps. Min is a today woman, her mother worries about her weight more than she does. She is independent, has close friends, and is not looking for a permenant relationship. This book has a large cast of quirky secondary characters. Every one is a jewel. I laughed so hard I almost fell out of my chair. There is not a boring, slow minute in the book. IF you are looking for an excellent way to spend some time, this is it. I loved every character, and the ending was absolutely GREAT!
Rating:
Summary: Crusie is at her BEST....
Review: Let me just say that it is 6 a.m. in the morning. I have a LOT of work to do at our business today, which will be rather difficult as I HAVEN'T BEEN TO BED BECAUSE I STAYED UP ALL NIGHT reading, "Bet Me" by Jennifer Crusie. For the first time in a LONG time, I could not put the book down! I think that it is a crime to have the Spotlight Review rating this only 2 stars!! It is one of the BEST books that I have read all year. I guess that everyone is different, but I can't believe that we were reading the same book. Jennifer Crusie's books ALL have great dialogue, but sometimes her previous books seemed just a little too "dysfunctional" in a witty kind of way. Even though "Bet Me" has its strange moments, it is a captivating book. The dialogue completely submerged me into the characters. The entire time I was reading it, I thought, "My God - that is exactly what people would say." It wasn't canned or stilted- it was funny, but more believable than any dialogue I think that I have ever read. I hope that Jennifer Crusie will write more books like this. What is truly a shame though is that the first reviewer's views are far from the majority opinion of this book. Sadly, that is what too many people will look at. This really is a book worth buying. I loved the characters and especially liked the addition of the last chapter. Excellent, excellent book.
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