Rating: 
Summary: Bet on Crusie!
Review: This woman has never let me down...Her writing is always hilarious and tightly plotted, and the characters are always quirky and loveable. And to correct a glaring mistake made in some readers' comments on this book: CAL DID NOT MAKE THE BET. Minn's scum of an ex-boyfriend did. To everyone else: Buy the book. You won't be disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: Crusie is always worth the read
Review: I enjoyed this latest from Jenny as much as her previous work. Go ahead, indulge. Looking forward to anything by Jenny!
Rating: 
Summary: 4 3/4 stars of fun
Review: Heroine: voluptuous Actuary Minerva Dobbs is short a date for her sister's wedding, thanks to her no-good low-down boyfriend dumping her at just the wrong time, all because she wouldn't fall into bed with him. Her erstwhile almost-lover then bets notorious womanizer Calvin Morrissey $10,000 that Cal can't charm her into bed within a month. But beware a woman scorned! Min's onto their scheme and figures she can string handsome Cal along and get a meal or two, a date for that darn wedding, and the last laugh out of their little game. Trouble is, her heart, or at least her loins, tell her she wants this guy for real, but her so-sensible mind points out that nice "white-cotton-panty-and-bra-set" girls do not--can not--keep this kind of Adonis for life. And wager aside, the odds are stacked against their making it in the long term: He's beautiful; she's not. He's all charm, she's no-nonsense. He's triple fudge, she's plain vanilla. And don't even get them started on which Elvis is better. But will common sense win out over their hearts' desires? Don't bet on it.
What worked for me: I thought this story was sweet and funny and felt like a Meg Ryan movie. And while some readers might feel like the plot was contrived in spots, I myself was fine with that for the most part. After all, keeping the hero and heroine out of each other's arms only raises the stakes and the tension. I, too, know the heartache of trying and failing to make Chicken Marsala "heart smart". Just can't be done. I don't want to give it away, but the epilogue made this particular curvy gal smile. It was perfect for the reader who requires her story be tied up in a neat little package with a perfect bow. Size-wise Min is very voluptuous, like an old 50s pinup and then some. I love that Cal loved her curves and stood up for her, reassuring Min that she could both be beautiful and eat bread and butter.
What didn't work for me: I was so hungry after reading this book! What parents these people had. Poor Cal and Min! I wasn't entirely sold on all of their friends, either. I was didn't mind it, but some folks who are looking for a story along the lines of "Welcome to Temptation" might find most of this one too tame for them. Still, stick it out. It gets rather interesting at the end.
Overall:
"Bet Me" is just begging for a production company to take a gamble on it and make it into a movie. (I wonder if Drew Barrymore or Christina Ricci is available for the lead?) (...) . If you liked "Bet Me" you might also enjoy "Crazy For You", "Some Girls Do", "Heaven in Your Eyes", "Fast Women", "Name Dropping", "Welcome to Temptation", "Faking It", "Switcheroo", "Plum Girl", "Infernal Affairs", or "Princess Charming".
Rating:
Summary: mikeknox.com
Review: Cal bets his booze hounds buddies that he can get his ex booty call into bet and goes so far as to bet them 10 grand he can do it in a month. Cal is such a heel. I mean doesn't he know how many [prostitutes] he can get in TJ for 10 grand and I really don't think he has the money. His best friend Jules told me that he's going to have to borrow it from his Target visa if he loses.
Rating:
Summary: Likeable, but not loveable
Review: This is my 1st Crusie novel and I liked it... didn't absolutely love it the way I have some other "chick lit", though. I liked the sexual tension between Min & Cal that builds up throughout the book. It makes the physical act that much sweeter and more fulfilling for the reader when it happens. The food obsession and carb count that others have complained about parallels this point and is also today's reality. It's all about carbs these days and denying yourself guilty pleasures like bread and Krispy Kremes. When you finally allow yourself these luxuries, you appreciate them in a new and special way. The first chapter, although essential for understanding the bet, doesn't grab your attention. Once you get past that though, it begins to pick up and hooks you in. I also agree that there are some unlikeable and meddling peripheral characters, but they are necessary for the conflict in the story and sometimes add humor to the scenes. One *minor* thing that bothered me while reading this was how Crusie shortens the character's names: Min & Cal, in particular, but it also extended to include Cyn and others. As if these characters didn't have dreadful enough names to begin with. All in all, it is a fun, enjoyable read. Just don't take it all too seriously.
Rating:
Summary: Delightful read with full figured heroine and devilsh hero
Review: I loved this book! The characters Min and Cal are delightful in their battle to fight their attraction and resist love. She has a controlling mom who has programmed her to hate her roundness. He is a serial dater with a determined Ex who wants him back. She is sassy and talks back. He gives as good as she does. The banter. The dialog. The sexiness without explicit sex- the friendships and depth of characters and cast make this one a must read and read again! Jennifer Crusie is the voice for single women over 30 who want the fairytale and the unreality of reality that goes along with it.Primo! And can I say bravo to Crusie for another book with a couple who are happy as non-breeders- this is so rare which is why they stand out. Not all women want kids- nor do all men. They do like Krispy Kreme donuts though!
Rating: 
Summary: Not her best work
Review: Generally speaking, I have thoroughly enjoyed all of Crusie's books. That being said, I was a bit disappointed in her latest work. While the references to Krispy Kreme doughnuts were funny (to a point), it seems as though Min would have straightened her mother out a long time ago regarding her food choices and her weight. I also agree with some of the other reviews that this isn't Crusie's best ensemble character development. Fun to read, but not as much fun as it could have been. Let's hope she goes back to her previous self in future novels.
Rating:
Summary: 4 Stars just for being the inimitable, wonderful Crusie
Review: Jennifer Crusie is always a "sure bet." I know I'm going to be satisfactorily entertained by her book, whether or not it becomes my favorite. BET ME did that, though it's not destined to be a favorite. The entire time I was reading it, I kept seeing scenes from a made-for-TV-movie scrolling through my head. As one other reader said, any other author would have gotten 5 stars. But I've read ALL of Crusie's other books and know that this is not her best. Is it good? Oh yes. Did I laugh out loud? Several times. Did I feel the heat? Quite nicely. There are so many good things to say about it, and I liked all the characters I was supposed to like, and disliked the undeserving, and being on Atkins myself, commiserated with Min about the carbs (though I kept saying EAT THE BUTTER, IT'S OKAY!)I just couldn't quite get over the feeling it was written to be a TV movie instead of a book. I hope it does come out on film. Kate Winslett would be great as Min. Nothing will deter me from eagerly awaiting Ms Crusie's next book, however. She is consistently entertaining, and one of the best authors in today's market. BET ME is a good book that I enjoyed thoroughly, though it did not take me away like her others have done. No one can do that quite like Crusie.
Rating:
Summary: Best bet for a great read
Review: Romantic, funny and sweet -- the perfect weekend read. I was a little disappointed with Jennifer Crusie's last book, but this was a delight from beginning to end.
Rating:
Summary: A delightful book
Review: Bet Me by Jennifer Crusie is a fairy tale come to life. Minerva Dobbs gets dumped and overhears a bet that (...) Calvin Morrisey makes about her going to dinner with him. The dinner doesn't go very well but they keep getting thrown together. Bet me is a delightful read form beginning to end. Love is never easy but Min and Cal show us it's worth it. Bet me is a keeper and a favorite.
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