Rating: ![2 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-2-0.gif) Summary: A Dud Review: Like many other readers, I bought this because I enjoy the Plum series. If I had the talent of Janet Evanovich, I would have kept this one buried. It is not funny, but it is trite. Save your money.
Rating: ![3 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-3-0.gif) Summary: Light and Fun for Romance Fans, Mystery Fans Beware. Review: "Full House" by Janet Evanovich is a re-printed and re-written version of an early romance novel by the author of the hugely popular Stephanie Plum mystery series. And in my opinion, it's because of the fact that the majority of the people buying this book are mystery fans, not romance fans, that "Full House" has gotten such a bad reputation. It is mismarketing by the publisher and bookstores to house this book in the mystery section, which was where I found it, but as light and fluffy romances go, "Full House" is not half bad. And this book is undeniably a romance novel. As far as a rating goes, I'm wavering between three and four stars. I honestly did enjoy the story and found myself completely entertained by this light and amusing tale. But there were a few things that took away from my enjoyment, most notably, the atrocious editing job. There were glaring errors scattered liberally throughout the book, including the changing of some main characters names! I'd like to give "Full House" four stars, because I really did like it, but because of the markedly poor editing I'm dropping it down to three (if I could I'd compromise with ***1/2)."Full House" tells the story of Billie Pearce, a divorced mother of two who finds herself lonely and bored when her children go away on vacation with their father. Deciding to try something new, Billie signs up for polo lessons. The actual polo is a disaster, but her polo instructor, wealthy playboy Nick Kaharchek, is another story. After having her foot stomped on by a horse, Billie is taken to the hospital by Nick, and their fascination with one another begins. Used to sophisticated and snobby women, Nick is drawn to the lovely, warm, and real Billie. And Billie finds Nick irresistible, though she's sure a handsome, rich, and exciting man like him would never be interested in her. But there is an intense chemistry that sparks between them, that neither Nick nor Billie can deny, and they begin a fun, romantic, and somewhat unusual courtship. Things start to get crazy when Nick convinces Billie to let his cousin Deedee stay with her until her upcoming wedding, and Billie inherits a redheaded whirlwind! Billie finds Deedee utterly exhausting, and quite annoying, not to mention the presence of her enormous fiancé, wrestler Frankie the assassin. Billie's not quite sure how things got so out of control, but she knows that Nick Kaharchek is to blame. Not that she's able to stay mad at him. And Nick has lots of problems worse than Deedee, including her cousin Max, a young genius in hiding on Nick's vast property, on a mission that involves blowing things up and generally running amok. Billie finds this a little frightening, but she has other things to worry about too, like Nick's jealous and nasty ex-fiancée. Add in Billie's bug-killing neighbour and a touch of mystery near the end, and you have yourself an offbeat, light, and pleasant romance. There isn't a whole lot of conflict between the main characters, nor in the story as a whole, really. It's just a quick and fun read that can be read, enjoyed and then most likely forgotten. "Full House" isn't a fabulous, standout novel, but it's not awful either. My advice is that even if you're a big Evanovich fan; if you don't like romances, don't read this book. But if you enjoy romances and non-demanding, feel-good tales then "Full House" is worth the read.
Rating: ![1 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-1-0.gif) Summary: Talk about cashing in on Plum readers! Review: This is an old book that was "reworked" and, IMHO, Ms. E should have let sleeping dogs lie. The author appears to have done this reworking to give we Plum fans "more of the same." Sorry, but this is so NOT that. I suppose if I was a fan of romance novels, this may have been a pleasant enough way to pass a few hours, but I'm not. For a while, I wasn't even sure I was going to be able to finish it. Granted, the last half isn't as bad as the first, but if this is what the author thinks readers of the Plum series want, I will be very wary of buying any more non-Plum Evanovich novels after having read this one.
Rating: ![1 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-1-0.gif) Summary: I felt cheated after starting to read this book...... Review: I felt cheated after buying this book and starting to read it. It was horrible. And yes, I knew this was an early work, but I can't believe Janet Evanovich wasn't just putting this one out for the money. IT STANK. The characters were flatter than cartoons. It was ripe with cliche's. I agree, you definitely could see how far Janet has come with the Stephanie Plum books, but I thought her re-writing this would be better than it was. I could have written a better book than this. I had the urge to rewrite it every time I picked it up. I finally stopped picking it up and never finished it. I can't believe she did this to her fans.
Rating: ![2 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-2-0.gif) Summary: dull easy read Review: Billie, lead character, late 30s age crisis (steriotype) with 2 kids a cat and a dog, attracts the attention of local rich guy Max (somehow). I had this vision of Billy being frumpy until about half way through the book where her size is mentioned when she is buying a dress, I just could not undo my previous vision and she had to remain frumpy until the end (for me). It a very easy read. Problem is, because Billie is dull it makes the book a bit dull. If you don't want to be challenged, and like a romatic read, this is the book for you.
Rating: ![2 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-2-0.gif) Summary: Boring Boring Boring Review: I happen to really like Evanovich's "Stephanie Plum" series, so I decided to pick up this book. After reading it, and it was a struggle to read, I can only say I am glad I didn't pay hardcover prices to read one of my favorite authors. Ms. Evanovich has let me down. The book obviously didn't make the bestsellers list years ago - but now - the author is marketing it again....why, probably because she has a following who buys her books. Well, if the next book isn't any better than this.............I'll probably decide to read a few chapters in the bookstore before investing the money (hardcover OR paperback).
Rating: ![1 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-1-0.gif) Summary: Full of What? Review: This book was sophomoric, dull and an insult to all the loyal readership of Janet Evanovich. I am very disapponted. A waste of money.
Rating: ![1 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-1-0.gif) Summary: Life is too short and I am too old . . . Review: Like many others, I purchased this book based on the fact that I enjoy the Stephanie Plum books . . . let's face it, they are not literature, they are a fun read and allow me to escape for a few hours on a weekend. Full House on the other hand was a waste of time . . . Did others wonder, as I did, what could have persuaded Evanovich to agree to the rewrite and the republishing of this book? I finally skipped to the last two pages and then put the book in the bag for the charity book sale at work (for 25cents --- it's not a bad buy at that price!) Hopefully Evanovich visits this page and reads these reviews . . .
Rating: ![1 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-1-0.gif) Summary: I'm so disappointed Review: After reading through all eight stephanie plum novels in the course of a week and a half this summer, I eagerly snatched up Full House at the book store, grateful for a "fix" before the next plum novel. I'm so sorry to say that it certainly did not meet my expectations. The relationship between the two main characters was boring and implausible. I didn't grow to like either one of them. I liked some of the secondary characters but they were not a big enough part of the book to carry it off. I am hoping that this book is not a hint of what is to come with future stephanie plum novels. I will be very sad.
Rating: ![4 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-4-0.gif) Summary: A lot of laughs Review: Well, I've read many of the other reviews, and you can see by my rating that I have a different take. If you read this book expecting a mystery, you will be disappointed. However, I definitely think this book is in the Plum tradition like the author claims. After all, the mysteries in the Plum novels often seem to take a backseat to the crazy characters as far as I can tell. True, this book is predictable. That's why I gave it 4 stars instead of 5. But predictable doesn't mean boring. The secondary characters were very, very funny. If you're like me and enjoy a wide variety of stories, then you should check this book out. It will make you laugh. If the mere mention of the word romance makes you break out in a cold sweat, then you might want to steer clear.
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