Rating: 
Summary: What Happened?
Review: I eagerly waited for the eighth installment of my favorite character, Stephanie Plum, but wished I'd passed on this one. How many cars need to blow up before Stephanie realizes she stinks at her job and should look into something else? Like at least trying to get better at it. While the mystery was intriguing, where was the personal story that most of us love to read about? It's time for Stephanie to grow, get out of the burg and live a little with a real romance with Ranger. Does Ranger strike you as the kind of guy who would show up to collect on his debt after a regular day at the office when Stephanie looks like a bum? Ho hum over in two paragraphs and that's the end of that. What a dissappointment. I thought he was more intriguing than that. He would kill someone to save her but wants no emotional committment and tells her to repair her relationship with Morelli? I didn't buy it. There needed to be more conflict for her. He made the decision too easy to go back to Morelli. I read the book but now wished I'd waited until it came out in paperback. And Steph lay off the doughnuts and get dressed up once in a while. You looked like a bum the entire book! Why would either one of them want to be involved with you?
Rating: 
Summary: FUN AS ALWAYS. FUNNY AS ALWAYS
Review: I just finished Hard Eight. I loved it. Not much of a mystery here, but it was very exciting. I laughed out loud through the entire book. The ending of the three main plot lines were all kind of quick and almost a let down, but getting there is more than half the fun with Evanovich. If you are looking for an enjoyable read then look no further. I agree with other reviewers that you shouldn't start the series here. Start with book one. If you are a returning fan, I think you will enjoy yourself with this one. It is really great to see Steph's family getting involved a little. Mom was great. Maybe we'll see some more. >Mike
Rating: 
Summary: Another Great Ride!
Review: Strap yourself in for another wild ride with Stephanie Plum, laughing and engaged through all the twists and turns. Read it by the pool after a new novel that our book club picked up, Shade of the Maple by Kirk Martin. Janet Evanovich makes me laugh, Kirk Martin makes me cry. Perfect complements. Can't wait for NINE!!
Rating: 
Summary: From I Love Lucy to the Perils of Paulien
Review: I very much enjoy the series and have re-read ever book at least twice. Its smart, funny and a slice of American culture most of us never get to see (Newark). Unfortunatly, in attempting to grow and evolve the main character "Stephanie", Ms. Evanovich seems to have droped what made the character so apealing. We went from a great character who could get herself in an out of trouble faster then you can wink into a more helpless character that has everyone else (including her mother) constantly having to save her. All in all the book was a disappointment. The last couple of books in the series I pre-ordered just to make sure I could read it as soon as it came out. Next time I think I'll just wait until it's available at the local library.
Rating:
Summary: Hard Eight
Review: Not as good as the first seven novels. It all wrapped up in the last 2 pages, making you feel rather let down. The characters didn't seem as "real" in this book.
Rating:
Summary: Old jokes getting a little tired
Review: I have to admit I didn't like this book as well as earlier ones. Frankly, I'm getting tired of the cars blowing up. Let it die already. And I'm also getting tired of Stephanie being such a klutz. I never cared for the old horror movies where everybody says, don't go down the basement, there's a monster there, and immediately the stupid heroine wanders off to the bassement. Stephanie wanders off to the basement by herself over, and over, and over.... Yawn. And it seems to me that anyone with an IQ over 32 would put some bullets in her gun and keep it where she could get at it if she was receiving this level of threat. But the biggest disappointment to me was the handling of the whole Ranger romance thing. I realize that Morelli is to be Stephanie's destiny. But I thought Ranger might get a book or two. But no. It's wishy-wash, wishy-wash, fireworks (for less than a page) and then run back to Morelli. Phooey! To sum it all up, the jokes are wearing thin. Stephanie needs to start being slightly more competent.
Rating:
Summary: Another hit
Review: I just finished "Hard Eight." Thank you Janet. My only regret... now I have to wait another 362 days for "Nine."
Rating:
Summary: Stephanie Plum Is My Hero
Review: I loved this book. I have read all of the books in the series and this one did not disappoint me. It lived up to all of my expectations. It had humor, action, and some romance (I felt the need to smoke a cigarette). The villian in the book was disturbing. But, I do not think that hurt the book at all. I think it gave the book some depth that may have been missing from a few of the earlier books. My only complaint is that I have to wait approximately 2 more years for the ninth book!!!
Rating:
Summary: IT IS TIME TO MOVE TO THE NEXT LEVEL!!!
Review: As with many fans of Ms. Evanovich, I could not wait for the next book to be released. I raced to the bookstore to buy it. I did not take a break for food or water or bio break as I wanted to read the book straight through. The humour and Laugh Out Loud lines or retorts are ever present and sprinkled in the story right when you need them. I was a bit disappointed that with book "eight" Stephanie has not gone beyond the predictable disasters and chases. What makes Ms. Evanovich work's so much fun and appealing is the obsurdity of the event, the unusual, the unpredictable, regardless of the degree or severity of it. I think it is time for Stephanie to make a commitment and let the adventures move to the next level. I still can't wait for the next book. Hope we don't have to wait until next summer.
Rating:
Summary: She Just Get's Funnier!
Review: Stephanie is just so classic. The dorky things that happen to her could happen to any of us. I know I would end up getting stuck with the "dough boy". She has picked up a new "helper", she blows up a couple cars, she has great sex, (I won't say with who, but I was definatley rooting for him! She is stalked again, there was not quite so much with Grandma which I liked because a little goes along way. Although the seen where they have someone expose themself in front of her is great. I think my favorite part is where she feeds the geese. Don't wait, buy it! It is hilarious, everything is in this one!! It was definatley worth the wait.
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