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: Susan Elizabeth Phillips to Jennifer Crusie...Way to go! Review: I read BET ME in one sitting and I can't tell you how many times it made me laugh out loud. Loved the characters, loved the dialogue, loved every word. I wish Jenny weren't a friend of mine so this review would appear unbiased, but, fact is, I'd have loved this book even if she weren't my friend. I've never been a big suspense reader, so I yearn for great big romances, and this one fits the bill. Just plain fun, and in today's world, that's a precious commodity. Thanks, Pal, for one heck of a good time. (Sourpusses, steer clear. You're going to hate this book.)
Rating: Summary: My very first Jennifer Crusie... Review: I ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS. I cannot belive that every reader on here has not rated it 5 stars! What a FUN book! I LOVED Cal. I thought he was sweet, clever, charming, and [very attractive]...and as for Min...Oh My Gosh...She was a riot! The dialogue was unbelievable! I have never read dialogue like that in my life! It sounded so real it was hard to believe that these were only two made up characters speaking and not real people!Im so sad that its over! I am so excited to have found Jennifer Crusie. I fully intend to hunt down and purchase everything I can find that she has put out there... "Bet Me" is one book that I will be reading over, and over, and over...A DEFINITE KEEPER.
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: I loved it! Review: This book is great! I started it and couldn't put it down til I was finished. I have read all of Jennifer Crusie's books and I found this one to be written in her same funny, sexy style. I especially love her female lead characters, they always seem so real and likeable. This book is a great summer 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.
|