Rating: 
Summary: Not very original
Review: I thought that the book was a lot like a bunch of other books all smashed together. The family was a LOT like Stephanie Plum's family by Evanovich. They were humorous, but I had seen them before. The dialog was funny in places and stilted in places. I did think that some parts were very humorous, but I didn't find it very original.
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Summary: want a romance that's really funny?
Review: I thought this story was hilarious!! If you are a Janet Evanovich and Jennifer Crusie fan, and you enjoyed "My Big Fat Greek Wedding", you'll LOVE this book. I am so glad I found this author!!And don't miss "What to do about Annie" and "The trials of Angela", the delightful sequels!
Rating: 
Summary: eh........
Review: I was really looking forward to reading "The trouble With Mary"..but I have to say that I was left disappointed. I just couldnt get into the characters..and I found that their relationship lacked chemistry and was too rushed to be believable. This was an ok story, but I dont think Id buy another Millie Criswell.
Rating: 
Summary: Been there, done that
Review: I'm afraid I just didn't see the appeal in this book. The only reason I finished it was because I was hoping that it would get better (it didn't) and because I was amazed at the (lack of) plot. I agree with the reviewer who said that it was a lot like J. Evanovich's Stephanie Plum family, but it didn't hook me as those did. It was like a bad episode of those old Batman TV shows with all of that Zing! and Zam! going on. Sorry--there were too many bad cliches and too many predictable events. I'll pass on the next one.
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Summary: A totally delightful romantic romp
Review: In Baltimore, Mary Russo wonders about her future now that she is unemployed after her boss committed suicide. Cooking in the pizza shop allowed her to escape the Italian tirades of her mother and grandmother, mostly harping over her unmarried state. However, for some unknown reason, even to herself, Mary decides to take a risk for the first time by opening up her own Italian restaurant in spite of her mother's gloom and doom prediction of sure failure. Baltimore Sun sports reporter Dan Gallagher has waited ten years to become the department's editor, but instead nepotism keeps him from obtaining the job he covets. He is offered the food section, which he accepts so he is home with his traumatized little boy recently dumped on him by his ex-wife. When Dan rips Mary's restaurant apart in his review, sparks fly, of which some tend towards love while others incline towards tearing his skin for his unkind words. THE TROUBLE WITH MARY is warm, often amusing ethnic romance. The story line is funny and fun as Mary copes with her dying matriarchal relatives as well as Dan and his hurting son. The characters clearly make the tale although some readers might feel the stereotyping is overdone while others will recognize parents and grandparents among the pages. Other romance authors will state that the trouble with Millie is that her abundant talent allows her to gracefully switch from her trademark historical to the contemporary sub-genre. Harriet Klausner
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Summary: There's something troubling Mary Russo...
Review: It's not her large Italian family. It's not her new restaurant. It's a certain food critic who obviously has no taste buds! After all, what does an Irishman know about Italian cooking? She's not going to let his gorgeous green eyes distract her from the fact he's a pain in her well-rounded butt! Dan Gallagher, ex-sports writer turned food critic, has annoyed Mary Russo. But as she reads him the riot-act, he realizes annoyance looks good on her. Lucky for him just about everything he does annoys her even more. Why, when he finally proposes, she's more annoyed than ever. Women! Who can figure them out?? Certainly not him. The Trouble With Mary is a delightful family portrait. You'll fall in love with the Russo clan, from their opinionated mama, to their shoplifting grandma. And you'll know that Dan and Mary are a match made in heaven. The Trouble is...once you pick up the book you won't be able to set it down until it's done! I can't wait for What to do About Annie!!
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Summary: What a great story!
Review: Mary Russo is a 33-year-old virgin who has been hounded by her Italian mother and grandmother to find a man. She's doing her best to ignore them. In an effort to assert her independence, she finally decides to open up her own Italian restaurant. The hero is Dan Gallagher, a single father who works at the Baltimore Sun. He's been a sportswriter for 15 years and is hoping to become the sports editor when the job he wants (and deserves) goes to the owner's nephew. He's assured this is only temporary and is given the job as the food editor and restaurant critic. His first assignment is to determine the winner of the contest for the best-tasting ground beef recipe. Since Dan dabbles in cooking, this is so distasteful to him he's afraid that if Gourmet or Bon Appetit find out they'll cancel his subscriptions. His first assignment as restaurant critic is to review Mary's new Italian eatery -- problem is, he HATES Italian food. Can you see where this is going ???? Instant conflict! The well-drawn secondary characters enhance the story. From Mary's parents, to her grandmother, to her best friend, Annie, to her brother Joe, the local parish priest, and assorted cousins, aunts, and uncles, every one of them adds to this delightful story. A particularly endearing character is Dan's son, Matt, a precocious child who would rather eat pizza than his father's gourmet creations. Dan has just obtained full custody of the eight-year-old after his ex-wife decided she wasn't cut out to be a mother. Criswell deftly handles the aspects of Matt's feelings of abandonment as well as Dan's feelings of inadequacy as a father. In one scene Mary has finally moved into her own apartment and her grandmother has given her a statue of the Virgin Mary as a housewarming gift. Her friend Annie tells her, "Maybe you ought to consider moving it into the bathroom... Two virgins in one bedroom is too much to ask of any healthy, heterosexual male." Readers will be turning the pages at a feverish pace to see if soon there's one less virgin in her apartment. Even if Dan and Mary consummate their relationship, will there be a future for them? Will her parents accept an Irish son-in-law into this tight Italian family? Will Mary change her mind about not wanting to settle down? Known for her historical romances, Millie Criswell has really found her voice in romantic comedy and it's lucky for readers that she has. This is a hoot. It's Janet Evanovich without the mystery elements. In addition to a fabulously entertaining read, Criswell has readers' mouth's drooling over more than just the hero - she has added recipes at the beginning of each chapter. Reading just doesn't get much better than this. Criswell's writing is as smooth as the filling of a "Better than Sex Cream Puff" (recipe included). Readers will anxiously await Annie's story in the summer, WHAT TO DO ABOUT ANNIE. Reviewed by Maudeen Wachsmith for Heart Rate Reviews
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Summary: I couldn't put this book down
Review: Mary Russo is a single Italian woman in her 30's who is stuck in a rut. When her employer commits suicide, it forces her to take a look at her life and she realizes she needs more than what she has. So she takes a chance and opens an Italian restauraunt and names it after her mother. The trouble is..the restaurant gets a scathing review by the local newspaper and Mary is outraged and decides to head to the paper to confront the food critic face to face. Meet the food editor, well, temporary food critic, Dan Gallagher. Dan was the sports writer until circumstances caused him to take the food critic job, but just temporarily. He hates Italian food, so when he has to review Mary Russo's restaurant he has less than favorable remarks. What happens is something neither one expects....there is chemistry between them. This was a great book, with some great recipes thrown in between the chapters.
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Summary: Lighthearted and fun!
Review: Millie Criswell has written a very enjoyable book. It takes you through the life of two pretty average people and how a relationship can really mess up the balance. It also gives a an accurate portrayal of the angst a "good catholic" girl goes through in today's modern society. Additionally, the Russo family is unique enough to keep you turning the pages to see what they will say or do next. Finally, Mary is a great heroine because she is real. I fully identify with her, and I am sure we all know someone just like her! Read this book if you are looking for a romantic story that can actually happen!
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Summary: Mary is Simply Adorable
Review: Millie Criswell's is definitely an impressive writer. The story of Mary Russo and her family is a riot from beginning to end. Mary is 33 years of age and has a typical family who butts in on her life with comments like: it's time you got married and have children, you're too fat, you're too thin, you think too much, you should do it like this, listen to your mama, we know what's best for you. But Mary has a revelation after her boss commits suicide and has decided to do things her way for change. She has finally come into her own independence. Mary decides she's going to live her life the way she wants (but no matter what happens in life you're family is always gonna be there interfering whether you want them to or not) Mary moves out of parents home, purchases a restaurant and after confronting the newspaper food critic (Dan Gallagher) who gives her restaurant a bad review she realizes this is the man of her dreams, one who finds her appealing just as she is. I loved Mary and her meddling family, along with Dan's son who is a good kid with problems but changes after the influence of Mary and her wonderful family. The novel is just plain funny. As Mary's relationship grows with Dan, Mary finally comes into her own and finds a love she never believed possible. I'm sure you probably know someone who matches every character mentioned in the novel. You will definitely find this novel to be entertaining and you will most certainly find yourself laughing out loud at the most inappropriate times, but never mind that, go out and get this novel because you'll love it. Can't wait until the continuation "What to Do About Annie". Good Luck Ms. Criswell - - we want more!!!!
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