Jennifer Crusie

Okay so a lot of the fat phobia - internalized and external - didn't age well BUT this really had some great writing and some really smart observations. Crusie amazes me. Also, in case you can't tell THIS IS A SEX BET BOOK. So fair warning because I Hate Bet Books. They hurt my heart and make me cry but I was already committed to this book prior to figuring that out (I know it's called Bet Me but I am not smart). So, for me, the bet-trope worked so fucking well in this book than in any other show more bet book I've read.

There was SO MUCH DIALOGUE and that was really difficult to get into at first. Like, so many people are talking to one another constantly - which was kind of genius - but was a big shift for my brain. There is a large cast of characters that I did have some problems remembering well. BUT I actually think this would have made an amazing movie (or audioplay). Like is Jennifer Crusie a secret-screenwriter? Because it felt like I was reading a film - in a good way! I loved the epilogue - a tie for favorite epilogues with Kristen Callihan's The Hot Shot.

ps. is that chair scene an homage to Judith Ivory's Untie My Heart? Because I know Crusie loves Ivory! Also, am I going to make Judith Ivory connections appear whenever convenient? Yes. I am. show less

Bet Me
5 Stars

After her boyfriend criticizes her weight and dumps her for not sleeping with him, Minerva Dodd swears off men. Likewise, Cal Morrisey is taking a hiatus from women after his former girlfriend gives him an ultimatum - marriage or nothing. Unfortunately for Min and Cal, fate has other plans and before they know it, all bets are off and they find themselves falling for one another despite their best-laid plans . . .

This book had me smiling from beginning to end.

Min and Cal's show more opposites attract romance is simply delightful. Their sizzling chemistry and witty banter light up the pages. Crusie also manages to avoid the irritating keeping secrets trope as Min is aware of the infamous bet from the start and it even becomes a running gag in the story.

The secondary characters are just as wonderful from Min's posse, Bonnie and Liza, to Cal's best buds, Roger and Tony. Each and everyone is fleshed out well and contributes to the overall charm of the story. Even the annoying Cynthy and obnoxious David have a role to play in this engaging tale.

Deanna Hurst's narration of the audiobook is first-rate although deeper voices for the male characters would not have been amiss.

All in all, this one is a definite re-read in the making. show less

Jennifer Crusie and Bob Mayer are back?!?!?! Hot Damn!

And this is exactly what I hoped for -- great characters, family drama, hijinks, and small town politics. I loved it. Things I particularly loved:

1: Liz setting boundaries with loved ones. This is a beautiful thing to see, and it's modeled in current ways of speech, which I also really appreciate.

2: Liz's peripatetic life also seems very on the nose for young people nowadays (god I feel old) -- working out of her car, freelancing -- I show more wish that wasn't the way things are, but I love that she acquires a fairy godcelebrity.

3: I think the cops should ask Bob to be their marketing manager and trainer. Vince definitely softens my feelings towards them, although the gun scenarios are terrifying. I really appreciate that he flat out talks about not stopping women and minorities unless there's a real safety issue because he knows that they have something to fear.

4: I love the quirks -- Liz's adoration of diners and vintage t-shirts -- so great.

Anyway, delicious, as always. Welcome back! show less

I read this book shortly after it came out in 2004 and loved it, as did my best friend. I decided to re-visit it (on audio this time), and after a slow start, I found I still enjoyed it. It's a rom-com about two very different people who find themselves continually thrown together, sometimes by chance and sometimes on purpose. The body positivity theme may be a bit over-done, but there is a scene at a family dinner that is worth the entire read - so funny and happy-sigh-inducing. A fun, show more breezy read that reminded me why I came to love Jennifer Crusie's books.

3.5 stars show less