Strange Bedpersons
by Jennifer Crusie
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Tess Newhart knows her ex-boyfriend Nick Jamieson isn't the right guy for her. He's caviar and champagne; she's take-out Chinese pot stickers. He's an uptight Republican lawyer; she was raised in a commune. He wants to get ahead in business; she just wants...him. But there's no way Tess will play second fiddle to his job.Yet somehow she finds herself agreeing to play his fiancée on a weekend business trip that could make or break Nick's career. And while he's trying to convince Tess that show more he needs her in his respectable world, Tess is doing her best to keep her opinions to herself and her hands off Nick.
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OK, so I read a Hqn romance. So sue me. I found this at the library as a download, was feeling lonely and depressed, and downloaded it. And wound up laughing until tears ran down my face.
It was a cute concept on the cover of the book. One that could be either mildly entertaining, or really, really bad. Sort of like the books where the whole romance thing consists of two women who get together and the a guy comes along and one of the women decide she isn't a lesbian after all, and the live happily ever - well, except for the woman who got dumped. A Republican and a Democrat go into a bar . . .
In this case, I really, really wanted to hate the Republican. But, I couldn't. And I couldn't automatically love the Democrat, either. In a way, show more they are both, together and separately, an example of what I, in all my idiot wishful thinking, think the country should try. A little give and take, and a whole lot less standing on either side of a line and throwing rocks. Nah, like THAT could ever happen.
Anyway, I am going to Amazon and buying the book, then looking to see if she has any more. Hopefully, she will have another book as funny and insightful as this one. Get it, read it, then put it on your shelf as the book you read when you are feeling blue or discouraged. Or when you just need a good laugh. Hey, the editing is even good, the sentence structure is solid, and there aren't even spelling mistakes, so all you anal grammar Nazis can get the stick out of your backsides and stop irritating the rest of us who review the whole book!
Peace out, Dudes! show less
It was a cute concept on the cover of the book. One that could be either mildly entertaining, or really, really bad. Sort of like the books where the whole romance thing consists of two women who get together and the a guy comes along and one of the women decide she isn't a lesbian after all, and the live happily ever - well, except for the woman who got dumped. A Republican and a Democrat go into a bar . . .
In this case, I really, really wanted to hate the Republican. But, I couldn't. And I couldn't automatically love the Democrat, either. In a way, show more they are both, together and separately, an example of what I, in all my idiot wishful thinking, think the country should try. A little give and take, and a whole lot less standing on either side of a line and throwing rocks. Nah, like THAT could ever happen.
Anyway, I am going to Amazon and buying the book, then looking to see if she has any more. Hopefully, she will have another book as funny and insightful as this one. Get it, read it, then put it on your shelf as the book you read when you are feeling blue or discouraged. Or when you just need a good laugh. Hey, the editing is even good, the sentence structure is solid, and there aren't even spelling mistakes, so all you anal grammar Nazis can get the stick out of your backsides and stop irritating the rest of us who review the whole book!
Peace out, Dudes! show less
This is definitely an early Crusie—the characterisation is fairly thin, you can see the 'twist' in the ending coming a mile off, and she gives in to a couple of the standard issue romance novel gendered clichés that I know she avoids in her later books. She doesn't give in to all of them, and her banter is quite good, but this is more an above-average Harlequin novel than anything else. It was fine for passing the time during a slow afternoon in work, but I won't be re-reading it.
OK, so I read a Hqn romance. So sue me. I found this at the library as a download, was feeling lonely and depressed, and downloaded it. And wound up laughing until tears ran down my face.
It was a cute concept on the cover of the book. One that could be either mildly entertaining, or really, really bad. Sort of like the books where the whole romance thing consists of two women who get together and the a guy comes along and one of the women decide she isn't a lesbian after all, and the live happily ever - well, except for the woman who got dumped. A Republican and a Democrat go into a bar . . .
In this case, I really, really wanted to hate the Republican. But, I couldn't. And I couldn't automatically love the Democrat, either. In a way, show more they are both, together and separately, an example of what I, in all my idiot wishful thinking, think the country should try. A little give and take, and a whole lot less standing on either side of a line and throwing rocks. Nah, like THAT could ever happen.
Anyway, I am going to Amazon and buying the book, then looking to see if she has any more. Hopefully, she will have another book as funny and insightful as this one. Get it, read it, then put it on your shelf as the book you read when you are feeling blue or discouraged. Or when you just need a good laugh. Hey, the editing is even good, the sentence structure is solid, and there aren't even spelling mistakes, so all you anal grammar Nazis can get the stick out of your backsides and stop irritating the rest of us who review the whole book!
Peace out, Dudes! show less
It was a cute concept on the cover of the book. One that could be either mildly entertaining, or really, really bad. Sort of like the books where the whole romance thing consists of two women who get together and the a guy comes along and one of the women decide she isn't a lesbian after all, and the live happily ever - well, except for the woman who got dumped. A Republican and a Democrat go into a bar . . .
In this case, I really, really wanted to hate the Republican. But, I couldn't. And I couldn't automatically love the Democrat, either. In a way, show more they are both, together and separately, an example of what I, in all my idiot wishful thinking, think the country should try. A little give and take, and a whole lot less standing on either side of a line and throwing rocks. Nah, like THAT could ever happen.
Anyway, I am going to Amazon and buying the book, then looking to see if she has any more. Hopefully, she will have another book as funny and insightful as this one. Get it, read it, then put it on your shelf as the book you read when you are feeling blue or discouraged. Or when you just need a good laugh. Hey, the editing is even good, the sentence structure is solid, and there aren't even spelling mistakes, so all you anal grammar Nazis can get the stick out of your backsides and stop irritating the rest of us who review the whole book!
Peace out, Dudes! show less
It's a typical opposites attract sort of plotline - Tess is a do-gooder raised on a commune, Nick is a lawyer who grew up poor and decided he wasn't going to grow old poor.
I liked Nick wholeheartedly. He's ambitious, which I think is sexy, but he's a really nice guy. His banter with his secretary is priceless, and although he can be a little clueless he's adorably soft on Tess and really appreciates her for who she is. He likes the whole package - messy, disorganized, idealistic, passionate, spontaneous.
Tess I was a little bit iffy about. This isn't the first book I've read where do-gooder translates to well-meaning but ineffectual...or where idealism is hard to separate from immaturity. And she kept wanting to just love part of Nick, show more the things she liked, instead of all of him - she didn't want to accept the good with the bad.
Tess dumped Nick initially, before the book began, because he wouldn't have sex with her in a parking lot. At one key scene in the book she practically throws a tantrum because he won't have sex with her in public at a work function where if he were caught he'd lose his job and his reputation. She think that it's a crime he won't be spontaneous and risky. I wondered how she could be so selfish and oblivious. Yeah, it was insensitive of Nick to throw away some of Tess' favorite old clothes and replace them with newer, more expensive versions; but that's a long ways away from trying to sabotage her career (he's actually very supportive of her career and does everything he can to help her along the way).
OK, all that being said, it was still a really enjoyable book to read. Crusie has a great ear for dialogue, and she stages a lot of group scenes where there are tons of people talking and it's hilarious and easy to follow. Her characters are distinct, vivid, very alive; the book is a real page turner, and I read it all in one sitting. Frankly, I loved it but for the political qualms I had to do with Tess' character. show less
I liked Nick wholeheartedly. He's ambitious, which I think is sexy, but he's a really nice guy. His banter with his secretary is priceless, and although he can be a little clueless he's adorably soft on Tess and really appreciates her for who she is. He likes the whole package - messy, disorganized, idealistic, passionate, spontaneous.
Tess I was a little bit iffy about. This isn't the first book I've read where do-gooder translates to well-meaning but ineffectual...or where idealism is hard to separate from immaturity. And she kept wanting to just love part of Nick, show more the things she liked, instead of all of him - she didn't want to accept the good with the bad.
Tess dumped Nick initially, before the book began, because he wouldn't have sex with her in a parking lot. At one key scene in the book she practically throws a tantrum because he won't have sex with her in public at a work function where if he were caught he'd lose his job and his reputation. She think that it's a crime he won't be spontaneous and risky. I wondered how she could be so selfish and oblivious. Yeah, it was insensitive of Nick to throw away some of Tess' favorite old clothes and replace them with newer, more expensive versions; but that's a long ways away from trying to sabotage her career (he's actually very supportive of her career and does everything he can to help her along the way).
OK, all that being said, it was still a really enjoyable book to read. Crusie has a great ear for dialogue, and she stages a lot of group scenes where there are tons of people talking and it's hilarious and easy to follow. Her characters are distinct, vivid, very alive; the book is a real page turner, and I read it all in one sitting. Frankly, I loved it but for the political qualms I had to do with Tess' character. show less
Jennifer Crusie is my go to author for Rom Com goodness. I’ve read this and all her stories multiple times and they still make me laugh and swoon. It’s the way she does big reveals that made me love her work. They are worthy of the best screwball comedies scenes in some of my favorite movies. Just different levels of unraveling characters in increasingly hilarious scenes. Definitely a mood lifter.
I like this much better on audio than reading for myself. Its still not one of my favorites from Ms Crusie but I was still entertained. Tess and Nick are so opposite I suppose they have not choice but to attract. I'd like to see a story with them set in present day. I wonder if the kids are brunette twits. LOL
Tess and Nick broke up a while back. When Nick shows up at Tess’s door, he needs a favour. In order for a big promotion at his work (he’s a lawyer and his work (and money) has always been his priority), he needs someone to pose as his fiancee for a weekend event and he’s hoping Tess will help him out. They never had much in common beyond a wild attraction, and although Tess hesitates, she agrees. Not only that, she convinces her best friend to accompany Nick’s friend/fellow lawyer (Park) to the same weekend gathering, although she really can’t stand Park.
This was ok. Romance is not usually my “thing”, but sometimes the chick lit has enough other in it that it can be fun and light and enjoyable to me. There were attempts show more at humour that didn’t really make me laugh in this one, and I’m not sure I really liked any of the characters. There was a secondary plotline that was kind of interesting with a bit of a twist in it, which I liked. This was short and will be forgotten fairly soon, I’m sure. show less
This was ok. Romance is not usually my “thing”, but sometimes the chick lit has enough other in it that it can be fun and light and enjoyable to me. There were attempts show more at humour that didn’t really make me laugh in this one, and I’m not sure I really liked any of the characters. There was a secondary plotline that was kind of interesting with a bit of a twist in it, which I liked. This was short and will be forgotten fairly soon, I’m sure. show less
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Jennifer Crusie was born Jennifer Smith in Wapakoneta, Ohio in 1949. She received a bachelor's degree in art education from Bowling Green State University, a master's degree in professional writing and women's literature from Wright State University, and an MFA in fiction from Ohio State University. Before becoming a full-time romance author, she show more was an art and English teacher. Her first book, Manhunting, was published in 1993. Her other works include Strange Bedpersons, What the Lady Wants, Charlie All Night, Anyone but You, The Cinderella Deal, Trust Me on This, Crazy for You, and Maybe This Time. She has received several awards including the Romance Writers of America RITA Award for Best Contemporary Single Title for Bet Me and the RITA Award for Best Short Contemporary for Getting Rid of Bradley. She wrote several collaboration novels including Don't Look Down, Agnes and the Hitman, and Wild Ride all with Bob Mayer, The Unfortunate Miss Fortunes with Eileen Dreyer and Anne Stuart, and Dogs and Goddesses with Anne Stuart and Lani Diane Rich. She also wrote a book of literary criticism on Anne Rice, published under the name Jennifer Smith. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
Some Editions
Series
Belongs to Publisher Series
Harlequin Temptation (520)
Work Relationships
Is contained in
Getting Rid of Bradley | Strange Bedpersons | What the Lady Wants | Charlie All Night by Jennifer Crusie
Getting Rid of Bradley | Anyone But You | Crazy for You | Santa Baby | Strange Bedpersons | Fast Women | Charlie All Night by Jennifer Crusie
Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- Strange Bedpersons
- Original publication date
- 1995-07-14
- People/Characters
- Tess Newhart; Nick Jamieson
- Dedication
- This book is for Eric Walborn
1960-1993
Because there was no one in the world like Eric,
So bright, so kind, so loving, so full of life,
So apt to make jokes and to understand them.
Also his face was beautiful,... (show all) and we loved him. - First words
- When Tess Newhart threw open her apartment door, Nick Jamieson was standing there - tall, dark, successful and suspiciously happy to see her, his pleasantly blunt face a nice human contrast to his perfectly tailored suit.
- Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)"Now and here, forever," Nick said, and kissed her, and they didn't say anything at all.
- Original language
- English
- Disambiguation notice
- Please do not combine with the single title book or the book/bundle containing this story. Thanks.
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- ISBNs
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