Plum Lovin'

This is the second of the "between-the-numbers" books in Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series, books that are part of the series, but shorter and weirder than the regular installments. As with the previous one, Visions of Sugar Plums, it starts with Stephanie getting a visit from Diesel, a guy with supernatural powers. (Who I think is actually a crossover character from a different series?) Where that one was Christmas-themed, though, this one features Valentine's Day, so Stephanie has to deal with various people's relationship issues and make sure everyone has a happy Valentine's Day. For... reasons.

I really do not like the introduction of weird supernatural crap into this series, not because I don't like weird supernatural crap -- I read show more a lot of fantasy -- but because it is entirely out of place in Evanovich's wacky but otherwise realistic version of Trenton, New Jersey. It annoyed me slightly less here than it did in the previous book, though. Maybe just because I've gotten used to it. Diesel still annoyed me, though. He's clearly meant to be sexy and amusing, but mostly he's just a giant sexist douche.

The plot is thin enough to be practically non-existent, and to the extent that it does exist, it's ridiculous, even by this series' usual standards. But there are some decent touches of humor, and it's an effortlessly quick read, at least.

Still, I'd probably really rather skip these ones, if only Evanovich didn't keep having important events in Stephanie's family's lives happening in them. show less

Well, she sure can churn them out! Curious to know why this book came passed me so many times working at the library I finally decided to see what all the fuss is about. Ridiculous story and faux-hip dialogue seemingly drawn from daytime television. Even the story didn't engage me at all, which is what I understand to be the real drawn of such books. I've been called a snob for refusing to appreciate these books because they are so popular and wide-selling, which I can live with sure enough as I can live with myself for not loving McDonald's.

Frankly, for this Between-the-Numbers book Evanovich is just “phonin’ it in.” The usual cast of zany supporting characters is here – Lula, Grandma Mazur, etc – and the mysterious Diesel makes a return appearance. Stephanie plays matchmaker between several couples; she even succeeds in pulling off a surprise wedding – the bride and groom don’t even know about it! While I’m still mildly entertained by the wackiness, Stephanie’s basic ineptness has lost its charm for me. On the plus side, Stephanie’s ongoing indecision between Morelli and Ranger barely gets a mention, and the book is mercifully short. The audio is only 3 discs long; the paperback text version has printing so large, I double checked to see if I’d show more gotten a large-print edition. (I’ve seen children’s books with tinier print.) King’s performance on the audio is great, however. She really breathes life into this tired series. show less

I love Stephanie, her family, her boyfriend(s), even her goofy coworkers and some of her weird friends (if you can call them friends). There was a weird little supernatural-ish element to this book that I wasn't so sure about. Much as I love fantasy books, that doesn't really jive well with this series and I found it kind of awkward. At least nothing really unnatural happened, but... Well, whatever. That thread aside, I thought this book was laugh-out-loud funny, like the others. The nice thing about it (as opposed to some other books I've read) is that there was no extra fluff. Well, the whole book is fluff, of course, but it's not overdone; I mean, it isn't even 200 pages - I read this book in one evening.

The idea behind the Between-the-Numbers novels is growing on me. At first, in Visions of Sugar Plums, Diesel and his superhuman abilities worried me. I was afraid the entire Stephanie Plum series was going to become paranormal. I love paranormal, but the series didn't need to "jump the shark" in that fashion.

These short, holiday themed, supernaturally included books add a fun new dimension to the Plum series. As long as it continues in moderation, I may start to get excited about the prospect.

Plum Lovin' was rather enjoyable. The focus is on Valentine's Day and Stephanie is forced into the role of matchmaker. You can see the potential for disaster. I can't seem to understand Diesel, but I'm sure that's the point with his strange show more abilities and air of mystery. He can't compete with Ranger, or even Morelli, in terms of sexy time with Stephanie, but as we learn more and more about Ranger, it's nice to have a back up guy to wonder about.

Plum Lovin' is a fun little book that isn't necessary to the series, but puts Stephanie in some situations you may not want to miss. show less

After 13 and the novellas surrounding it, I am done with this series. It was over the top and fun in the beginning, but now it's gotten totally redundant and silly. Stephanie can't make up her mind as to which guy she wants? That said, this was a nice, Ranger-free book, although the supporting cast this time was thinly developed.

February’s cold made the bail bonds office slow, Stephanie Plum only had one, Annie Hart, that she needed to track down. To get Annie Hart, Stephanie had to make a deal with a handsome and funny ‘unmentionable’ tracker, Diesel. All that was needed was to help him play Cupid for Valentines Day while he tracked another. Helping strangers find true love may not have been as easy as she had originally thought, but with Diesel and Bob the dog, it is not dull.

First Stephanie Plum book for me. Comedy in it’s written form. I found something on almost every page to laugh at. Such a funny, light, fun and quick (only 164 pages) read (rated R for the sex talk and language). I can definitely see why these (Stephanie Plum “Numbers” and show more “Between-the-Numbers” series) are so popular, if they are even half as fun and lighthearted as this one. I am going to have to find out soon. show less