Full House by Janet Evanovich
Let me start this review by saying that my only knowledge of Ms. Evanovich's writing before this book was Stephanie Plum and was pleasantly surprised to find this writing completely and utterly different. The characters are still captivating and original, funny with their own little quirks, but the writing style, besides being in 3rd person POV, is totally different. Instead of witty antics from Stephanie's life as she narrates her adventures, we get real in-depth stuff from the story that hits home with authors like Sandra Brown and Karen Chance, in my experiences. Evanovich's writing has always made me satisfied, but this took it to a new level.
In this romantic, quirky novel about a sexy, rich, newspaper-owning, polo teacher named Nick and his new student, Billie, we're taken from a sense of hilarity as single mother of two talks to her horse to serious romance and competition as Billie falls for the player and gets roped into housing his obnoxious but lovable--as so many of the author's characters are--cousin Deedee, before she weds Frankie the Assassin, a pro wrestler. Sheridan, an ex of Nick's, gets into the picture, causing trouble. But things really start to heat up--literally--when we learn that Nick's other cousin, Max, is off in the woods, making stink bombs and protesting animal cruelty. When Nick's car blows up, we get tossed into the real plot.
Distracted by the romance for the first part of the book, you aren't expecting the sudden turn of events when Nick's life suddenly becomes endangered. Billie has fallen for the studly millionaire--or is it billionaire?--and so is fighting to maintain her sanity as things get out of hand. Her kids return home from spending time with their father, Nick proposes after knowing her for...6 days, was it? and there's a moment involving someone jumping out of a cake...not to mention the spiders and the mysterious break-ins around Billie's neighborhood.
The plot is intriguing, the people are heart felt, and the writing keeps you on your toes. I highly recommend this incredible book, along with its sequel...
In this romantic, quirky novel about a sexy, rich, newspaper-owning, polo teacher named Nick and his new student, Billie, we're taken from a sense of hilarity as single mother of two talks to her horse to serious romance and competition as Billie falls for the player and gets roped into housing his obnoxious but lovable--as so many of the author's characters are--cousin Deedee, before she weds Frankie the Assassin, a pro wrestler. Sheridan, an ex of Nick's, gets into the picture, causing trouble. But things really start to heat up--literally--when we learn that Nick's other cousin, Max, is off in the woods, making stink bombs and protesting animal cruelty. When Nick's car blows up, we get tossed into the real plot.
Distracted by the romance for the first part of the book, you aren't expecting the sudden turn of events when Nick's life suddenly becomes endangered. Billie has fallen for the studly millionaire--or is it billionaire?--and so is fighting to maintain her sanity as things get out of hand. Her kids return home from spending time with their father, Nick proposes after knowing her for...6 days, was it? and there's a moment involving someone jumping out of a cake...not to mention the spiders and the mysterious break-ins around Billie's neighborhood.
The plot is intriguing, the people are heart felt, and the writing keeps you on your toes. I highly recommend this incredible book, along with its sequel...
Full Tilt by Janet Evanovich with Charlotte Hughes
Max Holt is rich, famous, handsome, and all grown up. His brother-in-law, Frankie, an ex-wrestler, is running for mayor of a small town in hopes of bettering it. Money's gone missing, and he and Max intend to find it. As per Deedee's--Max's sister--requests, Max invested in the town newspaper, which is owned by Jamie Swift. He didn't expect her to be strong, beautiful, smart, or engaged. But she is. And he didn't mean for her to get involved in his assassination attempt. But she is.
Someone doesn't want Frankie and Max digging up their dirt. Too bad they keep misfiring by that much.
With humor and wit, Evanovich and Hughes bring to life these characters and this plot. I don't think I'd classify it as much of a romance, more suspense, but it definitely has romantic qualities. Muffin, Deedee, and her assistant, the flamingly gay, Beenie, create hilarity, and Jamie and Max's situation creates smooth as silk witty banter and hope of turning the page to find a kiss. It's a highly engaging, thoroughly captivating and page turning plot.
Someone doesn't want Frankie and Max digging up their dirt. Too bad they keep misfiring by that much.
With humor and wit, Evanovich and Hughes bring to life these characters and this plot. I don't think I'd classify it as much of a romance, more suspense, but it definitely has romantic qualities. Muffin, Deedee, and her assistant, the flamingly gay, Beenie, create hilarity, and Jamie and Max's situation creates smooth as silk witty banter and hope of turning the page to find a kiss. It's a highly engaging, thoroughly captivating and page turning plot.