Helpful Score: 15
Okay -- wow, this was good! I have never read Crusie before, so I was expecting just another semi-generic chick lit novel. I've never been so glad to be disappointed!
I think this is the most perfect chick lit book I have ever read. It was hilarious, for one -- the one-liners just kept coming the whole novel through. And they were *good* one-liners, funny, smart, sexy, and witty. The characters were fabulous -- well-drawn, quirky, likeable (the good guys), deliciously unlikeable (the bad guys), intelligent, and fully fleshed-out. These were people I wanted to get to know and hang out with, the kind of people I could see myself being friends with. And the plot was utterly absorbing. Once I started, I couldn't put the book down. Literally. I stayed up until 9:00 in the morning finishing this thing; by the end, I was so tired I could barely keep my eyes open, but I kept on reading instead of doing the sensible thing and, y'know, sleeping, because I just *had* to know what happened next. It's been a while since I've been that caught up in a book. I'm going to have to check out Jennifer Crusie's other novels, because that was really a lot of fun!
Oh! I forgot to mention the best part! The overweight heroine doesn't lose weight to win the heart of the hero! Not only is she as fat for the happily-ever-after ending as she was for the beginning, but the hero kept feeding her all the way through the novel because he liked the look on her face when she ate something yummy. I was starving when I finished "Bet Me" -- people kept eating pasta, chicken marsala, and Krispy Kreme donuts! I've been waiting a long time for a book that said you don't have to be thin to be happy, and actually *meant* it. Thanks, Ms. Crusie!
I think this is the most perfect chick lit book I have ever read. It was hilarious, for one -- the one-liners just kept coming the whole novel through. And they were *good* one-liners, funny, smart, sexy, and witty. The characters were fabulous -- well-drawn, quirky, likeable (the good guys), deliciously unlikeable (the bad guys), intelligent, and fully fleshed-out. These were people I wanted to get to know and hang out with, the kind of people I could see myself being friends with. And the plot was utterly absorbing. Once I started, I couldn't put the book down. Literally. I stayed up until 9:00 in the morning finishing this thing; by the end, I was so tired I could barely keep my eyes open, but I kept on reading instead of doing the sensible thing and, y'know, sleeping, because I just *had* to know what happened next. It's been a while since I've been that caught up in a book. I'm going to have to check out Jennifer Crusie's other novels, because that was really a lot of fun!
Oh! I forgot to mention the best part! The overweight heroine doesn't lose weight to win the heart of the hero! Not only is she as fat for the happily-ever-after ending as she was for the beginning, but the hero kept feeding her all the way through the novel because he liked the look on her face when she ate something yummy. I was starving when I finished "Bet Me" -- people kept eating pasta, chicken marsala, and Krispy Kreme donuts! I've been waiting a long time for a book that said you don't have to be thin to be happy, and actually *meant* it. Thanks, Ms. Crusie!
Helpful Score: 11
I CAN TRULY SAY THAT I LAUGHED MY WAY THROUGH THIS BOOK- I LOVE HIM BUT I DON'T LIke HIM! I READ IT AT A MEDICAL MANAGERS MEETING WITH BLUE CROSS AND UNITED HEALTHCARE. I SAT ON THE BACK ROW AND I HAD TEARS TRYING TO NOT LAUGH OUT LOUD! :}
IT IS TRULY THE BEST ONE OF HERS I HAVE READ.
P.S. I WILL NEVER EAT A KRISPY KREME DONUT AGAIN WITHOUT REMEMBERING THIS BO0K!
IT IS TRULY THE BEST ONE OF HERS I HAVE READ.
P.S. I WILL NEVER EAT A KRISPY KREME DONUT AGAIN WITHOUT REMEMBERING THIS BO0K!
Helpful Score: 10
I thought this was a wonderful book to read after a bad week - a good pick me up with a guaranteed HEA. The "Bet Me" cover looks a little like a chick-lit but this is a romance. The pair involved are not the typical hero and heroine - Min is not a size 4 and is constantly berated for this by her mother, and Cal looks like the perfect man but is human (with a learning disability and a very cold family). Min takes an instant dislike to Cal when she overhears what sounds like Cal betting her ex-boyfriend that he can bed Min within a month. Min decides to punish Cal by letting him take her to dinner and giving him a miserable time. After the bad date they both think that's it and wish each other a happy life, but circumstances keep bringing them together. They are really perfect for each other, they just don't seem to realize it. The ensemble cast and amusing banter adds to the fun.
Helpful Score: 8
Ha! Delightful!! This is a really fun novel - fun in all senses of the word. Character and plot development is strong; dialog is witty - and there is a happy ending. A super-fun book enjoyed by me, my mother & my daughter - making it a true "multi-generational" book.
Helpful Score: 8
This was a great book! I loved the humor and the unusual obstacles these two had to overcome--also includes an interesting cast of friends and their attempts to find love. Leading lady is a not-so-slim gal with poor self-esteem and main man is purrrfect.
