Synopses & Reviews
This is
New York Times and
USA Today bestselling author Jennifer Crusie's novel about long shots, risk management, true love, and great shoes. . . .
Minerva Dobbs knows how to work the odds.
Calvin Morrisey always plays to win.
But when they face off, neither one is prepared.
Because when real life meets true love, all bets are off. . . .
Minerva Dobbs knows that happily-ever-after is a fairy tale, especially with a man who asked her to dinner to win a bet, even if he is gorgeous and successful Calvin Morrisey. Cal knows commitment is impossible, especially with a woman as cranky as Min Dobbs, even if she does wear great shoes and keep him on his toes. When they say good-bye at the end of their evening, they cut their losses and agree never to see each other again.
But fate has other plans, and it's not long before Min and Cal meet again. Soon they're dealing with a jealous ex-boyfriend, Krispy Kreme doughnuts, a determined psychologist, chaos theory, a freakishly intelligent cat, Chicken Marsala, and more risky propositions than either of them ever dreamed of. Including the biggest gamble of all---true love. Bet Me is the winner of a 2005 RITA Award.
Review
"Delightful . . . could be likened to skinny-dipping in a cool pond on a muggy, hot summer afternoon: risqué, yes---maybe even a little kinky---but, oh, so refreshing." The Roanoke Times
Review
"Crusie has a gift for concocting nutty scenarios and witty one-liners. . . . Genuine laughs." People
Review
"Bet you can't stop reading it. Absolutely, irresistibly hilarious." --Kirkus (starred)
Review
"A hoot. Oh, go ahead. Indulge." Entertainment Weekly
Review
"A smart, sexy story of intrigue, seduction, blackmail, and art forgery...will have readers laughing out loud..." Sullivan County Democrat
Review
"Crusie has a gift for concocting nutty scenarios and witty one-liners. . . . Genuine laughs."(People)
Review
"Hard to resist . . . [a] roller-coaster ride . . . perfect escapist fare!" Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
Review
"As refreshing as a mint julep in the summer heat." Bookstreet USA
Review
"The action is fast, the characters are quirky, and the one-liners never stop. . . . Fast-paced and sexy." The Columbus Dispatch
Review
"Bet you can't stop reading it. Absolutely, irresistibly hilarious." --Kirkus (starred)
Barbara Ehrenreich - Kirkus - John Blades - Ellen Kanner - Gilbert Taylor - Jane Brody's "Personal Health" column in The New York Times - Daniel Mallory - Jim Harrison, author of True North - Michael Ondaatje - Karen Karbo - Kristine Huntley - Susan Orlean - John Banville - Anthony Quinn - Gahan Wilson - John Fowles - Neil Walsh - Stephen R. Donaldson - Jacqueline Carey - Glen Cook - Elizabeth Haydon - David Drake - Robert Charles Wilson - Cory Doctorow - Bret Easton Ellis - Candace Bushnell - Dominick Dunne - Jay McInerney - Jonathan Demme, filmmaker - A.O. Scott - Martin Arnold - Steve Kroft, 60 Minutes - J. B. Priestley - Charles de Lint - Dallas Observer - Jennifer Weiner, author of In Her Shoes and Little Earthquakes - Jay Leno - Laura Zigman, author of Animal Husbandry, Dating Big Bird, and Her - Liz Smith - Gillian Engberg - Clarissa Cruz - Jay Strafford - Hallie Ephron - Patrick Anderson - Walter Jon Williams - S. M. Stirling - Connie Willis, Hugo Award-winning author of To Say Nothing of the Dog - Morgan Llywelyn - Jacqueline Carey - George R.R. Martin - Frederick Busch - Anthony Quinn - Gahan Wilson - John Fowles - Paul Di Filippo - Publishers Weekly - Kirkus Reviews - Romantic Times Bookclub Magazine - Publishers Weekly - Kirkus Reviews - Kirkus Reviews - Booklist - SciFi.com - Entertainment Weekly - Kirkus - New Scientist - Newsday - Publishers Weekly - Realms of Fantasy - San Francisco Chronicle - The Sunday Times - The Washington Post - Time Out London - Wired - Los Angeles Times - Vanity Fair - New York Times Book Review - Rocky Mountain News - Library Journal - Publishers Weekly - Southern Living - Booklist - Publishers Weekly - Romantic Times - Midwest Book Review - Cincinnati Enquirer - Booklist - Publishers Weekly - Booklist - Romantic Times Bookclub - The New York Times - The Washington Times - Los Angeles Times - West Coast Review of Books - Chicago Tribune - Washington Post - Booklist - Chicago Sun-Times - Rocky Mountain News - Chicago Tribune - New York Sun - Publishers Weekly - Fangoria - Horn Book Magazine - School Library Journal - USA Today - Entertainment Weekly - Boston Globe - Richmond Times-Dispatch - Entertainment Weekly - January Magazine - Booklist - Library Journal - Library Journal Review - New York Post - About.com - New York Observer - The New York Times Book Review - Publishers Weekly - The Knoxville News-Sentinel - The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction - Midwest Book Review - Santa Barbara News-Press - Newsweek - Library Journal - Greenwich Magazine - Time Out New York - New York Times Book Review - San Francisco Chronicle - Booklist (starred review) - Booklist - Kirkus Reviews - Publishers Weekly (starred) - Washington Post Book World - Publishers Weekly, starred review - Kirkus Reviews - Publishers Weekly - School Library Journal - Kirkus Reviews - Publishers Weekly - Altair - TV Week (Australia) - Publishers Weekly (starred review) - SF Site - New York Observer - The Economist - Publishers Weekly - Enigma - SF Site - Entertainment Weekly - Kirkus - New Scientist - Newsday - Publishers Weekly - Realms of Fantasy - San Francisco Chronicle - The Sunday Times - The Washington Post - Time Out London - Wired - Romantic Times - San Francisco Chronicle - Chicago Tribune - Washington Post - The Associated Press - San Antonio Express-News - Booklist - Kirkus Reviews - Library Journal - Booklist - The Guardian - The Observer - Financial Times - New York Observer - Houston Chronicle - Art Week - Christian Science Monitor - Charlotte Observer - Edmonton Journal - Richmond Times-Dispatch - Booklist - Publishers Weekly - Booklist - Time Out New York - Library Journal - Cincinnati CityBeat - Globe and Mail - Quill and Quire - Vancouver Sun - New York Times Magazine - The Washington Post - Library Journal - Booklist - Dallas Morning News - Newsweek - The Washington Post Book World - The Los Angeles Times Book Review - Booklist - Stephen Coonts - W.E.B. Griffin - Thomas Fleming - Walter J. Boyne - Pages Magazine - Chronicle - Publishers Weekly - Southern Living - Booklist - Publishers Weekly - Romantic Times - Midwest Book Review - Chicago Tribune - Kirkus, starred review - Library Journal - Kirkus - Publishers Weekly - Mystery News - Publishers Weekly - Kirkus Reviews (starred review) - Kirkus Reviews (starred review) - People - Entertainment Weekly - The Boston Globe - The Columbus Dispatch - The Roanoke Times - Bookstreet USA - Sullivan County Democrat
Review
"Few popular writers handle light romantic comedy as deftly as Jennifer Crusie."
-Boston Globe
"With multiple references to Chicken Marsala, Krispy Kreme donuts, and Midwestern brats...Crusie's latest should delight romance readers with a penchant for sinful foods."
--Publishers Weekly
"New York Times best-selling Crusie maintains her winning streak in another wickedly witty, deliciously sexy contemporary romance. Finding exactly the right balance between cynicism and optimism, Crusie deftly blends snappy dialogue; quirky, irrepressible secondary characters; and two beautifully matched protagonists struggling against their romantic fate."-Booklist
"Utilizing her own unique brand of humor and panache, Crusie delivers yet another amazingly fun and funny novel. Eccentric characters abound in this book, making each new situation slightly offbeat, touching, and always hilarious."-Romantic Times
"A sure bet...Jennifer Crusie's rollicking romance hits the jackpot."--Bookpage
"A cast of immensely appealing characters and smart dialogue...enthusiastically recommended."
--Library Journal
"Crusie has another hit on her hands with this romantic comedy, a novel in the madcap vein of the films of George Cukor and Billy Wilder-updated with plenty of modern-day spice. Witty, sharp, and wickedly funny, Bet Me is eminently satisfying."--Booksense
"The incomparable Crusie skillfully uses humor to gain insight into her characters' foibles and insecurities...a fun, sexy tale not to be missed."-Old Book Barn Gazette
"This story is solid gold! As much as I enjoyed this author's previous books, this one is the best yet! There is no doubt in my mind that it will hit the bestsellers list AND win awards. Yes, it IS that good! Jennifer Crusie, you deserve a standing ovation for this little gem. Highly recommended!"--Huntress Reviews
Review
1. A recurring theme in the book are elements from classic fairy tales. Can you identify some of them?
2. How does the author modernize or change the fairy tale elements from their classic form? What does she accomplish in the story by changing them?
3. Max Luthi, a fairy tale scholar, says that fairy tales are "unreal but not untrue." Does this apply to Bet Me?
4. What are the three theories of love propounded in Bet Me? Do you think any of them are valid?
5. How did the theme of food (forbidden, healthy, or otherwise) parallel the theme of love?
6. What role does music play in the novel?
7. How did Min and Cal subvert the stereotypical roles of hero and heroine? How do they reinforce them?
8. What are the most important ways Min grows and changes through the course of the novel? Cal?
9. What is the significance of weight in the novel? Did her weight issues make it easier or harder for you to see her as a heroine? How much does Min weigh and what size does she wear?
10. Did you recognize and relate to Mins reactions to her mother? How did their relationship change through the course of the novel? How did Cal's relationship with his mother change? What caused the changes?
11. Do you think Cynthie is capable of finding true love? If so, why? If not, why not? Do you think Liza is? Why or why not?
12. Who or what is the antagonist in this novel? Cynthie? David? Nanette? Fate?
13. What is the biggest moment of risk for Min? For Cal? For Liza? For Diana? For Bonnie? For Shanna?
14. Why doesn't the book end when Cal tells Min he loves her after the softball game? What hasn't happened in their story that must happen in order for the "happily ever after" to be believable? "Bet you can't stop reading it. Absolutely, irresistibly hilarious." Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
Review
"Few popular writers handle light romantic comedy as deftly as Jennifer Crusie. . . . A funny, fast-moving, densely plotted comedy/caper." The Boston Globe
Synopsis
Min Dobbs knows that happily-ever-after is a fairy tale, especially with a man like Cal Morrisey, who asked her to dinner to win a bet. Cal Morrisey knows commitment is impossible, especially with a woman as cranky as Min Dobbs. When they say good-bye at the end of their evening, they cut their losses and agree never to see each other again.
But Fate has other plans, and it's not long before Min and Cal are dealing with meddling friends, wedding cake, a jealous ex-boyfriend, Krispy Kremes, a determined psychologist, chaos theory, a frantic bride, Chicken Marsala, a mutant cat, snow globes, two Mothers-from-Hell, great shoes, and more risky propositions than either of them ever dreamed of including the biggest gamble of all unconditional love.
Synopsis
"Hard to resist . . . [a] roller-coaster ride . . . perfect escapist fare!"
-Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
"Crusie has a gift for concocting nutty scenarios and witty one-liners. . . . Genuine laughs."
-People
"A hoot. Oh, go ahead. Indulge." - Entertainment Weekly
"Few popular writers handle light romantic comedy as deftly as Jennifer Crusie. . . . A funny, fast-moving, densely plotted comedy/caper." -The Boston Globe
"The action is fast, the characters are quirky, and the one-liners never stop. . . . Fast-paced and sexy." -The Columbus Dispatch
"A smart, sexy story of intrigue, seduction, blackmail, and art forgery...will have readers laughing out loud and racing through its pages." -Sullivan County Democrat
"Delightful . . . could be likened to skinny-dipping in a cool pond on a muggy, hot summer afternoon: risqué, yes---maybe even a little kinky---but, oh, so refreshing." -The Roanoke Times
"As refreshing as a mint julep in the summer heat." -Bookstreet USA
Synopsis
Minerva Dobbs knows all about risk management, which is why its such a shock when David, her extremely logical choice for a boyfriend, dumps her three weeks before her perfect sisters wedding: David was not supposed to be a wild card. So when Min overhears David make a bet with his old nemesis—the gorgeous and successful Calvin Morrisey—that Cal cant get Min into bed in a month, she decides that fate has just handed her a stacked deck: she can make Cal sweat his sex appeal and get a date to the wedding, if she plays along and doesnt fold. What follows is a novel of destiny, chaos theory, Krispy Kreme donuts, the spirit of Elvis, Chicken Marsala, and a gamble for the highest stake of all: true love. Bet Me is the winner of a 2005 RITA Award.
Synopsis
This is
New York Times and
USA Today bestselling author Jennifer Crusie's novel about long shots, risk management, true love, and great shoes. . . .
Minerva Dobbs knows how to work the odds.
Calvin Morrisey always plays to win.
But when they face off, neither one is prepared.
Because when real life meets true love, all bets are off. . . .
Minerva Dobbs knows that happily-ever-after is a fairy tale, especially with a man who asked her to dinner to win a bet, even if he is gorgeous and successful Calvin Morrisey. Cal knows commitment is impossible, especially with a woman as cranky as Min Dobbs, even if she does wear great shoes and keep him on his toes. When they say good-bye at the end of their evening, they cut their losses and agree never to see each other again.
But fate has other plans, and it's not long before Min and Cal meet again. Soon they're dealing with a jealous ex-boyfriend, Krispy Kreme doughnuts, a determined psychologist, chaos theory, a freakishly intelligent cat, Chicken Marsala, and more risky propositions than either of them ever dreamed of. Including the biggest gamble of all---true love.
Synopsis
Minerva Dobbs knows that happily-ever-after is a fairy tale, especially with a man who asked her to dinner to win a bet. Even if he is gorgeous and successful Calvin Morrisey. Cal knows commitment is impossible, especially with a woman as cranky as Min Dobbs. Even if she does wear great shoes, and keep him on his toes. When they say good-bye at the end of their evening, they cut their losses and agree never to see each other again.
But Fate has other plans, and it's not long before Min and Cal meet again. Soon, they're dealing with a jealous ex-boyfriend, Krispy Kreme donuts, a determined psychologist, chaos theory, a freakishly intelligent cat, Chicken Marsala, and more risky propositions than either of them ever dreamed of. Including the biggest gamble of all-true love.
Synopsis
Minerva Dobbs knows that happily-ever-after is a fairy tale, especially with a man who asked her to dinner to win a bet. Even if he is gorgeous and successful Calvin Morrisey. Cal knows commitment is impossible, especially with a woman as cranky as Min Dobbs. Even if she does wear great shoes, and keep him on his toes. When they say good-bye at the end of their evening, they cut their losses and agree never to see each other again.
But Fate has other plans, and it's not long before Min and Cal meet again. Soon, they're dealing with a jealous ex-boyfriend, Krispy Kreme donuts, a determined psychologist, chaos theory, a freakishly intelligent cat, Chicken Marsala, and more risky propositions than either of them ever dreamed of. Including the biggest gamble of all-true love.
Synopsis
This is
New York Times and
USA Today bestselling author Jennifer Crusie's novel about long shots, risk management, true love, and great shoes. . . .
Minerva Dobbs knows how to work the odds.
Calvin Morrisey always plays to win.
But when they face off, neither one is prepared.
Because when real life meets true love, all bets are off. . . .
Minerva Dobbs knows that happily-ever-after is a fairy tale, especially with a man who asked her to dinner to win a bet, even if he is gorgeous and successful Calvin Morrisey. Cal knows commitment is impossible, especially with a woman as cranky as Min Dobbs, even if she does wear great shoes and keep him on his toes. When they say good-bye at the end of their evening, they cut their losses and agree never to see each other again.
But fate has other plans, and it's not long before Min and Cal meet again. Soon they're dealing with a jealous ex-boyfriend, Krispy Kreme doughnuts, a determined psychologist, chaos theory, a freakishly intelligent cat, Chicken Marsala, and more risky propositions than either of them ever dreamed of. Including the biggest gamble of all---true love. Bet Me is the winner of a 2005 RITA Award.
Synopsis
Minerva Dobbs knows that happily-ever-after is a fairy tale, especially with a man who asked her to dinner to win a bet. Even if he is gorgeous and successful Calvin Morrisey. Cal knows commitment is impossible, especially with a woman as cranky as Min Dobbs. Even if she does wear great shoes, and keep him on his toes. When they say good-bye at the end of their evening, they cut their losses and agree never to see each other again.
But Fate has other plans, and it's not long before Min and Cal meet again. Soon, they're dealing with a jealous ex-boyfriend, Krispy Kreme donuts, a determined psychologist, chaos theory, a freakishly intelligent cat, Chicken Marsala, and more risky propositions than either of them ever dreamed of. Including the biggest gamble of all-true love. Bet Me is the winner of a 2005 RITA Award.
About the Author
Jennifer Crusie is the New York Times, Publishers Weekly, and USA Today bestselling author of Maybe This Time, Welcome to Temptation, Tell Me Lies, Crazy for You, Faking It, and Fast Women. She has also collaborated with Bob Mayer to write Wild Ride, Agnes and the Hitman and Dont Look Down. Crusie earned her bachelors degree from Bowling Green State University, a masters from Wright State University, and a master of fine arts from Ohio State University. Before devoting herself to writing full-time, Crusie worked as a preschool teacher, an elementary and junior high art teacher, and a high school English teacher. She lives on the banks of the Ohio River.