Synopses & Reviews
New York Times
and USA Today
bestselling author Jennifer Crusie's delivers a 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 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 you can't stop reading it. Absolutely, irresistibly hilarious."
-Kirkus Reviews
"Crusie maintains her winning streak...wickedly witty, deliciously sexy."
--Booklist
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
Synopsis
New York Times
and USA Today
bestselling author Jennifer Crusie's delivers a 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 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 you can't stop reading it. Absolutely, irresistibly hilarious."
-Kirkus Reviews
"Crusie maintains her winning streak...wickedly witty, deliciously sexy."
--Booklist
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. 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.
Reading Group Guide
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?