Bet Me by Jennifer Cruise

Bet Me 

Author:  Jennifer Cruise 

Publisher:  St. Martin's Paperbacks

Publication Date:  August 31st 2004

From Goodreads:

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 ans Min Dobbs.  Even if she does wear great shoes, and keep him on his toes.  When they say goodbye 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 jealous ex-boyfriend, Krispy Kreme donuts, and 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.

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I was feeling kinda sad for all my books that have been on my shelves for years unread, I at least wanted one of my books to feel some love.  As I was perusing the shelves my eye kept on coming back to Bet Me.  I was looking for a feel good book...it was.

Minerva Dobbs is in Kody Keplinger's bright wise words the D.U.F.F (designated Ugly Fat Friend) of her group of friends.  Though really she isn't that, she just thinks of herself as that, until Cal comes along.  The way Cal comes into her life is not exactly gentleman like, but he's got explanations..um yeah.  Anyways, he is gorgeous and has a reputation but darnit she can't help but be attracted to him even if she knows he's asking her out because she overheard him accepting a bet.  Everything isn't what it seems, people.  

There is so many 5 stars rating of Bet Me on Goodreads, and I did find it enjoyable, but it got a 3 rating from me. For me there were quite a bit of times I found myself annoyed with Minerva, and Cal. Minerva is lacking self esteem, and it's surprising someone like Cal would find constantly having to build up her confidence fun.  Is that fun?  Anyways I wanted Minerva to tell her mom to shut up and see something great in herself.  For once I would love to read a book with a women who is slightly overweight BUT is full of confidence, and is sure of herself.  Screw it let's make her even a little conceited, not surprised that some hot guy is looking at her, more like surprised that he isn't.  I'm tired of these girls needing a good looking guy to tell them they are worthy, to actually believe that they are worthy.  Also, there was a lot of talk about food.  Every time Minerva put food in her mouth she was borderline obscene with her moans and groans.  LOL! It was annoying.  Food is awesome, I love my food but orgasmic it ain't.  

I did love the back and forth conversations between Cal and Minerva.  There interactions were not always annoying but instead cute and fun.   Plus, and this is a big plus, Minerva had funky unique shoes.  Ms. Cruise always made note somehow of the shoes that Minerva had on.  I love shoes!  I also enjoyed the supporting characters with the exception of one overly protective friend. I forgot her name already, but anyway she was way annoying.  

Bet Me is not the best chick lit out there, but it was a nice read, nevertheless. 

It's Monday, What Are You Reading? 2/27/12

Meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journey.

My first It's Monday! post.

Books read last week:

Bet Me by Jennifer Cruise

Article 5 by Kristen Simmons

Shooting Stars by Allison Rushby

I was looking forward to reading Shooting Stars, sadly it was a disappointing read.

I'm currently reading:

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green.

I just started this on my kindle. I must know what all the raving is about, plus it's John Green.  Need I say more, nerdfighters.

Up Next:

The Flight of Gemma Hardy by Margot Livesey

Au Revoir, Crazy European Chick by Joe Schreiber

Au Revoir, Crazy European Chick

Author:  Joe Schreiber

Publisher:  Houghton Mifflin Books for Children

Publication Date:  October 25th 2011

From Goodreads:  

Perry Stormaire is a normal high school senior- he is busy applying to college and rehearsing with his band- until he agrees to go the prom with the Lithuanian exchange student who is staying with his family.  It turns out that Gobi Zaksauskas is not the mousy teenager that she seems but rather an attractive, confident trained assassin.  Instead of going to the prom, Perry finds himself on a wild ride through the streets of New York City as Gobi commandeers the Jaguar his father lent him for the prom in order to take out her targets.  Perry learns a lot about himself- and ends up with some amazing material for his college application essays.

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No surprise that Au Revoir, Crazy European Chick is in development right now, and should hopefully soon be in theaters.  It's a wild ride Mr. Schreiber takes us on, perfect for the big screen.

What can i say about Au Revoir, Crazy European Chick?  It's funny, suspenseful, thrilling.  It's Ferris Bueller on steroids.  The pace was great but than again the book is 192 pages.  It's small but packs a punch.  The writing is excellent and I thought it was unique how the wild night from hell was written.  Perry is telling us about his night through college application essays.  Bet ya that would peak the interest of whoever's job it is to read applicant essays.  

New York...you are the perfect supporting character.  Shit like this can only happen there.  Imagine it set in Denver, CO..it just doesn't go.  No offense to Denver, it's beautiful but New York with it's gritty streets and "chew you up and spit you out" reality is exactly what Au Revoir, Crazy European Chick needs.   

It's awesome, seriously.  

The Fine Art of Truth or Dare by Melissa Jensen

The Fine Art of Truth or Dare

Author:  Melissa Jensen

Publisher:  Speak

Publication Date:  February 16th 2012

From Goodreads:

Ella is nearly invisible at the Willing School, and that's just fine by her.  Still, it's hard being a nobody and having a crush on the biggest somebody in the school;  Alex Bainbridge.  Especially when he is her French tutor, and lessons have started becoming, well, certainly more interesting than French ever has been before.

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I have to start off by saying I love this book.  With the exception of one small tiny imperfection for me it was a damn good  great read.  

Ella is invisible, but that is how she likes it.  She's comfortable there, where she can hide her scar that is described as being quite large on her shoulder going up her neck and down toward her chest, she just hangs with her two best friends, Frankie and Sade. She's in love with the perfect speciman, Edward Willings, sadly he's dead and has been since 1917 ( I think that is the year, i'm being to lazy to go back and verify).  Yeah, she's crushing on a not really all that famous painter.  That's the kind of girl she is. :)  I love that about Ella, who says a dead guy is not off limits.  She also is crushing on unattainable Alex, who happens to be dating a true bitch.  Aren't they always?  Ella is so real and human.  She's insecure about her scar and her families lack of money.  And Alex will he isn't all that he seems.  In fact I was prepared for some guy that is somewhat awful to see the light and change , but he really is cool from the get go. They are perfect for each other.  The relationship between them is cute and one of a kind.  I truly truly find him crush worthy.  

My one small complaint is Ella's friends Frankie and Sade.  I liked them a lot, I wanted to know more about them.  But we only get little glimpses here and there.  I wanted to know what is Frankie's major problem with Alex, and why is Sade so insecure.  Frankie has a twin brother Daniel who makes a couple of appearances, and I even wanted to know more about him.  What gives!

The Fine Art of Truth or Dare is one of my favorite YA reads this year, so far. 

Something Blue by Emily Giffin

Something Blue

Author:  Emily Giffin

Publisher:  St. Martin's Press

Publication Date:  March 21st 2006

From Goodreads:

Darcy Rhone has always been able to rely on a few things:  Her beauty and charm.  Her fiance, Dex.  Her lifelong best friend, Rachel.  She never needed anything else.  Or so she thinks until Dex calls off their dream wedding, and she uncovers the ultimate betrayal.  Blaming everyone but herself, Darcy flees to London and attempts to re-create her glamorous life on a new continent.  But to her dismay, she discovers that her tried-and-true tricks no longer apply- and that her luck has finally expired.  It is only then that she can begin her journey toward redemption, forgiveness, and true love.

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Something Blue is a reread for me.  I never reread but I saw Something Borrowed the other day and couldn't for the life of me remember what Something Blue was about.  I figured why the hell not, but before starting I checked what I rated it some years ago.  4 stars..yep.  I guess I thought it was good.  I guess reading taste do change as time goes by because this is clearly a 2.5/3 star read...now.  

My problems with Something Blue is Darcy and Ethan.   Really I'm not buying it this time around.  First, Ethan clearly sees right through Darcy, and I know she changes as time goes by, but shallow is shallow.  I'm not sure if you can just erase this from your personality.  Ethan is so much more, what's the word i'm looking for....hmm...BETTER than Darcy. The further you read the better Darcy becomes as a person, and I thought that was great.  But to me the changes came because of the wrong things.  I can't really articulate what i'm thinking right now, but I guess you can say I wasn't thoroughly convinced.  

Something Blue is Darcy's story, if you are not a fan of her and infact can't stand her, it will be a hard read.  Her ways don't start changing until the halfway point, and like I said it's a little unconvincing.  

Mini Review: I Am Number Four: The Lost Files: Six's Legacy by Pittacus Lore

I Am Number Four:  The Lost Files:  Six's Legacy

Author:  Pittacus Lore

Publisher:  HarperCollins

Publication Date:  July 26th 2011

From Goodreads:

Number Six- When John meets her in I Am Number Four she's strong, powerful, and ready to fight.  But who is she?  Where has she been living?  How has she been training?  When did she develop her legacies?  And how does she know so much about the Mogadorians?

In I am Number Four:  The Lost Files:  Six's Legacy, discover the story behind Six.  Before Paradise, Ohio, before John Smith, Six was traveling through West Texas with her Cepan, Katarina.  What happened there would change Six forever...

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Like most who love the Lorien Legacies series, we wondered about Six.  How did she become such a bad ass?  What's her story?  In The Lost Files:  Six's Legacy we get Six's story. I thought it was good.  It could have easily been a full book but I quite liked it condensed into a novella.  I can easily see why she has so much hatred for the Mogadorians, and why she is so ruthless when it comes to killing them.  I enjoyed it.