Plum Lovin' (A Between-the-Numbers Novel)
by Janet Evanovich
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Book Reviews of Plum Lovin' (A Between-the-Numbers Novel)
Book Review: between-the-numbers fun
Summary: 4 Stars
I ended up reading this out of order--mostly because I forgot about it. Whoops.
But that's not that much of a problem, because these between-the-numbers books (meaning Visions of Sugar Plums and this one, though I suspect there'll be more forthcoming) are just a wee bit off the series' track. The cast balance is shifted--Ranger and Morelli, and even Grandma Mazur and Lula are relegated to the sidelines, and the focus shifts to mystery man Diesel (we learn in this book that he's an Unmentionable--it's been a while since I read Sugar Plums, but I don't remember that being... er... mentioned). It's also where most of the plot developments with Stephanie's sister Valerie occur. And it's got a touch of the supernatural.
So, I'm a wee bit confused by everybody who was screaming that Ranger and Morelli were missing, and why was Evanovich changing the series, etc., etc. It's really the same format as Sugar Plums, and it's obviously not a regular series book, or the title would have a number. I'm guessing it's short memories.
Anyway. Knowing what to expect, I wasn't disappointed.
Stephanie's job collides with Diesel's when her FTA, Annie Hart, turns out to be somebody Diesel is keeping under wraps. So they make a deal: Steph will help Diesel do Annie's job, then Diesel will turn her over to Steph.
The job: relationship expert. They have to ensure that Annie's three clients have happy Valentine's Days. Of course, this being a version of the Plum-verse, it's not all that easy. It gets more complicated, and more personal, when it turns out that the third client is none other than Albert Kloughn, who would be Stephanie's brother-in-law if marriage didn't terrify him. So now it's up to Steph and Diesel to get Albert to the altar with Valerie.
Lots of fun, lots of laughs, short quick read. Between-the-numbers. Remember that. You'll enjoy the book a lot more that way.
Book Review: The return of Diesel, the supernatural bounty hunter
Summary: 4 Stars
Diesel, the supernatural bounty hunter first introduced in "Visions of Sugar Plums", is back and this time he wants Stephanie Plum's help to track down Bernie Beaner, an "Unmentionable" with a rather unfortunate super power, and to fill in for relationship expert, Annie Hart (another "Unmentionable" with Cupid-like talents).
This is the second of Janet Evanovich's "Between the Numbers" novellas (chronologically, it comes between "Twelve Sharp" and "Lean Mean Thirteen") and although it is a lot shorter than the regular Stephanie Plum books (and consequently lacks a lot of the detail and depth of these), I liked this book and "Visions of Sugar Plums" very much. In these two books, Evanovich takes a side-step away from reality and moves into a parallel universe where ordinary people and "Unmentionables" (those with supernatural powers, although don't expect the sort of superhumans that you find in comic books) co-exist. Given the larger than life nature of the Stephanie Plum books, this works really well and both of these books are a lot of fun (you can tell that Evanovich had a great time writing these books). In fact, in many ways they are better than the regular Plum books. I have felt that, recently, the Plum books have been running out of steam a bit, but these books bring something new to the series. I now eagerly look forward to reading Evanovich's next novella.
Book Review: Not a Tasty Plum
Summary: 2 Stars
I am a hard core Janet Evanovich fan, with her Stephanie Plum (bounty hunter) series. I never thought I'd read one that wasn't great. Sadly, this one was not great.
Apparently these "books between the numbers" Plum short novels feature "Diesel" as her male opposite. Diesel first appeared in "Visions of Sugar Plums", her first between-the-numbers book that was charming, different, and Christmas-y.
With this third book, Diesel again co-stars and he isn't exciting. He's more just "there". Even the hint of his having super powers has diminished. His character is not fleshed out enough for us to get to know him. If there is a fourth "between the numbers" book, I hope that Ms. Evanovich either gives us more about Diesel so that we care about him or hooks us in about him, or that she changes Stephanie Plum's "between the numbers" co-character.
I think the book lacked the author's sparkling humor. The book had a lot of different characters in it - too many for such a short book - and by the time I got towards the end I had to go back and re-read the beginning to remember who was who.
This is one Stephanie Plum book I could have missed - and should have.
Book Review: Reading with Tequila
Summary: 4 Stars
The idea behind the Between-the-Numbers novels is growing on me. At first, in Visions of Sugar Plums, Diesel and his superhuman abilities worried me. I was afraid the entire Stephanie Plum series was going to become paranormal. I love paranormal, but the series didn't need to "jump the shark" in that fashion.
These short, holiday themed, supernaturally included books add a fun new dimension to the Plum series. As long as it continues in moderation, I may start to get excited about the prospect.
Plum Lovin' was rather enjoyable. The focus is on Valentine's Day and Stephanie is forced into the role of matchmaker. You can see the potential for disaster. I can't seem to understand Diesel, but I'm sure that's the point with his strange abilities and air of mystery. He can't compete with Ranger, or even Morelli, in terms of sexy time with Stephanie, but as we learn more and more about Ranger, it's nice to have a back up guy to wonder about.
Plum Lovin' is a fun little book that isn't necessary to the series, but puts Stephanie in some situations you may not want to miss.
Book Review: not total trash
Summary: 2 Stars
ok so I got this book as a freebie and I love the Stephanie Plum series. The thing is: this takes familiar characters out of the realm of reality and gives them a whimsical twist. Not together unpleasant, but not the Sephanie Plum series I adore. The familiarity gives it something to bond to, but I was afraid it would detract from the series when I went back to it. It didn't and for this reason alone I am saying it was a good little read. Fortunately it is brief and easy to read. The between series is 'cute', but I still think overall it detracts from the main series. That being said I also bought the next one before I started the between series. I do not completely regret them, however I would not go out of my way to buy them either after having read them. The Series is another story..those are well worth the laughs.