Hero at Large

by Steffie Hall (Pseudonym), Janet Evanovich, C.J. Critt (Narrator)

He cooks a pot holder in the spaghetti sauce and needs lessons on making Jell-O. Still, single mom and ice skating coach Chris Nelson is committed to keeping her sexy, scruffy, new “house husband” around. After all, she did break his arm…and his toe…and she can’t just turn him out into the cold…

It seemed like luck when this gorgeous stranger first stopped to help Chris with her car, but suddenly her peaceful life turns topsy-turvy as tender, long-suffering Ken Callahan enlists the sympathies of her 7-year-old daughter and her meddlesome Aunt Edna. And even Chris can’t deny the excitement his magnetic blue-black eyes spark deep within her…But who is he?

Genres: Romance, Chick Lit, Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Humor, Audiobook, Contemporary

Audiobook

First published January 1, 1987

About the author

A pseudonym used by Janet Evanovich for several early novels.

Reviews

[SheriC · Rating 1 out of 5]

This must rank in the top 5 most asinine stories I've ever had the misfortune to attempt to read. It doesn't even deserve the compliment of bothering to explain why I thought it was so bad.

Audiobook, borrowed from my library via overdrive, read by CJ Critt, who did a pretty good job, considering the material she had to work with. I gave it 7 minutes longer than my 20 minute minimum before DNFing.

[Bethany · Rating 2 out of 5]

From the first scene to the last this one had me groaning.. and not in a good way at all. Like a "uhhhhhhhhh I can't believe this book was published!" way.

Haha. Literally. (stupid pretty girl who doesn't know cars need oil to run) "Oh! I just broke your arm after you tried to help fix my car!"
(handsome stranger who stopped to figure out why she was broken down) "Well, please drive me to the hospital so I can get it taken care of."
Pretty girl: "I don't know you, but since my car is broken I'll drive yours.. and I guess I'll take you to the hospital too.. but I don't really like you because you look so handsome I'm drooling and trying not to show it --too bad all my thoughts show on my face so you already know that--"
Handsome stranger: "You're a terrible driver. While you drive I'm going to try to seduce you." (So she drives better.. presumably)
Pretty girl: "Here we are at the hospital.. let's make out.. because even though I don't know you.. I just broke your arm and so I'm also so attracted to you.. you're sooo beautiful.. omg omg droool drool drool."


BUT there is ONE redeeming character!! Yes!! WE LOVE AUNT EDNA!!! Omg. I laughed, really laughed, almost EVERY TIME SHE OPENED HER MOUTH! She's freakin' hilarious.
Aunt Edna redeems this book from an awful waste of time to a book that left me smiling many times after many scenes.

Second redeeming quality is that she didn't go THERE. You know.. there.. the panting..the sweating.. the awkward -why-are-you-writing-this-scene-right-now- kind of thing you NEVER want the children in your life to know you read... Didn't go there. :) Thank you author.

Other redeeming quality. Although the pretty girl doesn't follow the example she wants to set for her daughter, she actually cares about the example she sets for her daughter. :) How sweet.

Full of cliches. Full of fluff characters that you never learn or care about. Full of irrational and unlikely and unbelievable.

(Like really? Who allows a stranger -a strange man- to live in your house when you have a seven-year-old daughter at home?)

I don't recommend this book to anyone. Unless you really like Aunt Edna characters. Aunt Edna was great. Sassy. Spunky. Old Fashioned. Principled. A believable and lovable character.

No language, only suggested sex, no drugs, nothing offensive except over-used cliche innuendos.

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book seemed like typical Janet Evanovich. Cheap laughs. The MCs are all gorgeous. Complicated relationships. An older female relative who uses the word pip. I found many similarities to Stephanie Plum.

This was light and fluffy. However, it was also highly improbable, but it made my morning fly by. So 3 stars.

[Sandie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Janet Evanovich's romances, they are so funny. I love them because the people in them seem real with real problems and they are easy to relate to.

This one is probably one of my favorites, I always enjoy romances that involve a single parent and this one was no exception and Evanovich always seems to find a way to include one crazy old lady into the mix!

The cover shows a dog and a rabbit and honestly I thought that would be part of the story. It was actually, but only a very small part.

This was a fast, easy read. I couldn't put it down, I couldn't wait to see what would happen next and I wasn't disappointed!! Our heroine has quite a way of capturing the hero's heart!!! Brilliant and funny!!

You don't have to like romance novels to enjoy this book, this is just a fun book that anyone could enjoy just about.

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Chris Nelson is grateful when a gorgeous hunk stops to help her when her car breaks down. But things go wrong when she accidentally breaks Ken Callahan's arm and has to take him to the hospital. Since he is from out of town and can't drive, he ends up staying at her house with her seven-year-old daughter and her elderly Aunt Edna. Ken like's Chris, her daughter, her aunt, and her house. He doesn't want to leave. Ken makes a deal that he will rent the downstairs portion of the house and give them access to his truck since Chris' car can't be fixed. It's a great deal for him since he also has unlimited access to Chris, a woman who fascinates him.

This was Janet Evanovich's first book, originally published under the pseudonym: Steffie Hall. It's a light romantic comedy with some cute moments, but the whole story was very unrealistic. I did get sick of hearing how Chris can't take a chance on marrying again after the disaster of her last marriage. The narrator, C.J. Critt did a good job with this book. My rating: 3 Stars.

[Susan Kraft · Rating 5 out of 5]

OK, I don't normally read very many romances, but I'm a huge fan of Evanovich's series about Stephanie Plum, so when I saw some of her romances listed at the library I decided, "Why not?" and gave a couple a try. I am so glad I did! This book is hysterical! Almost from the very first page I was laughing and I didn't really stop until the book was over and I realized I had grown to like the characters and wanted them to stick around! A single Mom meets a scruffy, good looking stranger when he stops to offer her help with her broken down car....and she winds up breaking his arm! That's just the beginning of this joyously bumpy ride through their relationship and it only gets better! Like I said....hysterical! It's a 'must read' for anyone who enjoys romance and/or comedy and/or Janet Evanovich's wicked sense of humor! Enjoy!

[Anita · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is painful. I don't think I have ever given Janet Evanovich a 3-Star rating. The heroine was a whiney person I just couldn't like. I loved the hero. He was patience, fun and really sweet, but I just couldn't see what he saw in the heroine.

Chris Nelson is a single mom, having been burned by a quickie marriage to a movie star who loved himself more than her. She was a championship ice skater and now makes her living coaching and raising her adorable red headed daughter, with help from her meddlesome Aunt Edna.

When Ken Callahan stops to aid a damsel in distress, he never figured he would end up being the one in distress. With a broken arm, he moves in with Chris and his life will never be the same again.

[Robin Reynolds · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun laugh-filled romp. The plot was a bit far-fetched, what with Ken just moving himself into the home Chris shares with her daughter and her aunt, and I'm not a big fan of falling-in-love-in-a-matter-of-days storylines, but I liked Ken and was kept amused by the banter between, well, everybody. My only disappointment was that shortly after being introduced, the dog (pictured on the cover) was taken to somewhere else to stay and did not reappear until the very end of the book.

[Anna's Herding Cats · Rating 2 out of 5]

Reviewed for herding cats & burning soup.

Listening to this one for my retro review with Sophia for this next quarter :D Read it back in 2011 originally.

Okay so 2.5 stars. Damn! I remember loving all of these light little romances from Evanovich when I read them years ago. They were fun and silly and a little cheeky. On audio though...ergs. I loved the hero and the heroine's auntie. The heroine though. Man alive she's a bitchy shrew! I mean the entire time. She's snippy at him, painting him as the bad guy, not taking any responsibility for her actions or feeling bad about hurting him physically or mentally. I think it was the narration for the most part. CJ Critt was very grating with the portrayal of the heroine. Everything just sounded mean when it came out of her mouth even when I don't think they were meant to be. I liked her narration of the hero, though.

The actual story...kinda fun but totally ridiculous as the hero stops to help the heroine when her car breaks down and winds up having his arm broken and they decide he'll move into her home with her,her aunt and her daughter while he recovers and they'll use his car during that time since her's is a junker now. So...ridiculous. But kind of funny situation and seeing them in each other's space. No real heat to speak of--the sex scenes are glossed over within a sentence or two. Love and lust happen pretty quickly but she bucks it constantly. I don't know. Didn't do it for me this time around.

[kari · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read One For the Money, the first Stephanie Plum book and didn't quite connect with it, but I decided to give Evanovich another try and I enjoyed this fun, fizzy little story.
The characters of Chris and Ken were fun to get to know, along with her Aunt Edna, who added a lot to the story. The romance is definitely here, but it's more in thoughts and feelings than bumping and grinding on the page. I actually like that, something left to the imagination is kind of nice.
Be warned you'll have to be willing to suspend your disbelief that a woman with a young child would allow a man she doesn't know to live in her house and I did find that a little difficult because Chris, the heroine, seems to be pretty cautious in her personal life, but I guess once she finds that once-in-a-lifetime person, even though she dosen't realize it, maybe common sense flies right out the window.
One thing I really did like was that, in the end, Chris sat down and had a really good think about why she was being so negative and what her problems actually were instead of continuing to blame Ken.
All in all, I liked this a lot more than the Plum book and I'd read more of these early Evanovich romance novels. In a word, cute.

[Marianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hero At Large is a pre-Plum novel by popular American author, Janet Evanovich, and was originally published under the nom-de-plume, Steffie Hall. When Chris Nelson’s car gives up the ghost on the Little River Turnpike, she’s grateful for the assistance that Ken Callaghan gives, and really, breaking his arm was completely accidental. But when her Aunt Edna invites Ken to rent their downstairs rooms, she is not happy. Ken is far too good looking, Chris is far too attracted to him, and after her ex, young Lucy’s dad, left her, she’s steering clear of relationships. Ken seems to be the perfect man: Lucy loves him, Aunt Edna wants Chris to marry him, he’s kind and thoughtful….. Then Chris discovers that Ken has not been entirely honest with her. Easily recognisable as the work of Stephanie Plum’s creator, this is a fun and fluffy romance.

[Diana · Rating 1 out of 5]

Okay, this was definitely an interesting read. I had heard some bad things about it, but I didn't believe it because I have always loved every book from her that I have read. Unfortunately, they were right. I feel like this was the first book she ever wrote, got super lucky that it was published, and then really found herself as an author. The majority of the book was a long rant about why she shouldn't be with the guy. Although, there were some funny parts, I did like the parts where he was injured and Aunt Edna was amazing. However, the plot was extremely predictable. It was super predictable and I knew immediately that he was someone rich and famous pretending to be a poor person. I got through this book because I hate leaving books unfinished. And at least the two main characters get their happy ending.

[Shelby · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 Stars
I have seen that it has been a popular read lately so I thought I would try it. While reading this book I thought was a cute little book to read but it was a ok book for me. I wouldn't read it over and over. I think one time reading is good for me with this book. I guess I was expecting a more interesting book that was a little bit longer. Overall it was ok and a cute book to read.

[Cheri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute little beach read

[Regina the Constant Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️ -Library Book 📕 (If you’re looking for a romance book with no sex, this is the one!)

[Jolly Ann Paciencia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember the character of Stephanie Plum in this book. And I find it simple but romantic story.

[K. · Rating 1 out of 5]

I made it a whopping six pages into this book before I noped my way out of it. I would have thrown it across the room, but I was on the bus and I figured my fellow passengers probably would have objected to being hit in the head by this trash. So I restrained myself.

What happened in the first six pages of this book that made me DNF it, you ask?
- Main female character tells us that she doesn't believe in getting cars fixed because "she felt too hopelessly intimidated by car mechanics". Uh, so you'd rather die in an accident???
- Her car breaks down. On a turnpike.
- She puts her hazard lights on. The guy in the car behind her - "The lights shining into her back window were high. Probably a truck. That was good - men who drove trucks always knew a lot about car engines" - comes up and offers to help.
- Instead of locking her car doors because IT'S AFTER DARK AND THIS DUDE HAS A BEARD AND IS GENERALLY A BIT SHIFTY LOOKING (she literally thinks to herself that he has "a predatory air" WTF), she's all "Oh, that'd be great! Let me hold the flashlight for you!"
- He declares her engine to be screwed, then looks at her ringless fingers and tells her "I think you need a new man in your life". He then follows up with "Someone who takes care of your...mechanical needs."

That was the point at which I rage quit this book. Because frankly? Those first six pages read like the opening of an episode of Criminal Minds, where the ditzy redhead who's scared of mechanics is found three years later, half eaten by the Rottweiler on the cover and then buried in a garbage bag in the woods. Which MIGHT have the trappings of an interesting story in the hands of Karin Slaughter.

Except that this is a romance book. And I just...NOPE.

Also, I just flipped through the rest of it, and the love interest's name is Ken. Swoon.

[Caro · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good. I laughed (quite a bit), huffed a little, smiled, and had a good time. Good characters, emotions, a good story line, and great ending. Sweet, strong and fun. Food for the anytime read and wanting something on the lighter side of life. Enjoy

[AXJ · Rating 1 out of 5]

quite possibly one of the worst books I have "read" (listened to it on audio on a long drive/had no other book otherwise would have been turned off).

There was absolutely nothing I liked about the main character. She was a whiny martyr of the worst kind.

THANKS PANDORA!!!

[★ gwiz ★ · Rating 4 out of 5]

A humorous romance that shows the beginnings of a few elements that will show up in the later Plum series. Although not as complex as the Plum stories, it is a quick enjoyable read.

[Kate · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF about halfway because I could no longer stand the characters. I would summarize my while-reading updates here to explain but blech forget it. It’s like someone took an outline and didn’t even bother to make a stock hero into a person, other than making him CREEPY AS ALL GET OUT which apparently is what our stock heroine likes. And some skating info.

Even C J Critt’s excellent narration couldn’t save this one.

ETA: autocorrect turned “stock hero” into “stick hero” and “stock heroine” into “tick heroine” and I must say, autocorrect may be on to something here.

[Sally Lindsay-briggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a delightful romp with Chris, who's a very busy ice skate coach and Ken, who stopped to fix her decrepit car. He is not all he says he is. There are sparks between them, lots of laughs and a sweet story ensues. The author wrote this long before the Stephanie Plum novels but it was a short and lots of fun.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s just fun! A quick read and fun story.

[Vickie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was the first book that Janet Evanovich had published; it was ok, but I'm glad she continued to write so that Stephanie Plum could be created. Girl's car breaks down; handsome guy happens to help her; his arm gets broken by the car hood falling down; he wiggles his way into girl's heart. I liked Ken Callahan but Chris Nelson left something to be desired. Also, I couldn't help but think that Aunt Edna must be related to Grandma Murzer somehow: both characters were pips!

Go Cards! L1C4!!

[Connie N. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a nice standalone romance, one of Evanovich's earlier works. It took forever to finish, partly because of a vacation in the middle, but also because my Hoopla borrow expired, then I had to download the audio version from another library. It's nice, it's sweet, but there's no real oomph to the story which I expect (and get) from Evanovich's current writings. Ken is a great hero--the strong silent type. He's really a millionaire, but Chris meets him on the side of the road when his truck breaks down. He's dressed in junky clothes, and they have a less-than-stellar meeting (when she accidentally breaks his arm), so she has no idea that he's someone well-known. He's got a funny, dry sense of humor and is extremely easy-going. Chris, on the other hand, is less appealing. It's understandable, I suppose, since she was burned by her ex-husband and now has a young daughter to worry about. She's nervous and paranoid and generally causes all of her own problems. Their relationship grows, but she constantly puts up roadblocks. I often found it frustrating, but Ken's patience and support win her over (and kept me invested in the romance as well). Since Chris is a figure skating coach, there was some interesting information included about that (as well as some more detailed stuff that seemed unnecessary). All in all, a nice read but nothing special. Critt did a great job of narration, and I liked her voice and inflections very much, but her voicing for Chris made her seem older and not exactly how I pictured her.

[Elizabeth Graf · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was one of the first (possible the first one??) pre-Stephanie Plum romance novels that Janet Evanovich wrote. I have read a couple of others and they follow the same...woman meets man, silly things happen, they fall in love, and ring is then given.

This story follows the same line. Chris, a single mother, has her car break down, Ken Callahan pulls over to help her and ends up breaking her arm. They go to e.r. and then she takes him to her house to rest as he cannot drive his stick shift truck. (Of course one has to think along the lines of that it is normal to bring a total stranger home and not worry if he is some sort of psycho.) Chris and Ken start to fall in love. Chris then finds out that Ken Callahan is actuall Ken Knight, a mega-rich guy, after she accepts his engagement ring. Chris wants nothing to do with him even though she is still in love with him as she does not want to get hurt again like she was her daughter's dad (he is famous and does not want anything to do with a kid or a wife so they divorced).

Through all the little flip-flops that her heart does, and from the gentle prodding of Aunt Edna, who lives with Chris for the most part, Chris and Ken get back together, the ring back on her finger, and they live happily ever after.

It is not a horrible book and I always enjoy a good romance--fall in love--all over feel good story.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

A reissue of an old Janet Evanovich romance. It appears to have been updated a bit from its original release (Ken has a cell phone that he lets Chris borrow), but not much. It reads like on old romance, but is cute. Aunt Edna is a predecessor to Grandma Mazur and there is a big dog named Bob in it as well. So, once again, we can see the beginnings of the Plum clan.

Chris meets Ken on the side of the road after her car breaks down. He offers to help her and then she accidentally breaks his arm. By the end of the day, he has made himself at home in her home. She doesn't want anything to do with another man after her first husband broke her heart and she really doesn't want a man to hurt her aunt or her daughter by leaving. So, what is she to do with this man?

A bit of a dull premise. Back in 1987 I'm guessing the story felt a bit newer, but now it just feels old and drab. Nothing exciting here. Chris doesn't want to like him, but does. He likes her and will get her to like him back. He has a secret and it could destroy their shaky relationship.

A cute read for the beach, but nothing new and really nothing exciting.

[Marilyn Fontane · Rating 1 out of 5]

Hero at Large by Janet Evanovich is a fairy tale (girl finds rich, handsome, kind, sensitive, loving man who is crazy about her even though she rejects him at first) written as soft-core pornography. Evanovich's popularity with Stephanie Plum has made editors reprint some of her early novels published under the pen name Steffie Hall. This is one. Don't confuse it with the funny, exciting novels she now writes. You will be disappointed.

[Maddux · Rating 3 out of 5]

Clean. Squeaky.

Heroine and hero... Both are squeaky clean.

So there's nothing wrong with this story. It was nice. A lovely little romance.

But it's more like something I'd have enjoyed when I was a teenager. Even though I avoided stories with kids in them.

I don't know why there is a dog and a rabbit on this cover. That makes no sense whatsoever.

[Mary Rad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just a cute, fun, quick read. At 24, my car died because I didn't know about the oil thing! Naïve? yes!