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Elsie Hawkins #4
The Rocky Road to Romance
When the delightful, daffy Dog Lady of station WZZZ offered to take on the temporary job of traffic reporter, Steve Crow tried to think of reasons to turn Daisy Adams down. Perhaps he knew that sharing the close quarters of a car with her for hours would give the handsome program director no room to resist her quirky charms. He'd always favored low-slung sports cars and high-heeled women, but that was before he fell for a free spirit who caught crooks by accident, loved old people and pets, and had just too many jobs!
Loving Daisy turned Steve's life upside down, especially once he adopted Bob, a couch potato masquerading as a huge dog. But was Daisy finally ready to play for keeps?
Loving Daisy turned Steve's life upside down, especially once he adopted Bob, a couch potato masquerading as a huge dog. But was Daisy finally ready to play for keeps?
Audio
First published March 1, 1991
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About the author
Janet Evanovich
332 books41.2k followersJanet Evanovich is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Stephanie Plum series, the Lizzy and Diesel series, twelve romance novels, the Alexandra Barnaby novels and Trouble Maker graphic novel, and How I Write: Secrets of a Bestselling Author, as well as the Fox and O'Hare series with co-author Lee Goldberg.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 489 reviews
January 21, 2017
Rocky Road To Romance is a pre-Plum novel by popular American author, Janet Evanovich. It is the fourth book in the Elsie Hawkins series, on whom, Evanovich says, Grandma Mazur was modelled. Fans of the Plum series will be interested to know that in this book, the prototype for Bob the Dog makes an appearance.
When the traffic reporter on station WZZZ breaks his leg, Daisy Adams asks her hunky boss, Steve Crow, if she can have the job. Daisy has quite a bit on her plate already: she’s looking after her younger brother, volunteering as a crossing guard and in a nursing home, doing a paper run, studying to defend her doctorate dissertation and doing a recipes-for-dogs spot on WZZZ. Soon after she starts the traffic reporting, she accidentally runs down a drug dealer. This seems to bring down quite a bit of misfortune onto her head.
Steve Crow has already fallen for this quirky woman, and decides she needs protection: Elsie Hawkins signs on as a bodyguard for Daisy. This final Elsie Hawkins instalment features the prototypes for Grandma Mazur, Uncle Sandor’s powder-blue Buick, the gun in the handbag and Bob the dog. There’s a firebomb, a few car chases and plenty of sweet romance.
When the traffic reporter on station WZZZ breaks his leg, Daisy Adams asks her hunky boss, Steve Crow, if she can have the job. Daisy has quite a bit on her plate already: she’s looking after her younger brother, volunteering as a crossing guard and in a nursing home, doing a paper run, studying to defend her doctorate dissertation and doing a recipes-for-dogs spot on WZZZ. Soon after she starts the traffic reporting, she accidentally runs down a drug dealer. This seems to bring down quite a bit of misfortune onto her head.
Steve Crow has already fallen for this quirky woman, and decides she needs protection: Elsie Hawkins signs on as a bodyguard for Daisy. This final Elsie Hawkins instalment features the prototypes for Grandma Mazur, Uncle Sandor’s powder-blue Buick, the gun in the handbag and Bob the dog. There’s a firebomb, a few car chases and plenty of sweet romance.
February 16, 2018
I picked this oldie out of the bag of audios rattling around in my hatch because I wanted something fluff filled for my latest car read and that’s exactly what I got. If you’ve read any of her romances you’ll know what I mean. They’re fun while you’re listening but pretty forgettable once finished.
This version is narrated by C.J. Critt who always does such a professional job with Evanovich’s quirky characters. She has a unique voice with a little grit and I always enjoy a book more when she narrates it.
Steve is the program director (or is he the owner? I’m not sure but regardless he’s rich and he's the boss) of a radio station called WZZZ. Daisy has a daily 5 minute spot on the station because she’s kind of popular after writing a book on making dog treats. She’s a woman who has way too many jobs to make ends meet while she works on a degree and attempts to feed her always hungry teenage brother. She’s a likable sort. When she learns that the traffic reporter spot has temporarily opened up she begs for the job even though she has no experience and, wouldn’t you know it, Steve is the one who trains her. Calamity follows. They fall in insta-love, a big lunk of a dog gets adopted, houses and cars are bought and a nutty old lady becomes Daisy’s new bodyguard (don’t ask) when a bad guy starts threatening Daisy’s well-being. That’s about it as far as the plot goes.
The book moves at a crazed pace and it was finished before it had barely begun. All of the characters are do silly things without thinking anything through. The romance (which is strictly PG-13) moves at the speed of light and there were no angst filled moments or deep emotional connections. It’s fun but at times felt like it was trying a little too hard to be cutesy and it wasn’t exactly original in any way. If you’re expecting reality you will be very disappointed. It wasn’t what I’d consider LMAO funny (nope ass is still there) but it’s pleasant, comfy and has its moments of charm. 3 1/2 stars? Yeah that sounds good to me.
This version is narrated by C.J. Critt who always does such a professional job with Evanovich’s quirky characters. She has a unique voice with a little grit and I always enjoy a book more when she narrates it.
Steve is the program director (or is he the owner? I’m not sure but regardless he’s rich and he's the boss) of a radio station called WZZZ. Daisy has a daily 5 minute spot on the station because she’s kind of popular after writing a book on making dog treats. She’s a woman who has way too many jobs to make ends meet while she works on a degree and attempts to feed her always hungry teenage brother. She’s a likable sort. When she learns that the traffic reporter spot has temporarily opened up she begs for the job even though she has no experience and, wouldn’t you know it, Steve is the one who trains her. Calamity follows. They fall in insta-love, a big lunk of a dog gets adopted, houses and cars are bought and a nutty old lady becomes Daisy’s new bodyguard (don’t ask) when a bad guy starts threatening Daisy’s well-being. That’s about it as far as the plot goes.
The book moves at a crazed pace and it was finished before it had barely begun. All of the characters are do silly things without thinking anything through. The romance (which is strictly PG-13) moves at the speed of light and there were no angst filled moments or deep emotional connections. It’s fun but at times felt like it was trying a little too hard to be cutesy and it wasn’t exactly original in any way. If you’re expecting reality you will be very disappointed. It wasn’t what I’d consider LMAO funny (nope ass is still there) but it’s pleasant, comfy and has its moments of charm. 3 1/2 stars? Yeah that sounds good to me.
February 3, 2016
As always, I've been rereading these books because a very dear friend mailed them all to me from the US as birthday and Christmas presents way back when they were rereleased, and I feel I owe it to her to reread them and make a proper assessment before I weed them from my collection.
Some of the rereads have been fun and enjoyable. This one? I made it to page THIRTY NINE before I hurled the book at the wall as hard as I could. Because NO. NO NO NO NO NO.
Let's talk about those first 39 pages, shall we?
- Our female lead is a PhD student (studying geriatric psychology) who works five jobs to support herself and her 14 year old brother, who's currently living with her. AWESOME, right?! She's doing a PhD, so she's clearly highly intelligent. Except no. She's as intelligent as a box of hammers.
- Our male lead has a Native American father and Hispanic mother. And he's super rich because "the ancestral land turned out to have lots of oil". So now he runs a radio station??
- In the first 39 pages, we're told that he wants to bang her, and she thinks he's intimidating and he makes her nervous.
- Seriously, she comes across as a nice but innocent girl. He comes across as a fucking creeper.
- This quote: "She had a soft spot for dogs and old people. Steve thought that was nice. He wondered how she felt about minorities. Probably, she loved minorities. He was a shoo-in, he decided. He'd buy a dog, introduce her to his grandparents, then show her his bedroom." NO. NOT OKAY. NOTHING ABOUT THAT IS OKAY. First of all, it's totally creepy. Second of all, did Evanovich seriously just compare minorities to dogs?!?! And that's page 17.
- On page 26, he randomly turns up at her house with a ton of food. Like, at no point had they discussed where she lived and she definitely hadn't given him her address. So clearly, he got it from the radio station personnel records, which NO.
- He then takes her out for dinner to discuss the details of her new job. And this quote was my breaking point, where I rage-quit and hurled the book at the wall: "He had mixed feelings about Daisy's celebrity status. As a businessman he knew he should be loving it. As a newsman he felt a little offended. And as her future lover, he didn't like it at all."
- AS HER FUTURE LOVER.
- She's literally never expressed any interest in him.
- And he freaks her the fuck out.
- So no.
- No forever.
- I'm done with this ick-worthy trash.
- Nope.
In summary, this book is full of possessive male bullshit and it should be read by no one, let alone being treated as romantic.
Some of the rereads have been fun and enjoyable. This one? I made it to page THIRTY NINE before I hurled the book at the wall as hard as I could. Because NO. NO NO NO NO NO.
Let's talk about those first 39 pages, shall we?
- Our female lead is a PhD student (studying geriatric psychology) who works five jobs to support herself and her 14 year old brother, who's currently living with her. AWESOME, right?! She's doing a PhD, so she's clearly highly intelligent. Except no. She's as intelligent as a box of hammers.
- Our male lead has a Native American father and Hispanic mother. And he's super rich because "the ancestral land turned out to have lots of oil". So now he runs a radio station??
- In the first 39 pages, we're told that he wants to bang her, and she thinks he's intimidating and he makes her nervous.
- Seriously, she comes across as a nice but innocent girl. He comes across as a fucking creeper.
- This quote: "She had a soft spot for dogs and old people. Steve thought that was nice. He wondered how she felt about minorities. Probably, she loved minorities. He was a shoo-in, he decided. He'd buy a dog, introduce her to his grandparents, then show her his bedroom." NO. NOT OKAY. NOTHING ABOUT THAT IS OKAY. First of all, it's totally creepy. Second of all, did Evanovich seriously just compare minorities to dogs?!?! And that's page 17.
- On page 26, he randomly turns up at her house with a ton of food. Like, at no point had they discussed where she lived and she definitely hadn't given him her address. So clearly, he got it from the radio station personnel records, which NO.
- He then takes her out for dinner to discuss the details of her new job. And this quote was my breaking point, where I rage-quit and hurled the book at the wall: "He had mixed feelings about Daisy's celebrity status. As a businessman he knew he should be loving it. As a newsman he felt a little offended. And as her future lover, he didn't like it at all."
- AS HER FUTURE LOVER.
- She's literally never expressed any interest in him.
- And he freaks her the fuck out.
- So no.
- No forever.
- I'm done with this ick-worthy trash.
- Nope.
In summary, this book is full of possessive male bullshit and it should be read by no one, let alone being treated as romantic.
October 18, 2020
4 Stars for The Rocky Road to Romance (audiobook) by Janet Evanovich read by C. J. Critt. I thought this was a fun story with some fun characters. The narration was good too.
January 20, 2009
As with most romance novels, I found it a little condescending and obnoxious that things moved so quickly and yet so perfectly. Suspension of belief is one thing, overdoing a fairy tale that makes me uncomfortable in the first place is a whole other. That said, the characters in this tale were as equally endearing as Evanovich's Plum series regulars. In reading the excerpt from another Evanovich love story I am not convinced that other sans-Plum books will be as delightful as this one, but I'm willing to give it a shot. What I would love to see come from this book is a series with Elsie and Daisy as the central characters, with Daisy returning as a reporter and Elsie her bodyguard. Too much to hope for I suppose, but these characters truly were as endearing to me as Stephanie Plum.
September 11, 2011
*whispers* This was my first audio book. I probably would have enjoyed it more if I had read it rather than listened to it LOL I was easily distracted while listening...no fault of the book content, it was all me and my noisy kids.
June 25, 2019
It has a little slow start but after like all her other books so good.
Read
January 10, 2020DNF
January 8, 2012
When I first stared reading romance novels several years ago, I happened to pick up a few of the newly rereleased early works of Janet Evanovich. I realized recently that I'd somehow missed this one. I now have a little more experience with romance novels, and while reading The Rocky Road to Romance it occurred to me that Evanovich's early books are more in the line of good natured self-mockery than a serious attempt at romance. The story contains many romance cliches which are stripped down to the bare essentials. None of the characters, including the dog, and few of the situations are believable, but they're fun. Several of these early works have a hero that falls in love instantly and decides he's going to marry the heroine. The book continues from there as he finds ways to convince the heroine she can't live without him. The dialog is clever and the characters endearing. Bob the dog is a hit.
The book does change pace a bit towards the end as our heroine has a very believable struggle trying to figure out who she has become during her single-minded pursuit of her doctorate, and what she wants for the future. While not exactly deep, it gives the book more depth than it starts with.
The early works of Janet Evanovich won't win any writing awards, but for a funny read with a little heart, they're pretty much a sure thing. 4* for entertainment value.
The book does change pace a bit towards the end as our heroine has a very believable struggle trying to figure out who she has become during her single-minded pursuit of her doctorate, and what she wants for the future. While not exactly deep, it gives the book more depth than it starts with.
The early works of Janet Evanovich won't win any writing awards, but for a funny read with a little heart, they're pretty much a sure thing. 4* for entertainment value.
November 18, 2009
After an unexpected accident with the traffic reporter on WZZZ, operations manager Steve Crow was desperate for a fill in reporter. Desperate enough to give the kooky dog lady Daisy Adams a try behind the wheel. Even after a terrible first broadcast, Daisy was sent o a breaking news story and ended up being the story. Having a hand, or more like a fender, involved in the capture of the bad guy, the threat to Daisy’s life seemed to hit Steve hard. His overwhelming feeling of protectiveness leading him to hire a bodyguard (Elsie Hawkins). Something about Daisy also prompted Steve to get a dog (Bob), buy an SUV and a house - good thing he’s rich. Now if she would just slow down and stay out of trouble maybe he would be able to sleep nights.
Another pre-Plum re-release. Got a kick out of the first Bob the dog. Also liked the character of Elsie Hawkins, you can really see the beginnings of the character of Grandma Mazur. Lots of thing happen to and around Daisy, I liked how Steve handled it all. As with most of Janet Evanovich books, there was laugh out loud moments as well as the action and the character interactions. Another example of why she is such a popular author.
Another pre-Plum re-release. Got a kick out of the first Bob the dog. Also liked the character of Elsie Hawkins, you can really see the beginnings of the character of Grandma Mazur. Lots of thing happen to and around Daisy, I liked how Steve handled it all. As with most of Janet Evanovich books, there was laugh out loud moments as well as the action and the character interactions. Another example of why she is such a popular author.
August 18, 2010
One of my favorite series is the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich. Because I like her style of writing, I gave this one a try. The style remains the same, and there are some really funny moments and characters.
Daisy Adams has managed to fill her days completely with school, work, and volunteering. In order to make ends meet, she takes on the job as traffic reporter at the radio station where she works, even though she has no idea what to do. She becomes involved with the owner of the station, Steve Crow, in the process. When she accidentally takes down a local drug dealer, Daisy starts receiving threats.
I liked that this book was light and fluffy and didn't really take alot of brain power to get through. I'm not really in a reading place right now, but it's nice to lay down and read a few pages before bed. What I didn't like is that the plot moved too quickly and everything was packaged fairly neatly. There wasn't really any characters not to like, and while this is okay, I do like to have a protagonist every now and again.
I probably won't read this book again, but for it was a good read for a one time round of pre-sleepy time relaxation.
Daisy Adams has managed to fill her days completely with school, work, and volunteering. In order to make ends meet, she takes on the job as traffic reporter at the radio station where she works, even though she has no idea what to do. She becomes involved with the owner of the station, Steve Crow, in the process. When she accidentally takes down a local drug dealer, Daisy starts receiving threats.
I liked that this book was light and fluffy and didn't really take alot of brain power to get through. I'm not really in a reading place right now, but it's nice to lay down and read a few pages before bed. What I didn't like is that the plot moved too quickly and everything was packaged fairly neatly. There wasn't really any characters not to like, and while this is okay, I do like to have a protagonist every now and again.
I probably won't read this book again, but for it was a good read for a one time round of pre-sleepy time relaxation.
June 14, 2011
Another book for the library's adult summer reading program -cd/romance. I've never read anything by Janet Evanovich before. We'll see...
Okay, so, this was a my first Janet Evanovich book... and likely my last if they're all like this one. I know her books are popular, but they've never enticed me enough to pick one up prior to this. There were some funny moments, but they didn't come even close to making up for the predictable drivel that posed as a story line. Was this supposed to be believable at all? I don't read a lot of romance, but when I do, I spare myself the sex scenes by choosing Christian romance. I might have been less annoyed by this audiobook had the reader sounded closer to the age of the main character. I kept reminding myself the character was in her 20s, not her 50s as she sounded. The only good thing I can say is that this was only 5 hrs long so my suffering was fairly brief. Since I was reading this for the summer reading program, I stuck it out to the end, but I really, really hope I don't have to choose another romance on cd... the pickings were very slim.
Okay, so, this was a my first Janet Evanovich book... and likely my last if they're all like this one. I know her books are popular, but they've never enticed me enough to pick one up prior to this. There were some funny moments, but they didn't come even close to making up for the predictable drivel that posed as a story line. Was this supposed to be believable at all? I don't read a lot of romance, but when I do, I spare myself the sex scenes by choosing Christian romance. I might have been less annoyed by this audiobook had the reader sounded closer to the age of the main character. I kept reminding myself the character was in her 20s, not her 50s as she sounded. The only good thing I can say is that this was only 5 hrs long so my suffering was fairly brief. Since I was reading this for the summer reading program, I stuck it out to the end, but I really, really hope I don't have to choose another romance on cd... the pickings were very slim.
March 29, 2012
Evanovich is probably best known for her Stephanie Plum detective series. It's obvious this is one of her earlier works. Her characters are cute and charming, but the romance is ridiculously swift and the plot is a little jumpy.
Daisy is a sweet, overworked girl who falls into a job as a traffic reporter. Her boss, Steve, is gruff and handsome and protective. Even though they've worked together at the radio station for over a year, the minute Daisy gets the job, they fall in love. Riiiiiiiiiiight.
Add in a heat-packing granny, an overfed dog named Bob, and Daisy's habit of ticking off criminals, and you've got a book that is as much comedy as romance.
I think what bothered me the most was the dialogue. With lines like, "...marriage is for a lifetime. It's irrevocable. It's like getting your ears pierced" and "you son of a dog!", it's easy to write off all the characters as idiots, even though one is a graduate student and one is the manager of a radio station.
Certainly a light, cute read...but the romance is a little unbeleiveable, even for the romance genre.
Daisy is a sweet, overworked girl who falls into a job as a traffic reporter. Her boss, Steve, is gruff and handsome and protective. Even though they've worked together at the radio station for over a year, the minute Daisy gets the job, they fall in love. Riiiiiiiiiiight.
Add in a heat-packing granny, an overfed dog named Bob, and Daisy's habit of ticking off criminals, and you've got a book that is as much comedy as romance.
I think what bothered me the most was the dialogue. With lines like, "...marriage is for a lifetime. It's irrevocable. It's like getting your ears pierced" and "you son of a dog!", it's easy to write off all the characters as idiots, even though one is a graduate student and one is the manager of a radio station.
Certainly a light, cute read...but the romance is a little unbeleiveable, even for the romance genre.
October 30, 2012
อยากจะกรี๊ด 8 ตลบ พระเอกอาไร๊น่ารักมากๆ
สตีฟเป็นเจ้าของสถานีวิทยุที่นางเอกไปทำงานเป็นผู้จัดรายการเกี่ยวกับอาหารสุนัขเพื่อหารายได้เสริมจากการที่เธอเรียนต่อปริญญาเอกด้านจิตวิทยา เธอทำงานตั้งแต่เช้าจรดเย็น เริ่มด้วยการส่งหนังสือพิมพ์ เด็กเสริฟร้านอาหาร จัดรายการวิทยุ เขียนตำราอาหารสุนัข ฯลฯ เธอขอพระเอกควบตำแหน่งนักข่าวรายงานข่าวจราจรเนื่องจากนักข่าวคนปัจจุบันประสบอุบัติเหตุต้องพักรักษาตัว
พระเอกที่แสนจะหล่อ รวย และเซ็กซี่อย่างร้ายกาจถูกมนต์เสน่ห์หลงรักเธอแบบไม่รู้เนื้อรู้ตัว (ไม่รู้แกไปชอบเอาตอนไหน)ถึงขนาดโกหกนางเอกว่าตัวเองเลี้ยงสุนัข จนต้องเดือดร้อนไปหาสุนัขมาเลี้ยงอย่างเร่งด่วน บ๊อบสุนัขที่แสนจะโชคดีก็เลยได้รถ SUV คันใหม่ป้ายแดงมานั่งโฉบเฉี่ยวเพราะรถเก๋งสปอร์ตมันเล็กเกินไป เท่านั้นยังไม่พอยังได้ย้ายไปอยู่บ้านหลังใหม่แทนคอนโดที่พระเอกอยู่แต่เดิมเพราะโลเกชั่นไม่เหมาะกับการมีสัตว์เลี้ยง ว่าเข้าไปนั่น คนอะไรจะลงทุนซื้อรถซื้อบ้านด้วยเงินสดแบบไม่ต้องยั้งคิดเพียงเพราะจะจีบสาว เฮ้อ...รวยซะอย่างมันก็ดีไปแปดอย่าง
แต่ที่ไม่เข้าใจเป็นอย่างยิ่งคือหล่อเลือกได้อย่างพระเอกเนี่ยทำไม๊ทำไมมาหลงรักคนโก๊ะ ๆ อย่างนางเอกอย่างหัวปักหัวปำก็ไม่รู้
สตีฟเป็นเจ้าของสถานีวิทยุที่นางเอกไปทำงานเป็นผู้จัดรายการเกี่ยวกับอาหารสุนัขเพื่อหารายได้เสริมจากการที่เธอเรียนต่อปริญญาเอกด้านจิตวิทยา เธอทำงานตั้งแต่เช้าจรดเย็น เริ่มด้วยการส่งหนังสือพิมพ์ เด็กเสริฟร้านอาหาร จัดรายการวิทยุ เขียนตำราอาหารสุนัข ฯลฯ เธอขอพระเอกควบตำแหน่งนักข่าวรายงานข่าวจราจรเนื่องจากนักข่าวคนปัจจุบันประสบอุบัติเหตุต้องพักรักษาตัว
พระเอกที่แสนจะหล่อ รวย และเซ็กซี่อย่างร้ายกาจถูกมนต์เสน่ห์หลงรักเธอแบบไม่รู้เนื้อรู้ตัว (ไม่รู้แกไปชอบเอาตอนไหน)ถึงขนาดโกหกนางเอกว่าตัวเองเลี้ยงสุนัข จนต้องเดือดร้อนไปหาสุนัขมาเลี้ยงอย่างเร่งด่วน บ๊อบสุนัขที่แสนจะโชคดีก็เลยได้รถ SUV คันใหม่ป้ายแดงมานั่งโฉบเฉี่ยวเพราะรถเก๋งสปอร์ตมันเล็กเกินไป เท่านั้นยังไม่พอยังได้ย้ายไปอยู่บ้านหลังใหม่แทนคอนโดที่พระเอกอยู่แต่เดิมเพราะโลเกชั่นไม่เหมาะกับการมีสัตว์เลี้ยง ว่าเข้าไปนั่น คนอะไรจะลงทุนซื้อรถซื้อบ้านด้วยเงินสดแบบไม่ต้องยั้งคิดเพียงเพราะจะจีบสาว เฮ้อ...รวยซะอย่างมันก็ดีไปแปดอย่าง
แต่ที่ไม่เข้าใจเป็นอย่างยิ่งคือหล่อเลือกได้อย่างพระเอกเนี่ยทำไม๊ทำไมมาหลงรักคนโก๊ะ ๆ อย่างนางเอกอย่างหัวปักหัวปำก็ไม่รู้
September 9, 2020
So... unless it's SEP and Teresa of Reads Romance recs it, it may not be advisable for me to randomly delve into a new to me author's backlist and read a book that's almost a decade old. It's not that I didn't enjoy The Rocky Road to Romance; and honestly, I must've picked it up based off of something that I saw on some sort of bookish feed because it wasn't as entirely random selection. I just don't remember who recommended it and why I thought "must read this now!" Anyhow, it was ok. The passage of time was not particularly kind to it however. Also, when an author describes the male lead as "dark skinned" I tend to envision Idris Elba, when more than likely they mean Benjamin Bratt, as was the case here and I find that grossly misleading. It just felt like there was a lot going on, not to mention insta-lovey in a way that I really wasn't expecting (nor really cared for). It also ended rather abruptly. So while my usual tendency after reading book 4 in a series would be to at least read the preceding books to see if that altered my opinion at all, I think I'm just gonna pass on that notion in this instance and probably pass of Janet Evanovich altogether. It wasn't bad - it just wasn't for me.
2.5 out of 5 wine glasses.
2.5 out of 5 wine glasses.
February 9, 2020
I love this author and I love the Stephanie Plum series. I believe these books were written before Stephanie Plum series and I have to say I am disappointed with the author. No real new ideas, characters. There is gun toting Granny (in Stephanie Plum series), there is a dog named Bob (also in the series) , the heroine in right place , right time ( also in the series) accidentally offs the bad guy (also in the series) and a LOT of the same lines too. It was cute and interesting but sadly disappointed at how similar (like a lot similar) to the Stephanie Plum series. I was hoping for something different. Not a lot of different ideas here at all.
February 2, 2018
Romance isn't my cup of tea but this met some prompt for challenges I am doing, so I read it. An early on book, written in 1991. You can see how some early characters developed into Stephanie Plum characters. Elsie is just like Grandma Mazur and we meet the first "Bob", the dog.
Steve and Daisy meet at work, and between shoot outs with gangsters fall in love, she gets pregnant (big surprise there!) and they plan to get married and live happily ever after.
Typical romance book only funnier.
Steve and Daisy meet at work, and between shoot outs with gangsters fall in love, she gets pregnant (big surprise there!) and they plan to get married and live happily ever after.
Typical romance book only funnier.
November 27, 2024
This was a mid, cute book. Liked the romance a little. I was reading and re-reading a bunch of Janet Evanovich books all around the same time and this was one of the better ones. In this one the guy falls 1st and falls hard. I did forget a bunch from the book only a few days later, and the only thing that really stuck in my head was, "this one was fun".
May 31, 2022
I liked it but doubt I'll ever read it again. This one disappointed me. I really liked the ending though. This one didn't have the humor that Hero at large did. I didn't fall in love with the characters or story. I just kept waiting for it to get better or be over. I also find it annoying that the dog's name is the same as the dog in Hero at large. Steve had the funny lines when they did show up. I thought he went from player to wanting to get married way to quickly. 🤷♀️ Hero at large was wayyyyyy better.
May 14, 2021
This is an older book pre Plum. It seriously could be from that series. Same characters just different names lol
September 24, 2021
What a hoot of a romance novel
Janet Evanovich is my go to author when I need to recharge my reading lists of historical novels and Mysteries.
The pages are like an after dinner aperitif to cleanse the pallet!
Janet Evanovich is my go to author when I need to recharge my reading lists of historical novels and Mysteries.
The pages are like an after dinner aperitif to cleanse the pallet!
March 4, 2025
I enjoy reading this book it is very fun. At the same time, it is a little bit similar to the book Stephanie Plum.
March 5, 2025
While the relationship between Steve and Daisy didn't spark for me, the relationship with Steve and Bob the dog sure did! This book has a good b plot and a lot of fun, quirky characters.
June 5, 2012
Mein erstes Buch von Janet Evanovich und sicher auch mein letztes.
Zum Inhalt:
Überarbeitete, herzensgute Frau trifft charmanten, reichen Mann. Knistern, Sex, Liebe, ein auf Rache sinnender Verbrecher, Happy End.
Die Charaktere waren sehr eindimensional und langweilig. Der männliche Protagonist kauft mal eben einen Hund, weil er seiner Angebeteten gegenüber behauptet hat, er hätte einen Hund. Sofort stellt sich heraus, dass der Hund nicht ins Auto (Angeberkarre, die offenbar Frauen so toll finden, dass sie permanent ihre Unterwäsche als Annäherungsversuch daran befestigen.) passt, also kauft er ein neues Auto und natürlich ein passendes Haus zum Hund. Alles innerhalb weniger Stunden.
Ein Verbrecher läuft der Protagonistin vors Auto, woraufhin er von der Polizei, der er beinahe entkommen war, gefasst wird. Als er auf Kaution frei kommt, schwört er Rache und begeht mehrere Anschläge auf das Leben der Heldin.
Die Autorin wollte scheinbar Action und Drama in die ansonsten flache Liebesgeschichte einbinden. Leider wirkt dieser Teil der Geschichte völlig an den Haaren herbeigezogen.
Die Protagonistin stellt eine Personenschützerin ein, die wohl eine Comedy-hafte Figur sein soll: Eine Seniorin, die nach einem Hüftbruch in der Reha zur Bekämpfung der Langeweile eine Online-Bodyguard Prüfung abgelegt hat und heftig mit der illegalen aber geladenen Waffe herumfuchtelt. Schlechter Klamauk.
Der Menschenessen verschlingende Hund, der immer im richtigen Moment zustimmend bellt, wirkt wie eine Disneyhafte Version eines Hundes. Albern.
Alles wirkt zu glatt, sowohl die Liebesgeschichte, als auch die kleinen Momente, in denen die Autorin alles so arrangiert, dass eine bestimmte Situation entsteht.
Die Perspektive wechselt permanent zwischen den beiden Protagonisten hin und her. Nicht Kapitel- oder Absatzweise, sondern oft viel kleinschrittiger. Wenn ich einen Moment aus der Perspektive einer Person erlebe, möchte ich „bei ihr bleiben“ und das Innenleben der anderen nur durch Hinweise erahnen. Die wechselnde Perspektive wirkte auf mich unkoordiniert und ungeschickt.
Die Gefühle werden beschrieben, nicht gezeigt. Man fühlt nicht mit, wie sich die Protagonisten verlieben, die Autorin stellt es einfach fest.
Alles in allem wirkt das Buch wie ein schlechter erster Versuch „mal ein Buch zu schreiben“.
Zum Inhalt:
Überarbeitete, herzensgute Frau trifft charmanten, reichen Mann. Knistern, Sex, Liebe, ein auf Rache sinnender Verbrecher, Happy End.
Die Charaktere waren sehr eindimensional und langweilig. Der männliche Protagonist kauft mal eben einen Hund, weil er seiner Angebeteten gegenüber behauptet hat, er hätte einen Hund. Sofort stellt sich heraus, dass der Hund nicht ins Auto (Angeberkarre, die offenbar Frauen so toll finden, dass sie permanent ihre Unterwäsche als Annäherungsversuch daran befestigen.) passt, also kauft er ein neues Auto und natürlich ein passendes Haus zum Hund. Alles innerhalb weniger Stunden.
Ein Verbrecher läuft der Protagonistin vors Auto, woraufhin er von der Polizei, der er beinahe entkommen war, gefasst wird. Als er auf Kaution frei kommt, schwört er Rache und begeht mehrere Anschläge auf das Leben der Heldin.
Die Autorin wollte scheinbar Action und Drama in die ansonsten flache Liebesgeschichte einbinden. Leider wirkt dieser Teil der Geschichte völlig an den Haaren herbeigezogen.
Die Protagonistin stellt eine Personenschützerin ein, die wohl eine Comedy-hafte Figur sein soll: Eine Seniorin, die nach einem Hüftbruch in der Reha zur Bekämpfung der Langeweile eine Online-Bodyguard Prüfung abgelegt hat und heftig mit der illegalen aber geladenen Waffe herumfuchtelt. Schlechter Klamauk.
Der Menschenessen verschlingende Hund, der immer im richtigen Moment zustimmend bellt, wirkt wie eine Disneyhafte Version eines Hundes. Albern.
Alles wirkt zu glatt, sowohl die Liebesgeschichte, als auch die kleinen Momente, in denen die Autorin alles so arrangiert, dass eine bestimmte Situation entsteht.
Die Perspektive wechselt permanent zwischen den beiden Protagonisten hin und her. Nicht Kapitel- oder Absatzweise, sondern oft viel kleinschrittiger. Wenn ich einen Moment aus der Perspektive einer Person erlebe, möchte ich „bei ihr bleiben“ und das Innenleben der anderen nur durch Hinweise erahnen. Die wechselnde Perspektive wirkte auf mich unkoordiniert und ungeschickt.
Die Gefühle werden beschrieben, nicht gezeigt. Man fühlt nicht mit, wie sich die Protagonisten verlieben, die Autorin stellt es einfach fest.
Alles in allem wirkt das Buch wie ein schlechter erster Versuch „mal ein Buch zu schreiben“.
August 9, 2011
This was a lot of fun for a long-time Evanovich fan to read. One of her earlier novels just re-released, it bears some of her hallmarks with just enough restraint to show she wouldn’t be a mere romance novelist for long. This book was like a trial ground for Grandma Mazur and Bob the dog, as well as a couple rough hews into Morelli, from the Stephanie Plum novels. It begins when Daisy, our overworked heroine, talks her gorgeous boss, Steve Crow, into letting her do the traffic reports at his radio station. AS soon as the two of them are confined in a car together, attraction flares. One day, en route to a story, Daisy accidentally aids the police in apprehending a suspect, and suddenly her life is in danger. Steve decides she needs his protection as much as possible and tells her he has a dog. This causes him to have to stop at an animal shelter to get a dog, then to buy a big SUV, and then a house with a yard. He also hires her a guard, an old lady named Elsie who packs a big gun in her purse. Daisy soon gives in to her attraction to Steve, who wants to marry her. She’s scared to make that leap and asks for space, but she comes back to him, ready to make some changes in her life. It is easy to see that Janet Evanovich was always a talented author, and this effort, though not as quick and quirky as her later novels, lacks the old-fashioned stiltedness that many of the early works of other best-selling authors have. It will be fun to read her next re-issue, not only to see her talent progress, but because it was firmly in place in the beginning. We’ll now have a new Evanovich fix every few months, between Plum, Metro Girl, and her reissues. Life is good.
Read
March 1, 2012Ah, February. Ah, romance. In celebration of Valentines Day and to stretch my reading horizons a bit, I ventured into the paperback romance stacks at EPL. A few pages into one depicting a lady in low-cut Regency gown swooning against a background of gothic architecture on its cover had me rolling my eyes and quickly replacing the book on the shelf. But then I spotted this one by Janet Evanovich, author of the hugely popular "numbered" mystery series featuring bounty hunter Stephanie Plum. Well, I figured, here's an author with a proven talent for character, plot, and pacing that will most likely appeal to someone looking to avoid overwrought writing, bodice ripping, and heavily contrived plots. It was a good pick. Funny, light, and cast with likable characters including a very appealing couch potato of a dog, this has all the earmarks of a good rom-com.
When radio station owner Steve Crow needs a replacement for his laid-up traffic reporter, spunky Daisy Adams, host of the popular, 5-minute "Bones for Bowser" segment (based on her dog food cookbook of the same name), jumps at the chance. Steve thinks its an awful idea. Daisy knows that the air crackles with a lot of electricity when she's with Steve, and Steve's worried that time spent in the close quarters of the traffic van will only weaken his resolve to avoid an office romance, especially with someone as quirky as Daisy. But the romance moves forward just like the D.C. Beltway traffic. And just like Beltway traffic, things get unpredictable and quite jammed up at times.
(Barbara L., Reader's Services)
When radio station owner Steve Crow needs a replacement for his laid-up traffic reporter, spunky Daisy Adams, host of the popular, 5-minute "Bones for Bowser" segment (based on her dog food cookbook of the same name), jumps at the chance. Steve thinks its an awful idea. Daisy knows that the air crackles with a lot of electricity when she's with Steve, and Steve's worried that time spent in the close quarters of the traffic van will only weaken his resolve to avoid an office romance, especially with someone as quirky as Daisy. But the romance moves forward just like the D.C. Beltway traffic. And just like Beltway traffic, things get unpredictable and quite jammed up at times.
(Barbara L., Reader's Services)
March 23, 2010
This was almost the same story as Back to the Bedroom, but in a different setting and the people's jobs were different. They even had a character that was the same.
The basic plot: A super rich man that has never held a long term relationship despite the fact that he's hot, rich and manly yet sensitive has his fate thrown in with a driven, yet hugely over-commited girl with time management issues due to some kind of calamitous event though they've casually met over a year ago. They are immediately lustful, but somehow over the next hour the man decides this-girl's-got-what-no-one-else-has-and-I've-got-to-marry-her-but-its-too-early-to-say-anything-or-she'll-freak. Accidents occur, hilarity ensues, murderous revenge is attempted, misconception and apprehension overshadow murderous revenge, old ladies shoot people in the nuts, everyone lives happily ever after with multiple new pets and a baby.
Look, it is what it is. That's why I have a "beach-reading" category. If I had a general fiction category, this would have gotten a 2 or 1, but as an escapist book to help my day go faster in the lab, great. As this was one of Evanovich's earlier unpublished works, I can only assume that she made many variants on the same story to try to get a publisher. To which I say, "Good for you girl, one of them obviously worked and now you're laughing all the way to the bank. PS - I love Stephanie Plum."
The basic plot: A super rich man that has never held a long term relationship despite the fact that he's hot, rich and manly yet sensitive has his fate thrown in with a driven, yet hugely over-commited girl with time management issues due to some kind of calamitous event though they've casually met over a year ago. They are immediately lustful, but somehow over the next hour the man decides this-girl's-got-what-no-one-else-has-and-I've-got-to-marry-her-but-its-too-early-to-say-anything-or-she'll-freak. Accidents occur, hilarity ensues, murderous revenge is attempted, misconception and apprehension overshadow murderous revenge, old ladies shoot people in the nuts, everyone lives happily ever after with multiple new pets and a baby.
Look, it is what it is. That's why I have a "beach-reading" category. If I had a general fiction category, this would have gotten a 2 or 1, but as an escapist book to help my day go faster in the lab, great. As this was one of Evanovich's earlier unpublished works, I can only assume that she made many variants on the same story to try to get a publisher. To which I say, "Good for you girl, one of them obviously worked and now you're laughing all the way to the bank. PS - I love Stephanie Plum."
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 2, 2024
Eine kurzweilige und lustige Story aus der Feder von Janet Evanovich. Gut zu lesen, aber kein Meisterwerk 😁
Wer bereits Bücher von Janet Evanovich gelesen hat, weiß genau, dass lustige Lesemomente warten. Genau so verhält es sich auch mit diesem Kurzroman.
Sympathische Charaktere finden sich in der chaotischen Daisy, die versucht sich in 12 weitere Menschen zu teilen, um ihr tägliches Peanum zu schaffen. Dann ist da Steve, der charmante Chef mit gefühlt viel zu viel Geld. Beide sind gut getroffen und auch zusammen harmonieren sie, wobei die Liebesbeziehung von beiden doch sehr schnell und auch etwas unrealistisch gewirkt hat. Jedoch kann man Handlungen und Gedanken relativ gut nachvollziehen. Man darf nur nicht zu viel Tiefe erwarten, da sich die Charaktere, als auch die Handlung eher an der Oberfläche abspielt. Von knapp 250 Seiten kann man meiner Meinung nach jedoch auch nicht mehr erwarten.
Auch die anderen Charaktere, Daisys Bruder, die Beschützeroma und Bob sind einfach gut getroffen. Alle sorgen hin und wieder für einen Schmunzler und wer sich wünscht eine Story ohne Tiefgang zu lesen und einfach abschalten will, für den dürfte dieses Buch genau richtig sein.
Es ist nicht das beste Buch von Janet, aber ihr Stil ist unverkennbar und erfrischend! 😊
Wer bereits Bücher von Janet Evanovich gelesen hat, weiß genau, dass lustige Lesemomente warten. Genau so verhält es sich auch mit diesem Kurzroman.
Sympathische Charaktere finden sich in der chaotischen Daisy, die versucht sich in 12 weitere Menschen zu teilen, um ihr tägliches Peanum zu schaffen. Dann ist da Steve, der charmante Chef mit gefühlt viel zu viel Geld. Beide sind gut getroffen und auch zusammen harmonieren sie, wobei die Liebesbeziehung von beiden doch sehr schnell und auch etwas unrealistisch gewirkt hat. Jedoch kann man Handlungen und Gedanken relativ gut nachvollziehen. Man darf nur nicht zu viel Tiefe erwarten, da sich die Charaktere, als auch die Handlung eher an der Oberfläche abspielt. Von knapp 250 Seiten kann man meiner Meinung nach jedoch auch nicht mehr erwarten.
Auch die anderen Charaktere, Daisys Bruder, die Beschützeroma und Bob sind einfach gut getroffen. Alle sorgen hin und wieder für einen Schmunzler und wer sich wünscht eine Story ohne Tiefgang zu lesen und einfach abschalten will, für den dürfte dieses Buch genau richtig sein.
Es ist nicht das beste Buch von Janet, aber ihr Stil ist unverkennbar und erfrischend! 😊
April 30, 2011
I bet that if you read this book as your first Janet Evanovich novel, you'd think it was pretty clever. However, this is one of the last books by her I'm reading and I found it to be repetitive. Some many elements from this book seemed to get put into the Stephanie Plum series that it felt like I didn't need to read this book. There is Elsie, the outspoken old lady with the gun in her purse, who we actually meet in another book, but is easily the predecessor to Grandma Mazzur. There is the indestructible powder blue Cadillac that that becomes a powder blue different car in the the Plum Series and the let's not forget Bob the dog. Then add in the hi-jinx of bad guys chasing after our heroine and her trying to remain independent and really I've read this book by this author. Not bad, just not very original. I mean at least change the color of the car or the name of the dog...
August 2, 2011
A quick 2 hour read to break up the time from more serious things, Janet Evanovich can always be counted on for a cute story. "The Rocky Road to Romance" doesn't disappoint but is not something memorable either. If only soul mates were so readily available! (And rich enough to buy a new car, house and dog in the same afternoon just to please their new mate!)
The first appearance of a Bob dog is fun - though "him" being a gray and white sheep dog was unexpected. Bob always conjures up images of large orange eating machines, though this Bob lives up to his moniker in his eating style! Which is perfectly suited to Daisy's job as the Dog Lady of WZZZ.
Nevertheless, if you are caught up on the Stephanie Plum series and need a mindless romance to pass an afternoon, pick up a copy at a used bookstore or library.
The first appearance of a Bob dog is fun - though "him" being a gray and white sheep dog was unexpected. Bob always conjures up images of large orange eating machines, though this Bob lives up to his moniker in his eating style! Which is perfectly suited to Daisy's job as the Dog Lady of WZZZ.
Nevertheless, if you are caught up on the Stephanie Plum series and need a mindless romance to pass an afternoon, pick up a copy at a used bookstore or library.
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