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Whupped #1
Whupped
Alyssa Walworth is young, polished, wealthy and drop dead gorgeous; and Jake Dombrowski couldn't be more in love with her. So much in love, she's got him going every-which--way in her quest to have the Beverly Hills wedding of the year.
Jake's best friends, Gideon and Conrad, see the marriage as nothing more than the first step toward divorce. They try to convince Jake in the conventional manner, but Jake won't listen, he's too much in love. Stronger methods are needed, so Conrad and Gideon kidnap Jake on the night of his bachelor party, and leave him chained to the radiator in the apartment of adult film star, Jailbait Jordan. There they do all in their power to convince Jake that Alyssa, the woman of his dreams, will be nothing less than a nightmare.
It all doesn't work out in any way anybody ever expected.
WHUPPED is a funny, sardonic, R-rated, romantic comedy in reverse. It explores the nature and limits of friendship, love's expectations, marriage, what we want, and what we are willing to give up to get it. It will leave you laughing, thinking and maybe crying.
Jake's best friends, Gideon and Conrad, see the marriage as nothing more than the first step toward divorce. They try to convince Jake in the conventional manner, but Jake won't listen, he's too much in love. Stronger methods are needed, so Conrad and Gideon kidnap Jake on the night of his bachelor party, and leave him chained to the radiator in the apartment of adult film star, Jailbait Jordan. There they do all in their power to convince Jake that Alyssa, the woman of his dreams, will be nothing less than a nightmare.
It all doesn't work out in any way anybody ever expected.
WHUPPED is a funny, sardonic, R-rated, romantic comedy in reverse. It explores the nature and limits of friendship, love's expectations, marriage, what we want, and what we are willing to give up to get it. It will leave you laughing, thinking and maybe crying.
278 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 13, 2012
About the author
Jim Stevens
12 books39 followersJim Stevens was born in the East, grew up in the West, schooled in the Northwest and spent twenty-three winters in the Midwest. He has been an advertising copywriter, playwright, filmmaker, stand-up comedian and television producer. He is the author of WHUPPED and the series of A Richard Sherlock Whodunit. Jim claims that you can open to any page, in any of his books, and you'll be laughing in less than two minutes; unless you are a very, very slow reader.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
February 22, 2013
The characters in this book are extremely engaging and hilarious at times. From a "princess" to a porn producer, plastic surgeon and man who works for his fiancé's daddy, they all have something to add to this book. Have you ever questioned if you really want to marry your fiancé? Well, Jake hasn't but his friends think they know what's best for him. This book is cleverly written through the eyes of each of our cast of characters which enhances things as you get to experience everyone's point of view. Journey along with this rag-tag group and find out how it ends. It's a must read.
May 28, 2014
This is a story told through the eyes of several of the characters. Each of course have their own slant on whether Jake should marry Alyssa or not. The story revolves around Jake and his two buddies, one of which is dead set against the marriage. The story weaves back and forth between the main characters and their take on what is going on.
Stevens has done an excellent job of creating characters and situations that all add humor to his book. It is fun to read and keeps one’s interest as the end nears to see how it all turns out.
Stevens has done an excellent job of creating characters and situations that all add humor to his book. It is fun to read and keeps one’s interest as the end nears to see how it all turns out.
February 23, 2013
Good book. I loved the ending too. It wasn't what I was expecting....it was better. Good read right here :)
May 27, 2013
great book - hilarious - it's amazing what you don't see but others do - loved it
May 25, 2020
I'd read all of this author's Richard Sherlock Whodunit series and loved them with their witty humour/sarcastic thoughts and dialogue. I was probably expecting that this book would match in the same quality. To put it bluntly, it doesn't - by a long shot!
Also, the story is told in the first-person, with each chapter changing to one of the four characters within the story (bride-to-be, groom-to-be, and two of best friends of groom-to-be). I've never liked this, and this book gave me no reason to change my opinion.
Don't do this often, but I couldn't finish the book, and so, unable to recommend.
Also, the story is told in the first-person, with each chapter changing to one of the four characters within the story (bride-to-be, groom-to-be, and two of best friends of groom-to-be). I've never liked this, and this book gave me no reason to change my opinion.
Don't do this often, but I couldn't finish the book, and so, unable to recommend.
February 20, 2019
Trainwreck. The truly horrible story of Jake and Alyssa's (Really Alice) wedding. This 280 page book read like it was a 500 plus pages book. The only character I had some sympathy for was porn star Kay who's handle was "Jailbait". Ugh......This book got a sequel ? Not on my list.
September 13, 2017
Great spoof
The story is very funny. Loved the characters and wedding preparation buildup. Jake could use some new best friends, these guys are pure doofus material.
The story is very funny. Loved the characters and wedding preparation buildup. Jake could use some new best friends, these guys are pure doofus material.
June 21, 2022
Good story
Jake wanted a happy life, a life with children and a happy wife. Alyssa wanted the same but to be the one in control. Jake’s friends helped him see just that.
Jake wanted a happy life, a life with children and a happy wife. Alyssa wanted the same but to be the one in control. Jake’s friends helped him see just that.
February 13, 2013
I'm filing this under "romance" because I don't know what else to file this under. It isn't "chic-lit" nor is it really romance, though there are sex scenes in it. The cover looks like a romance. I think this book deserves a closer look at gender roles. Specifically, this book feels like a fantasy from a guy who wants his buddies to "win" in life. By that, I mean that he wants his friends to find the kind of life that they want, with everything a real romantic should be--loving, supportive, accepting, and "safe" for those in the relationship. Gender roles play an important part here. First, in the author being a guy. If Mr. Stevens is reading this, I would encourage him to dip his toe into writing a contemporary romance novel. I think it would be great. He has the voice and characterization to pull it off, plus the imagination to do it.
Alyssa is the Bride. She really isn't a heroine. Every one of us women "knows" Alyssa. She's the woman with perfect makeup, hair, has money, and gets everything she wants without even trying. She's also cold, willing to stab anyone in the back, and isn't a very nice person to be around in general. We've all "met" this woman at one time or another. In romance world, this character is usually a foil to the sweet heroine, and someone to be bested in the end. I won't give away the ending of this book, but we're familiar with her archetype.
Jake is the Groom. Jake is the dreamer guy that will be there for you as his friend no matter what. He's steady. He works hard. He knows what having nothing means and still clips coupons. I liked Jake. He is also the typical guy that we as women all know and shake our heads at because he's totally clueless. In a good way, because he's just a guy and dense. At some point, I thought he was too dense, and let Alyssa walk on him too easily. Even affable, lovable guys at Jake have their breaking points, and I thought his would come much sooner than it did.
The Groomsmen are the real heroes of this story. They see what is going on, the mistake that Jake is making, and go to extreme measures to try to disuade him from his course of action. Their methods are hilarious, and this is what give the book its life. Everyone needs friends like this to keep them out of trouble, and Jake is lucky to have them.
There is a porn-star mom who plays a role. This maternal character is juxtaposed against Alyssa perfectly. It was interesting to see that her career choices play a role in this, but don't affect her love for her child. Watching her character unfold against the backdrop of her life is very thought provoking.
This is a very good read. I would recommend this for contemporary romance readers. This was a free download from amazon.
Alyssa is the Bride. She really isn't a heroine. Every one of us women "knows" Alyssa. She's the woman with perfect makeup, hair, has money, and gets everything she wants without even trying. She's also cold, willing to stab anyone in the back, and isn't a very nice person to be around in general. We've all "met" this woman at one time or another. In romance world, this character is usually a foil to the sweet heroine, and someone to be bested in the end. I won't give away the ending of this book, but we're familiar with her archetype.
Jake is the Groom. Jake is the dreamer guy that will be there for you as his friend no matter what. He's steady. He works hard. He knows what having nothing means and still clips coupons. I liked Jake. He is also the typical guy that we as women all know and shake our heads at because he's totally clueless. In a good way, because he's just a guy and dense. At some point, I thought he was too dense, and let Alyssa walk on him too easily. Even affable, lovable guys at Jake have their breaking points, and I thought his would come much sooner than it did.
The Groomsmen are the real heroes of this story. They see what is going on, the mistake that Jake is making, and go to extreme measures to try to disuade him from his course of action. Their methods are hilarious, and this is what give the book its life. Everyone needs friends like this to keep them out of trouble, and Jake is lucky to have them.
There is a porn-star mom who plays a role. This maternal character is juxtaposed against Alyssa perfectly. It was interesting to see that her career choices play a role in this, but don't affect her love for her child. Watching her character unfold against the backdrop of her life is very thought provoking.
This is a very good read. I would recommend this for contemporary romance readers. This was a free download from amazon.
June 25, 2013
I had never read a story with a plot like this one before. All in all, the story was well written and held my attention, but the plot went way beyond reality. Jake and Alyssa are getting married, despite the fact that they come from two different worlds. Alyssa, whose real name is Alice but who goes by Alyssa because she likes it better (and it probably sounds classier to her), comes from a rich family and has had her every wish fulfilled all her life. Jake comes from a not-so-well-to-do and is impressed that Alyssa even pays attention to him, let alone agrees to marry him. Jake’s two best friends see Alyssa for what she is and are dead set against Jake’s marriage. They plot to keep the marriage from taking place, to get Jake to realize how wrong marrying Alyssa will be. Through the book we experience the last minute things couples do just prior to their marriage: engagement party, shower, rehearsals, meetings with the wedding planner, caterer, minister, etc. Just how Jake’s two friends try to keep him from the wedding is the crux of the plot and is so much a fantasy and beyond any reality I have ever known or read about is the basic plot. I guess the author wants the reader to just go along with him for the ride, whether or not the tricks these friends pull are feasible, realistic or even things a “good friend” would do or think of doing for a good friend. I found their idea went beyond reality or feasibility. I guess I just enjoy books that, though humorous (and there are time when this is funny), are still somewhat reality based, and this one isn’t. The characters were well developed and the story did flow well. I kept wondering if there ever would even be a Jake and Alyssa wedding as I read. I thought the author, through his antics with the Jake and his two good friends did belabor many points a bit much for me. The book will be humorous to some, who are looking for a good laugh, though I think the author could have provided this in a book that wasn’t quite so long. I received this book free from Library thing to read and review.
February 16, 2013
Jim Stevens made this book quite special. The narration differs from one chapter to the next. Every character gets his or her chance to tell things from his or her point of view. That alone would normally distract and annoy me, but it worked for this particular book.
The story revolves around Jake Dombrowski, a dependable, loyal, hard-working man who always looks for ways to save money. Jake is absolutely enamored with his beautiful, spoiled, money-wasting fiancee, Alyssa Walworth. Their values couldn't be more at odds. As a matter of fact, Alyssa practically hemorrhages money by planning a five-star, over the top wedding with no regard to Jake's feelings.
Enter the Groomsmen, Gideon and Conrad, Jake's best friends from childhood. They devise an outrageous plan to save their clueless buddy from Alyssa's calculating grasp. Jake is subjected to a number of absurd, knee-slapping situations that not only makes the reader feel sympathy for his plight, but lends assurance to the stability of genuine friendship.
Read the whole review here:
Bookend Chronicles
The story revolves around Jake Dombrowski, a dependable, loyal, hard-working man who always looks for ways to save money. Jake is absolutely enamored with his beautiful, spoiled, money-wasting fiancee, Alyssa Walworth. Their values couldn't be more at odds. As a matter of fact, Alyssa practically hemorrhages money by planning a five-star, over the top wedding with no regard to Jake's feelings.
Enter the Groomsmen, Gideon and Conrad, Jake's best friends from childhood. They devise an outrageous plan to save their clueless buddy from Alyssa's calculating grasp. Jake is subjected to a number of absurd, knee-slapping situations that not only makes the reader feel sympathy for his plight, but lends assurance to the stability of genuine friendship.
Read the whole review here:
Bookend Chronicles
March 18, 2013
SYN: Jake and Alyssa are about to get married but Gideon and Conrad, Jake's best friends since grammar school thinks she's wrong for her and are willing to go any heights to make that happen.
I thought it was brilliantly written, each chapter telling the story in terms on a character. The writing style is easy and makes you get in the shoes of all characters rather than just hearing one person's view throughout.
The story was fun, a quick read about he life of Jake and his fiance Alyssa and his best friends who are willing to do just about anything to make Jake see that if he marries Alyssa, he will be miserable for the rest of his life. Betwen pron, boob jobs, strippers in bridal showers and getting kidnapped, this fun story is a page turner filled with fun.
You can read my detailed review here: http://shahadaahmed.blogspot.com/2013...
I thought it was brilliantly written, each chapter telling the story in terms on a character. The writing style is easy and makes you get in the shoes of all characters rather than just hearing one person's view throughout.
The story was fun, a quick read about he life of Jake and his fiance Alyssa and his best friends who are willing to do just about anything to make Jake see that if he marries Alyssa, he will be miserable for the rest of his life. Betwen pron, boob jobs, strippers in bridal showers and getting kidnapped, this fun story is a page turner filled with fun.
You can read my detailed review here: http://shahadaahmed.blogspot.com/2013...
May 23, 2013
This is a bridezilla story which had some potential. Unfortunately, each chapter is told from the POV of a different person associated with the wedding. The problem arises from the author's failure to make the characters' voices different. I kept having to go back to the beginning of a chapter to remind myself who was talking. There were also lots of formatting errors, mostly paragraphs that weren't indented. That was distracting and pulled me out of the story which was cute and utterly predictable. At about halfway through the book, I skimmed to the end, which was pretty much what I figured it would be.
January 29, 2013
TRULY FUNNY BOOK! The author has done an incredible job of creating a rather bizarre and stressful situation...and then making it funny. But this is more than comic relief. It is a story of true friendship and caring enough to never give up. It follows three friends who are bonded since grade school, and demonstrates the lengths they'll go to in order to come to the rescue of one another. A must read!
February 1, 2013
If you liked Seduction & Snacks by Tara Sivec Seduction and Snacks, you'll like this book.
It is a funny romantic comedy from a male perspective where two friends (Gideon & Conrad) try everything in their power to stop their other friend (Jake) from marrying the woman of Jake's dreams, but a woman that Gideon & Conrad cannot stand....
It is a funny romantic comedy from a male perspective where two friends (Gideon & Conrad) try everything in their power to stop their other friend (Jake) from marrying the woman of Jake's dreams, but a woman that Gideon & Conrad cannot stand....
July 31, 2013
What initially appears to be a lighthearted comedy has a lot more going for it. The friendship between the men, the interaction between the various female characters, although hilarious with some memorable remarks, also offers some great down-to-earth human wisdom. The characters came alive for me and I put this book down with regret wanting to follow them into other absurd adventures even the bridezilla, Alyssa. Would make a great film...
October 13, 2013
a good fun read! made me laugh out at places! kinda outrageous but good reading; light and easy. i particularly liked that each chapter was from a different character's pov. a very interesting way to write.
October 1, 2014
Whipped
Didn't really enjoy this read.too much swearing and not really a story for pleasure read.
wouldnot buy this book.The mystery books by this author are good reads though.
interesting perspective from a man's view.Makes one think twice about selections made in life.
Didn't really enjoy this read.too much swearing and not really a story for pleasure read.
wouldnot buy this book.The mystery books by this author are good reads though.
interesting perspective from a man's view.Makes one think twice about selections made in life.
January 30, 2013
FUNNY. Pretty good, but I think it could have been even better with a little more to it.. This would make a hilarious movie.
April 10, 2013
Kindle freebie=mindless reading
April 8, 2014
Entertaining but predictable
Easy read but not a lot of surprises. not my favorite Jim Stevens book but worth the time to read
Easy read but not a lot of surprises. not my favorite Jim Stevens book but worth the time to read
February 15, 2013
I enjoyed this, it was a fun, light read...& I am looking forward to the rest of the story.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews