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Anyone But You
Part basset, part beagle, all Cupid…
For Nina Askew, turning forty means freedom—from the ex-husband, freedom from their stuffy suburban home, freedom to focus on what she wants for a change. And what she wants is something her ex always vetoed—a puppy. A bouncy, adorable puppy.
Instead she gets…Fred.
Overweight, middle-aged, a bit smelly and obviously depressed, Fred is light-years from perky. But he does manage to put Nina in the path of Alex Moore, her gorgeous, younger-by-a-decade neighbor.
Alex seems perfect—he's a sexy, seemingly sane, surprisingly single E.R. doctor—but the age gap convinces Nina that anyone but Alex would be better relationship material. But with every silver-haired stiff she dates, the more she suspects it's the young, dog-loving doc she wants to sit and stay!
139 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1996
305 people are currently reading
9268 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer Crusie
80 books7,823 followersJennifer Crusie is the New York Times, USA Today, and Publisher's Weekly bestselling author of twenty-three novels, one book of literary criticism, miscellaneous articles, essays, novellas, and short stories, and the editor of three essay anthologies.
She was born in Wapakoneta, a small town in Ohio, and then went on to live in a succession of other small towns in Ohio and New Jersey until her last move to a small town in Pennsylvania. This may have had an impact on her work.
She has a BS in Art Education, an MA in literature, an MFA in fiction, and was ABD on her PhD when she started reading romances as part of her research into the differences between the ways men and women tell stories. Writing a romance sounded like more fun than writing a dissertation, so she switched to fiction and never looked back. Her collaborations with Bob Mayer have pretty much proved everything she was going to say in her dissertation anyway, so really, no need to finish that.
For more information, see JenniferCrusie.com and her blog, Argh Ink.
She was born in Wapakoneta, a small town in Ohio, and then went on to live in a succession of other small towns in Ohio and New Jersey until her last move to a small town in Pennsylvania. This may have had an impact on her work.
She has a BS in Art Education, an MA in literature, an MFA in fiction, and was ABD on her PhD when she started reading romances as part of her research into the differences between the ways men and women tell stories. Writing a romance sounded like more fun than writing a dissertation, so she switched to fiction and never looked back. Her collaborations with Bob Mayer have pretty much proved everything she was going to say in her dissertation anyway, so really, no need to finish that.
For more information, see JenniferCrusie.com and her blog, Argh Ink.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,275 reviews
September 21, 2017
4.25/5
It’s not every day you stumble upon a good older woman/younger man book with a wonderful animal character that you can’t help but fall in love with. People who know me know that I’m a sucker for novels with animal characters. So, I must admit that after catching a glimpse of the cover, I just couldn’t resist picking it up. And ‘Anyone but You’ didn’t disappoint! It was such a pleasant read, full of fun, love, joy, and laughter. Jennifer Crusie created a nice blend of humor, drama, romance, and emotion. I enjoyed both main characters and supporting ones, especially Fred, a super cute dog who stole the show several times throughout the book.
If romantic comedy stories are your thing, then look no further. This book will brighten up your day for certain!
It’s not every day you stumble upon a good older woman/younger man book with a wonderful animal character that you can’t help but fall in love with. People who know me know that I’m a sucker for novels with animal characters. So, I must admit that after catching a glimpse of the cover, I just couldn’t resist picking it up. And ‘Anyone but You’ didn’t disappoint! It was such a pleasant read, full of fun, love, joy, and laughter. Jennifer Crusie created a nice blend of humor, drama, romance, and emotion. I enjoyed both main characters and supporting ones, especially Fred, a super cute dog who stole the show several times throughout the book.
If romantic comedy stories are your thing, then look no further. This book will brighten up your day for certain!
November 28, 2013
Opening Line: “The last thing Nina Askew needed was Fred.”
Newly divorced Nina Askew has just turned forty and found her freedom. Of course freedom from her stuffy husband and suburban home comes at a cost and Nina now finds herself a tad on the lonely side. Rambling around her apartment, watching old movies and drinking Amaretto milkshakes with her BFF just aren’t cutting it anymore. She needs something else. What she needs is a puppy; a perky, rambunctious, adorable puppy. What Nina gets is Fred. (Personally I’ve always believed that your dog finds you) And in return Fred finds Alex for her, the decade younger, hunky E.R doctor from downstairs.
Fred. This really is his book, he absolutely steals the show here and I found that instead of falling for the hero (which is usually the case) I fell for Fred. Those opening chapters where Nina adopts his depressed, smelly, vertically challenged, morose self from the pound while trying to get herself a cheerful puppy are just brilliant.
“Nina turned to the attendant, and said, “I’ll take him.”
The attendant raised an eyebrow, “That’s your idea of perky?”
Nina gestured to the puppies, “They’ll all be adopted right?”
“Probably”
Nina took one last glance at the tumbling, chubby puppies. Prozac with four legs and a tail. Then she looked at the other dog, depressed alone. Too old to be cute anymore if he ever had been. “I have a lot in common with this dog” she told the attendant.
Yup, dejected, moaning, bra stealing, Oreo eating, smelly, overweight, great lump of a dog. What’s not to love?
Anyone But You was my first Jennifer Crusie read and it was a pleasure. With a sweet, uncomplicated (older woman/younger man) romance and relaxed writing style; I can see why Crusie is so popular. This just put a smile on my face which honestly I needed because it’s been a rough month.
My only issues would be that their friendship seemed to develop really fast. They met and bam, they were instantly familiar, spending all their time together, watching movies, jogging and hanging out, there was no getting to know period. I also felt that the ending was a bit rushed (word count?) but these are just minor gripes
The secondary characters are engaging and addictive and I can’t help but hope they got their own stories (have to check into that -written in 96.)I was also pleasantly surprised by the steaminess of the love scenes. Yeah, nice! And how great is it to read about a 40 year old woman grabbing the younger hot guy. Sure she had some body issues (saggy, things not where they used to be) but this just made it all the more realistic. Cheers
357jb3.5
Newly divorced Nina Askew has just turned forty and found her freedom. Of course freedom from her stuffy husband and suburban home comes at a cost and Nina now finds herself a tad on the lonely side. Rambling around her apartment, watching old movies and drinking Amaretto milkshakes with her BFF just aren’t cutting it anymore. She needs something else. What she needs is a puppy; a perky, rambunctious, adorable puppy. What Nina gets is Fred. (Personally I’ve always believed that your dog finds you) And in return Fred finds Alex for her, the decade younger, hunky E.R doctor from downstairs.
Fred. This really is his book, he absolutely steals the show here and I found that instead of falling for the hero (which is usually the case) I fell for Fred. Those opening chapters where Nina adopts his depressed, smelly, vertically challenged, morose self from the pound while trying to get herself a cheerful puppy are just brilliant.
“Nina turned to the attendant, and said, “I’ll take him.”
The attendant raised an eyebrow, “That’s your idea of perky?”
Nina gestured to the puppies, “They’ll all be adopted right?”
“Probably”
Nina took one last glance at the tumbling, chubby puppies. Prozac with four legs and a tail. Then she looked at the other dog, depressed alone. Too old to be cute anymore if he ever had been. “I have a lot in common with this dog” she told the attendant.
Yup, dejected, moaning, bra stealing, Oreo eating, smelly, overweight, great lump of a dog. What’s not to love?
Anyone But You was my first Jennifer Crusie read and it was a pleasure. With a sweet, uncomplicated (older woman/younger man) romance and relaxed writing style; I can see why Crusie is so popular. This just put a smile on my face which honestly I needed because it’s been a rough month.
My only issues would be that their friendship seemed to develop really fast. They met and bam, they were instantly familiar, spending all their time together, watching movies, jogging and hanging out, there was no getting to know period. I also felt that the ending was a bit rushed (word count?) but these are just minor gripes
The secondary characters are engaging and addictive and I can’t help but hope they got their own stories (have to check into that -written in 96.)I was also pleasantly surprised by the steaminess of the love scenes. Yeah, nice! And how great is it to read about a 40 year old woman grabbing the younger hot guy. Sure she had some body issues (saggy, things not where they used to be) but this just made it all the more realistic. Cheers
357jb3.5
September 23, 2009
5 stars – Contemporary Romance
40-year-old divorcee Nina is feeling free at last, but a little bit lonely, so what does she do? She adopts a part basset, part beagle, fully morose, and middle-aged dog from the pound, but surprise, surprise, her woman’s best friend Fred turns out to be cupid in disguise and exactly what the doctor ordered. After all, without Fred, she wouldn’t have met her hottie ER doctor neighbor Alex, and that would have been a damn shame ‘cause the yumtastic hunk who’s 10 years her junior sparks her long dormant lust to vibrant life and restarts and repairs her broken heart. I mean really gals, a sexy, single, funny, hot doc who loves to cuddle on the couch, eat Oreos, and watch old movies and tells you that age doesn’t matter and that he adores your body? Be still my heart!
It’s a cute, light, funny, easy, heartwarming read with great characters and sweet romance! This was my first read by Jennifer Crusie, but it definitely won’t be my last. 5 stars!
40-year-old divorcee Nina is feeling free at last, but a little bit lonely, so what does she do? She adopts a part basset, part beagle, fully morose, and middle-aged dog from the pound, but surprise, surprise, her woman’s best friend Fred turns out to be cupid in disguise and exactly what the doctor ordered. After all, without Fred, she wouldn’t have met her hottie ER doctor neighbor Alex, and that would have been a damn shame ‘cause the yumtastic hunk who’s 10 years her junior sparks her long dormant lust to vibrant life and restarts and repairs her broken heart. I mean really gals, a sexy, single, funny, hot doc who loves to cuddle on the couch, eat Oreos, and watch old movies and tells you that age doesn’t matter and that he adores your body? Be still my heart!
It’s a cute, light, funny, easy, heartwarming read with great characters and sweet romance! This was my first read by Jennifer Crusie, but it definitely won’t be my last. 5 stars!
February 19, 2026
Reread after many years.
Not bad, at times fun, but it's obvious this book has been published a while ago (30 years?!).
Not bad, at times fun, but it's obvious this book has been published a while ago (30 years?!).
August 8, 2017
First things first... Do NOT give your dog chocolate! This bugged me to no end. Chocolate is like poison to dogs, and these characters fed their dog Oreos, which sent me into screaming fits!
Now, on to the rest of the story - I stand by my rating: It was OK. The characters were likable and funny. The parallel action was also engaging. The reason for my stilted rating is that the romance felt a bit rushed and obvious to me. Romances tend to be a bit predictable, but this one was especially so.
But, hey, it was a lighthearted, happy romp with an older woman falling in love with a younger man - well, and with her dog too (read the book)!
Now, on to the rest of the story - I stand by my rating: It was OK. The characters were likable and funny. The parallel action was also engaging. The reason for my stilted rating is that the romance felt a bit rushed and obvious to me. Romances tend to be a bit predictable, but this one was especially so.
But, hey, it was a lighthearted, happy romp with an older woman falling in love with a younger man - well, and with her dog too (read the book)!
December 12, 2014
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 STARS⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Jennifer Crusie can still lit up a smile like no one else's! ❤️ this book!
Jennifer Crusie can still lit up a smile like no one else's! ❤️ this book!
January 15, 2016
With her fairytale marriage-gone-bust, Nina Askew was ready to move on. She had just turned forty-years-old and had a new apartment and a job that suited her but she was lonely. She decided it was time to adopt a cute little puppy; something her ex-husband would never consider.
Instead, Fred became a part of her life; as in, a much-older half-basset, half-beagle Fred. With his droopy eyes, a yawn-like moan and a large back end. He was patient, loving and listened when Nina needed a pair of ears.
This contemporary romance was originally released in 1996 and, with the exception of videos and the mention of older actors, it never felt dated. Told from two POVs, it was about a thirty-year old doctor and serial bachelor, Alex, and Nina. Unaware of each other, they rented separate levels in an old Victorian home until Fred 'introduced' them.
ANYONE BUT YOU is a Harlequin and all of the the characters could have used more development. But it was goofy and lighthearted with Fred stealing the moment at various times. Up until now, Alex had taken women for granted. He was happy with short-term relationships. And Nina had some self-esteem issues that surfaced when this younger man pursued her. There was also the expected lack of communication for awhile that hindered their friendship from developing into a romance. But with Nina's BFF and Alex's brother openly giving them advice, the couple find that unconditional love really does exist.
Instead, Fred became a part of her life; as in, a much-older half-basset, half-beagle Fred. With his droopy eyes, a yawn-like moan and a large back end. He was patient, loving and listened when Nina needed a pair of ears.
This contemporary romance was originally released in 1996 and, with the exception of videos and the mention of older actors, it never felt dated. Told from two POVs, it was about a thirty-year old doctor and serial bachelor, Alex, and Nina. Unaware of each other, they rented separate levels in an old Victorian home until Fred 'introduced' them.
ANYONE BUT YOU is a Harlequin and all of the the characters could have used more development. But it was goofy and lighthearted with Fred stealing the moment at various times. Up until now, Alex had taken women for granted. He was happy with short-term relationships. And Nina had some self-esteem issues that surfaced when this younger man pursued her. There was also the expected lack of communication for awhile that hindered their friendship from developing into a romance. But with Nina's BFF and Alex's brother openly giving them advice, the couple find that unconditional love really does exist.
March 10, 2010
This was one of my favorite romance novels back in the 90's and, being all burned out and jaded, I decided to pick it up again to see if I'd enjoy it as much as I did back before I became so grouchy.
Much to my surprise, I enjoyed it from beginning to end. Though a few of the pop references are dated, the humor and the romance were both a delight to read and it brought me back to those days when I looked forward to spending an afternoon reading to my hearts content.
This book is about Nina, a newly divorced 40 year old woman, who is finally living her life on her terms but she's a little lonely and decides to adopt a friend. Planning on adopting a spunky new puppy she instead falls for the soulful old eyes of a beagle mix named Fred. He smells, he's long past his youth and just looking at him makes her even more depressed but once she sets her eyes on him she can't leave him sitting in the pound and takes him home to her new apartment.
Because of Fred, who mistakes neighbor Alex's window for Nina's, she gets a surprise visit from the sexy younger ER doctor. The two become immediate friends and although he'd like to become a whole lot more, Nina is reluctant because she fears she's too old for him.
What follows is a book full of charm and wit and is a definite must read if you need some cheering up.
Much to my surprise, I enjoyed it from beginning to end. Though a few of the pop references are dated, the humor and the romance were both a delight to read and it brought me back to those days when I looked forward to spending an afternoon reading to my hearts content.
This book is about Nina, a newly divorced 40 year old woman, who is finally living her life on her terms but she's a little lonely and decides to adopt a friend. Planning on adopting a spunky new puppy she instead falls for the soulful old eyes of a beagle mix named Fred. He smells, he's long past his youth and just looking at him makes her even more depressed but once she sets her eyes on him she can't leave him sitting in the pound and takes him home to her new apartment.
Because of Fred, who mistakes neighbor Alex's window for Nina's, she gets a surprise visit from the sexy younger ER doctor. The two become immediate friends and although he'd like to become a whole lot more, Nina is reluctant because she fears she's too old for him.
What follows is a book full of charm and wit and is a definite must read if you need some cheering up.
April 26, 2009
Loved it! I have a new favorite author. :-) This is the first book I've read by Jennifer Crusie and it will not be my last. I read most of this book with a smile on my face. What a terrific sense of humor! The print is very easy to read--double space--and the style has it flowing beautifully. This was a book I didn't tire of reading and remained engrossed in both the story and the characters.
There were actually three main characters: Nina, Alex and Fred (the dog). What a character the latter was! There wasn't any arguing, but a nice well developed cast and a romance that grew with the story. I was sighing.
Nina was 10 years older than Alex and for her it was a big deal. Alex was a good looking ER doctor that came from a family of doctors. His family was very messed up. Nina was recently divorced from a long-time, unhappy marriage where she was the eye-candy for her husband's career (lawyer). She loved living by (with) herself--and her dog.
There were secondary characters: Charity and Max (Alex's brother) that I hope have a story out there...somewhere. Tammy?
There were actually three main characters: Nina, Alex and Fred (the dog). What a character the latter was! There wasn't any arguing, but a nice well developed cast and a romance that grew with the story. I was sighing.
Nina was 10 years older than Alex and for her it was a big deal. Alex was a good looking ER doctor that came from a family of doctors. His family was very messed up. Nina was recently divorced from a long-time, unhappy marriage where she was the eye-candy for her husband's career (lawyer). She loved living by (with) herself--and her dog.
There were secondary characters: Charity and Max (Alex's brother) that I hope have a story out there...somewhere. Tammy?
September 28, 2011
Okay, I get the Crusie thing now. The first book I read by her was Welcome to Temptation, which was so-so. Then Bet Me, which kept me up late into the night, compulsively reading, and inspired a blog post in which I navel-gazed in my customary fashion. I liked Bet Me a lot, though I never could put my finger on why, exactly. But oh, oh, oh, I loved this third one.
Note to anyone who ever wishes to write an older-woman, younger-man romance novel: This is how you do it. Just exactly like this. Anyone But You is the love story of forty-year-old, just-divorced editor Nina and her foot-dragging romance with the downstairs neighbor, Alex, a thirty-year-old ER doctor. They go together like Oreos and milk, only it takes Nina a while to get over the age difference and her fear of letting him see her naked and get on with her life.
There was a dog in there, too, and some humor, and a plot about a novel and Nina's job and Alex's family, most of it very well done, all light-hearted and funny in that Crusie way, but honestly, I cared very little. I just wanted them to kiss already, and then when they did, I wanted them to do it again. I was a slavering fool for these two, totally rooting for the romance, absurdly pleased when everything came together at the end. I finished reading this three days ago, and I'm still kind of living in the book in one corner of my brain. *happy sigh*
I want to be Jennifer Crusie when I grow up.
Note to anyone who ever wishes to write an older-woman, younger-man romance novel: This is how you do it. Just exactly like this. Anyone But You is the love story of forty-year-old, just-divorced editor Nina and her foot-dragging romance with the downstairs neighbor, Alex, a thirty-year-old ER doctor. They go together like Oreos and milk, only it takes Nina a while to get over the age difference and her fear of letting him see her naked and get on with her life.
There was a dog in there, too, and some humor, and a plot about a novel and Nina's job and Alex's family, most of it very well done, all light-hearted and funny in that Crusie way, but honestly, I cared very little. I just wanted them to kiss already, and then when they did, I wanted them to do it again. I was a slavering fool for these two, totally rooting for the romance, absurdly pleased when everything came together at the end. I finished reading this three days ago, and I'm still kind of living in the book in one corner of my brain. *happy sigh*
I want to be Jennifer Crusie when I grow up.
January 12, 2016
I didn't realize there was a Crusie I hadn't read yet so was delighted when I saw this while looking for something else entirely. It was a light, fun read with the charm and wit I expect from Crusie.
The rating is a bit on the generous side as the story was pretty predictable and there were few surprises along the way. The characters were fun, though, and Crusie made a ten-year older woman feel like the perfect fit in a wonderful romantic couple. Props for that being rare and well done and an integral part of the story. I particularly liked the growth of both protagonists as they overcame their hang-ups to become more complete as people.
A note about Steamy: Two and a half pretty steamy explicit sex scenes put this in the middle of my steam tolerance. Nicely fit the emotional arc, though on the late side for the start.
The rating is a bit on the generous side as the story was pretty predictable and there were few surprises along the way. The characters were fun, though, and Crusie made a ten-year older woman feel like the perfect fit in a wonderful romantic couple. Props for that being rare and well done and an integral part of the story. I particularly liked the growth of both protagonists as they overcame their hang-ups to become more complete as people.
A note about Steamy: Two and a half pretty steamy explicit sex scenes put this in the middle of my steam tolerance. Nicely fit the emotional arc, though on the late side for the start.
July 27, 2019
An excellent book.
June 22, 2017
I love the story, but I couldn’t wait for it to be over because the audiobook narrator was awful.
I read the paperback several years ago and laughed a lot. I recently listened to the audiobook. I didn’t laugh because I knew what to expect, but I still really enjoyed the story.
I was so drawn to the characters. I loved the slow building relationship between Nina and Alex. I enjoyed other characters as well, especially the 75 year old physically fit neighbor Norma.
AUDIOBOOK NARRATOR - Susan Ericksen:
I don’t like this narrator. It feels like a bossy person is yelling at me, lecturing me, nagging me. It’s jaring, irritating and stressful to listen to. There is no sweetness, softness or vulnerability in her voice. It’s loud. I don’t like monotone readers, but Susan Ericksen is too far the other way. I feel like she is overacting with artificial cheeriness, overly energetic. Her emotional interpretation of men is off. Alex sounds like a bossy female instead of a guy desiring her and wanting sex.
DATA:
Narrative mode: 3rd person. Story length: 275 pages. Swearing language: mild including religious swear words but rarely used. Sexual language: mild. Number of sex scenes: 4. Setting: 1990s U.S. Copyright: 1996. Genre: contemporary romance, older woman younger man.
I read the paperback several years ago and laughed a lot. I recently listened to the audiobook. I didn’t laugh because I knew what to expect, but I still really enjoyed the story.
I was so drawn to the characters. I loved the slow building relationship between Nina and Alex. I enjoyed other characters as well, especially the 75 year old physically fit neighbor Norma.
AUDIOBOOK NARRATOR - Susan Ericksen:
I don’t like this narrator. It feels like a bossy person is yelling at me, lecturing me, nagging me. It’s jaring, irritating and stressful to listen to. There is no sweetness, softness or vulnerability in her voice. It’s loud. I don’t like monotone readers, but Susan Ericksen is too far the other way. I feel like she is overacting with artificial cheeriness, overly energetic. Her emotional interpretation of men is off. Alex sounds like a bossy female instead of a guy desiring her and wanting sex.
DATA:
Narrative mode: 3rd person. Story length: 275 pages. Swearing language: mild including religious swear words but rarely used. Sexual language: mild. Number of sex scenes: 4. Setting: 1990s U.S. Copyright: 1996. Genre: contemporary romance, older woman younger man.
March 18, 2016
A wonderful, funny, and heartwarming read!
July 2, 2009
I'm a huge fan of pretty much anything Jennifer Crusie writes and this book was no exception.
But...
I'm not apparently a huge fan of the miscommunication plot device. (Potential non-fatal spoilers follow). I had a really hard time believing that the hero/heroine could spend hours and hours watching movies and hanging out and talking together A) without jumping each others bones and B) not ever talking about the fact that she didn't ever want the big house/ambitious man thing ever again. I mean, EVERY DAY they hang out together and she's recently divorced and it just NEVER comes up that she LOVES her new life and wouldn't want to go back to her old one under any circumstances? Believing this required an unusually painful suspension of disbelief for me and it wasn't Jennifer Crusie's fault - it's a fairly common plot device.
Also, as much as I love Crusie (and I DO), I'm a little bit over the low-self-esteem protagonist. I've been nursing and/or pregnant for the past five years and even *I* am not that self-conscious about my boobs.
Overall, this book was well-written, well-executed and impossible to put down, just like everything else Jennifer Crusie's ever written. I LOVE her style, too. The words disappear magically into the story and I never roll my eyes at obnoxious romantic descriptions of burning hot manhoods, which is exactly how I like my romance novels. I'm quickly devouring everything she's ever written.
But...
I'm not apparently a huge fan of the miscommunication plot device. (Potential non-fatal spoilers follow). I had a really hard time believing that the hero/heroine could spend hours and hours watching movies and hanging out and talking together A) without jumping each others bones and B) not ever talking about the fact that she didn't ever want the big house/ambitious man thing ever again. I mean, EVERY DAY they hang out together and she's recently divorced and it just NEVER comes up that she LOVES her new life and wouldn't want to go back to her old one under any circumstances? Believing this required an unusually painful suspension of disbelief for me and it wasn't Jennifer Crusie's fault - it's a fairly common plot device.
Also, as much as I love Crusie (and I DO), I'm a little bit over the low-self-esteem protagonist. I've been nursing and/or pregnant for the past five years and even *I* am not that self-conscious about my boobs.
Overall, this book was well-written, well-executed and impossible to put down, just like everything else Jennifer Crusie's ever written. I LOVE her style, too. The words disappear magically into the story and I never roll my eyes at obnoxious romantic descriptions of burning hot manhoods, which is exactly how I like my romance novels. I'm quickly devouring everything she's ever written.
August 22, 2010
I picked this audiobook on impulse because I needed a filler before my next audiobook gets delivered by the library. I've heard of Jennifer Crusie but have never read any of her books, so this will be first.
From the first disc, I though the reader's voice sounded familiar. When I recognized it as Erickssen's of the In Death books, the story rose in my estimation. (Okay, I'm shallow. There are certain readers that can read me a shopping list, and I will enjoy it...LOL)
It turned out to be a light-hearted story of a 40-year old woman (darn, I had to pick this just when I'm about to turn the same big 4-0) and a young (in her opinion) ER doctor. As usual, it is a comedy of misunderstoods and personal insecurities played out with a sad-eyed, Oreo-eating, dog playing as canine matchmaker, until our romantic pair would admit that they are right for each other.
This is like eating Oreos, sweet and delightful in small doses, but if I eat a whole box, I'll probably be sick. So will be picking another book of this author, when I need an Oreo fix.
From the first disc, I though the reader's voice sounded familiar. When I recognized it as Erickssen's of the In Death books, the story rose in my estimation. (Okay, I'm shallow. There are certain readers that can read me a shopping list, and I will enjoy it...LOL)
It turned out to be a light-hearted story of a 40-year old woman (darn, I had to pick this just when I'm about to turn the same big 4-0) and a young (in her opinion) ER doctor. As usual, it is a comedy of misunderstoods and personal insecurities played out with a sad-eyed, Oreo-eating, dog playing as canine matchmaker, until our romantic pair would admit that they are right for each other.
This is like eating Oreos, sweet and delightful in small doses, but if I eat a whole box, I'll probably be sick. So will be picking another book of this author, when I need an Oreo fix.
August 22, 2020
This was sweet, short, entertaining and overall lovely low angst romance.
From the way Nina decides which dog she is going to adopt (came for the perky puppies, left with a depressed-looking dog that '...on his best day, this dog would look like a professional mourner') to the way their relationship develops, it is lovely.
I wouldn't mind Max's book.
From the way Nina decides which dog she is going to adopt (came for the perky puppies, left with a depressed-looking dog that '...on his best day, this dog would look like a professional mourner') to the way their relationship develops, it is lovely.
I wouldn't mind Max's book.
December 3, 2012
A sweet, funny, lighthearted romance...Jennifer Crusie's standard fare.
Nina is newly divorced after fifteen years of marriage. So she's still finding out who she is by herself. But she's lonely, and decided that she needs companionship NOT of the human kind and goes to adopt a dog from the local shelter. While she wants a young, perky puppy, its the old smelly basset hound mix that steals her heart. Enter Fred, the comic relief and matchmaker of the story.
Fred inadvertently sets up a meeting between Nina and her downstairs neighbor Alex when he crawls down the fire escape and in to Alex's open window. I loved Alex! There's never a point in the story that Alex turns in to a jerk. He's just a nice, easy going guy...who also happens to be a sexy ER doctor.
To Nina, Alex is just the young, hot neighbor that is fun to hang out with and secretly lust after. The thought that they might have a relationship never enters her mind, because Nina is forty and Alex is thirty. Cougartown is not where Nina lives. But Alex is fascinated with her. She's beautiful and comfortable, has no expectations of him like the other women he's dated, and Nina is just so easy to be with. So Alex pines. And Nina lusts and doubts herself.
Alex is charming, and both he and Nina are such happy people, living their quiet lives while the sexual tension builds. I was surprised that there is an actual sex scene involved, though you have to wait for it. Usually, Crusie's older books are pretty fade to black but Nina and Alex have enough sparks to warrant some sexy times, I guess! I really like this author. She's a go-to for an easy contemporary romance...nothing phenomenal...no high angst, no earth shattering revelations...just a simple love story that makes your heart sigh!
Nina is newly divorced after fifteen years of marriage. So she's still finding out who she is by herself. But she's lonely, and decided that she needs companionship NOT of the human kind and goes to adopt a dog from the local shelter. While she wants a young, perky puppy, its the old smelly basset hound mix that steals her heart. Enter Fred, the comic relief and matchmaker of the story.
Fred inadvertently sets up a meeting between Nina and her downstairs neighbor Alex when he crawls down the fire escape and in to Alex's open window. I loved Alex! There's never a point in the story that Alex turns in to a jerk. He's just a nice, easy going guy...who also happens to be a sexy ER doctor.
To Nina, Alex is just the young, hot neighbor that is fun to hang out with and secretly lust after. The thought that they might have a relationship never enters her mind, because Nina is forty and Alex is thirty. Cougartown is not where Nina lives. But Alex is fascinated with her. She's beautiful and comfortable, has no expectations of him like the other women he's dated, and Nina is just so easy to be with. So Alex pines. And Nina lusts and doubts herself.
Alex is charming, and both he and Nina are such happy people, living their quiet lives while the sexual tension builds. I was surprised that there is an actual sex scene involved, though you have to wait for it. Usually, Crusie's older books are pretty fade to black but Nina and Alex have enough sparks to warrant some sexy times, I guess! I really like this author. She's a go-to for an easy contemporary romance...nothing phenomenal...no high angst, no earth shattering revelations...just a simple love story that makes your heart sigh!
March 4, 2011
A lite fun book about a May/December romance. Loved Alex, he was witty charming, and and old soul in a young man's body. I think that's why he connected with Nina. Fred the dog was a nice addition, and made for some humorous and sweet moments in the book. He was the one who brought them together. At one point the book almost seemed to stall and I felt as if I was rereading the same chapter over. Then it picked up again and wrapped up nicely. Moral of the story "I love you just the way you are." Thank you Billy Joel.
December 26, 2016
I found this book hilarious. Nina, Fred, and Alex were cute together. Even though this story was a bit predictable it was just too cute not to finish. Fred was definitely too funny and cute especially when he Nina told him to "Go Free" lol
November 27, 2020
The notes I had for this said I liked the cover with the slippers better (I can find no cover with slippers) and also that this is a picture book. Now maybe I just clicked on the wrong book(s), or maybe, I was drunk with love. You decide.
Library copy
Library copy
March 22, 2020
This is a great romcom funny stupid. Over the top with a sweet smelly dog and funny h and a younger even funnier H. Loved it.
November 7, 2010
This was my first Jennifer Cruise book. I like how it was a quick read, although it took me a few days to finish it. I would only read it on my break at work.
I'm debating or rather or not I should give it 2 1/2 stars or 3 stars. I know that I have highlighted three stars.
As I have said before the book is a quick read. I like reading chick lit books. Good, catcher books.
I wish the book was different. There's so much that I didn't like about this book.
1. Alex was a 30 year old kid. I know that he was young, but it doesn't mean that he had to be a kid. Don't get me wrong, I know that age doesn't have anything to do with maturity. A 50 year old man can still be immature. But, Alex was a doctor. I think that he should have been a mature 30 year old doctor. Not someone that Nina seen as a kid. I don't care if he wore Daffy Duck shorts, like to watch classic movies and eating oreo cookies. I love oreos cookies by the way! I don't care if he had a baby face.
I'm in my thirties. I'm very much passed 30 years old. I have a baby face. I like to watch cartoons, kid shows and even read Young Adults books. Yet, I am still a mature woman. My kid side will never die. The only time it will die is when I die. I believe every adult has a kid side. Some may not acknowledges it, but all adults have a kid side. If you have children, especially little ones, you better have a kid side. The first kid a child will play with, will be his or her parent(s).
Alex has seen how his father went through wives. He was an only child his mother had, but not the only child his father had. His father was married to three women and each woman, had a child for him. So, Alex had an older brother and sister. He should have known that money can't buy love. Yet, in his immaturity, he thought that he needed more money to make Nina happy, because she was married to a rich man before.
I just didn't like how Alex's character was made up.
2. Nina. I truly hate when women is caught up with looks and age. I hate when they think something is wrong with getting old. Our bodies weren't designed to stay young forever. No matter how much plastic surgery a woman gets to look young, she will never be able to change back her age.
No, Nina didn't get any plastic surgery, but she didn't like how body looked, because she was 40 years old and everything wasn't perky anymore.
Just because a woman is 40 years old, it doesn't mean that her body can't be perky. If a woman exercises and does strenght exercise to tone up her body, she can have a tone body too. There's an older woman in the story named Norma. She's seventy-five years old and she exercises. That's why she doesn't look her age and is in good condition. She's dating a younger man too. Rich is sixty-two years old.
Alex always thought that nothing was wrong with Nina's body, even before they hooked up.
I have other books by Jennifer. I don't know if they are about older women and younger men, but I hope it doesn't follow this storyline.
I hope not all older women and younger men books are like this. Where the woman is worried about getting old. There are a lot of older men and younger women book and unless I have missed something, the men don't worry about getting old.
Okay, I have said enough and people probably wouldn't find this as a review. But, it what I feel about the book. I'm going to go ahead and give the book three stars.
I like how a friendship was started and that's important to me. I don't care if the hero and heroine are heading down a HEA, I think they should become friends first in the relationship, during the relationship and continue to be best friends until death do them part.
I'm glad that both party matured and seen that looks and money isn't the answer to happiness.
I'm debating or rather or not I should give it 2 1/2 stars or 3 stars. I know that I have highlighted three stars.
As I have said before the book is a quick read. I like reading chick lit books. Good, catcher books.
I wish the book was different. There's so much that I didn't like about this book.
1. Alex was a 30 year old kid. I know that he was young, but it doesn't mean that he had to be a kid. Don't get me wrong, I know that age doesn't have anything to do with maturity. A 50 year old man can still be immature. But, Alex was a doctor. I think that he should have been a mature 30 year old doctor. Not someone that Nina seen as a kid. I don't care if he wore Daffy Duck shorts, like to watch classic movies and eating oreo cookies. I love oreos cookies by the way! I don't care if he had a baby face.
I'm in my thirties. I'm very much passed 30 years old. I have a baby face. I like to watch cartoons, kid shows and even read Young Adults books. Yet, I am still a mature woman. My kid side will never die. The only time it will die is when I die. I believe every adult has a kid side. Some may not acknowledges it, but all adults have a kid side. If you have children, especially little ones, you better have a kid side. The first kid a child will play with, will be his or her parent(s).
Alex has seen how his father went through wives. He was an only child his mother had, but not the only child his father had. His father was married to three women and each woman, had a child for him. So, Alex had an older brother and sister. He should have known that money can't buy love. Yet, in his immaturity, he thought that he needed more money to make Nina happy, because she was married to a rich man before.
I just didn't like how Alex's character was made up.
2. Nina. I truly hate when women is caught up with looks and age. I hate when they think something is wrong with getting old. Our bodies weren't designed to stay young forever. No matter how much plastic surgery a woman gets to look young, she will never be able to change back her age.
No, Nina didn't get any plastic surgery, but she didn't like how body looked, because she was 40 years old and everything wasn't perky anymore.
Just because a woman is 40 years old, it doesn't mean that her body can't be perky. If a woman exercises and does strenght exercise to tone up her body, she can have a tone body too. There's an older woman in the story named Norma. She's seventy-five years old and she exercises. That's why she doesn't look her age and is in good condition. She's dating a younger man too. Rich is sixty-two years old.
Alex always thought that nothing was wrong with Nina's body, even before they hooked up.
I have other books by Jennifer. I don't know if they are about older women and younger men, but I hope it doesn't follow this storyline.
I hope not all older women and younger men books are like this. Where the woman is worried about getting old. There are a lot of older men and younger women book and unless I have missed something, the men don't worry about getting old.
Okay, I have said enough and people probably wouldn't find this as a review. But, it what I feel about the book. I'm going to go ahead and give the book three stars.
I like how a friendship was started and that's important to me. I don't care if the hero and heroine are heading down a HEA, I think they should become friends first in the relationship, during the relationship and continue to be best friends until death do them part.
I'm glad that both party matured and seen that looks and money isn't the answer to happiness.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 29, 2008
The interwebs seem to agree that Jennifer Crusie writes above-average romance novels, so after reading several books that were very srs bsns, I decided to finally give one a try. This started out great: liked the snarky dialogue, liked the unusualness of an older woman/younger man pairing, thought the characters all seemed agreeable enough. The plot was really thin, however, and what little there was totally goes off the rails at the end—I’m not sure I get the logic of writing a romance novel where guy and gal get together, then immediately have a big histrionic fight. That the curtains close on a kiss (god knows) might be a cliché, but sometimes it’s preferable.
I was also kind of annoyed that the B-plot (which almost dominated the teeny tiny A-plot) involved the protagonist’s best friend writing a novel in about five minutes. As someone currently trying to write one herself, I kept wanting to scream, “It’s not that EASY, yo!” Crusie, I’m sure in your heart of hearts, you will back me up on this.
This book was problematic, but it was still fun, and I’ll definitely be adding Crusie’s name to my list of potential comfort reads.
I was also kind of annoyed that the B-plot (which almost dominated the teeny tiny A-plot) involved the protagonist’s best friend writing a novel in about five minutes. As someone currently trying to write one herself, I kept wanting to scream, “It’s not that EASY, yo!” Crusie, I’m sure in your heart of hearts, you will back me up on this.
This book was problematic, but it was still fun, and I’ll definitely be adding Crusie’s name to my list of potential comfort reads.
April 23, 2021
A friend introduced me to this author. She told me how brilliant she was, and so I bought this book - perhaps as much in hope, as expectation.
I loved it. Fabulous h/H in Nina and Alex. Great premise - older woman and younger man. Extra - a dog who is as important to the story as any other character!
Fabulous prose, great dialogue. Cool mix of humour and romance and serious issues like being yourself or what other people want, learning from one’s experience and just how to seize love when it comes along. I really loved this story and look forward to reading more! 😉
I loved it. Fabulous h/H in Nina and Alex. Great premise - older woman and younger man. Extra - a dog who is as important to the story as any other character!
Fabulous prose, great dialogue. Cool mix of humour and romance and serious issues like being yourself or what other people want, learning from one’s experience and just how to seize love when it comes along. I really loved this story and look forward to reading more! 😉
May 24, 2017
This book is hysterical. I listened to the audiobook while driving to work and laughed myself silly. I absolutely loved Nina and Alex and of course, Fred. I'm not usually a chick-lit kind of girl but I absolutely loved this one.
February 15, 2021
Jennifer Crusie has her own style of romances. Her stories are rather fast-paced, funny, sometimes hilarious, and there is always a wise message. This time, that sometimes people care more about their own ego than what the other person wants, and that their behaviour can seem unselfish, caring - although it is in fact otherwise.
There was also a bit of meta-level - about writing novels by women about relationships and how they are read later by readers. Was it the author's own experience? I wonder.
I have a great time. I love Crusie's style and her heroes ;-) Nonetheless, I didn't enjoy it as much as her other books, let's say 4.5 stars. But because of feeding a dog with sweets (sorry, but it is one of my 'no-compromised-rules'), I am rounding it down, not up.
There was also a bit of meta-level - about writing novels by women about relationships and how they are read later by readers. Was it the author's own experience? I wonder.
I have a great time. I love Crusie's style and her heroes ;-) Nonetheless, I didn't enjoy it as much as her other books, let's say 4.5 stars. But because of feeding a dog with sweets (sorry, but it is one of my 'no-compromised-rules'), I am rounding it down, not up.
April 29, 2016
4.5 stars - great!
I really love this book. Nina and Alex are pretty great, and Fred (the dog) is just fabulous. :-) But for me, this book is not as wonderful as Getting Rid of Bradley or Manhunting (both also by Jennifer Crusie), so it *only* gets 4.5 "great!" stars. ;-)
This story sees Nina, 40 years old, rescue Fred ("part basset, part beagle, part manic-depressive," page 33) from certain death at her local shelter (it was his last day; I cried, it was so touching). She meets Alex, 30 years old, when Fred wanders into Alex's apartment via the window that opens onto the fire escape. (Alex lives on the second floor, Nina the third, and she trained Fred to go down the fire escape to the back yard when needed.)
Here is a scene with Fred that always makes me LOL: On page 30, Fred is investigating Nina's couch.
Then we have this scene on page 38: After Charity has been introduced to Fred, he decides to show off his learning skills and jumps out the window to the fire escape, as Nina showed him how to do. He jumps outside and . . .
So Fred was/is wonderful. And this is indeed "Fred's book." :-) Nina and Alex were pretty great, too, once they got out of their own way and just accepted each other for who they each were. :-)
I love the ending, when :-)
So this is a great book, it makes me smile many times and cry at least once, but it doesn't make me quite as happy to read it as do Getting Rid of Bradley or Manhunting, so unlike those two, this one *only* gets 4.5 "great!" stars. :-)
I really love this book. Nina and Alex are pretty great, and Fred (the dog) is just fabulous. :-) But for me, this book is not as wonderful as Getting Rid of Bradley or Manhunting (both also by Jennifer Crusie), so it *only* gets 4.5 "great!" stars. ;-)
This story sees Nina, 40 years old, rescue Fred ("part basset, part beagle, part manic-depressive," page 33) from certain death at her local shelter (it was his last day; I cried, it was so touching). She meets Alex, 30 years old, when Fred wanders into Alex's apartment via the window that opens onto the fire escape. (Alex lives on the second floor, Nina the third, and she trained Fred to go down the fire escape to the back yard when needed.)
Here is a scene with Fred that always makes me LOL: On page 30, Fred is investigating Nina's couch.
He'd sniffed it several times since he'd arrived, but now he made a decision. His haunches quivered and tensed as he crouched, and then with a mighty leap he flung himself onto the overstuffed cushions, hanging there for a long moment, a triumph of hope over biology, only to slide slowly back to the floor and land with a soft thud as his butt failed to achieve lift-off.LOL!!! :-)
He took it pretty well, considering.
Then we have this scene on page 38: After Charity has been introduced to Fred, he decides to show off his learning skills and jumps out the window to the fire escape, as Nina showed him how to do. He jumps outside and . . .
"Oh my God!" Charity ran to the window, Nina close behind.*hehehe* :-)
Fred sat on his rug on the fire escape, looking smug.
"Part basset, part beagle, part kamikaze," Nina said.
So Fred was/is wonderful. And this is indeed "Fred's book." :-) Nina and Alex were pretty great, too, once they got out of their own way and just accepted each other for who they each were. :-)
I love the ending, when :-)
So this is a great book, it makes me smile many times and cry at least once, but it doesn't make me quite as happy to read it as do Getting Rid of Bradley or Manhunting, so unlike those two, this one *only* gets 4.5 "great!" stars. :-)
March 12, 2010
What a pleasant surprise this book was!! I loved it from start to finish. Nina's character was just so real, with her insecurities about being 40 in a world that idolizes the looks of a 20-year-old. And Alex's ignorance of the realness of her insecurities was also very true-to-life.
Nina is somewhat recently out of a very one-sided marriage, and all she wants is her independence and a dog. And of course, everyone knows that a good pet can be a good connection for friendship - which is all Nina wants, since she's through with marriage. Alex, however, takes one look at Nina and definitely wants more, and the fact that he's ten years younger doesn't bother him a bit. Being a smart guy, he eventually discovers how to build that friendship into more - once he gets past his own insecurities about not being rich.
So I guess I'm a convert to Jennifer Crusie, and will definitely try another of her books.
Nina is somewhat recently out of a very one-sided marriage, and all she wants is her independence and a dog. And of course, everyone knows that a good pet can be a good connection for friendship - which is all Nina wants, since she's through with marriage. Alex, however, takes one look at Nina and definitely wants more, and the fact that he's ten years younger doesn't bother him a bit. Being a smart guy, he eventually discovers how to build that friendship into more - once he gets past his own insecurities about not being rich.
So I guess I'm a convert to Jennifer Crusie, and will definitely try another of her books.
December 6, 2021
Una de mis novelas favoritas. Es una genérica del año 1996, y cada vez que la leo, sigue haciéndome gracias. Nina Askew, divorciada y recién cumplidos los cuarenta, quiere regalarse un cachorro, y acaba con un perro problemático. Este animal tan tontorrón acaba metiéndose en casa del vecino. Este no es otro que Alex Moore, alto y rubio, médico de urgencias que, nada más echarle el ojo a Nina, está encantado. Es una de esas raras historias en las que ella es mayor que el, y no es el único estereotipo que rompe. Divertida hasta decir basta. A lo cual contribuyen los personajes secundarios, inolvidables. Me parece una novela redonda en su género, romántica contemporánea ligera y corta, puro entretenimiento.
Reseña amplia, en mi blog.
Reseña amplia, en mi blog.
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