Devil May Care: A Novel

by Sheri McInnis

Struggling with her unfulfilling job and temperamental artist boss, would-be actress Sally finally lands a part at the same time she meets the wealthy and attractive Jack, who seems to be the man she always longed to meet, until she begins to suspect that he has a darker side.

Genres: Chick Lit, Fiction

384 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

I've been obsessed with stories ever since I was a little girl - whether reading them, writing them or watching them. In fact, I'm probably doing one of those things right now.

After releasing two books in the traditional publishing world (DEVIL MAY CARE Simon & Schuster/Atria and BY INVITATION ONLY St. Martin's Press), I decided to self-publish THE WITCHES OF ASHFORD PLACE and two non-fiction books.

I'm working on a new thriller that I'm really excited about. I've never enjoyed writing a book more ...

Here's the "official bio" btw:

Sheri McInnis was born in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada. As an author, she has worked with some of the most successful agents and editors in the business, including those responsible for such hits as The Nanny Diaries, Sex and the City and The Perks of Being a Wallflower. Her first novel, DEVIL MAY CARE (Simon & Schuster/Atria) was an Us Weekly Hot Book Pick, and her second, BY INVITATION ONLY (co-written with Jodi Della Femina and published by St. Martin’s Press) was recommended by In Style magazine and many others. She has a degree in Radio and Television Arts from Ryerson University and lives in Toronto with her husband, an independent documentary producer.

Reviews

[J. Jacobus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Few books have the ability to draw me in so deeply that I feel like I've bonded with the protagonist. Devil May Care is one of those books. While reading, Sally Carpenter became a dear friend. That's how real her character seems. She's a woman full of grit, determination, and innate goodness. But she must come to terms with a tragic past and face the consequences of a tempestuous future. Sheri McInnis wrote a soulful novel that takes readers on a journey through life, love, and temptation. Funny, light moments are countered with serious, dark passages. It's the perfect blend of humanity, and at its heart is a beautiful and haunting love story.

I'll leave you with this fantastic line from the novel:

"Somewhere we stop being two people, flesh and bones and blood, and become something else. Energy. Fire. Sin itself."

[Valerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

i loved this book…. i know the ending was god awful, but i thought jack was fun character that you don’t find in books often. sally was annoying as all hell, as was gale (her agent i think lmao) and david. i don’t understand why she couldn’t just break it off with david, as cheating is a much worse sin then lying to spare one’s feelings. i thought the book was fun either way, and fun take on the devil and the film industry. reminded me of ‘this love’ and ‘the lucky one’ by taylor swift!

[E. Stoops · Rating 1 out of 5]

Just reading it, the tropes fell off the pages in globs.

Sally is Mary Sueish, an obvious author insert that is engaging in standard, chick-lit style wish fulfillment. She's teamed up with David, her caring but somewhat dowdy boyfriend who is, unsurprising, instantly pitted against a man, Jack, who is tall, dark, handsome AND rich.

Oh, but wait! The standard issue love triangle gains religious overtones (which seem forced) and then earth shattering importance as Sally realizes that her life is actually a biblical allegory! While there is every single reason for Sally to believe she's finally gotten her big break, she instead revels in wangsting about whether or not following her dreams of success will lead her to hell.

I will try not to spoil it, but Sally makes constant references to both Pretty Woman and Rosemary's Baby -- to the shock of none, the plot seems stolen directly from the worst imaginable mashup of those movies. Tacked on at the very end is a charming anti-abortion tract. If this had come out after Twilight, I'd say it was Twilight without the sparkles. As it is, it came out before. Likely, it paved the way for a paranormalized version. Gag.

In fact, this book doesn't even have any of the generally expected guilty pleasures which are typically the defining virtue of Chick-lit. It isn't even a tease on that level. There is not one steamy scene. Not one delicious kiss. There isn't even a single adequate description of the wonderful clothes and dinners Jack buys Sally. (Oh, and despite constant wining and dining, somehow Sally is losing weight? Yeah, right.)

If you come across this book, I'd recommend reading it as a drinking game -- every time you find yourself totally underwhelmed, take a shot. When you are unwilling to drink another drop, pop this in the fireplace and enjoy the satisfying glow.

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

Summer read, silly lightweight fluff.

[Laura · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really disliked this book and am very surprised I finished it. I guess I was expecting something to happen to make the storyline better. Nope!

[Mary Zurn · Rating 3 out of 5]

A witty concept of a story. I enjoyed the story of Sally’s encounter with Jack (the devil himself).

[Sonja · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5* I couldn't predict any of it, so there is that going for the story. I'm honestly not sure how I really feel about this story.

[Amanda Bynum]

Book 55 in my Cannonball Read challenge is Devil May Care by Sheri McInnis. Quick description: down-on-her-luck actress Sally meets a network executive, Jack, who changes her life. Before she was losing parts to a less-talented actress whom she resembled, with a sad part-time job, a tragic family background, and a lackluster boyfriend; with Jack, she's winning parts, dressing well, and having the time of her life. But her deep religious streak as well as a series of events too creepy to be coincidence convince her that this powerful man is the Devil. Not just a devil, but THE Devil. Is Sally crazy, or is Jack more than he seems?

So yeah, I read the book, and it was OK - fluffy, predictable, but still engaging. But here's the part I don't get: I read to page 248, then got very confused when the punctuation didn't match. Turns out the book was missing 32 pages, jumping from 248 to 281. Then, I read until 312, and it jumped back to 281. So pages 249-280 are missing, but pages 281-312 were printed twice. SO weird. I don't think I missed much - something about a nun - but I wonder how that happened. I also wonder if the friends who lent me the book ever read it...

Devil May Care - C+

[Heather · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was craving some chick lit so I picked up this book at the library. It was an alright story, the writing wasn't all that great. I didn't like the ending.

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At first I thought that Jack died in the fire, but then I was under the impression that he used the fire as an excuse to "get lost" and leave the business world, but that doesn't seem to be something that he'd do.

[Tricia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought this was going to be a carefree book and a good read. It was, for about the first 3/4 of it. Then it kind of turns dark....and the ending surprised me. I like happy books, so this one isn't top on my list. I liked her writing and the gist of the story line, but I would have liked a happier ending.

[Lisa (Remarkablylisa) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay, honestly. I had so many high hopes for this one because I wanted a romantic swoon worthy hilarious novel and I did get that but towards the middle chunk of it and near the end, that's where things were just off. I mean, falling for the devil? It sounds wrong as it as. And then the freaking ending ???? COME ON. GIVE ME CLOSURE. GIVE ME TOGETHERNESS. GET TOGETHER.

[Debbie · Rating 2 out of 5]

this book started off slow and wasn't very interesting to read. but somehow i got sucked in and read the whole thing. the ending was horrible. i'm glad i got this book from the library and didn't pay anything for it!

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this book up on a whim from the bargain books at Barnes & Noble. It was one of those stories that sticks with you and even after I finished this book, I was constantly thinking about the characters. It's very entertaining!

[Vivian Yip · Rating 3 out of 5]

You think he's the devil, dead, or alive. Not a happy ending, this one which leaves an impression. I disliked how Sally's paranoia got to her and thought Jack was a devil because he's "heartless" and unfortunate yet fortunate events happen around her. Overall, it was good novel to read.

[Renee · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was deeper and more enjoyable than expected.
can you resist temptation?

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was really cheesy, but I still found it addictive. Even when it ended, I wished there was more to read.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved this book at first! Very funny but I HATED the ending!! Disappointing to say the least!

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was not great literature, but I LIKED it. It kept me spellbound until the end.

[Charlie · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book left many open ends to enjoyable. I am looking for the second book in the series have closure.

[Michelle Page · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good book

[Britt · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story even years later I remember. It was really interesting and and a surprise ending which I loved.

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nothing special here

[Deb Monnier · Rating 2 out of 5]

Story did not get interesting until at least half way through. Did not keep me interested. Took me about 3 weeks to get thru it as I thought it was boring.

[Dev · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great summer read for the single gal!

[Brenda Christiansen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book as a quick and fun read (although it had kind of a strange ending).