Infernal Affairs

by Jane Heller

A real estate agent in South Florida's discreetly posh Banyan Beach, Barbara is down on her luck, up several dress sizes, drowning herself in Bloody Marys -- and worst of all, has just been dumped by her husband for a blonde TV weatherperson. Tired of living the life of a woman in a "before" ad, Barbara stumbles outside in the midst of a thunderstorm and beseeches heaven to help her -- unaware that someone diabolical might be listening.

Instead of a hangover the next morning, Barbara wakes up with golden hair, no double chin, a waistline . . . and definite cleavage! Without any effort, she sells the least appealing house in town to the most appealing man she's ever met. Suddenly, everything she wishes for comes true. Barbara doesn't know what the devil is going on. But when she finds out, all hell is going to break loose.

Genres: Chick Lit, Romance, Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Humor, Paranormal, Mystery

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

About the author

Jane Heller, a New York native who recently moved from Santa Barbara, CA to New Preston, CT, is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of 13 novels of romantic comedy, including "Name Dropping," "Lucky Stars," and "Best Enemies." Nine of Heller's novels have been optioned for film or television, and all of them have been translated in countries around the world. Her first book of nonfiction, "Confessions of a She-Fan: The Course of True Love with the New York Yankees," is a humorous look at her passion for baseball. Her book about caregiving, "You'd Better Not Die or I'll Kill You: A Caregiver's Survival Guide to Keeping You in Good Health and Good Spirits," combines Heller's personal essays about being the wife of a man with Crohn's disease and the daughter of a mother with dementia, plus interviews with other caregivers who deal with everything from autism to Alzheimer's and advice/tips from experts. "You'd Better Not Die" is upbeat and inspirational - a cheerful companion to the over 60 million caregivers in America. Heller's new novel, "Three Blonde Mice," a spinoff of her bestselling novel "Princess Charming," was published on August 2, 2016.

Reviews

[Martha Bode · Rating 2 out of 5]

kinda stupid

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was kind of awful.

[Robin Reynolds · Rating 4 out of 5]

First off, for some reason I thought this was a romance when I picked it up. Second, the premise was a bit out there, with Barbara inadvertently making a deal with the devil, and overnight going from gray hair, overweight, double chin, and meek to a slim blonde assertive beauty with the power to make bad things happen to others. About the time I realized it was not actually a romance, it got so ridiculous I actually for a fleeting second thought about not finishing it. But I persevered, and suddenly there was some romance, and then the last quarter stand off with the devil got really good, and for that I bumped it from three stars to four.

[Ava Lypps · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5!

[Doris · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute, funny read with a religious twist, which coincidentally explains the evil and damage in the world in a sort-of believable way. As our heroine, Bah-bar-ah (Barbara) unwittingly makes a deal with the devil, then strives to get out of it - not just for herself but for community, I was torn between the eye-roll for the obvious and the laughter that broke out at unexpected times.

A sweet little romance with a strange twist, predictable but funny, warm and tender with a chance to remind everyone how our actions influence others.

[Karen Otten · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a delightful, light, quick read. It is a humorous fantasy--which I knew going in. However, I liked the Eternal Truth in Heller's message: "...the devil loses his power when he comes face-to-face with Love" (Pg 267 in hard cover, library book). In my book (pun intended), that's a good moral for any story!

[Annie Pisarello · Rating 3 out of 5]

Barbara Chesser sells her soul to the devil during a thunderstorm, not really realizing what she is doing. Now she must save not only herself, but her entire South Florida town of Banyon Beach from the dark powers. This is a clever, entertaining, witty read.

[Sie Sumayod · Rating 3 out of 5]

I remembered the movie bedazzled on this book.

[Angela]

I had gotten rid of my copy of this book, figuring I was no longer interested, but another copy has crossed my path, and I am again - interested. (08/07/21)

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this forever ago and remembered none of it! I loved it way more this time!

[Alexandria Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Literally couldn't put the book down

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

The plot is, of course, ridiculous and unbelievable, but that said, Jane Heller (What a coincidental name!) carries it through with just the right amount of humor. It's a pleasant little book and the unfolding of this mystery is, if absurd, quite entertaining.

I love the addition of a dog. That always gets me going on a book.

"He had a rugged, raspy Rod Stewart-type voice…"
I didn't get a chance to see Rod Stewart's appearance until several months after falling in love with his sexy raspy voice. (I imagined another Bruce Springsteen type.) I was so disappointed at this little man with straw hair. But the man can sing!
But then again, I think Mick Jagger is really ugly. I guess I am stranger than this book!

If you find my review interesting, please read my progress reports.

[Maurean · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute, entertaining book, with some very good lines;
A couple of my favorites:

When Ms. Heller descibes the handsome David Bettinger as having "an aura of absolute deliciousness, and standing next to him was like standing next to a six-foot-tall bar of imported white chocolate."

And, her explanation of why the devil left Miami for Banyan Beach, because he was "redundant...Superfluous. Nobody noticed him, what with all the crime there. Bringing evil and malevolence to Miami was like carrying the proverbial coals to Newcastle."

An amusing story of good vs. evil; worth the reading time.

[Shelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, Infernal Affairs is certainly unique. I mean, I didn't even know a romantic comedies about being possessed by the devil existed. It is pretty ridiculous but mostly enjoyable and occasionally laugh-out-loud funny. There were parts that made me uncomfortable (the tail?) and the end, which in most romantic comedies can be beyond the realm of believability, is truly unrealistic in this novel. It was a fun summer read, which is pretty much what I expected from Jane Heller.

[Dani · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was fine... it was light, and funny, and not something I'll be thinking about now that I'm done. Which is fine with me. I remembered reading other books by this author years ago and thinking that picking up a couple of her novels would be good "breaks" between my murder/suspense and fantasy novels. Not everything has to be serious and thought-provoking!

[Graceann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Barbara Chessner makes an accidental deal with the devil (it could happen!) in this rollicking entry in Jane Heller's repertoire. How she tries to get out of it is the crux of the story, and Infernal Affairs, due to its wit and pacing, is one of my favorites thusfar.

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute, humorous, quick read. Half way through I almost put it down due to the Devil references. Glad I finished it. Loved the ending. Love trumps the Devil. Love conquers all. Poor Barbara, she is so unhappy with her image and her life that she makes a wish that changes everything.

[Carmen · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was on a list I picked up at the library, Devilish Reads. I never would have picked it on my own. I almost gave up on it. But I continued and found it to be a light, humorous read with some great lines. However, many parts were quite contrived which detracted from the book.

[Lissette · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would recommend this book to people who also love Stephanie Plum novels. It's a comedy.

[Ellenjsmellen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Liked this the least by Heller.

[Regina Brescia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a hoot. I loved it!

[Muriel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I gave this a 3 star because I enjoy the authors storytelling ability and writing. However this book starts out as wacky good fun but the ending, in my opinion, fell flat.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heller is an author who can carry off an improbable story line. This modern Faust is breezy and funny. As an added bonus: she lampoons Florida.

[Erica · Rating 1 out of 5]

this book failed to catch my interest within the first 75 pages. I did not finish the book.

[Stacey Leahey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Witty book, with a cheesy ending!

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very meh.

[Christine · Rating 1 out of 5]

Worst book ever. Poorly written and the unbelievable plot was anticlimactic. The only reason I didn't finish is because I kept hoping it would get better but sadly it did not

[Catsalive · Rating 4 out of 5]

http://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/1...

[Kenneth Flusche · Rating 5 out of 5]

Held my attention page first to page last, good way to spend a rainy day