Full House

Full #1

by Steffie Hall, Janet Evanovich, Charlotte Hughes

Filled with Evanovich's trademark style and wit, Full House is romantic suspense with a twist...

Her life was pleasant, proper, and predictable-- until he showed up and trouble moved in...

Polo instructor Nicholas Kaharchek senses danger the minute he sees Billie Pearce. She represents everything he's so artfully avoided. Happy in her home life, a divorced mother of two, Billie is the epitome of stability. They have nothing in common.

To his horror, Nick is fascinated-- and irresistibly attracted. When Billie generously offers to share her home with Nick's crazy cousin Deedee for a while, Nick finds himself visiting-- often. And while each is slowly seduced by the other's charms, and both are wildly encouraged by devious Deedee, Billie and Nick find out that what they have in common is most important of all. But neither one knows that danger is lurking where they least expect it and a killer is closing in on them.

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

334 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1989

About the author

A pseudonym used by Janet Evanovich for several early novels.

Reviews

[Jen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Reading this book was like eating an entire box of Hostess Ho Hos by myself--I knew it was a bad idea while I was doing it, and afterwards I felt angry and embarrassed that I did it. Even for a mindless, chick-lit beach-read, this book stretches the limits of credibility. And even if you like the author's Stephanie Plum Bounty Hunter series (which I do), forcibly thrust this book into the nearest trash can if you ever see a copy of it.

[*TANYA* · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was super funny! Was it a great book? No. But still entertaining.

[Tina Loves To Read · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a Mystery Romance/Chick-Lit/Humor, and the first book in the Max Holt series. I really loved this book. It was a cute romance book, but it also had a twisted at the end. I guessed the twisted, but I still loved the book. I loved the characters, and this book was well-written. This was a cute, fun, and had a small mystery book. (*)

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining relationship listening 🎎✨

This kindle e-book novel is from my Kindle Unlimited account book 1 of 6.

Janet Evanovich is one of my favorite Authors.

A combo of romantic and mystery novel with interesting will developed characters lots of action, misdirection, and violence leading to a great ending.

I would recommend this series and others by Janet Evanovich to readers of romantic relationships mystery novels. 2024

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I laughed my a$$ off. This was a good story with characters that made it GREAT! I stayed up all night to finish this one, and I woke up my 7 yr old in the other room at one point because I was laughing so hard. (bad mommy-I assured him everything was ok and he fell right back to sleep) After that I held a blanket up to my face whenever the book got me going. I just recently saw Bridesmaids in the theater, and LOVED it. (might have peed my pants just a little from laughing so hard- darn side effects of childbirth) This book almost made me laugh as hard as the movie. People were staring at me at the athletic club because I was giggling furiously while I sweated away on the eliptical. I jumped right into Full Tilt and I am having a good time with that one so far as well. Really hope Evanovich and Hughes can keep the laughs coming throughout the series, cause I bought Full House through Full Scoop, and plan to read them all before the end of Memorial Day weekend! (Beach+Book=heaven)

HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK! I have not read any of the Stephanie Plum books by Evanovich yet, but I have started collecting them on my to read book case here at home because I am enjoying this author so far :0)

[Anita · Rating 5 out of 5]

As far as I can tell, this is Janet Evanovich's first book. It is rough in places and it doesn't know if it wants to be a romance, romantic-suspense or chick-lit. It turns out to be a little of all those genres and a splash of pure Janet, which is a genre all its' own. It is filled with zany characters and things do go Boom! The most important thing to remember is: this is a funny, entertaining book and if you are looking for an escape, sit on down with your beverage of choice and enjoy.

[Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Stars for Full House Max Holt Series, Book 1 (audiobook) by Janet Evanovich read by Lorelei King. Another fun story by one of my favorite authors. Lots of great characters and the amazing voice of Lorelei King narrating. I just love when these two women come together and make something special.

[Tammy Golden · Rating 1 out of 5]

Poorly done collaboration

I am a huge fan of Janet Evanovich. I own a copy of every book she ever wrote, including Full House in its original version. I am convinced that the reason over 70 disappointed reviewers (to date) can't recognize Evanovich's wonderful comic voice in this rewrite is because the rewrite gave the book Charlotte Hughes's voice, which is (sorry, Ms. Hughes) plodding and flat (I really disliked Hot Shot, which I only read because I heard Evanovich liked her so much she had her do the Full House rewrite). In addition, the plotting flaws that everyone complains about, the one-dimensional, boring characters, the lack of humor and sexual tension, a sense that many events are just thrown in with no rhyme or reason--all this, I'm afraid, can also be laid to the door of Ms. Hughes's unfortunate rewrite.

What is most sad of all, though, among all the problems this book has, is the horrible editing. What a commentary on the state of today's publishing world that even a superstar like Ms. Evanovich doesn't rate any editing by her publisher!

Like most other readers commenting here, I had to *force* myself to read this book to the end, and after the first half I was skimming. Reading it was not fun, it was an experience in horror--not from the psycho-stalker villain, who was totally out of place in a light comedy--but rather the horror of feeling compelled to rubberneck at a train wreck--the wreck (please heaven I hope not!) of a wonderful writing career.

[Michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Full review to come.

2 ⭐️

[Jackie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Back in 2008-2009 I was going through a Stephanie Plum phase and so, I picked this book up at a library sale based on my enjoyment of the Plum series. I really enjoyed Evanovich’s brand of humor, but once you’ve read a few of her books it’s like having too much candy. After awhile, the klutzy, good-humored, girl-next-door heroine becomes sickly sweet. I have since burnt out on the Plum series and I think it’s safe to say I’ve burnt out on all Evanovich books because they’re starting to produce too much eye rolling and my poor contacts can’t handle it.

In this one, Billie Pearce is a sixth grade teacher and divorced mom of two who, of course, loves cooking and all things family. Enter Nick Kaharchek, a billionaire with a dysfunctional family, who is looking for stability and you have the perfect pairing. Billie and Nick’s romance happens in about 5 pages and takes off from there. And because this is an Evanovich book there are a few kooky characters and a mystery thrown into the mix. Also, per Evanovich’s usual the foreshadowing is heavy and the plot lines are predictable.

Overall, this wasn’t the worse I’ve read but I can recommend other Evanovich books that are much better. If you need something for travel, beach or pool this would do as it’s a quick, no-brainer type of book, so it suited my need when I went to the beach this weekend.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun, cute story.

[Pam Nelson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok this was interesting, I picked it because of our 2020 audiobook challenge and I have to say it was pretty interesting. Was it the best mystery no but for the time period it was published in it was pretty good.

I liked the characters and Max was all kinds of interesting I like how his brain works.
Nick and Billie once they found their grove and admitted to more than like that was when it really started to work for me.

Glad I listened, also this narrator is awesome she is a favorite of mine so that made it even easier to listen.

[Lili · Rating 2 out of 5]

I can't believe this is a Janet Evanovich book... what happened??
This is one one stupid book, the timeframe for the whole book is 2 weeks during which Nick and Billie (awful name!) meet and fall in love.
If Billie was Deedie, that would be ok but she was presented to me as a sensible, almost boring, divorced mom of two. But then she met Nick and 5 days later they had sex and got engaged in one of the weirdest scenes I've read... and then it all went to hell.
Nick was a jerk who kept repeating he lusted after Billie and if he had to marry her to keep her, so be it!, he'll sacrifice... and that's exactly how he said it.
Now, I would have expected Billie to be super skittish about marriage, but noooooo... she got engaged after less than a week to a super handsome and loaded man and then she kept saying things like "I've never seen him this angry" or "I didn't recognize this side of him, the business man in a suit"... well, of course she didn't!!, she didn't know him, period!
And if I were a mom, I would've dumped his ass after the scene where he came up to Billie's house and yelled at Max, he was a kid!, what's he gonna do when Billie's kids screw up?, is she gonna let him treat them like that?

[Wayland Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Janet Evanovich is best known for her Stephanie Plum series. Every writer, or almost of them, did something before their "big break." Full House is some of her early work, updated by Steffie Hall (believe me, nobody wants their early stories out there without being gone over again).

It's interesting seeing the hallmarks of Evanovich's later writing in prototype form: screwball comedy, sexual tension, absurd scenes, just here with fewer criminals and more sex.

Billie Pearce, at loose ends after a divorce and with her kids away for the summer, decides to try something new and signs up for polo lessons. But she's never even been on a horse. Polo instructor, playboy, and local rich guy Nick Kaharchek goes from bemused to smitten, surprising himself by falling for someone totally out of his circle.

The course of true love never did run smooth, and among the complications here are a neighborhood insect infestation, an ineffectual handyman, some wacky relatives, and a jealous ex. It's very light reading, entertaining, but not as polished as her later work.

Worth the read if you're an Evanovich/Plum fan.

[Ashleigh · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don't really like any other Evanovich besides the Stephanie Plum novels.

[Cyndi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story to start off an entertaining series. Truly enjoying these folks, especially the beauty queen and the wrestler. So cute!

[Dan Banana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun love story with action and death and wrestlers and horses.

[Mayda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This tale has a little bit of everything - romance, mystery, and suspense, with humor sprinkled in throughout the book. Billie, divorced with kids, decides to take polo lessons. This puts in motion a chain of events that begins with her disastrous first lesson, continues with her attraction to the wealthy and handsome stable owner, and ends with, well, you should read the story to find out how it ends. There’s more than romance in the air. Maybe it’s not a true Evanovich book unless a car blows up! What starts out as a light-hearted tale soon takes a darker turn. Interesting characters and an intriguing plot combine for an entertaining read.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read Full House by Janet Evanovich. I recommend this book. It's a story of a lady who is divorced because her ex cheated on her and wanted to try new things. He was always the best when it came to sports; therefore the 2 kids thought he could do anything. With her kids gone with her ex a while during the summer, Billie Pearce knows she needs exercise and wants to try something adventurous. She wants to learn how to play Polo. Eventhough she has been around horses, this does not equate with playing Polo. She soon learns and her instructor, Nick Kaharchek, learns Polo is not for her. Billie grows fond of Nick Kaharchek, but knows he is from a different world. He is a millionare, owns the local newspaper, and tends horses and teaches classes on the side. Nick looks at Billie and sees someone he likes but can also manipulate a little to get his cousin off his back. His girl cousin is to be married in a couple weeks, but he can't live with her. She moves in with Billie only to go Eeewww... at everything because she is high class and does to have to deal with common things. But she is nice. The attraction for Nick and Billie is there, but both know it's a shot in the dark if they could make their different worlds emerge. Nice steamy scenes and great writing! I'm aiming to read all of Janet Evanovich's books! I've almost done it.

[Megan (BookWifeReviews) · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a great example of why I don’t read a lot of contemporary romances. I want to like it but the romance is ridiculous. They got married after 2 weeks and that’s nuts. They know nothing about each other. I mean literally nothing. She goes to a pollo lesson and he's the teacher. Blah blah you know the drill. But he is a womanizer and he uses the same moves he does on every single woman. I would not be able to trust anything he did or said. The one good thing I will say about him is that he was fantastic with her kids. That was actually kind of adorable. I was just about to DNF this one when the kids became part of the story and I liked that.

I read more fantasy because If a romance is bad in a fantasy book there is usually so much other stuff going on that I can ignore it. But this book it’s straight romance and I hated it. I will probably read the next book because Max was awesome and I am also on a mission to read all of Janet Evanovich's books.

[Kelly_Hunsaker_reads ... · Rating 1 out of 5]

Over the years I have turned to Evanovich's Plum series many times. Whenever life gets tough or I hit a reading wall I find that Stephanie, Joe, Ranger and the rest are highly entertaining. No matter how many times I read the books they make me laugh right out loud and wake my sleeping family. I had never read any other Evanovich books so I chose this one to fill a challenge category. What a disappointment! There is very little wit and sarcasm here, which is some of what makes Stephanie Plum so much fun. Not once did I laugh out loud. And there is also no depth to the story. No mystery. No shock or surprise. Honestly, this felt like a pulp romance book with a ridiculously hot couple on the cover. The writing was that bad.

[Emily Wallace · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really got into it towards the end tbf and ending was a plot twist, it’s always the one you never suspect ! Very rogue read from me but enjoyed a change. Was a charity shop find so had no idea what it was about but glad i stuck with it. Enjoyed the small book and small pages felt very easy to read :)

[Carmen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ten minutes later, Billie and Nick said their vows before a full house of relatives, neighbors, and wrestlers.

[Jolly Ann Paciencia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoy this book it is cute and funny story.

[Alison · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a bit silly and fun at the same time.

[Jennifer Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny romantic story. While the romance happened very fast, it was still entertaining. The culprit is pretty easy to guess. I enjoyed visiting this older romance and hope to get the rest of them soon to finish the series!

[Eden · Rating 4 out of 5]

2023 bk 80. A fun filled romance with more than a bit of mystery. There is some uneven handedness to the story or perhaps implausibility, but overall an enjoyable piece of reading for when you want something not so serious.

[Kelly · Rating 1 out of 5]

My mother-in-law left it at my house while she was in town and told me, "You can have this book, if you want it...I...like her humor." but that was all she said. I could tell she was thinking, "But I don't know what to think of this book..."

I hate romance novels, but a free book? Sure. I'll read it. It was the first I'd ever read by this author and that's unfortunate because I've heard positive things about her other books...but it's hard for me to believe this author could write ANYTHING worthwhile after reading this. I'll have to take her next books on a lot of faith after this completely fades from my memory.

If a few fifty-something housewives got together with the enthusiastic idea to write a book together over the summer...I'd imagine it would read something like this one. A divorced woman named Billie (ugh!) decides to take polo lessons while her kids are visiting their father. A horse crushes her foot and her handsome polo instructor takes care of her and drives her home. The prose, so far, is irritating and cliched, but it only gets worse. The guy wants to get close to Billie so instead of asking her out, like a normal person, he dumps his over-the-top cousin (who says, "Euyyeuw!" a lot and dates a famous wrestler) on Billie. There's a bug guy named Raoul, a kid who blows things up, a rich daddy's girl ex-girlfriend who happens to be gorgeous in contrast to Billie's motherly stretchmarks...and if the characters aren't annoying enough, the situations, dialogue, and general prose are enough to make you want to throw the book aside, yelling, "You have GOT to be kidding me! THIS got published?!"

It was absolutely terrible and I'm glad I didn't pay for this. Of everything I've ever read, it ranks up there as one of the worst. Actually, it's like a bad movie - it's so bad you'll be glad you read it just so you know you have read a truly bad book. Harlequinn novels are more profound than this junk.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're expecting something along the lines of the Stephanie Plum mysteries, this book is not for you. Full House must be viewed on its own. It's not as action-packed as Evanovich's more recent best sellers, although there's some action and a car does in fact get blown to bits. Full House, originally published in 1989 under the pen name Steffie Hall, is obviously the same author we love so much, but in her earlier days.

Nick Kaharchek has a playboy reputation, owns a newspaper and a stable, teaching polo as a hobby. He typically enjoys the company of elegant, sophisticated, well-breed women. That is, until he meets Billie Pearce, divorced mother of two, 6th grade teacher, who comes for polo lessons as part of her recent get-into-shape program. Although the attraction is unlikely for them both, it is most definitely mutual. Following this romance is dangerously fun.

Full House is witty, with plenty of steamy romance. Although it's a simply story without much depth, it's Janet Evanovich's characters that keep you interested. The characters are extremely vivid, likeable and very memorable. For example, Nick's cousin Deedee, a rich, spoiled, ex-beauty queen, sweet but dim-witted. Nick cons Billie into letting Deedee stay with her for a couple weeks until her wedding to professional wrestler Frankie The Assassin. Also beware of Deedee's 16-year-old brother, Max, a young genius, animal rights activist, who likes to blow things up to get attention. There's also Nick's ex-fiance Sheridan to contend with. And Raoul, the bug-guy who tries to please everyone in the neighborhood, but isn't too good at his job. There's bugs everywhere.

Keep yourself from comparing this to Evanovich's latest mysteries and you should enjoy it like I did.

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute and quirky although I had a difficult time buying some of the story line. Billie Pierce is taking polo lessons because she is trying to be really good at something. Her instructor, Nicholas Kaharchek, sees that she is never going to be a polo player but is struck by her looks. Being the town's most well known bachelor, he sets his cap for her and the rest of the book is basically one comic interlude after another with a little romance thrown in between. This is my first book by Evanovich and with the exception of the one bedroom scene which was entirely unnecessary (not graphic) I liked it. After deciding what kind of personality Billie had,I had some difficulty believing that she would have slept with Nick so soon after making his acquaintance but hey, who am I to judge. Overall, a fun read.