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Full #5
Full Bloom
Dear Reader,
The temperature's on "sizzle" again in Beaumont, South Carolina, where peach trees are in season and ripe for the picking. So is its newest entrepreneur, Annie Fortenberry, who has inherited her grandmother's B&B (and its eccentric handyman Erdle Thorney). According to a local psychic she also inherited a spirit from its glory days as a brothel--not the kind of publicity the Peach Tree Bed & Breakfast needs if it's hosting millionaire Max Holt's upcoming wedding! If rumors of a naughty, prank-playing ghost aren't stressful enough, a mysterious man has arrived with an eye on Annie and her master suite. Wes Bridges is all leather and denim, sporting a two-day beard, straddling a Harley, and sending the B&B's testosterone level through the roof. Annie's cool demeanor may be dropping as fast as Wes's jeans, but leave it to her missing ex-husband to dampen the passion! Turns out someone has done him in, and all evidence points to Annie! Wrapped up in a murder plot, Annie must find the killer, save her own neck, and get back to where she was-wrapped up in Wes's strong loving arms...
We guarantee that you're going to have as much fun reading Full Bloom as we had writing it! (Even if we were surprised by the ending!) And you won't want to miss the hair-raising shenanigans when Fleas, the hound dog, meets the most cantankerous, snooty, bad-tempered, twenty-two pound orange cat....
Janet and Charlotte
The temperature's on "sizzle" again in Beaumont, South Carolina, where peach trees are in season and ripe for the picking. So is its newest entrepreneur, Annie Fortenberry, who has inherited her grandmother's B&B (and its eccentric handyman Erdle Thorney). According to a local psychic she also inherited a spirit from its glory days as a brothel--not the kind of publicity the Peach Tree Bed & Breakfast needs if it's hosting millionaire Max Holt's upcoming wedding! If rumors of a naughty, prank-playing ghost aren't stressful enough, a mysterious man has arrived with an eye on Annie and her master suite. Wes Bridges is all leather and denim, sporting a two-day beard, straddling a Harley, and sending the B&B's testosterone level through the roof. Annie's cool demeanor may be dropping as fast as Wes's jeans, but leave it to her missing ex-husband to dampen the passion! Turns out someone has done him in, and all evidence points to Annie! Wrapped up in a murder plot, Annie must find the killer, save her own neck, and get back to where she was-wrapped up in Wes's strong loving arms...
We guarantee that you're going to have as much fun reading Full Bloom as we had writing it! (Even if we were surprised by the ending!) And you won't want to miss the hair-raising shenanigans when Fleas, the hound dog, meets the most cantankerous, snooty, bad-tempered, twenty-two pound orange cat....
Janet and Charlotte
344 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published April 5, 2005
566 people are currently reading
6437 people want to read
About the author
Janet Evanovich
332 books41k followersJanet Evanovich is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Stephanie Plum series, the Lizzy and Diesel series, twelve romance novels, the Alexandra Barnaby novels and Trouble Maker graphic novel, and How I Write: Secrets of a Bestselling Author, as well as the Fox and O'Hare series with co-author Lee Goldberg.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 410 reviews
September 26, 2023
Okay, everyone has a guilty pleasure and Rom-Coms with a touch of mystery/suspense are mine. I know these early romances by Janet Evanovich are a bit dated, but I don't care. They are funny and they entertain me. I guess I'm lucky that there are few authors who write in this style, or they would be all I ever read.
Max Holt and Jamie are going to tie the knot, but they want to keep it a secret. They have chosen Annie Fortenberry's Peach Tree Bed and Breakfast as their wedding venue. The place has a history as a bordello and a ghost too. Unfortunately, there are all kinds of goings on at the B&B the week before Max and Jamie get married.
Annie also has an unexpected guest to contend with, one that reminds her that she is very much alive and breathing. Harley riding, leather and denim wearing Wes Bridges says he is a photographer. Annie suspects there is much more that he isn't telling, but there is no doubt as to the passion that ignites between them.
Annie's husband has been missing for two years and this is the week he finally turns up dead and buried in the backyard and Annie is the prime suspect. Wes is determined to clear Annie, and they work together to find out just who hated him enough to kill him.
With several colorful characters including a drunk caretaker, a psychic, two adorable older ladies, Fleas the hound dog and an overfed tabby cat with a bad temper, this book doesn't lack for hilarious scenes.
Max Holt and Jamie are going to tie the knot, but they want to keep it a secret. They have chosen Annie Fortenberry's Peach Tree Bed and Breakfast as their wedding venue. The place has a history as a bordello and a ghost too. Unfortunately, there are all kinds of goings on at the B&B the week before Max and Jamie get married.
Annie also has an unexpected guest to contend with, one that reminds her that she is very much alive and breathing. Harley riding, leather and denim wearing Wes Bridges says he is a photographer. Annie suspects there is much more that he isn't telling, but there is no doubt as to the passion that ignites between them.
Annie's husband has been missing for two years and this is the week he finally turns up dead and buried in the backyard and Annie is the prime suspect. Wes is determined to clear Annie, and they work together to find out just who hated him enough to kill him.
With several colorful characters including a drunk caretaker, a psychic, two adorable older ladies, Fleas the hound dog and an overfed tabby cat with a bad temper, this book doesn't lack for hilarious scenes.
March 18, 2023
4.5 Stars Full Bloom: Full Series, Book 5 (audiobook) by Janet Evanovich and Charlotte Hughes read by Lorelei King.
This is such a fun series. I love the characters and all of the crazy things that they get up to.
This is such a fun series. I love the characters and all of the crazy things that they get up to.
May 22, 2024
Entertaining mystery listening 🎶🔰
This kindle e-book novel is from my Kindle Unlimited account book 5 of 6
Another will written murder mystery novel from Janet Evanovich with a strange happy ending.
I would recommend this series and authors to 👍 readers of romantic family and friends relationships adventure murder mystery novels 👍🔰. 2024
This kindle e-book novel is from my Kindle Unlimited account book 5 of 6
Another will written murder mystery novel from Janet Evanovich with a strange happy ending.
I would recommend this series and authors to 👍 readers of romantic family and friends relationships adventure murder mystery novels 👍🔰. 2024
November 10, 2011
Ugh...
Is this series over yet? It was bad enough that we've jumped characters once, but then she (they) did it again. Jamie and Max - who we know - were very peripheral to this story. All the main characters were new. (Ok Annie had BRIEF cameo in the last one, but that's it.) And worse still, I didn't like any of them. Nor was the story line worth anything. A wife wrongfully accused of murdering her husband? Gee, where have I heard that before?
I've only got one more to go and then I'm back to Stephanie and Ranger and Morelli and glad to be rid of this unfortunate series of events.
Is this series over yet? It was bad enough that we've jumped characters once, but then she (they) did it again. Jamie and Max - who we know - were very peripheral to this story. All the main characters were new. (Ok Annie had BRIEF cameo in the last one, but that's it.) And worse still, I didn't like any of them. Nor was the story line worth anything. A wife wrongfully accused of murdering her husband? Gee, where have I heard that before?
I've only got one more to go and then I'm back to Stephanie and Ranger and Morelli and glad to be rid of this unfortunate series of events.
August 18, 2020
For my subjective review: Full Bloom is fun and entertaining. It offers laugh out loud moments with a side of mystery. There are the quirky characters that are a joy, and a sweet romance with a hot sex scene or two. All in all a solid 4.5 stars, in my opinion, within this romantic comedy genre.
February 13, 2012
Fun, light-hearted romance with some murder mystery and ghost story thrown in. The characters are very quirky and make for some hilarious scenes. It was a quick read.
August 22, 2018
Janet Evanovich never disappoints. She always leaves me laughing out loud at the antics of her characters. She and Charlotte Hughes gives you a mystery to solve in a story that is a good romp.
Annie Fortenberry owns a bed and breakfast in Beaumont SC that was once a Civil War bordello. The B & B comes with a couple of eccentric permanent borders, a soused handiman, a psychic advice columnist, and a ghost. The fun begins when a handsome biker arrives and immediately get cobbler by Annie with her rolling pin. Unbeknownst to Annie, handsome border, Wes Bridges, has been hired to discover what Annie had to do with the disappearance of her husband. When a body is found buried behind Annie's garage, suspects abound.
This is a very funny book and it appears that it's part of a series. I'll be looking for others in the series. If you like a good laugh, this book is for you.
Annie Fortenberry owns a bed and breakfast in Beaumont SC that was once a Civil War bordello. The B & B comes with a couple of eccentric permanent borders, a soused handiman, a psychic advice columnist, and a ghost. The fun begins when a handsome biker arrives and immediately get cobbler by Annie with her rolling pin. Unbeknownst to Annie, handsome border, Wes Bridges, has been hired to discover what Annie had to do with the disappearance of her husband. When a body is found buried behind Annie's garage, suspects abound.
This is a very funny book and it appears that it's part of a series. I'll be looking for others in the series. If you like a good laugh, this book is for you.
May 15, 2009
I didn't really know what I was getting into when I decided to read this. I think I figured this author was very popular and had a million books, so there had to be something good about it. This is not my style of book at all. The dialogue was lame, and the story was unbelievable and predictable all at the same time. It was supposed to be funny, but I found myself only laughing about the ridiculousness. I'm glad I can check this author off my curiosity list.
That being said, I hate giving an author a bad rating. I think it is great if any writer can get published, let alone hundreds of times. She is definitely doing something right. Her books are just not for me.
That being said, I hate giving an author a bad rating. I think it is great if any writer can get published, let alone hundreds of times. She is definitely doing something right. Her books are just not for me.
October 16, 2020
I listened to this book, it was a good respite from listening to the news. That is until I realized that Lorelei King has a small repertoire of voices, that Annie sounded like Stephanie Plum and Wes was a more American version of Ranger. Not sure if I will even bother with the rest of the series. At least the killer did not turn out to be who I thought it was going to be.
February 25, 2019
Easy reading .fun to..
February 8, 2019
So, I chose something light-hearted to balance out the intense read I did before this. This book had a lot of humor but it actually went beyond funny... it was downright silly. Ugh. The side characters were interesting and unique but the two main characters were boring and their relationship seemed forced. A few weeks of knowing each other and they're convinced it's love? They hardly spent any time together!
Two stars for fun side characters and for some of the humor but really this was just meh. I almost DNF.
Two stars for fun side characters and for some of the humor but really this was just meh. I almost DNF.
December 30, 2019
Another lite murder mystery with satisfying characters laughs in between the drama. An enjoyable read.
July 13, 2025
Evanovich delivers the laughs as always!!
September 7, 2013
I am an avid reader of Janet Evanovich. Her books never fail to have me actually laughing out loud wherever I'm reading.
If you're not familiar with Evanovich, most notably the author of the Stephanie Plum series, then I insist you go get one of her books and read it NOW. She is hilarious, and her books are loaded with antics, love triangles, and usually a lost body, or two. Lately, I have been in a slump while waiting for the next Stephanie Plum novel so I decided to take a look at some of her older work. The book I chose was one of Evanovich’s co-authored books.
Full Bloom, the fifth book in the Full Series by Evanovich and Charlotte Hughes, doesn't disappoint in the humor or mystery department. Full Bloom picks up during a palm reading at the home of Annie Fortenberry. Annie, who inherited an ex-brothel mansion from her grandmother, runs a bed and breakfast. One of her newest tenants was Destiny, a psychic/columnist, who had some misfortune at her home and is living with Annie while it’s under repair. The B&B’s other tenants consist of a retired nurse’s aide, a drunk handy-man, and an ex-ballerina. Just this combination of characters alone is enough to carry this book through to the end.
Annie spends ALL of her time running the B&B. While most would complain about spending day and night cooking, cleaning and planning events, Annie finds it a valuable distraction to her man situation. She is totally off men, or so she thought, because Destiny tells her that she has got a hot man coming into her life and he is going to spice things up.
After Destiny begins speaking to the ghosts of the mansion, word gets out about the colorful past of the house and the tenants start to notice strange things around the house: art that is skillfully shaped like body parts, a plethora of red velvet, and some scandalous dreams. Now add all this to the new surprise tenant (photographer – PI – motorcycle owner – and hottie-tottie) Wes Bridges, and you have yourself one heck of a full house.
Annie finds herself in the midst of a love triangle, wedding planning (for someone else naturally), and incarceration when her ex-husband turns up buried in the backyard after a three year hiatus.
Full Bloom is a roller-coaster of disasters, shenanigans, stories and emotions. This book turned into my new best-friend; I just couldn't leave it alone. It was a quick read because of it's addictive nature. I found myself thinking about what the characters may be up to while I was at work, the doctors office and even the bar. Without a dull moment in the book, and a lot of finger-pointing, there are some many facets to keep you hooked. Evanovich and Hughes capture the essence of the bad-boy and the guy that's a girl's best-friend in a way that makes you envious of the main character's two beaus; even though she is facing murder charges. And, as an added bonus, Full Bloom features characters from Full House (the first book in the Full Series).
This is a must read!
If you're not familiar with Evanovich, most notably the author of the Stephanie Plum series, then I insist you go get one of her books and read it NOW. She is hilarious, and her books are loaded with antics, love triangles, and usually a lost body, or two. Lately, I have been in a slump while waiting for the next Stephanie Plum novel so I decided to take a look at some of her older work. The book I chose was one of Evanovich’s co-authored books.
Full Bloom, the fifth book in the Full Series by Evanovich and Charlotte Hughes, doesn't disappoint in the humor or mystery department. Full Bloom picks up during a palm reading at the home of Annie Fortenberry. Annie, who inherited an ex-brothel mansion from her grandmother, runs a bed and breakfast. One of her newest tenants was Destiny, a psychic/columnist, who had some misfortune at her home and is living with Annie while it’s under repair. The B&B’s other tenants consist of a retired nurse’s aide, a drunk handy-man, and an ex-ballerina. Just this combination of characters alone is enough to carry this book through to the end.
Annie spends ALL of her time running the B&B. While most would complain about spending day and night cooking, cleaning and planning events, Annie finds it a valuable distraction to her man situation. She is totally off men, or so she thought, because Destiny tells her that she has got a hot man coming into her life and he is going to spice things up.
After Destiny begins speaking to the ghosts of the mansion, word gets out about the colorful past of the house and the tenants start to notice strange things around the house: art that is skillfully shaped like body parts, a plethora of red velvet, and some scandalous dreams. Now add all this to the new surprise tenant (photographer – PI – motorcycle owner – and hottie-tottie) Wes Bridges, and you have yourself one heck of a full house.
Annie finds herself in the midst of a love triangle, wedding planning (for someone else naturally), and incarceration when her ex-husband turns up buried in the backyard after a three year hiatus.
Full Bloom is a roller-coaster of disasters, shenanigans, stories and emotions. This book turned into my new best-friend; I just couldn't leave it alone. It was a quick read because of it's addictive nature. I found myself thinking about what the characters may be up to while I was at work, the doctors office and even the bar. Without a dull moment in the book, and a lot of finger-pointing, there are some many facets to keep you hooked. Evanovich and Hughes capture the essence of the bad-boy and the guy that's a girl's best-friend in a way that makes you envious of the main character's two beaus; even though she is facing murder charges. And, as an added bonus, Full Bloom features characters from Full House (the first book in the Full Series).
This is a must read!
April 19, 2016
A very tentative and uncertain 3 stars?? (aka I may change my opinion tomorrow)
I just don't quite know what to make of this book. It's technically the fifth book in the Full series, but in it we switch from Max and Jamie to two characters we've basically never even heard of before. It's total insta-love territory and their entire relationship is built on lies (she thinks he's a photographer when really he's an ex-cop private investigator who was hired by her mother-in-law), and it kind of squicked me out.
The shtick about Annie's B&B being haunted by the ghost of a dead prostitute got really old really fast, as did all the random "the B&B used to be a bordello, so it's full of statues of people having sex! And that ceiling mural that looks like clouds? LOL NOPE, PEOPLE HAVING SEX. Did you know that this house makes people want to have sex? Because it does".
There was the odd entertaining moment, and it required zero brain power to get through. But there was something...off...about it for me, and I can't quite pinpoint what it was. So yeah. 3 stars. Possibly?
I just don't quite know what to make of this book. It's technically the fifth book in the Full series, but in it we switch from Max and Jamie to two characters we've basically never even heard of before. It's total insta-love territory and their entire relationship is built on lies (she thinks he's a photographer when really he's an ex-cop private investigator who was hired by her mother-in-law), and it kind of squicked me out.
The shtick about Annie's B&B being haunted by the ghost of a dead prostitute got really old really fast, as did all the random "the B&B used to be a bordello, so it's full of statues of people having sex! And that ceiling mural that looks like clouds? LOL NOPE, PEOPLE HAVING SEX. Did you know that this house makes people want to have sex? Because it does".
There was the odd entertaining moment, and it required zero brain power to get through. But there was something...off...about it for me, and I can't quite pinpoint what it was. So yeah. 3 stars. Possibly?
February 25, 2012
Another fun installment in the "full" series - this one has Max and Jamie as peripheral characters. They are finally getting married and Annie's house is where they've selected to tie the knot. Annie's house was inherited from her grandmother and is now a bed-and-breakfast. She has a few eccentric older ladies living with her and a drunk handyman. Into her life walks Wes - totally handsome (who isn't in these stories) and slightly bad boy. He is a private investigator looking into the disappearance of Annie's husband 3 years before at the request of her husband's mother. There are lots of slapstick situations - just what you expect from Janet Evanovich. Fun and light reading - just right for a highly stressful week.
July 25, 2017
I'm ever closer to my goal of reading EVERY Janet Evanovich book. (there's way too many of them).
This one was short and fun. The problem now is that she has so many short series that I can't keep them all straight. I think i'm mixing characters from all the different stories up --- oh well!
This one is about a lady (near Atlanta) with an old house she fixed up and has turned into a Bed and Breakfast. There might be a ghost, there might be a dead husband, there might be an investigator that she falls in love with, there might be a reason to put her in jail.
It was fun. Frankie (the Wrestler/politician) and Dee Dee showed up. I thought they were from a different series. Now i'm fascinated and confused.
This one was short and fun. The problem now is that she has so many short series that I can't keep them all straight. I think i'm mixing characters from all the different stories up --- oh well!
This one is about a lady (near Atlanta) with an old house she fixed up and has turned into a Bed and Breakfast. There might be a ghost, there might be a dead husband, there might be an investigator that she falls in love with, there might be a reason to put her in jail.
It was fun. Frankie (the Wrestler/politician) and Dee Dee showed up. I thought they were from a different series. Now i'm fascinated and confused.
February 23, 2008
The bloom wilted
Full Bloom was my introduction to author Janet Evanovich. I found her prose juvenile, her dialog uninspired and her humor slapstick. The characters were mostly wacky caricatures, the sexual tension was asserted but not convincing and plot, if it ever sizzled, finally fizzled.
The reading level is upper-elementary/junior-high school, but the sexy atmosphere would not (I hope!) be appropriate for that age group. Events often seem improbable and the characters rarely act with logic or intelligence.
Silly, outrageous, wacky, slapstick and forced. My first read of Evanovich was my last.
Full Bloom was my introduction to author Janet Evanovich. I found her prose juvenile, her dialog uninspired and her humor slapstick. The characters were mostly wacky caricatures, the sexual tension was asserted but not convincing and plot, if it ever sizzled, finally fizzled.
The reading level is upper-elementary/junior-high school, but the sexy atmosphere would not (I hope!) be appropriate for that age group. Events often seem improbable and the characters rarely act with logic or intelligence.
Silly, outrageous, wacky, slapstick and forced. My first read of Evanovich was my last.
February 20, 2011
This book was a light read. The authors had a really good story line going and the plot had real potential. I liked the characters and was very interested in their conflict, however towards the end the story seemed rushed. The authors took a lot of time setting everything up and introducing us to the characters. The story leading up to the climax was very well written and kept me wondering what was going to happen next, but it disappointed me. It just seemed like they spent all this time on the book and then got tired of it so they finished it off real quick. It was, however, an ejoyable read.
-indifferent
-indifferent
November 30, 2012
New entrepreneur, Annie Fortenberry, has inherited her grandmother's B&B (and its eccentric handyman Erdle Thorney). According to a local psychic she also inherited a spirit from its glory days as a brothel - not the kind of publicity the Peach Tree Bed & Breakfast needs if its hosting millionaire Max Holt's upcoming wedding if rumors of a naughty, prank-playing ghost aren't stressful enough, a mysterious man has arrived with an eye on Annie and her master suite.
I love the quirky characters and craziness that goes on. Annie was the main focus in this book with her bordello bed and breakfast. I laughed throughout the book. Want to lift your spirits, this is the book for you.
I love the quirky characters and craziness that goes on. Annie was the main focus in this book with her bordello bed and breakfast. I laughed throughout the book. Want to lift your spirits, this is the book for you.
May 16, 2012
I began this novel as a result of having just completed a very intense, disturbing true crime novel. I needed the mind candy! "Full Bloom" delivered. It is a fun-filled romp for anyone who wants a quick lighthearted read. Eccentric characters in an eccentric setting dealing with everything-that-can-go-wrong events keep the pace rapid. This book is not going to win any literary awards, but it does entertain.
April 11, 2013
I finished this book this morning and to be quite honest I barley remember it. Nothing made me laugh out loud, the couple didn't seem to belong together and the characters where very bland. I finished reading it only to find out who killed the husband, I didn't think that was very well done either, they seemed to keep tacking things on so they didn't need to wrap it up. All together it was very, very Meh.
November 3, 2018
I love Janet Evanovich books, but I knew within 2 pages that this wasn't the book for me. It started with a psychic reading someone's palm: first strike. Then the main character stated her dislike of men: second strike. Finally, the topic became how good a man was in bed: not interested. I can't say if the plot or writing style were good; I just know that the themes chased me away.
Read
January 27, 2009The full series books are good too, but not as funny as the Stephanie Plum ones. These fall more into the "romance" type books. "Feel good, sappy, girl" books. Not as bad as an official "romance" novel, but definitely the focus is more on the relationships than the story.
August 10, 2009
By far the worst book in the Full series. This time it's a different heroine and hero but it doesn't make it any better. The mystery, dialogue, and characters is lame and pathetic. I don't recommend or suggest this book to anyone. SKIP OVER THIS BOOK! 1/5 stars.
May 12, 2015
Fun and frothy and hilarious. If you liked the rom-com's of the 80's - the ones that tended to star Goldie Hawn, you might enjoy this fast read that's pure chick-lit, with a decent murder mystery thrown in.
Full review: http://jenn.booklikes.com/post/116378...
Full review: http://jenn.booklikes.com/post/116378...
October 12, 2011
If you want a break from the Stephanie Plum series I would recommend the "Full" series. This was book number five (yes, I read it out of order) but can be read as a stand-alone. This is a romance/mystery and it had me guessing to the end as to "who dun it".
May 3, 2009
Disappointing compared to Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series
June 16, 2012
Another silly Evanovich book. I branched out and decided to read something else besides the One for the Money series and enjoyed this book, however the series is still better "in my book".
Displaying 1 - 30 of 410 reviews