Customer Reviews

Back to the Bedroom LP

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

David Dodd is a happy go lucky guy that is perfectly content to hang out with his friends and read comic books for entertainment. He is a big kid who still loves the things that gave him such joy when he was a child. He has seen his neighbor Kathryn Finn come and go, but really knew nothing about her until one afternoon when something fell from the sky and crashed through her roof. The little glimpse he got of her made him want to get to know that crazy person better. Kate is a professional cellist known as a child progeny. As they get to know each other, she discovers his lack of a job is because he recently won the lottery, and it dismayed her to learn that it really bothered her that he didn't seem to have any life goals. Kate had always been goal oriented from the day she learned to pick up the cello. When people start trying to break into Kate's house, it becomes obvious that whatever it was that crashed into her house was important, and being search for. David feels this is the perfect opportunity to get close to Kate. Can two opposites find a middle ground?

This was a short read. It is obviously one of JE earlier works, and not up to the caliber of more recent work.

I LOVE the Stephanie Plum novels and was looking for a Janet Evanovich fix. I couldn't get into the "Full" series, so I picked up "Back To the Bedroom". Overall, it was a good read. It was light, not serious at all and it was an easy read. I was stressed-out at the time and this book helped me kick back and laugh a little. The dialogue is a little hard to believe sometimes, but I secretly wished I could have a conversation like the one Kate and David had (pick one). It was pleseantly witty and quick, which made me read the book even faster.

If you're looking for straight entertainment, this is the book for you. DO NOT READ IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR A SERIOUS BOOK. Just have fun with it, take it for what it is and you'll enjoy it.

I am a huge Stephanie Plum fan and have not really enjoyed any of the "Full" series so far. I generally assumed that this was because, maybe, Charlotte Hughes was co-authoring them into longer rewrites and the hand of Hughes was mucking them up. Not to offend anyone here, but the "full" series just isn't my thing, but for those that liked it I am sure they would like this book as well.

It is about neighbours Katherine and DAvid, and is more on the classic screwball comedy She hates him and He is riled by her kind of thing - with set up scenes along the way to throw them together.

Evanovich's writing has definitely matured since she first wrote these and 12 novels later she hit her stride I think. The Plum series is great - I have also enjoyed the new book Metro-girl. So if you are keen to see what sort of writer she used to be, and maybe get hope that you too can improve as she has, then buy this. It is readable, just not thrillingly lusty like her other books are

Voice performer C. J. Critt has turned in some sterling readings (favorites include "All That Remains," a Kay Scarpetta mystery and, of course, Evanovich's own "Four To Score." ) She's an able actress who easily summons romance, enthusiasm, drama or suspense with the sound of her well trained voice. She adds to her credits with this delivery of "Back To The Bedroom."

For those who may not know, before the "Plum" days Janet Evanovich wrote a few romance stories. (Yes, friends, there was life before Stephanie Plum and the zany folk in her retinue). "Back to The Bedroom" is one such story - a little light, a bit funny, and another side to the prolific Evanovich.

Katherine Finn is a dedicated musician, and David Dodd is a handsome hunk. Of course, the twain will meet. It was inevitable since they're neighbors - close neighbors. At first it seems the only thing they have in common is the wall that separates them, but we knew romance wasn't far behind.

Then, as in all good romance stories there are disagreements until it's kiss and get together again time. (Remember the old William Powell/Myrna Loy movies?)

- Gail Cooke

What a treat. Janet Evanovich has reached in her bag of literary goodies and pulled out an old story written back in the '80s. Back To The Bedroom is vintage Janet Evanovich. It's a cute, timeless love story that gives only glimpses of the author I've come to love.

If you want a cutsey, light-hearted happily ever after tale, then this one is for you.

Janet Evanovich puts sass into a screwball romance. Two people with completely separate lives find themselves tossed together out of necessity. When a law enforcement issue in the neighborhood unintentionally collides with two people, one a serious, driven musician and the other a laid back fun loving guy the sparks fly. The sparks slowly fan the flames of desire. Amid many very funny mishaps and misunderstandings, (reminiscent of Grant and Hepburn in "Bringing Up Baby") this endearing pair opens their hearts to each other in what is a screwball romance loaded with fun!!!

Although I still don't quite understand the significance of the fallen camera piece crashing through Katherine's roof, which threw her together with her neighbor David, this is an excellent, fun story about two very likable protagonists who fall in love, and then must find a way to make their relationship work despite the differences in their work ethic and lifestyles.

I could not put this down. I was laughing outloud while I was reading this book.

Long before author Janet Evanovich turned Stephanie Plum, bounty hunter extraordinaire, loose on the citizens of Trenton, NJ, she wrote 12 short romance novels, all screwball comedies with happy endings, some involving just a tad of mystery for extra spice. These novellas were published by the Loveswept line between the years 1988 and 1992. I have read and enjoyed many of them. It is also interesting, if you are an Evanovich fan, to read one of her early books and compare it, her characters and her now famous humor with her more recent work. Unfortunately, "Back to the Bedroom," which has just been reissued, is one of the weakest books in the series. It is a short, simple romance with minimal plot.

Katherine Finn, "called Kate to her face and the 'Formidable Finn' behind her back," is a professional cellist and former child prodigy, who has a Type A Plus personality. Divorced and paying off the mortgage on a Washington, DC, Federal style brownstone, she has her day scheduled from early morning to late at night, practicing, playing, giving music lessons, etc.. Her next door neighbor, handsome bachelor David Peter Dodd, recently won millions in the lottery and is taking an extremely long vacation. He has plans to be temporarily employed for a long time. David has never met Kate because she is always on the run. Then one awful morning a helicopter drops a heavy piece of metal, accidentally, through her roof and David comes to the rescue.

Of course she is beautiful, he is handsome and there is mucho chemistry between them. Typically there are all kinds of high jinks, the romantic ones, the ones involving sweet, pistol-packing old lady, Elsie Hawkins, who rents a room from Kate, and also those including her drug producing/dealing neighbors. Some of Ms. Evanovich's attempts at humor do fall flat. She tries too hard, especially in the episodes with the drug dealing criminals. Interestingly, for Stephanie Plum fans, this was the first of four romances to feature Elsie Hawkins, the prototype for Grandma Mazur.

As I wrote previously, "Back to the Bedroom" is short, simple and sweet. If fluff offends you, steer clear of "Back to the Bedroom," written in the days when Janet Evanovich was developing the talent that authored the terrific Stephanie Plum series.
JANA

COMEDY, ROMANCE, GOOD PLOT JANET EVANOVICH MISSES NOTHING I FIND HER BOOKS DIFFICULT TO PUT DOWN UNTIL I HAVE FINISHED THEM AND THEY LEAVE ME WITH A GOOD FEELING