Customer Reviews

C.J.'s Fate

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is a recently re-issue of a Bantam Book originally published in 1984 and, except for one politically incorrect word, is just as delightful today as it was back then. When C.J. Adams decides to play a joke on her matchmaking friends and announces that a tall, handsome stranger she sees in the lobby of an Aspen ski lodge is her lover, she plays right into the hands of Fate. Fate Weston, that is--for that's the stranger's name and the fact that he not only goes along with her deception but is willing to aid and abet it, frightens C.J., as the lie begins to grow and grow until it's an avalanch totally out of control... for it's love at first sight for Fate and, though she won't admit it, also for C.J.

C.J. goes to Aspen to join the four women who've been her best friends for twenty years, she dreads the subsequent matchmaking which will inevitably occur. Since this is for the wedding of the last one unmarried except for herself, she expect it to be fast and furious. Because C.J., doesn't particularly want to get married and is happy being alone, she doesn't understand what all the concern is about and, in a particularly rebellious moment, decides to play that joke on her friends, a joke that will have everlasting consequences. From the very beginning, Fate the Man takes control, manipulating both C.J. and her friends and winning over their overprotective spouses who consider C.J., a little sister to be protected. Refusing to admit her attraction to him, though she enjoys his company and the hitherto-unknown sensations he arouses in her, C.J. finds herself blossoming and surprising even herself by coming out of protective shell and become a woman attractive, beautiful, and able to turn the head of any man she meets. That's not what Fate wants, however, for he's no Pygmalion but a man who's finally found the one woman he didn't think existed and he begins to woo C.J. Flowers, poetry, singing to her...he throws in the entire mix of romantic notions, not leaving out anything, with a seduction so romantic and perfect, she finds herself in bed with him and wanting to be there, and when he tells her he's set the date for the wedding...where before she thought he was crazy, now she begins to believe him. Now, all she has to do is find out why she's afraid to agree. (and it isn't because she's only known him a few days.)

This is an easy-read, and as short as the novel is (only 200 pages), it's a delightful story. The dialogue is snappy and rapid-fire and totally entertaining. It's full of give-and-take between hero and heroine and lots of laughs. The title is a play on words, of course. It's C.J., fate to meet this handsome stranger. And Fate Weston is C.J.'s, from the very beginning. If you want a pleasant escape for an afternoon, pick up this story of lovers mean-to-be and intending it to stay that way. We should all be so lucky!

This is one of Kay Hooper's earlier books, written well before the romantic suspense/mystery books that she is more known for. It isn't meant to be anything more than a light-hearted romance.

I really wish the people who gave it bad reviews had given it a fair chance. This book was originally published in the Loveswept series which was similiar to Harlequin novels except that they tended to be more romantic comedy than those. I feel some people began the book with a expectation of something else and though I understand their disappointment, it's not really fair to give the book a bad review because of that.

In this book the main character impulsively pulls a complete stranger into her room at a ski resort after meeting his gaze while he walks down the hallway. Why? Because her group of friends were all discussing the fact that she didn't know how to dress or act or do anything to attract a man and acting like she wasn't even standing right there. So she acts like this handsome man was supposed to meet her there, pulls him inside and after the door closes, hushes him and puts her ear to the door to listen to her friends' reactions. After they walk off, completely baffled by her actions, she realizes that she is alone in her room with someone she doesn't know anything about. His name? Fate. *grin*

For the genre it was intended for, it really is a great book. Just something to pleasantly pass the time with for an hour or two. I reread it when I'm in the mood for a pick-me-up.

I've read her other novels in the romantic suspense genre and enjoyed almost all of them (I won't even get into her two books in the new Blood trilogy here). However, I didn't read them with the expectation of finding a typical love story. The love story in the Bishop trilogies definitely takes the back burner to the mystery in each of those books. There's nothing wrong with that, it's typical to that type of book. However, I'm not going to write a review that critizes the book for not having enough romantic moments and wonders why the couple can't just focus on the developing romance instead of the crime they are solving. *grin*

So if you are looking for a quick, funny book with a HEA (Happily Ever After), I would definitely recommend CJ's Fate.

As others have said, this is not a typical Kay Hooper book. It's pure romance, not romantic suspense like her usual writing. Personally, this isn't my type of book but if you're looking for an easy romantic read, this might be perfect for you!

Well, let me start by saying that I LOVE Kay Hooper's writing. Usually. I find her characters engaging and the storylines, while ultimately predictable (hey, who *doesn't* want a happy ending?), interesting enough to make me feel like the cost of the investment was worthwhile. Not so with "C.J.'s Fate". I just felt like this was a slim, slapped-together effort that didn't hold my interest and I found myself skipping through it, hoping for something to catch my eye. That hope was not realized, and I was left wishing I'd invested in a different "sure bet" author.

My reading interests have taken different paths other than the romatic route for the most part. This book was not as exciting to me as some of her suspense novels. But this was a good "quick" novel for me to read.

I love Kay Hooper but found this book not quite up to her normal standards. Turns out this was one of her first publications. It is nice to see how much she has grown as a writer. I recommend this book on a cold rainy day while sitting in front of the fire.

I picked this book up at the library, knowing it wasn't one of her suspense novels. It was a quick read (I read it in one sitting) and it was a good love story. Of course, there are a lot of "that would never happen" moments in the book, but most romance stories consist of those. C.J.'s Fate was a wonderful book to read when I had a few minutes and needed to focus on something else besides life!

The story was cute, mildly entertaining but, I'm used to the more gritty stories by Kay Hooper. It was too short and left me less than satisfied. Overall it satisfied my curiosity about her shorter novels and they are not my type.

Book came in great condition. It was one of her earlier books, which I didn't like as much as the newer ones, but the seller and price were fine. Took the book a bit longer to get here than the others, but that's OK.

I picked up this book at a second hand store (only 40 cents!). I did not read the back of the book to see that the book was a romance novel. I was expecting one of her thriller novels and,Yikes, I could not have been more disappointed. This was the most ridiculous piece of fiction I have ever read. I found myself laughing out loud at the predictability of the story. I had to finish it just to see if it would the way I thought....and it did. If you like Harlequin romances, you will enjoy this book. If you like fantasy love stories, and I am talking over-the-top fantasy, this is a book you may prefer. For me, I need more substance.