38 of 41 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The First Romance Novel I Ever Read - And LOVED!, July 20, 2006
This review is from: Jinxed (Friends and Lovers Collection) (Mass Market Paperback)
Let me be honest: I am not a romance person. I don't read them. I'm a fan of thrillers, horror novels, suspense, etc. But not romance. No sir. But I did come across a little novel by the name of "Jinxed" by Beth Ciotta. What attracted me, Mr No-Romance, to this book? Well maybe, first, it was the cover. It didn't have the stereotypical look of a romance novel. No Fabio and his open shirt on a mountainside-esque cover but instead a fresh, hip animated picture starring the two leads of the novel: Afia St. John and Jake Leeds. "Eye-catching" sums it up well. So, to put it simply: I wasn't turned off by the cover, I was turned on. Ms. Ciotta was doing a good job so far.
But the real test would be the heart of the novel - not just the cover, but the book itself. Since I've never read a romance novel before (this being my first) what do I have to compare it to? Well, I am proud to say that "Jinxed" shouldn't draw comparison: it's original, funny, well thought-out, and dare I say... very, VERY sexy. But how can I tell if this novel is a 5-star novel if I'm not experienced in romance? Simple. I believed. I believed in the characters, their motives, and their emotions. Ciotta writes with a frank and fresh sense of detail. The dialogue is witty and fast-paced. The book moves at a startling rate and I ate every page up. Believe it or not but this is the first novel I finished in a single night.
What may have won me over most was the fact that Beth Ciotta demolished all my prejudices about romance novels. I thought a romance novel would dwell too much on what each character lusted for in other people to an over-amount of detail, but no sir. Ciotta actually had me hooked on a true story line: aside from the romantic antics of Afia and Jake, a mystery/suspense subplot brews and works. Jake is a P.I. in the South New Jersey area and hires Afia as his secretary/assistant. Together, they are determined to solve a case of possible adultery. The plot is great. I was surprised to see the story be more than just a romance: a semi-mystery of P.I. relation I would expect from authors like Elmore Leonard...but certainly not from a romance novel! It seems Beth Ciotta's book offer a lil something for everyone.
But at it's core, "Jinxed" must have romance in it if it wants to work as a romance novel. And does it ever. I was afraid I wouldn't believe in Afia or Jake and what interested them. Boy was I ever wrong. Their antics sizzle and I couldn't believe how turned on I was by them. The sex does not disappoint in the least bit. This romance is modern, sexy, and hot.
So, what am I, Mr. No-Romance, to make of my first romance novel? Well, I can gladly say Ms. Ciotta's charm and humor have won me over big-time. I went in doubting and came out a believer. I laughed, I cheered, and I fell (*gasp*!) in love with the characters. Who knew?! The one true thing I was left with thinking after finishing the book was how much of an irony the title is. For all the antics and charm, Ciotta has an original voice and is far from being jinxed in further writings.
Congrats, Beth, I think you just made a new romance fan.
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4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Quick and cute..., July 6, 2004
This review is from: Jinxed (Friends and Lovers Collection) (Mass Market Paperback)
"Jinxed" was really a cute book. It was fast paced and chock full of fun characters. Afia St. John has bad luck. Her whole life she has considered herself to be Jinxed and the recent theft of her fortune is just one more mishap in her long line of troubles. Enter Jake Leeds. a sexy PI hired to keep an eye on her. Afia thinks that Jake needs her to be his assistant, and has no idea he is being paid to keep her out of trouble. The chemistry between Afia and Jake just sizzles. They were a fantastic couple and Afia had some great friends in her life that lit up the pages as well. Jinxed was a great little book. I am so happy that i found it and definitely plan to look for more work by Beth Ciotta.
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4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Without A Doubt One Of The Best Books I've Read!!!, May 13, 2004
This review is from: Jinxed (Friends and Lovers Collection) (Mass Market Paperback)
I loved this book!!!! Afia Jake, Rudy, and Jean Pierre are the greatest set of characters that I've read in a very long time. This book offers laugh out loud moments and I loved the chemistry between Afia and Jake. This book is a must read for anyone that loves contemporary romance and laughter.
The storyline is unique and fun. Afia was born on Friday 13th. She has lost not only her father but two of her husband in totally weird accidents and to top it all off, she has lost all of her money due to her business manager stealing it. What's a girl to do now? She looks for a job. Enter Jake. Jake is a P.I. who has been called in by Afia's godfather. He has to leave and he wants Afia to be watched and taken care of. She is used to a much more cushy lifestyle and he feels it would be safer for her (she is a tad bit accident prone...okay more then a tad) and he knows that Jake is the man for the job.
Afia doesn't realize it but she's with Jake for a reason. She has decided with the help of her gay best-friend Rudy who has turned to self-help books that it's time to take control of her life. This means finding a job, getting her money back, and stop thinking of herself as Jinxed. It won't be easy to undo a lifetime of thinking but for some reason Jake gives her the strength to do just that. What she can't believe is how attracted she is to Jake. First off he's not old enough to be her father, he's not gay, and he is not rich. Instead he's yummy with a capital Y!!! And the way he jumps start her heart!!! Together they are working a case of Jake's that prove to Afia that she is capable and not the walking catastrophe.
This was such a fun book. I was so sorry to see the end of the story and having to say goodbye to these fun characters. Ms. Ciotta's make believe world was a fun one and I can hardly wait for her next book! The secondary storyline that involves Rudy is also fun as is the relationship between Rudy and Afia. As stated earlier the chemistry between Jake and Afia is wonderful as well as the way Ms. Ciotta developed their relationship. I highly recommend this book to anyone that loves love and laughter!!
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