Customer Reviews

Nice Girls Don't Have Fangs (Jane Jameson, Book 1)

5 star:		(62)
4 star:		(24)
3 star:		(10)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

"Nice Girls Don't Have Fangs" may just be the hardest to rate book I have read in the last year. This is the tale of Jane Jameson, a fired librarian, who finds herself in a strange situation that leads to her becoming a vampire. Enter the handsome sire with whom sparks fly. Fill in a cast of quirky supporting characters, including a best friend, odd parents, and at least one other paranormal character. In this case, the sire is Gabriel, a guy thats pretty nice for a vampire...and her best friend is an metrosexual straight guy. When Jane is turned she can see the ghost of her beloved deceased aunt who is living in the house with her. I wavered alternately throughout the entire book between thinking, "Why another girl turns into a vampire and has to figure out her new lifestyle with a hunky sire" and then laughing and chuckling outloud. I really did get a 'been there, read that' vibe and nothing much here is original. Yet, this is probably one of the most genuinely funny of those paranormal 'romance' books. I don't often really laugh but I did here. I also related to Jane's love of books and her desire to feel useful. I liked her dad too. He was probably the most realistically drawn character in the tale. Without giving anything away, the scenes involving Jane in various working environments were amoung my favorite scenes. What felt the most ho-hum? Actually the romance scenes between Jane and Gabriel. There is something you might vaguely call a mystery woven through the book, and its conclusion is also funny but not very strong. I have to give this book a solid three stars because yes its entertaining and a good way to pass the time, but there is really nothing unique other than its humor, to make it stand out in an oversaturated genre.

Jane Jameson works in Half Moon Hollow's children's Library and loves it. When she gets fired and her horrible boss gives her a gift certificate for a local bar, she takes it as a sign and proceeds to drink it all away. Jane thinks this is one of the crappiest days ever but it is about to get worse because on the way home she is mistaken for a deer and gets shot.

If it wasn't for the dark and handsome guy from the bar she would be dead. The jury is still out on whether being undead is good or not. All Jane knows is that is so hungry she could eat her best friend and that her mother is going to hit the roof when she finds out. Jane's life is changing and it will take some getting used to. Luckily she has the Guide for the Newly Undead to help her as well as her favourite dead aunt who she can now see and hear again.

Finding a steady blood supply and black out curtains is high up on Jane's list of things to do. Getting a job would be handy but making sure her dog and best friend still want to be associated with her even if she is a blood sucking vampire is a high priority. A relationship with her sire may not be such a good idea but he is very interested in her and she really needs his help because it looks like someone is trying to frame her for a few murders.

This debut novel is very lovable. The author has not only managed to create a new vampire type and make it her own but she has also managed to make it fresh and original enough to keep it from being like all the other vampire chick-lit books out there. The story is well written and the plot grows all the way through right until the last chapter.

Fun, witty and very tasty this looks like a series to watch. With book number two already due out in September there is no doubt that I will be looking for a copy of Nice Girls Don't Date Dead Men when it becomes available. I have to know what Jane gets up to next and who with ;)

- Amberkatze's Book Blog

This one definitely took me by surprise. Lately, when it comes to the more lighthearted of paranormal romances, I've found myself disenchanted. Too many female protagonists are poorly written copies of MaryJanice Davidson's Queen Betsy. The ditz shtick should be left to the Undead novels. What makes this debut foray into paranormal romance so refreshing is that the heroine, Jane, is simultaneously intelligent and hilarious. I like the idea of a leading character being a librarian - it reminds me of another Jane from author Mindy Klasky, who's trilogy I also enjoyed.

Harper definitely did a good job balancing the cute with the realistic. Jane's dysfunctional family, ghost of an aunt and best friend Zeb provide plenty of comic foil. Her far-from-perfect relationships with these characters lend themselves well to carrying a series.

Perhaps the best part of all is the fact that while there is a sexy vamp love interest, or two ;), she doesn't fall head over heels in love by the end of the novel.

Even if the plot wasn't as solid as it is, or the characters as enjoyable, I would definitely plan on picking up the second book, Nice Girls Don't Date Dead Men, just for the laughs alone

Like many romance-aholics, I found myself caught up in the whole romance-with-a-vampire experience. My husband, trying to be helpful, brought this book home from the library. When I saw it was about a girl being turned into a vampire, I didn't have the heart to tell him he obviously didn't understand my fascination with the whole vampire romance experience. To be fair, I decided to read the book and was instantly caught up in the story. It was an easy read and hard to put down. I think most of us can identify with poor Jane, who has a crummy boss, bad luck leading to a life-altering experience, a highly dysfunctional family complete with sibling rivalry and a mother who just doesn't "get" her. What kept me reading was that I cared enough about Jane to want to know what happened to her and how she ended up. The plot that encompassed just about everything (romance, mystery, and the human condition). The best parts were the incredibly funny things that Jane would say and/or think. I laughed out loud reading this book more than any book I've read in a long time. When I finished this book, I told my husband that I just had to read the other books in the series. I enjoyed the next two books just as much. The only bad thing I can say about the series is that there are only three books and I wish there had been more! Now I can only imagine now what would have happened to Jane.

I loved this book! I thought it was clever and funny and I laughed out loud at least once on nearly every page. I love the way the author incorporated pop culture references (Lex Luthor anyone?) without beating you over the head with them. Jane Jameson is a smart, wry, lovable loser heroine who I'd love to meet for lattes at my local Starbucks (Well, if she drank lattes, that is.) Despite being turned into a vampire after being mistaken for a deer and shot by the town drunk, Jane remains delightfully human with all of her foibles and flaws. I like nothing better than when an author combines two of my favorite genres (humor and horror) with such a deft touch. I also like the strong sense of place provided by Half Moon Hollow. I'm so glad I already bought the next two books in the trilogy! Molly Harper just earned a permanent slot on my auto-buy list.

So funny. An easy read but with a good main character and amusing supporting cast.

I usually don't review the books I read, mostly because I read so many a month, but I had to comment on this book. It was witty, in that Jane Jameson doesn't take herself too seriously, without trying too hard. Like the Southern Vampire series by Charlaine Harris, the vamps are out and proud - but unlike that series, this one seems to be focused more on the individual rather than political. There are some scary creatures, and some aren't even paranormal, but completely human. It reads a bit like the Queen Betsy series by MaryJanice Davidson, the first person, irreverent tone but is different because Jane isn't the most special person ever. Instead, she's a bit socially awkward, has mama issues (versus stepmama) that goes throughout the family, and has a make best friend that everyone assumes The One without asking either party. And Jane's love of trivia at the most inopportune times lets you know that book smarts and retention can be contextually important, even if completely drunk and trying to hit on the hottest guy in the room.

What I honestly enjoyed the most was the realness to the characters. Gabriel Nightengale is the handsome sort, the recluse among humans, and the typical love interest. What sets him apart is how he deals with Jane's ability to tell where to stuff it if he goes too far. There's a lot of southern mannerisms that have translated to text, and it works. A lot of times writers attempt to make a southern character be less intelligent, or genial without a brain. Harper doesn't do that. It's nice. And the little attention to details, like spelling Mama instead of Momma, and the her middle name being a distant cousin...those are common things you find around the south. I'm waiting on buying the next in the series since I have about 4 more books to read first, but the books are in my cart so I can order the next two without a problem when the time comes.

I just finished reading all 3 books currently out in this series....and I'm very happy Molly Harper just announced there will be a 4th. Yay! I definitely recommend this book/series if you'd like to read a funny, refreshing urban fantasy that's just a bit different. All based in a small rural town in Kentucky, there are no over the top, end of the world situations with heroes and heroines running around with weapons, etc. (not that I don't like those - I do!) Instead this series deals with smart, funny, sassy Jane, who (because of circumstances out of her control) becomes a vampire. Yep, it's not a new premise, but this series still has it's own feel & flavor.

There is some action, some mystery, some romance and a lot of smart humor...nothing over-the-top...except for the humor which is laugh out loud at times. And that's why this is hard to review - it doesn't sound all that exciting, but it is!! I laughed a lot, and even cried a little (mainly books 2 & 3). Jane herself, her friends, family, love interest all add up to a crazy mix of events & situations - some dangerous, some hilarious, some emotional, but all exciting. The story moves well and the dialogue is SO well written, it was a pleasure, and a lot of fun to read. I had a hard time putting them down to sleep, and couldn't wait to get back to them as soon as I could. Really enjoyed!!

Great start to a new series. Jane is by far one of my favorite new characters to read this year. I am looking forward to catching up on this series and reading the other 2 that are out. Well-written with some unique twists. Anyone looking for a great series with unforgettable characters and situations that will just make you laugh need to go out and get this now.

Jane is fired from her librarian position and proceeds to drown her hurt away at a local bar where she mets Gabriel, a handsome stranger. She leaves the bar still drunk. Suddenly, her car breaks down. Then to top it off, she is accidentally shot by a drunk hunter. Hunky stranger Gabriel is really a vampire and brings her over so that she will not die in a ditch. What follows is a humorous tale of how Jane adjusts to her life as a vampire and dealing with her family who she has left in the dark over her conversion. There are quirky friends, annoying relatives, and sexual tension with her sire Gabriel. I thought this was a humorous read, but if you are reading this for heart pounding sex and romance then this isn't your book. I liked Gabriel, but I don't think their relationship was executed as well as it could have been. There was a little bit of a mystery thrown in, but for the most part, this book is about an ordinary woman being turned into a vampire and how she adjusts. Jane is a really likeable character, and I loved her witty banter. The other characters are not developed as well as they could have been, but I am sure they will be developed more in the next book. I almost gave this 3 stars instead of 4 because I don't think this is something that I will care to reread. I am interested in reading the next novel though.