Customer Reviews

Nutcase

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Not often does a small, easy to read book, bring so much to the table. Charlotte Hughes' romantic suspense NUTCASE involves Atlanta psychologist Kate Holly. Dr. Holly has a few problems of her own, not to mention family members and friends who are at least as "nuts" as her patients, and she herself is a tad obsessive compulsive. The antics of her cast of characters make it hard for her to sort through her own stresses, and still stay sane.

The focus of the plot is on an arsonist who is targetting firefighters. This is a big deal to Kate as she lost her father (a firefighter) to a burning building, and she isnt exactly thrilled that her ex, who, she is still attached to, now is risking his life with these arsons. While the plot serves to make this a mystery, its strong suit is the incredibly good dialogue, and Ms. Hughes' trademark wit and humor.

But what makes this book stand out to me as one of the best books of the year so far is the helpful therapeutic advice given in the vignettes where she is treating the patients. This book is funny and healing, smart and entertaining, and yet too brief! My only disappointment is that the next book in the series is a year away! This series is so visual it would make a great movie or quirky TV series.

Nutcase by Charlotte Hughes
Paperback - February 24, 2009
4 Stars

Nutcase by Charlotte Hughes is the second book featuring Psychologist Kate Holly.

In this installment, Kate deals with many personal and professional issues such as oddball patients who's mixed and various problems seem to constantly put Kate's life in danger, an eccentric mix of family & friends who are constantly needing Kate's help and attention and persistent marriage problems with firefighter ex-husband Jay which includes her conern that his job is to dangerous. Kate is dealing with all this while also handling her impending eviction from her office and the possibilty of needing to share space with her ex-boyfried Dr. Thad Glazer.

Even though this is the second book in the series, it can stand alone. It is easy to pick up on the story and connect with the characters. Once you read this book you will want to read her others in the Kate Holly series. Kate is a fun caracter who is very realistic and someone who you can identify with and feel like you'd want to be friends with.

Nutcase is a very fun and delightful mix of romance and comedy. I loved how each character introduced was immediately interesting and wanted to know more about them.

If you're looking for a fun story that will make you laugh out loud and have characters that you can identify with, this is the book for you.

Reviewed by Mary from Bookaholics Romance Book Club

I didn't laugh out loud but it was pleasant. "Slapstick romance" someone said and that fits. Reminded me of "Will and Grace" style of humor. The characters are interesting, even though they are a over the top. Everyone looks hot, stays horny, and is always in trouble, but they have redeeming qualities of realism. Book cover refers to a few of the characters as follows: "hot-tubing loving ex-boyfriend, oddball patients, and meddling mother." There is also the hunky fireman of a ex-husband who is so great in bed and a rich, quirky secretary. No graphic sex, just overtures and innuendo. It's not porn, just fun. The writer can turn a phrase and create her characters very well. She is successful for a reason. If you like humor, good times, and relatively happy ending, this should suit you.

There's not much story. I bought two of this author's Kindle edition books based on reviews. Found "Nutcase" a little better than her other book, but neither was worth the money.

My biggest complaint is that this book was too short. I was having such a good time laughing at the crazies in Kate's life (not all of whom are her patients) that the ending came too soon.

This book is part comedy, part romance and part mystery. I thought it was going to be a romance when I started it but Kate's love life is only part of the book and I got so caught up in everything else going on that the status of her relationship with her ex didn't seem as important.

I had not read What Looks Like Crazy so I didn't realize this is the second in a series until I was near the end. I'm sure I would have appreciated this book even more if I had read the first one, but the author gave enough information so it didn't feel like I was missing anything.

There is nothing deep or intense about "Nutcase." It's the perfect book to read when you need a little fluff and a few laughs.

Psychologist Kate Holly is having a miserable week starting with the fact that her firefighting ex-husband Jay walked out on their first marriage counseling session. Although they still love one another deeply, she fears his occupation because her father was a firefighter who died in the line of duty; he is afraid of her job as some of her patients tend towards violence as proven by her need to find a new office after a nitro incident in her former shrink pad.

Her landlord is evicting her and she struggles to find a new location. Her ex-boyfriend, Dr. Thad Glazer asks her to join his practice, which a desperate Kate reluctantly accepts. Meanwhile she is worried sick about Jay who is dealing with a serial arsonist that can only mean more injuries from entering burning buildings. She councils a con man dating her secretary; works with a disassociative identity disorder person, and a teen accused of beating a collaborate press. Kate hopes Jay won't get hurt chasing down the arsonist while fearing he is involved with Mandy; he hopes she won't get hurt by one of her patients while fearing she is back with Thad.

Charlotte Hughes writes a very jocular and charming romantic suspense thriller filled with eccentric characters starting with the lead duo; supported by series regulars like her mom and secretary, Thad and Mandy and unconventional newcomers especially her patients. However with all these odd players, the zany story line is owned by Kate. She is tough as a shrew but vulnerable like a child; yet she is also strong but somewhat under confident especially when it comes to dealing with the regulars in her life. Though the plot is thin, fans will enjoy this amusing zany tale starring an interesting individual.

Harriet Klausner

This is the second book in a set of 2. The first book was "What Looks Like Crazy" and I would suggest you read it first in order to get a better picture of what is going on in "Nutcase". The things that happen in these books remind us that "unusual" things can and do often happen to us. The stories are written with feeling and the romance is felt in the heart. The really great humor and fun Ms. Hughes provides us uplifting. If you are looking for books that will improve your mood - these certainly will!

In a natural follow up to What Looks Like Crazy, Charlotte Hughes introduces her newest volume in the Crazy series, Nutcase. Following previous mishaps, psychologist Kate Holly is hoping to have a little bit of normality in her life. But honestly...wouldn't that be boring? Hughes doesn't disappoint in throwing the readers directly into the action as Holly and her unconventional troupe of friends, family and patients continue to wrestle with the unexpected. Holly's own idiosyncrasies are in overdrive as she races to find a new office, reconcile with her husband and support her wacky patients and co-workers. Though, Holly has a striking resemblance to the less educated, slightly less pulled together, Stephanie Plum (Janet Evanovich), the Crazy series is exceptionally entertaining in its own right. Hughes offers an exaggerated story-line and zany cast of characters that readers will find hilarious from the first page.

3 1/2 stars (rounded up because it was a fun read)

2nd in the Kate Holly series.

This book picks up 2 months after the end of What Looks Like Crazy leaving Kate evicted from her office and looking for a new place to see her patients. Her and Jay are still working on their "marriage," which is technically ended, but they both want to work it out. She's still seeing a couple of patients from the first book and she has some new ones, including a woman who thinks she is Marie Osmond.

This book is just as funny as the first. Everyone in Kate's life is a little crazy, including herself. Jay is the most sane one of everyone and he claims she attracts these crazy people. There is a little bit of mystery as someone is setting fires in the area and Jay is "on the case," but of course, Kate gets herself involved a little bit,too.

Once again, if you like Stephanie Plum, you will like this one. Nothing deep or difficult to follow, just a funny, easy read.

NUTCASE
CHARLOTTE HUGHES
Romantic Comedy
Jove
Sensuality Rating: Sweet

Rating: 4 Enchantments

Jay Rush is a sexy firefighter who's in marital counseling with his ex-wife. But he's walking out of counseling sessions and canceling others. His ex, Kate, fears that he may be having an affair with a bodacious new female firefighter. He can't really worry about that, he's too busy trying to stop an arsonist who is starting fires all over the city.

Dr. Kate Holly is a psychologist about to be evicted from her office. Although she is in love with her ex-husband and is in counseling with him, she is considering sharing an office with her ex-boyfriend. An ex who wouldn't mind getting back together with her.

Kate is worried about Jay because the arsonist seems to be targeting firefighters. She is worried about her best friend, and receptionist, who is having boyfriend troubles and has started wearing a nursing uniform to work. Then there's her newest patient, who thinks she's Marie Osmond. Kate discovers she may not be as crazy as she seems and has to figure out how to help her without getting into serious trouble. Her quirky mom is constantly meddling in her life, and wants Kate to stop her aunt from getting involved with a patient. To top that off her dog is showing signs of depression. Kate is so worried about helping everyone around her, she isn't taking the time to take care of herself.

I found NUTCASE to be a quick, fun read. NUTCASE is the second book in the 'Crazy' series featuring Dr. Kate Holly and wow! there is a lot going on in this book. I didn't feel like I was missing vital information by not having read the first book, but I will be running out to get the first in the series, WHAT LOOKS LIKE CRAZY, to find out how it all started.

Besides Kate's personal issues with her ex-husband and ex-boyfriend, and being evicted from her office, she has several friends and relatives who have their own problems, plus her depressed dog. All of this makes for some pretty funny incidents happening throughout the book. The situations that Kate finds herself in are just hilarious, especially the "cure" that perks up her dog. I loved the relationships between all the characters and can't wait to read more about Kate's friends and family. Ms. Hughes has a way of bringing her characters to life and making you feel like they could be your best friends.

There are several mysteries as part of the storyline, such as the arsonist's identity, but they fell a little flat for me. I never felt the tension building around the mysteries, nor did it ever feel like anyone was in real danger. Don't get me wrong, there was never a lull in the action. Something exciting is happening in just about every paragraph! I can't wait to read more about the amusingly sticky situations Kate finds herself in as the series continues.

Ms. Hughes has written more than 40 books and loves writing comedy. You can contact her through her website at www.readcharlottehughes.com.


Heather
Enchanting Reviews
April 2009