Customer Reviews

Trust Me on This (Loveswept)

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

In this book Ms. Crusie gives us two fine romances for the price of one. The mistaken identity theme concerns the thirty-somethings' romance, and there's also a romance between a "mature" couple that puts a new twist on the older woman/younger man storyline. Both romances are fun, sexy, and true to their characters.

Dennie Banks is stuck in a dead-end society page reporter's job and decides to take charge of her life and get an interview with a famous writer who's know for her astute observations about interpersonal relationships. However Dennie has just gotten the scoop that the writer is on the verge of a divorce, and she sees this as her chance for the big time. Alec Prentice works for the government investigating fraud cases. He is on the trail of a land swindler, and just happens to wind up at the same conference that Dennie is attending. Of course, he mistakes her for the swindler's accomplice, and the story takes off from there. It is pure fun to watch two people who are used to getting their own way on charm alone finally meet their match.

In other hands this would be a trite and ho-hum story, but Ms. Crusie's excellent characterizations and sharp dialogue make this a joy to read. What I like best about her writing is that she lets you know all of the main characters' thoughts and emotions, not just the female lead. This is one book that is worth finding, and here's hoping that it'll be reissued soon.

The word that best describes TMOT is fun. I started smiling practically on the first page, and by the time the book was over, my face was aching from laughing so hard.

Reporter Dennie Banks is in a bad place professionally, so she needs a good story, an important story. Her best idea is to go to an upcoming Literary Conference to try to interview a famous feminist author, the authority on what makes a good marriage. See, Dennie has just caught wind of the woman's impending divorce, and she just knows this will be an incredible story.

Of course, Dennie very definitely does not intend to exploit this story. Oh, no, she wants to help, she wants to make sure the first story to come out about it is respectful and sympathetic, hoping this might set the tone for the rest of the press' coverage. Too bad she doesn't handle the initial approach very well. The author doesn't believe her, and Dennie ends up accused of harassment and almost kicked out of the hotel where the conference is taking place. But she refuses to give up. She will get this interview, even if she has to approach her quarry in an indirect way, maybe through one of her friends...

Also present at the hotel is Alec Prentice, a Federal agent working undercover to catch a conman. Alec is there with his aunt Victoria, a well-known academic. Through some funny coincidences, he becomes convinced that Dennie is an accomplice of the conman he's hunting, and so it begins: Alec trying to use Dennie to get at his man, and Dennie trying to use Alec to get at her woman, because it just so happens that Alec's aunt is very good friends with her...

I think what I loved best of all here was the dialogue. That was the main thing that kept me smiling. No one does banter like Crusie. It's witty and funny and it makes the chemistry between Alec and Dennie just sizzle.

And there is quite a lot of chemistry between them in the first place. There's tons of energy in their relationship, and you could see the compatibility perfectly. Sometimes you don't really understand why these two people in particular are so hung up on one another, but with Alec and Dennie it's so obvious. It's really obvious they are absolutely perfect for one another, and when they think that they'll never find someone who suits them so well as the other person, I had to agree completely.

There's also a wonderful secondary romance here, between Harry, Alec's boss, and Victoria, his aunt. This was a surprisingly sweet romance, considering how strong and temperamental these were, and though they don't get much space, Harry and Victoria totally steal the show when they're onstage.

Even the conman plot (which is a theme I usually don't see why people are so fascinated with, really), with all its comings and goings, was entertaining and felt fresh. I really urge you to pick this one up if you ever come accross it in a UBS, and not just because of the great resale value!

First of all, I love Jennifer Crusie, but there's a reason why this book has been out of print for so long. Early Crusie includes such winners as Manhunting, Getting Rid of Bradley and What the Lady Wants, books that had heart, zinging dialogue, interesting characters and plots that weren't entirely predictable. This book is a paint-by-numbers affair. Supposedly, a "screwball" comedy, the plot is completely predictable. The characters are ok but we've seen their like before and the dialogue, while not bad, does not measure up either to Cruise's earlier or later efforts. It's not a bad book, it's just that the reader has read it many times before.

A great Crusie story. Fun, quick and witty. Great, full main and secondary characters. Alec and Dennie really deserve each other. Both have gotten along on their looks and charm for too long. Harry and Victoria are a wonderful second story. A joy to read.

~* 3.5 Stars *~
Determined reporter Dennie Banks is fired up to get her hooks on a story that will launch her from the society page and she thinks she has it when gossip about the impending divorce of a famed marriage advocate and feminist author drops in her lap. She uses some time away from her job to track down a lead and ends up in a hotel during a convention at which the author is speaking. Unfortunately, it's the same convention that federal agent and fraud specialist Alec Prentice is watching in his hunt to stop a con man he's been after for years. He knows all about his elusive quarry, Bond, even knows he works with a brunette partner to bilk the unsuspecting from their hard earned nest eggs. It's a pity, though, that he doesn't know what that brunette looks like, because when he catches Bond 'accidentally' bumping into Dennie Banks in the hotel lobby, he jumps to the wrong conclusion and sets his sights on Dennie to use her to catch her partner.

She thinks Alec's up to something and his dufus act is just that - an act - but he holds the key to finagling an interview from a reluctant author and she can work with his bumbling stupidity. He thinks she's a crook. As the attraction between them hits hard and fast and confusion turns to hilarity, one fact is left clear: being wrong never felt so right.

Originally published in 1997, this cute re-release doesn't score any points on plausibility or depth, but it hits big on amusement and fun. The premise is - admittedly - far fetched at the least, yet I couldn't help but chuckle as Dennie and Alec matched wits and traded quips with the alacrity of the truly silver-tongued. There's also a sweet, and just as ridiculous but fun, secondary romance between Alec's aunt and his boss.

Dennie's a dog with a bone about her interview, but smart and savvy, and Alec is befuddled and aroused by her in turns. The dialogue between the pair are enough to keep this book from sinking into the depths of nonsensical farce. Make no mistake, though, Trust Me on This is the literary equivalent of a cheesy sitcom and should be taken as such. Hopes for anything deeper will be doomed to disappointment. There's plenty to chuckle about and I grinned through most of it, but this is nothing more than fluff. Fun fluff, but fluff all the same. I will say that in its favor and despite the original publication date, this book didn't feel too terribly dated, even with a reference or two to nineties men.

Reviewed for One Good Book Deserves Another.

I'm still gnawing my nails and laughing out loud over this silly, thriller, comical, suspense, and romance novel by these two characters. Reading this book is just like attending a party in the readers' honor. I can hardly believe all these authors manage to cram into one little book that even includes the canine characters.

More fun than a Halloween party. Read it, you won't be sorry. :D

I'm writing because I was so pleasantly surprised by this book. I like chick-lit sometimes, when I'm in the mood for something light-hearted, but a lot of it is really silly and I don't finish the book. This book was clever and funny, and I enjoyed the whole thing. Recommended!

I have read several Jennifer Crusie books and enjoyed them. I therefore wanted to read everything she has written but found several out of date (no longer published). When I found this book on Amazon.com I purchased it - it arrived quickly but unfortunately I read it in only a couple of days. The price was good (as well as s/h). If you enjoy reading Crusie's books you should get this one.

I just got hooked on Jennifer Crusie after reading Fast Women over the summer. And since then I read Crazy for You and Bet Me (MY FAVORITE). This book took me forever to read because the plot line is slow, the chemistry is nothing special, and I was just straight up bored. Not Crusie's best book and doesn't have her usual pace where you're guessing because of the latest twist, turn, or passionate embrace. If you're new to Crusie (like I am), avoid this one until you've read most of her other stuff.

Jennifer Crusie is a top notch author. All her books I have but lucky enough to get have been completely entertaining. She has quirky characters, great little dogs and is this is another great read. Jennifer is one of the authors I consider a must have. Buy this you won't be sorry.