
'Bet Me' by Jennifer Crusie is a romantic comedy novel that follows the story of Minerva Dobbs and Calvin Morrisey. Min, a self-confident and independent woman who is considered chubby by today's standards, finds herself part of a bet involving Cal, a handsome man known for his love 'em and leave 'em attitude. As they navigate through witty banter, hilarious situations, and unexpected twists, both characters resist falling in love despite their growing feelings for each other. The book explores themes of self-acceptance, friendship, and the unpredictability of love, all wrapped in a lighthearted and humorous narrative that keeps readers engaged till the end.
The writing style in 'Bet Me' is characterized by snappy and witty dialogue, quirky characters, and a mix of comedy and romance. Jennifer Crusie's storytelling skill shines through as she weaves together a tale of reluctant romance, showcasing the dynamics between the main characters and the entertaining interactions with the secondary characters. The book offers a refreshing take on romance, featuring a realistic and relatable heroine, humorous situations, and a satisfying blend of humor and emotion that keeps readers laughing and rooting for the characters throughout the story.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Content warnings include body shaming, diet culture, and mentions of emotional and verbal abuse, primarily related to family dynamics.
Has Romance?
Bet Me features a high level of romance, with significant focus on relationship development between Min and Cal.
From The Publisher:
Minerva Dobbs knows all about risk management, which is why it's such a shock when David, her extremely logical choice for a boyfriend, dumps her three weeks before her perfect sister's wedding: David was not supposed to be a wild card. So when Min overhears David make a bet with his old nemesis-the gorgeous and successful Calvin Morrisey-that Cal can't get Min into bed in a month, she decides that fate has just handed her a stacked deck: she can make Cal sweat his sex appeal and get a date to the wedding, if she plays along and doesn't fold. What follows is a novel of destiny, chaos theory, Krispy Kreme donuts, the spirit of Elvis, Chicken Marsala, and a gamble for the highest stake of all: true love.
Bet Me is the winner of a 2005 RITA Award.
Ratings (49)
Incredible (16) | |
Loved It (16) | |
Liked It (12) | |
It Was OK (4) | |
Hated It (1) |
Reader Stats (113):
Read It (49) | |
Want To Read (45) | |
Not Interested (19) |
3 comment(s)
It is so hard to even find words for this one.
I loved it with the passion of 1000 flaming Cupid-hearts. It was so funny, and sweet, and almost unbearably cute.
I know that I will read this one again and again.
Re-read Sept 2018
There are just no words to express how much I love this book. It will be one of my favorites, in perpetuity.
Re-read July 2022
Definitely still a favorite. You have to hang in there past the asshole beat of the bet, but I feel like the author threaded that line perfectly - Cal was never onboard with it. But man, I just love this book.
This is one of those books I read every few years and still love as much as my first time reading it. There's just something about the way they can't help falling for each other. Not a 5 stars, because I did dislike the friends a bit.
Romantic comedy
Light-hearted humor
Well-developed characters
Rational character actions
Supportive friend dynamics
Family dynamics
Satirical take on relationships
Fast-paced dialogue
Engaging plot
Multi-dimensional antagonists
About the Author:
Jennifer Crusie is the New York Times, Publishers Weekly, and USA Today bestselling author of Maybe This Time, Welcome to Temptation, Tell Me Lies, Crazy for You, Faking It, and Fast Women. She has also collaborated with Bob Mayer to write Wild Ride, Agnes and the Hitman and Don't Look Down. Crusie earned her bachelor's degree from Bowling Green State University, a master's from Wright State University, and a master of fine arts from Ohio State University. Before devoting herself to writing full-time, Crusie worked as a preschool teacher, an elementary and junior high art teacher, and a high school English teacher. She lives on the banks of the Ohio River.
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