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Bet Me

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'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.

Characters:

The characters are well-rounded, with relatable flaws and growth, showcasing both humor and emotional depth.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is characterized by humor, clever dialogue, and a light-hearted tone that engages readers throughout.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot features a bet as its main conflict, evolving into a deeper love story filled with humor and self-discovery.

Setting:

The setting is contemporary and relatable, enhancing the story's realistic romantic dynamics.

Pacing:

The pacing is fast and engaging, allowing for a quick yet satisfying reading experience.
Once upon a time, Minerva Dobbs thought as she stood in the middle of a loud yuppie bar, the world was full of good men . She looked into the handsome face of the man she'd planned on taking to her si...

Notes:

The heroine, Minerva Dobbs, is a 33-year-old actuary who is portrayed as chubby and sweet, with a unique sense of style, especially her shoes.
Calvin Morrisey, the hero, is described as tall, dark, and handsome, with a reputation for making women fall in love with him before leaving them.
The book begins with Min's boyfriend breaking up with her under unpleasant circumstances, setting the stage for her revenge by accepting a bet made about her.
A major plot point revolves around a bet where Cal has to get Min into bed within a month, which she overhears but misunderstands.
The characters explore serious themes, such as body image issues, as Min deals with her mother's fat-shaming behavior throughout the story.
The writing is noted for its humor, witty banter, and entertaining dialogue, making it an engaging and fast-paced read.
Secondary characters enrich the story, providing their own romances that complement the main plot between Min and Cal.
Food plays a significant role in the romance, with Cal often enticing Min with treats like Krispy Kreme donuts and chicken marsala, which is humorously referenced throughout.
Despite the romantic comedy premise, the book touches on deeper subjects, such as Min and Cal's insecurities and familial pressures, making the characters relatable.
Min and Cal's relationship develops in a lighthearted manner, contrasting with Cal's past relationships, underlining the theme of true connections and acceptance.

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)

Incredible
4 weeks

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.

 
Loved It
4 weeks

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.

 
Loved It
9 months

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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