Anyone But You

Jennifer Crusie

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heartwarming contemporary romance

humorous writing style

age difference in romance

matchmaking dog

second chances in love

relatable characters

urban apartment setting

quick pacing

light hearted chick lit

witty dialogues

recently divorced woman

falling in love after divorce

charming younger man

personal growth through romance

'Anyone But You' by Jennifer Crusie is a heartwarming contemporary romance novel that follows the story of Nina Askew, a newly divorced 40-year-old woman who adopts a sad-eyed basset hound named Fred. Fred inadvertently becomes a matchmaker when he brings Nina together with her downstairs neighbor, Alex, a charming 30-year-old ER doctor. Despite the age difference, Nina and Alex navigate the complexities of starting over, finding love, and embracing second chances. The book is filled with humor, witty dialogues, and lovable characters, including the unforgettable and endearing canine character, Fred.

Characters:

The characters include a relatable and insecure older woman, a charming younger man, and a memorable dog who serves as a catalyst for the romance.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is humorous and engaging, with a conversational tone that blends wit and charm, making it enjoyable and easy to read.

Plot/Storyline:

The story follows a recently divorced woman named Nina who adopts a dog and finds herself unexpectedly drawn to her younger neighbor, Alex. It examines themes of love, age differences, and personal growth.

Setting:

The setting is a modern urban apartment environment that complements the romantic and comedic elements of the story.

Pacing:

The pacing of the book is quick and smooth, making it easy for readers to finish in just a few hours.

the door, determined to pick herself out the perkiest birthday present on four paws. So what i f yesterda y had been her fortieth birthday? Forty was a good age for a woman. It meant freedom. Especial...

Notes:

The main character, Nina, is a 40-year-old woman who has just gone through a divorce.

Nina adopts a dog named Fred, who is a basset hound and part beagle.

Fred is a significant character in the story, often seen as a matchmaking figure.

The love interest, Alex, is a younger ER doctor who is 30 years old. He lives in the apartment below Nina's.

Nina struggles with age insecurities but eventually grows from them throughout the novel.

The book is known for its humor and witty dialogue.

It features themes of self-acceptance and starting over in life after a divorce.

This book is part of the chick lit genre, known for its lighter romantic themes.

The story includes humorous situations centered around Nina's life and her interactions with Fred and Alex.

Anyone But You was published in 1995, marking it as one of Jennifer Crusie's earlier works.

Has Romance?

The romance is a central aspect of the book, featuring a significant romantic development between the main characters.

implied steam level

From The Publisher:

For Nina Askew, turning forty means freedom-from the ex-husband, freedom from their stuffy suburban home, freedom to focus on what she wants for a change. And what she wants is something her ex always vetoed-a puppy. A bouncy, adorable puppy.

Instead she gets...Fred.

Overweight, middle-aged, a bit smelly and obviously depressed, Fred is light-years from perky. But he does manage to put Nina in the path of Alex Moore, her gorgeous, younger-by-a-decade neighbor.

Alex seems perfect-he's a sexy, seemingly sane, surprisingly single E.R. doctor-but the age gap convinces Nina that anyone but Alex would be better relationship material. But with every silver-haired stiff she dates, the more she suspects it's the young, dog-loving doc she wants to sit and stay.

Ratings (15)

Incredible (5)
Loved It (5)
Liked It (2)
Did Not Like (3)

Reader Stats (27):

Read It (14)
Want To Read (6)
Did Not Finish (1)
Not Interested (6)

1 comment(s)

katyana

Incredible

3 months

This was honestly just fantastic, laugh-out-loud yet insanely heartwarming CR.

I love Alex and Nina. I love how they became friends. I love the depth of their characters - their baggage, their families, the shit they are trying to rise above - and I love the depth of their connection.

I think Crusie is rapidly becoming a favorite. This is my second from her, and I adored them both.

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Anyone But You?

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