Smitten by Janet Evanovich

A Little Background: In the days before Plum, Janet Evanovich sent her stories to editors and agents only to begin a collection of rejection letters. There was nothing left for her to do but put on her big girl pantyhose and work for a temp agency. Four months later she got a call from an editor offering to buy one of her manuscripts. An offer of $2,000 was enough for Janet to kiss temp work goodbye and never look back! Here then, is one of those romantic tomes.

Book Description: Smitten by Janet Evanovich

Lizabeth Kane, single mom recently divorced, has to come up with a way to support her young family. A stellar education at Amherst for some reason doesn’t seem conducive to finding a job and while walking through the neighborhood one day she discovers Matt Hallahan a contractor who is looking for a carpenter. Of course, it’s silly that Lizabeth would be considered for carpentry work, she knows it, Matt knows it, but he is a sucker for a sad story and let’s face it, Lizabeth is awfully cute.

There is a little drama and mystery thrown in the romantic mix. Lizabeth’s politically bent ex-husband thinks it would be a good idea to have the kids for the summer as they would make for great photo ops. Ok, why don’t we just nominate this bozo for Father of the Year? No wonder he and Lizabeth are divorced. And then there is the mysterious flasher who seems to have targeted Lizabeth and has the audacity to give a little wave when he sees her.

How does it all end? Well it would not be a spoiler to tell you that it most definitely ends Happily Ever After!

My Take: Come on, do you really kiss your employer...forget that he's hunky...your first day on the job? Honestly, I had to re-read that page to make sure I really did read what I read. I know with romance you sometimes need to suspend your belief system but this is ridiculous. SIDENOTE: When did I turn into my mother?

Ok, despite all this it was a cute story and with two young boys, a monstrous mutt, a crazy old aunt who drives a ragtop caddy, and a mysterious flasher, the story almost reminded me of a Doris Day movie minus the sex! Specifically, I was channeling Please Don’t Eat the Daisies. Read Smitten for the fluff of it. I finished the book in one sitting and I would have finished it sooner if my sister hadn’t called!

About the Author:

Janet Evanovich writes the widly successful Stephanie Plum series. But before the sexy bounty hunter was even a twinkle in the author's eyes, Evanovich toiled in romance.

With her busy schedule, Evanovich was asked how she likes to unwind, to which she replied...

I don't unwind! I just keep going. If I ever unwound I might not get wound again. I have no hobbies. I just work. I'm really boring. I like champagne and greasy pork roll sandwiches, and shopping for shoes.

Hey, I like this girl!

Just for Fun: Take a look at the original artwork for Smitten back in 1990 when Evanovich wrote for the Bantam series "Loveswept." . What a difference 20 years makes! The only thing I recognize is the rundown Victorian in the background.