JE is one of my all time favorite authors, and Stephanie Plum is one of my favorite characters. Her other series, also phenomenal. So when I got the chance to read an early copy of the first book of her new series, I will admit, I did a fan girl dance around my living room.
This series reacquaints us with Gabriella Rose, who we met in another book already. It also introduces her ex husband Rafer, assistant Marcella, and a wonderful supporting cast of characters. It takes us on a river rapid ride through jungles and cities alike. A quick, funny and satisfying read, I cannot wait to read more from this series.
I will note, it’s hard not to make comparisons. Maybe because we first met Gabs in a Stephanie Plum book, but she’s the exact opposite of Steph. Literally, on every sense of the word. The same can be said for Rafer (still bad ass) but so much more laid back than Ranger, and for Marcella, who seems to be everything Lula is not (competent, organized, dependable). Both women manage to step in 💩 frequently, but luckily Gabs has bullets in her gun and knows how to use it!
Thank you to the author @janetevanovich @netgalley and @atriabooks for the advanced copy of this book!
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⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
The Rundown: Washed up Stephanie Plum needs a job, so she blackmails her cousin Vinny into making her a bounty hunter, and her first case is to track down an accused killer, who also happens to be her old high school flame.
Written by Janet Evanovich Published 1994
Here’s where it all begins. Here, we meet one of my all time favorite heroines, Stephanie Plum. I think I like her so much because she’s such. a. mess. Divorced and on the brink of not being able to pay her rent, Stephanie Blackmails her cousin Vinny (because don’t all Italians have a cousin named Vinny?) into giving her a job as a bounty hunter. Her first job is to bring in her ex, vice cop Joe Morelli. I mean, if we’re betting here, I’m going to give the odds to the cop, not the former lingerie buyer who can’t load a gun. To say she’s unqualified for the position is the understatement of the year. Her first attempt to nab Morelli ends badly. Enter Ranger, badass Cuban bounty hunter tasked with bringing her up to speed. Poor Ranger, he didn’t have a clue what he was getting into. But bounty on Morelli is $10,000, so it’s not like Stephanie can pass it up. Morelli is accused of shooting an unarmed man, but he claims he shot him in self defense. With Joe trying to clear his name, and Stephanie trying to bring him down, hilarity ensures.
I won’t go into too much detail here, because if you’re a plum virgin, I most certainly don’t want to ruin your first time. This one is a little darker than the other books in the series but Evanovich does a great job at balancing some of the darker elements with belly busting laughs.
We meet Stephanie’s extended circle which includes her pervy cousin Vinny who owns the bail bonds agency and his Betty Boopesque office manager Connie. Also in the mix are Stephanie’s mom who irons when she gets stressed, her Grandma Mazur who causes much of the stress, Joe’s grandma Bella who likes to give people “the eye”, and Stephanie’s adorable hamster, Rex. It’s also the beginning of a 27 book long love triangle between Stephanie, Joe and Ranger.
I should also mention that this book was turned into a movie by the same name. I tried to watch is, but it’s so cringy couldn’t get past the first 20 minutes. 10/10 don’t recommend watching it. Read the book instead. You’ll thank me later.
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