Book Review: Love Overboard

Reviewed By: Carol Schwaderer Dickinson - RAM

Love Overboard     Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
Janet Evanovich
Class/Genre:   Romance
Janet Evanovich HarperTorch 1989/2005 244

Well I tried a couple Stephanie Plum mysteries and just couldn't stand the characters although I like the authors wit, comic sense and writing style. So when the reprints of her earlier books showed up at the store I decided to give one a try even though I rarely read "romance" fiction. This book involves a different Stephanie who pitch hits for her cousin as a ships cook on a small sailing yacht. She's a "big city" girl relocated to a small town. She has purchased the house previously owned by the captain of the yacht. There is a wacky group of guests taking the cruise on the ship, the formulaic clash between handsome captain and feisty Stephanie. Later, the captain rents a room from Stephanie in his former home, filled with his former furnishings where his deceased granny seems to be working overtime as cupid while haunting one of the upstairs bedrooms. There is a small mystery to be solved of course. This was the best Evanovich I've read because the characters were closer to normal, although I wouldn't go so far as to say it was a reality based either with characters or plot. Its very true to the genre and Evanovich delivers exactly what romance readers expect. I didn't give it a 5 because there is a tiny plot flaw which the mystery reader part of me thinks knocks is down just a tad. This would be a good read for the Halloween season for those who like light comic mystery, or goofy romance fiction with ghosts.

Carol Schwaderer Dickinson - RAM

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Carol Schwaderer Dickinson - RAM