Minerva Dobbs is an overweight, over-cautious woman in her 30s, but when she hears her ex-boyfriend bet handsome Calvin Morrisey that he can't get Min into bed within a month, she decides to give both men a taste of their own medicine. Inevitably, Min hits a stumbling block when she finds herself falling hard for Cal, who lures her with rich food and mind-boggling kisses. Cal, in turn, can't resist the lush, sexy Min. Their road is not an easy one, and they have to consume massive quantities of Chicken Marsala and Krispy Kremes-some might argue too many of each-before they reach their happy ending. Hurst's voice contains an energy and exuberance that leaves little doubt that she's the perfect narrator for Crusie's (Faking It, etc.) heartfelt comedy of errors; she ably captures both the fragile and feisty sides of Min's personality. The Southern accent she adopts may confuse some listeners since the story is set in a generic Midwestern city, and the audio can bog down in dialogue-heavy scenes. But listeners will hardly notice as they savor this zesty, vibrantly told tale. Simultaneous release with the St. Martin's hardcover (Forecasts, Dec. 1, 2003). (Feb.) Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

Though short on plot and completely lacking in suspense, Crusie's latest (after Faking It) is still an entertaining story featuring a cast of immensely appealing characters and smart dialog. Min is on the rebound from David and searching for a date to take to her sister's upcoming wedding; Cal is on the rebound from his last girlfriend, who was pressuring him to set a wedding date. From the first chapter, it's obvious that these two will meet, date, and fall in love, but it's their journey toward happily-ever-after that will keep readers turning pages. Of course, there are numerous hilarious complications along the way: Min's sister is having cold feet as her wedding day gets closer, Min's mother is next to impossible, and Min herself is having trouble fitting into her bridesmaid dress. When one of Cal's business partners falls hard for Min's best friend, the stage is set for a series of coincidences, each more outlandish than one can imagine, as Min and Cal are forced together with predictable results. For readers who can't bear for the story to conclude, Crusie even goes so far as to add an epilog that condenses the next 20 years in the lives of her characters. Enthusiastically recommended for most collections of contemporary romance and women's fiction.-Margaret Hanes, Sterling Heights P.L., MI Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

A risk-averse actuary gets so lucky. Minerva Dobbs has been warned: If she wants to snag a new guy to replace dreary David, who does something with software, it's time to loosen up. Does Liza mean she should get rid of her favorite gray-checked suit? If plump, pretty Min dared to wear body-hugging purple get-ups like her tall, trim friend, she'd look like Barney the Dinosaur's slut cousin. And, yes, her self-esteem needs a group hug right now from all her best buddies in the bar: Min just overheard David, a client of Cal Morrisey, a genial organizer of business seminars, bet ten bucks-or was it ten thousand?-that Cal can't get into Min's sensible white cotton panties. Cal, who's so good-looking he should be on coins, takes the bet and unloads chatty Cynthie, his ex-girlfriend, a know-it-all TV shrink, on David. Then Cal takes Min out to dinner; eats dinner; then walks Min home. And that's it: Have a nice life. But, hey, wait a minute-would Cal mind taking Min to her perfect sister's splashy wedding? He and she would only have to pretend to like each other for a few months. No biggie. And, lo and behold, this mismatched pair slowly and surely discover that they really do like each other. Watch for the good parts: a sidesplitting riff on bridesmaids' dresses; the nonsensical wishful thinking of a relationship psychologist; a maternal analysis of underwear as bait; and every bad line from every date from hell a big girl ever had. Crusie (Faking It, 2002, etc.) gives chick-lit cliches a triple shot of adrenaline, intelligence, and smart-mouth wit. Bet you can't stop reading it. Absolutely, irresistibly hilarious. Film rights to Cantura Productions; author tour. Agent: Meg Ruley/JaneRotrosen Agency

"Bet you can't stop reading it. Absolutely, irresistibly hilarious." --Kirkus Reviews

In this comic bit of mind candy, Deanna Hurst vividly animates a colorful cast of characters. When an off-color bet brings together a handsome playboy and a cranky actuary as an unlikely couple, the unexpected happens--not just to the lead characters, but to everyone around them. Hurst reads this entertaining novel with just the right amount of humor and irony, altering her voice to differentiate each character and capturing each person’s personality without going over the top. Hurst seems to be enjoying every moment, making this fairy tale love story and its characters irresistible. H.L.S. © AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine