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March 27, 2008 10:02 AM
BOOK REVIEW: Fast Women by Jennifer Crusie
Fast Women is the first Jennifer Crusie I ever read and as such it retains a very special place in my heart.
It's also a fantastic, fast-paced read with some of my Crusie favourite characters. In fact, I've read this book so many times, I have difficulty remembering that they're not real...
Recently divorced, Nell Dysart seeks work at a down-at-heel private investigation firm. Gabe McKenna, the owner, is in need of a secretary to organise his office and Nell is in need of a paycheck.
Nell is feeling decidedly grey after her divorce. She has been so focused on being controlled and grown-up about the break-down of her marriage, she has forgotten her own needs and desires.
Gabe works with his cousin, Riley, but is used to being the boss. He inherited the agency from his father and wants everything to stay exactly the same. Utterly in control, he also feels utterly miserable.
As Nell organises the hell out of the office sparks fly, and Nell, slowly, returns back to life.
Much as I love the romance between Nell and Gabe (and I do), I love the supporting cast and subplots in Fast Women even more. Nell's two best friends are also her ex-sisters-in-law. There's sweet Margie, who obsesses over her china collection, and Suze - a gorgeous blonde with an older-man husband who is continually searching for meaning in her life.
There is also a lovely subplot between Nell's son, Jase, and Gabe's daughter (from his previous marriage) Lu. They have fallen in love and the way they mirror and reinforce the mistakes their parents are making/have made in relationships is brilliantly poignant and funny.
It's a book full of spectacular arguments, dog-napping, mystery, Clarice Cliff pottery, astrology and strong, smart, funny women. What more do you need?
Rating: 5/5
Like this? Try: Bet Me by Jennifer Crusie
Came straight to this page? Visit www.trashionista.com for more female fiction news, reviews and interviews.
Posted by Sarah Painter on March 27, 2008 in American Authors, Crime / Mystery, Rating: 5/5, Romance | Permalink
Comments
Ditto, Ditto, Ditto. Loved this, and it was the first one of hers I read too. I preferred the old cover with the sausage dog though. Why must they always cartoonify everything?
Posted by: Gemma | March 27, 2008 10:11 AM
I've never read anything by Jennifer Crusie - never knew where to start. Think I'll start with this one. Thanks Sarah.
Posted by: Helen | March 27, 2008 10:25 AM
Gemma - I'm not in love with the cover (or the cartoon-trend), either. Helen - brilliant! Definitely give Crusie a go; she is one of my favourites. Sarah x
Posted by: Sarah Painter | March 27, 2008 12:26 PM
I actually found this one of the harder ones to get into! But I'm not sure which I'd recommend as a first read. I need to re-read them all. :)
Posted by: Keris | March 27, 2008 1:11 PM
I really really loved this one!
But I'd recommend Welcome to Temptation as a first-read, it was *my* first Crusie and still my favourite.
It's a great summer read, too, if you can hold off a couple of months! ;)
Posted by: DIANE SHIPLEY | March 27, 2008 3:56 PM
I have duly ordered Fast Women and placed Welcome to Temptation on my wish list. Thanks for the tip Diane!
Posted by: Helen | March 27, 2008 4:42 PM
Doesn't one of them have the same characters as another? Or relations? I think it might be Faking It and Welcome To Temptation...sister / brother or something.
Time for a re-read, I think!
Posted by: Gemma | March 27, 2008 4:46 PM
Bet Me was the first Crusie book I read, and I fell head over heels. Love her!
Posted by: Carrie | March 28, 2008 3:43 PM
You're right (nearly put 'write', ha ha) Gemma - Faking It has Davy from WTT in it, and we see his slightly more mellow side... but you should still re-read them, if only for the pier scene in WTT...!
Posted by: DIANE SHIPLEY | March 29, 2008 10:32 AM
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