By far, this is one of my most favorite novels. It’s one of those that I come back to pretty much once a year, just to feel comforted and happy. When I get to the point where I just don’t want to care anymore, and I don’t want to have to figure out what the author is trying to tell me, I head to Jennifer Crusie, and specifically, to Bet Me. I went to a signing for Ms. Crusie years ago, and in her talk, she referred to many of her books and the general theme she sticks with, but mentioned that Bet Me is one of those books that doesn’t quite fit the mold. Why? Because this book is a straight up fairy tale. Read ahead for potential spoilers…
Bet Me is about Minerva Dobbs, and actuary that has just been broken up with by a douche-bag man, who she was supposed to take with her to her sister’s upcoming wedding. Immediately following, douche-bag bets our hero, Calvin, that he can’t get Min out of the bar and to dinner that same night. Calvin’s no idiot, and sees that she’s not in any kind of mood, so he pushes back against the bet, but alas, he’s cornered. So, he gets her to go to dinner with him, and our fairy tale begins. Because Min isn’t having it, and Cal really doesn’t want to care, but fate intervenes, and they’re thrown together at picnics, baseball games, restaurants, and bars.
So finally, in the interest of ensuring that Cal doesn’t injure himself (at the hands of either Min’s best friend, or various household appliances), Cal decides that it’s time to meet Min’s mother, and his nephew decides that it’s time for Min to meet his grandparents and parents.
As we continue along through the fairy tale, and it’s obviously a fairy tale, we see all the different ways that fate just really wants these two to get together, and we’re looking for the way that things are going to get mucked up – because of course it’s going to get mucked up. It does, but the conflict doesn’t remain for long, because, HELLO, we’re looking for a Happily Every After my friends. And so, at the end of a fast read, you’re feeling happy and content, with everyone finding their way, Cal and Min happy, and their friends happy right along with them.
Again, it’s a fast, comforting read, with an HEA at the end, and one that I will always, ALWAYS come back to, as a pick me up, whenever I need it. Thank you to Jennifer Crusie for providing me the uplift I need, whenever I need it.