Bet Me by Jennifer Crusie

So I went to see Book Club this week and laughed the whole time.  For those of you who don't scour the internet for movie previews as they come out- it's like sex in the city for 70 year olds.  The women are in a lifelong book club and we join them as they pickup 50 Shades of Grey.   So now you're reading this and thinking one of two things. Option 1: what took you so long to read 50 Shades? It's been out forever and I've already read any review I'll ever need to read about it.  Option 2: Wow I really don't want to read anything about 50 Shades.  Sinners should keep their sin to themselves....  Well optioners, I did NOT read 50 Shades (sorry whoever authored that book!) But the movie did inspire me to pick up my second ever romance novel!Being a newcomer to the romance genre, I will admit to slight embarrassment in reading the genre, slight naivety on what the genre can encompass and slight horror that I'm even admitting I knowingly read a romance novel and am writing a review about it!  Here's the truth. I've kind of been reading them for a while.  Well not really but the YA contemporary world can definitely tip its toes into some sex scenes.  Now that I've read a book with adults, I feel like it's been weird that I ever read them in YA.  Will I keep reading romance novels? I'm not sure. Will I review them if I read them? YES! Because who am I if I'm not honest about what I read?!  Professional blogging life be damned! (Oh, I'm not a professional blogger? A girl can dream, right?)Shall we get down and dirty? (Hah! I couldn't help myself there...)Minerva Dobbs knows that happily-ever-after is a fairy tale, especially with a man who asked her to dinner to win a bet. Even if he is gorgeous and successful Calvin Morrisey. Cal knows commitment is impossible, especially with a woman as cranky as Min Dobbs. Even if she does wear great shoes and keeps him on his toes. When they say good-bye at the end of their evening, they cut their losses and agree never to see each other again. But Fate has other plans, and it's not long before Min and Cal meet again. Soon, they're dealing with a jealous ex-boyfriend, Krispy Kreme donuts, a determined psychologist, chaos theory, a freakishly intelligent cat, Chicken Marsala, and more risky propositions than either of them ever dreamed of. Including the biggest gamble of all—true love.A "you suck but I kind of love you" storyline involving 30 year olds.Confession- after reading this book and starting the review, I still could NOT remember the title of this book. I kept thinking it was called You Bet. It's not. But I think that would've been a better title.The characters names! Minerva and Calvin.  Uhm yes.  I know, you're like- why would you like those names so much, you're so weird. Yes I am. And also they are names I can easily pronounce that I haven't repeatedly read in a book.The friendships.  There were some solid friendships in the book! No girl bashing girl. The boys had a brotherhood bromance happening and the girls had a family friendship vibe that was enjoyable.The real world family drama.  So it was definitely stereotyped but, I really felt the frustration of the kids and the parents and the sibling relational truths, so that's in the plus column for me.David and Cynthia have a storyline that kept popping up throughout the book. It wasn't needed.  I didn't care about them at all, actually they were annoying.  But I for sure didn't need that storyline to keep on trucking throughout the novel.The cover of the book. It's awful.  I read the whole book and i FINALLY saw what was on the cover. It is still awful.Listen to: She by Elvis Costello (full disclosure I hate this song, but they reference it a million times throughout the book)Watch: Runaway BrideEat: DonutsClick here.