Crush and devour

There are times I like to read something light. A book where I don't have to think too hard to follow the plot, but which is entertaining at the same time. And yes, I have to admit, those are the times I read a romantic book in the category of boy meets girl, they don't like each other, they love each other, they argue/fight/break up, come back together, happy ending. What I absolutely dislike is an author who insults my intelligence. Even in this romantic genre, the book has to have some sort of realistic feel to it. I've just finished "Playing the odds" by Nora Roberts. Usually when I'm in the light mood, I read Nora, because her books are usually funny, intelligent and a generally good read. I apparently made a mistake by choosing this book. The heroine – Serena – is of course a beautiful woman, blond hair, perfect body. Just an everyday woman. The hero – Justin – is your typical alpha male. If he wants something, he gets it. And because it is a romantic novel, he has a fine trimmed body, beautiful hair and deep eyes. Just an everyday man. We would not like our couple to be struggling with money or poverty, so both are rich. Makes things a whole lot easier.

 

All right, the plot thickens. Serena and Justin meet on a cruise. He´s the guest, she works in the casino. And luckily, our Justin is a gambler. He falls for her, and she likes him too. They dance around each other (metaphorically speaking) until Serena discovers that Justin knows her father and that her father set them up. This takes about half of the book. The thing that annoyed me most, is Serena's attitude. She doesn't want to be with Justin, but as soon as he near she completely loses her mind. Come on, she's a modern woman. I can understand that people are mesmerized by each other, but this is too much. Too much wooing, too much 'oh (s)he looks too good', too much of so called romance. It wasn't romantic to me. It was annoying.
The other half of the book takes place in Atlantic City, in Justin's hotel. Serena and Justin became partners. And yes, of course they become a couple. They can't live without each other, they are all over each other, they are so mushy mushy. Almost too mushy mushy. Then comes the 'terrible event': first there is a bomb in Justin's hotel in Las Vegas, then there is a threatening letter and last but definitely not least, Serena is kidnapped! But our little Serena isn't impressed. She cries a little bit, but in the end she hits the kidnapper with a fillet. Justin in the mean time is falling apart. Oh, he's so a though guy, but with such a little little heart. Annoying again. He doesn't eat, he doesn't sleep, he's just grrr. Not sexy at all.

 
So, in the end I finished the book. Unfortunately, I don't think this is one of Nora's better novels. The whole book annoyed me too much. With romantic novels you're prepared to bend the rules a little. But this was too much bending.


"Playing the odds" is combined with "Tempting fate" in one combo. I decided to give the MacGregor's one more chance. I'm currently reading about Caine and Diane. So far it's a little better than Serena and Justin. Diane tries to be a tough girl, but inside she's a insecure girl. But luckily, Caine is there to help her. A bit mushy mush again, a bit annoying, but so far bearable.


I think after I finish this book that I have had enough of romance for now. Back to murder and mayhem.