This fun and cozy romance is definitely a beach read --- I do enjoy Evanovich's early romances, lol. And while they're in the Elsie Hawkins series, Elsie is not the focus, but she is one heck of a spark!

3.5 ⭐️

This was meant to be a light hearted, fun, romance - and it hit the mark on all accounts!

Only thing I’d change is the “I love you” after 4 days came suddenly. It felt rushed and I didn’t feel invested in their relationship until the very end!

This book is too dated. The characters are not well developed, the plot is very basic, and the social mores have changed over time. I am sure when it was first written it was better received. There are many other more interesting books to read now.

Incredibly funny!

I love this book! It has such a great storyline with well developed characters. These characters are the kind that a person not only relates to but who stick with you long after you've finished reading their story. And I am thrilled at the return of one character especially who has a recurring role in several of this author's stories - Elsie Hawkins. The author did an amazing job making the reading of this book just flow so easily page to page, chapter after chapter. I found myself laughing out loud, tearing up, and basically feeling everything the heroine was feeling, so much so that I couldn't get the story out of my mind even when I found myself having to set the book aside from time to time. It's an absolutely magnificent read that I recommend for everyone! Don't forget about this author's other books either.

Knowing she needed to find a way to support herself and her children, Lizabeth Kane made the rounds applying for jobs. Majoring in history was not a big help, so she took a chance and decided to apply for a job as a carpenter at Matt Hallahan’s construction site. Matt knew she wasn’t qualified or built for the job, but he couldn’t find it in himself to tell her no. He quickly found himself completely consumed by her, her kids, her frustrating dog Ferguson, and even her ever observant Aunt Elsie. The presence of a neighborhood ‘flasher’, that seemed to take special interest in Lizabeth, gave Matt the excuses he wanted to become more a part of her life.

Classic early Janet Evanovich, sweet and touching while still fun and sexy (and I am not talking about the flasher). Just the right combination of macho garbage and sissy stuff that make these characters realistic enough to be any ones neighbors. The addition of the sons (10 and 8), was also well done, sometimes kids don’t get written in the right age group, but these did (I have a 10 and an 8 yr. old), right down to their reaction to Matt’s kitchen ‘re-model’ project.

Evanovich is fun. The ending came a little quick for me but the book was full of fun and giggles. I caught myself laughing out loud and even reading parts out loud to my adult children and husband who also then giggled. She probably could have stretched the story out for a few more chapters but it wasn't necessary and might have started to spoil the feel for the book if she had. I enjoyed it.

Other than a few of the Stephanie Plum, I haven't read Janet Evanovich. This was a light contemporary romance as opposed to the chicklit of Stephanie Plum. It was just alright. Had some cute, funny moments but seemed almost too silly at times.

I found myself laughing over and over again while reading this book. It was so funny, but that is not unusual for books by Janet Evanovich. She is an author who has a quirky sense of humor that I have come to appreciate completely. I loved the banter between Lizabeth and Matt and thought their getting to know each other was really adorable...Lizabeth's fascination with becoming a fairy was awesome, and so was her relationship with her 2 sons. I absolutely adored Elsie! I think I laughed most at her antics, especially the scene where she jumps in her Cadillac to chase after the flasher who has jumped on Matt'S Harley to make an escape...and right when she is closing in on the motorcycle the police turn on their lights behind her causing her to slam on her brakes...causing the cruiser to slam into the rear end of her car! Hilarious!  I didn't realize this was part of a series though and now that I know I will definitely check out the others...I would have rated this 3 stars but the humor in it gained a whole star all by itself! ☺

2.5
So I was confused when I started this because I thought I had read it before and loved it. It's heavy on the insta-love. My notes says "I don't hate it, it's kinda fun, but I don't care for the romance".. When I finished it I was wondering what compelled me to pick this book up after I put it down. There is this charm with the writing and I did end up having fun once I got over the fact that I hated how the relationship was going and just focused on the silliness.

I love Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series. The novels are campy and funny. This is the first of the Elsie Hawkins series that I have read. (I know it's book number 2 but its the one that I could find.) Anyway, I thought it definitely was Evanovich's style which she further refined with the Plum series. It was good quick and entertaining read.

This book was so mind-numbingly dumb (for lack of a better word) I just couldn't bring myself to waste any more time on it. I realize it was probably meant to be a fluff romance and I have no problem with that, but the main female character was simply dumber than a box of rocks and it was irritating. The main male character wasn't much better ... the premise of the story that he would hire a woman with absolutely no work experience, let alone no construction experience and be in love with her almost instantly was just too unreal and unbelievable.

I really enjoyed Evanovich/Kelly's "The Husband List", and had hoped this would be just as good, but alas it was not.

Another frothy and fun romance by Janet Evanovich ❤️ After looking for a job, divorcee Lizabethhas found one working construction. She thinks Matt might have hired out of pity so she's going to work really hard and show him that she can do this! Soon, Matt meets her 2 kids, Billy and Jason, and her crazy Aunt Elsie and the wolfhound cross puppy, Matt has decided he wants to be a part of this!! It was fun and I recommend it!!