I went into this knowing it was an older book of hers. I like her older books for a quick and funny read once in awhile. This one was light, funny, romantic and whimsical. Just what I was in the mood for.

It was a quick read filled with insta-love and ridiculous choices being made. lol It was humorous at times and entertaining.

Originally posted at Herding Cats & Burning Soup

Manhunt by Janet Evanovich had me smiling the whole time I was reading. I just love her! Her characters are quirky and strong willed. Alexandra Scott drops her current life as a successful executive in New Jersey on a whim and trades her home for a "cabin" and hardware store in Alaska sight unseen, trudging cross country with a senior Rottweiler with an eating fetish that gets him in a bit of trouble. Namely flying overboard after a donut. "Michael Casey couldn't believe his eyes. That crazy broad just deep-sixed her dog!" Not only did he end up with a broken nose trying to save said dog but then got stuck with Alex, who was on the hunt for a husband, living on his mountain in a cabin that was far from livable.

Alex really was so unprepared for life in Alaska and her new home impossibly unlivable but damn if that girl didn't have guts and determination to make it work. I think that's why I love her so much. It's something that I've been tempted to do on more than on occasion. Just jump into an entirely new life and adventure. If a Casey was guaranteed with it I'd be on the next plane out. I just loved Casey and how exasperated he was over Alex. How worried he was about her and making sure she was safe even though it drove him crazy. It was a fun adventure watching them get her home set up and the two of them driving each other slightly batty. It won't change the world but it was a nice way to spend a couple hours on a cold winter day especially if you just need a light hearted funny read.

Although this book is an earlier work (1989) than most of the 12 novels/novellas in Evanovich's early career, it seems much better than most. First, no cars explode. Second, it takes more than 10 minutes for the couple to fall in love with each other!

Third, this story isn't just fun-and-games in the bedroom; there are serious issues each must grapple with before committing to each other. Don't get me wrong, it has plenty of hilarity and cute nonsense.

Alexandra Scott has reached the tipping point in her life; her biological clock is working overtime and she doesn't see a way to meet eligible men because she works so hard in Manhattan. Alex decides that she has to do something different if she is going to meet a marriageable partner in her lifetime.

After some research, Alex realizes that men seriously outnumber women in one state Alaska. On a whim, she exchanges her Princeton condo ($400,000) for a cabin and small business in Alaska sight unseen! You know she is in trouble now right? Things get progressively worse but Alex is an unfailing optimist who refuses to be cowed by a few disasters and herds of mice.

Alex's next mile neighbor is Michael Casey, a pilot, and partner in a thriving business. He is not interested in marriage but he is very interested in a short-term romance with Alex.

This is a very quick read with several laugh-out-loud moments. The story is predictable but not as mindless as most of Evanovich's early novels. Enjoy!

cute.
a read that didn't need much thought.

Still love the Stephanie Plum series better, but this was a quick, cute and fun read. Sometimes i sure wish i had the courage that Alex had to get up and start a new life.

This is smooth and very entertaining book. It excite me to read more chapters in this book so I know what will happen next.

Another delightful read by one of my favorite authors. It you are looking for a fun, uplifting, romance, Janet Evanovich is a great source of novels for you!

The premise of the story was too dumb to get past. I could have bought into it if Alex had smartly moved to Alaska and had struggles once there but to trade your nice, upscale condo for a cabin & hardware store that you've never seen (even online) & knew nothing about was too stupid. She had no clue it didn't have electricity or plumbing or a solid driveway then brought a little sports car to Alaska which was useless. The "hardware store" wasn't even worth bringing into the story because it sold nothing & even after Alex "fixed it up", it was still next to no business. She did no research on the town in Alaska she was moving to. Altogether it was just too much to get past. Then the romance was a bust for me as well - they had nothing in common except they were both there. Lastly, why did everyone, esp Alex, call him Casey? That was his last name not his first name and when in a relationship, I doubt many, if any, women are going to call the man solely by his last name. I would not recommend this one to any other reader.

OK, I'm not much of a romance novel fan, but I have to read the ones by Janet Evanovich just because I read ANYTHING by Janet Evanovich, one of my favorite authors. Unfortunately, her earlier novels don't show the same wit that she subsequently developed when writing the Stephanie Plum series. That's okay though because sometimes you just need to eat Pop Tarts, know what I mean? This book has the same plot that every romance novel seems to have: incredible attraction between two hot and sexy protagonists, the mutual mind-reading and consequent misunderstandings, the lack of communication, and the eventual happily ever after ending. Darn, I wish SOMEONE could come up with a different plot! It's like reading the same book over and over --- only the hair color changes (although the women usually seem to have red). Oh well, she outgrew these early novels, thank goodness, but you might still enjoy reading them when you're sick in bed and your exhausted brain just can't handle any real thinking.

This was a fast easy read. I have thought of just picking up and leaving. I loved how she stuck in their and got him to pop the question.

LOVED EVERY PAGE

I laughed outloud. I chuckled silently, while my repressed laughter shook the bed, trying not to wake my husband. I read this little charmer in a few hours and loved EVERYTHING about it, except the length. I wanted to keep reading for days! I certainly identified with the storyline, having moved from Florida to Scotland to hopefully marry the man I loved. I arrived on an Easter Sunday in April to 2" of snow on the ground. I did not even own a pair of closed-toed shoes! Fyi: We celebrate our 33rd anniversary this year! Enjoy the read! Your face will hurt from smiling!