Tuesday, January 8, 2013

CRAZY LITTLE THING is a Crazy Good Read



You might have heard the rumor in recent years that the Romantic Comedy is dead. I don’t mean movies, we all know those are painful these days. I’m talking about books. And like most well-circulated rumors in the publishing industry, this one is patently untrue.


Sadie Turner had the house, the two kids, and the successful husband. Unfortunately, her husband liked to have other women. That’s how Sadie finds herself divorced and floating through life, not sure what she wants to be when she grows up. Which isn’t good considering she’s well past the age of grown-upness. (New word? Go with it.)

While considering her options, Sadie decides to spend the summer at eccentric Aunt Dody’s place on the lake where she comes across a neighbor practically sent by the gods to be the perfect summer fling. The perfect man (doctor, HAWT, Scottish, straight) to bring Sadie’s self-esteem back to recognizable levels.

Unfortunately, two cousins, two slobbering dogs, two kids, one over-the-top aunt, one louse of an ex-husband, and a basket case of insecurities throw all kinds of kinks into the works. This book is about a woman overcoming the crap hand life has dealt her, finding the good in herself and others, and finding love along the way.

Best of all, this book will make you laugh out loud. Not the LOL! thing we all put in our emails that really means a chuckle. Literally. Laugh. Out. Loud. This book should get an award for the best use of sarcasm ever. The heroine is flawed but trying. Definitely relatable. The hero is dreamy but human, and there is this one part that will absolutely break your heart.

I HIGHLY recommend this book. Not just because this author and I share an agent or that we’re both 2012 GH finalists (Go Firebirds!) or that we’re label mates. I recommend this book because it’s funny, heartwarming, real, and worth your time and money. Gets 5 whistles from this Bosun.

Anyone else read a good Romantic Comedy lately? Other than Crusie and I supposed Evonivich, I’m not sure whose work would qualify. Susan Elizabeth Phillips has comedy, but the level of angst in her books makes me exclude her from straight RomCon. Oh, and Tracy Brogan also has an historical up for sale. Because being smashingly funny wasn’t enough. She had to conquer the Highlands too.

14 comments:

Hellie Sinclair said...

An author who loves Scotsmen in all forms...you know, I'm going to have to break down and read her. You know I had qualms, but the Scots thing, it's a lure. A terrible, wonderful lure.

However, I want to be the hilariously sarcastic funny one. She sounds like she's going to be one of those authors you read and despair you will ever be as awesome as she is. So basically nearly every author I buy...

Terri Osburn said...

I keep telling you to read this. Seriously. You're going to love it.

Marnee Bailey said...

I saw this in Amazon the other day and was tempted. But this makes me want to go download. I think I will. :)

Great review!

Janga said...

I've been eyeing this one on Amazon for some time, and you convinced me, Ter. I just downloaded it. Now I just have to find time to read it.

I thought Donna Cummings's I Do . . . or Die was terrific--smart and funny with great dialogue. I gave it five stars. And while it's not exactly romance, I literally laughed until the tears rolled reading Dee Ernst's Better Off Without Him last year.

Terri Osburn said...

Definitely get it, Marn. It'll be a lovely giggle when the boys get to be too much. :)

I read that in MS form, Janga. Donna has the funny! But no flying bullets in this one. LOL! Oh, and the way you read, you'll probably read Tracy's in an hour or two. It's a fast read. Off to look up the Ernst book.

pjpuppymom said...

How can I not buy it after that terrific review? Sounds wonderful and just want I'm in the mood for! Thanks, Terri!

Terri Osburn said...

Janga - I've looked up that book before! I bet because of you. LOL! Sounds very similar to this one. It's almost like a new Women's Fiction Comedy genre. I like that the heroines in these aren't 20-somethings doing prat falls.

PJ - Happy to be of service. But do not drink while reading. You've been warned.

Tammy Baumann said...

Yup, I have to agree with Terri! This really was Laugh. Out. Loud. FUNNY! I promise you'll love it!

P. Kirby said...

Hmmm. Tempting. The Kindle version is currently $3.99, which is about a buck more than I'd usually pay for an ebook, but not bad. And I'm flush with gift cert money.

While I don't usually touch RomCom movies with a ten-foot pole (they rely too heavily on stoopid gender stereotypes), I'm not opposed to romantic comedy in principle.

I kinda dig so called "chick lit" books, even if they seemed to have fallen out of favor lately. What I like about that kind of book is that they usually have an HEA, but the focus isn't entirely on the romance.

Terri Osburn said...

Pat - This book focuses heavily on the heroine's journey out of divorce and into the rest of her life. And it's first person so you're entirely in her head the whole time.

P. Kirby said...

Well, it passed the first few pages test, via the preview mode on Amazon. (I'm picky.) I'll do the download thing when I get home from work. :)

Robena Grant said...

Yep. I loved both of Tracy's books. Different in genre and tone but each one excellent. You can't go wrong in buying either...or be greedy. Get both. ;)

Quantum said...

The Kindle version is currently $3.99, which is about a buck more than I'd usually pay for an ebook

I just checked Amazon UK and its £3.99.
Has the dollar really reached parity with the pound?
Heaven help us. Europe is dragging the UK into the abyss!

The ability to write novel length laugh-out-loud humour is a rare talent indeed and needs encouraging. The book is on my TBB now

I thought Donna Cummings's I Do . . . or Die was terrific--smart and funny with great dialogue. I gave it five stars

I second that.Her historical 'Lord Midnight' was pretty good as well. She describes her style as 'Romance with humour'. Sums it up perfectly .... a 5-star talent!

Terri Osburn said...

Be nice, Q. The UK has cast a spurge on the world with those One Direction boys. You owe us.

Do let me know what you think of this one.