Book Review: One for the Money, by Janet Evanovich

When I had just finished my freshman year of high school, my Aunt Meme (the same person who gave me my first V. C. Andrews book) steered me towards the Full Series by Janet Evanovich. I devoured the series (well, the books that were out then) in a matter of days, and was ready to start the Stephanie Plum series. I couldn't put them down. Now that it's been more than 4 years, I'm read to revisit the entire series.

Stephanie Plum is laid off, divorced, broke, and a smart ass. Desperate for some cash so she can keep her apartment and feed her hamster, Stephanie becomes a bounty hunter for her cousin's bail bond business. This is the first book in a series of 14 (currently), and Stephanie is forced into another run-in with a boy who's popped in and out of her life since she was 6 and they played "train" together in his garage. He ends up being her first big undertaking. With the help of several quirky characters, including Stephanie's grandma and new prostitute friends, Stephanie attempts to solve a mystery and collect $10,000.

Re-reading this book made me love Stephanie Plum even more than I already had. She's a relateable character, and one I could see being a real person. She's not outrageously beautiful or thin - just a normal girl with a sassy attitude. She's unforgettable. Of all the characters, I found myself relating to her the most.

There are so many interesting characters in this book, one being Morelli, a rather controversial cop. He ends up not being such a bad guy after all, though, and is actually quite likable. Ranger is a mysterious bounty hunter who shares some sexual tension with Stephanie. Then, you have the two prostitutes that Stephanie meets on Stark Street, that end up becoming a bigger part of her life than she could ever hope to imagine. Stephanie's grandma is probably the most outrageous character, and I think everybody loves the scene where she handles a gun for the first time...

Of course the situations were outrageous - Stephanie's a bounty hunter with no experience. I like the escape from reality though, and I find myelf wanting to be part of Stephanie's crazy world.

I absolutely love that One for the Money starts off quick. The back story is shared along the way, and the beginning of the real story isn't held up with all sorts of history. You jump right into Stephanie's life. The writing is clever and funny. It's not your typical read, in my opinion. I really adore Janet Evanovich's style. It's very unique to her, and I haven't read any other book like it. This series of books will be one that I will always remember.