And Plum lucky (A Between the Numbers Novel) - Visions of Sugar Plums

Just when I thought something exciting was going to happen, the book ended. I have read every book Janet has written and this was a very large disappointment. From now on I will not be buying any more of the Stephanie Plum books, not worth the paper it is written on. My opinion the Stephanie Plum novels need to end. Janet just wrap this series up and move on to something else.

I love Janet Evanovich! Funny, quirky, and believable characters. This book is no exception. Stephanie Plum's life is so funny, but believable. I like romantic comdey and humorous mysteries; this is both.

Although I am still not as "into" the Barnaby series as the Plum, I must admit, this one was pretty darn funny! Her books hold your interest, and they are really quick reads. I can't wait to read "Plum Lovin"!

Like all other Janet Evanovich's books, this one was great. I love reading her books. Her descriptions of characters make me feel that I know these people personally. I love the humor in the books, besides the main plot. Stephanie is great as a main character. Thanks Janet for providing some wonderful reading. I can't wait to start another one.

Enjoyed this one as much as the last one. Even though it's the same formula it still works. I laugh out loud with the craziness that she manages to get into. And I love her grandma. I aspire to be like her when I grow up.

Give yourself a Christmas present. If you know the Plum family, you will be laughing from the first paragraph. It's a little outrageous, but so is the holiday season. Take it as comic releif and don't miss it.

As the author of The Last Clinic (Darla Cavannah Mississippi Murder Mystery Series), a murder mystery series built around a female sleuth, I am fully aware of the challenge of trying to sustain interest in a character over the course of a book series. I'm struck that after eighteen books Ms. Evanovich continues to breathe new life into her wacked out, sexy, funny and always engaging heroine, Stephanie Plum. Way to go, Ms. E.

Like several other reviewers, I had pretty much given up hope on this series before #17. That installment was such a refreshing return to the original hilarity that I splurged on the Kindle release of 18 expecting more slapstick goodness. I was disappointed. Stephanie is back to waffling about the guys and going nowhere with her life. Lula still provides a little bit of comic relief, but it's almost too predictable now. Ranger and Morelli are still circling Stephanie, but their characters lack the aggressive desireability that they possessed in earlier books. Grandma and the rest of the cast make only peripheral appearances. All in all, what hope I had for the "magic" being back after #17 has vanished. Eighteen wasn't really bad (16 is still definitely the series stinker with anything later than 12 being of questionable quality), but it certainly wasn't "Explosive" either.

Janet Evanovich does it again with a funny, fast moving story. It includes a fun cross-over character of Diesel from the Stephanie Plum series. You can never predict what Janet will come up with next, all her stories are new and fresh ideas. I am never bored with them. I got the audio book version and is is wonderfully entertaining when read by Lorelei King. She does a great job with voices and characters.

This was a good book but not my favorite in the Stephanie Plum series. I've read them all and wasn't blown away by this one. I look forward to the release of Stephanie's nineteenth adventure and hope it's a little more like the Stephanie in previous adventures.

As the series goes on, the content dwindles. Evanovich is becoming tired, rushed or bored! The character development it's lacking, the plot flat. You often read this series for the humor, the laugh out loud moments, but they too are lacking! The entire book could have focused around Hawaii, what happened there, but nothing but a slight tease which leaves the reader disappointed and empty. Either end the series or make drastic improvements!

I would love to get my money back on this little jewel! Ms. Evanovich should start considering a different career. Please anyone considering this book, please do yourself a favor spend your money and time else where.

what a disappointment. It is sad to watch a writer with real talent turn into a commercial money machine. I pre-ordered Trouble Maker at the same time I pre-ordered Wicked Appetite from the store. When Trouble Maker arrived, could not believe I let myself be sucked in to the tune of 15.00 for a comic book!!

Should have cancelled my pre-order for Wicked Appetite then,, but was willing to give Janet another chance. I wish I could get my money back. I agree with all comments that her Stephanie Plum (what a wonderful character) series is stuck - there is no expansion of character (except perhaps the size of Lula).

Am now in search of another author - anyone have any suggestions?

...but I'm officially fed up with this series. I'm disappointed to see that she is choosing to allow this series to become so formulaic and predictable. Nothing changes, no big decisions are made and most of the humor is stale. Not even Grandma Mazur got any laughs out of me these last two books. I doubt I'll bother with any future books, unless I hear they've gone back to the humor and intrigue that drew me in to begin with.

I was really disappointed in this read. It was the same thing on a different day. Janet needs to move forward with the characters or quit writing about them. She is not doing them justice. Even Grandma was boring in this book. Sad.

Having read the previous Stephenie Plum novels I was looking forward to the newest, easy read, adventure for Stephanie and crew. Brother, was I disappointed. There was no humor. Lula eats, wears too tight clothes and dyes her hair. So what! I read these books because they were laugh-out-loud funny, riotous, outrageous and slapstick adventures. Evanovich disappointed me. There was no connection with Ranger or Morelli and Stephanie. "Babe" and "Cupcake" without dialogue to support the sarcasm do nothing for me. Grandma even fell short on her visit to the funeral home to see the body. No blown up car for Stefanie. She traded in a car because her regular car kept being stolen by the same loser. Do not wase your money or time. If you enjoyed the numbers books before reread 1-10.

I love Janet Evanovich's Plum series. I wish she would write more than one a year! I hate to read but her books consume me. She is funny, witty, stupid, naive and clumbsy but once you start reading her books, you cannot put them down and that's saying something coming from a person who hates to read anything. I highly recommend if you need entertainment in your life, if you need to laugh out loud, GET THESE BOOKS!!!

I have been a fan of Janet Evanovich since "One for the Money," but I'm just about over it. I was reluctant to plunk down nearly $13.00 for an e-book (outrageous), and now I regret that I did. In Ms. Evanovich's favor, I love the characters she created and have enjoyed their antics in the past, but in Explosive Eighteen, it is difficult not to want to scream. If Lula messes up one more capture, I think I'll OD on fried chicken. If Ranger says Babe one more time, I may have to dial the suicide hotline. And I don't even know what to say about Stephanie's cars. Seriously? The dialogue that was supposed to be humorous left me flat, and the ongoing love interests just aren't interesting any more.

I haven't written off Janet Evanovich yet, but if there is a book nineteen, it should be titled "Monotonous Nineteen" followed by "Tedious Twenty." I love you Janet and thank you for all the fun you have given me over the years, but I'm begging you to have mercy on your readers.

With her first person narrative and off the wall descriptions like "we got to fatten her up, she got enough skin for two people" I did not want to put it down. I had to though because my sides ached from Full on belly laughs.

Murder Mystery novels are my preference. A friend recommended Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum
series and it was a joy from the get go. It is the first book series I couldn't put down. I literally carried
the books and later the kindle everywhere until I finished. They draw you in and you can't wait to see
what happens next. Author has a wicked sense of humor and great talent spoofing regional characters. You find
yourself rooting for hard luck Stephanie Plum and her daily fiascos. After you read this series, you will feel
like the luckiest person in the world by comparison! CAUTION: this series is highly ADDICTIVE.
Janet Evanovich is the piper piper of stories...expect to commit yourself to 18 books. And be anxiously waiting
for her to write the next one.

Janet Evanovich, as always, remains my favorite author. I love the quirky, over-the-top characters that she manages to make seem like the people who live next door. You can't go wrong with a Stephanie Plum novel.

This book was a boring read. I didn't laugh once and usually I find these books a riot. It was all, been there, done that. I'm just glad I borrowed the book from a friend and didn't waste my own money buying it.

This book was better than the last few of her Plum series. The first books in this series were written better and the story line was more entertaining. I will probably continue reading her books but not with the same anticipation as I used to.

I think she wrote this one in too much of a hurry - it's not as good as the rest of them. Also, Stephanie needs to decide on one man and not hop from one bed to the other with the two guys! I love the Plum books, but this one kind of disappointed me.

It was a gift for my daugter she is enjoying the series and we buy the books used at the store.She is just starting out on her own and has limited resources and the store makes it possible for her to read one of her favorite authors

Evanovich and Plum at their best. Can't wait for more of Stephanie, Joe, Grandma Mazur, Lula and Ranger. Just when I think it can't possibly continue to tickle me - it does. Good job with these characters.

I have read all of Janet Evanovich's other books and have found most to be excellent. Characters from previous books show up in the very thin story line which is described best as silly. Had I not paid $12.99 for my Kindle version I would have not finished this book. I give credit to anyone who can write books and hold my interest but I found Wicked Appetite to be a huge disappointment.

I know reading Plum stories are bad for me but I keep reading them, so that makes me a slut or an addict. I really hated the last couple of books. This one was better than those, but reading the label off the back of a can of soup would be better than the last two books.

Evanovich does something different from her other books. She takes a page out of 87th Preceint books by Ed McBain. In these stories there are multiple story lines going on and in the end they all come together in one big climax, for example the book Fuzz. Here we have the FBI, thugs, a crazy killer all looking for a picture, Joyce looking for treasure chest, hackers, hairdressers, a mountain of a moron who likes cars, rats in the ceiling, and that's not including Ranger, Morelli, and Hawaii. Oh how could I forget the Pink Panthers and the love potions! Well the big climax is a retellling of a climax from a previous Plum book where we have a factory, thugs, fire, Ranger... I found it to be Evanovilch ripping herself off.

The humor was not as flat as in previous novels but the zaniness is not here. I quess I have outgrown this dtype of humor? The trailer for the delayed One For The Money movie is now playing and I can already see some casting mistakes in some of the characters. I am wondering how the movie's success or lack of will affect future Plum novels.

I would like to offer the following suggestions for improving Stephanie Plum novels:
1. Stephanie goes to a new city. She leaves everything behind and starts over. Maybe she runs a pet store or becomes a hooker.
2. Have Stephanie grow up and make adult decisions like to own a pet store or become a hooker.
3. My personal favorite go gay and end the whole man thing.

This series started out great and has become worse with each book. The characters never grow and have just become dull and repetitive. The author is pumping books out too fast and the quality is certainly suffering. I won't be buying the next one...I'm done!

I have read ALL of Janet Evanovich's books and maybe that is the problem. This latest, WICKED APPETITE, is a real let down! Even with Diesel woven throughout the plot the thing is little more than a paste and glue of her prior books. It got so I could almost close my eyes and chant the paragraph to follow. It's about time she flushed her brain and came up with some new stuff. It isn't cute to take whole descriptions from former books and just decorate them with a few new twists.

Janet Evanovich always entertains; always makes me laugh.Of course, my favorites are the Stephanie Plum series but it was fun to see what Diesel was doing. A fun book to keep one smiling and warm during these cold, cold months!

I have every book in this series. Stephanie Plum and her friends are the best entertainment I've had in a long time. When you are reading and catch yourself belly laughing, you are being entertained.

Books thirteen through sixteen were pale imitations of what fans had come to expect from Stephanie Plum, but Sizzlin' Seventeen was a pleasant surprise. Explosive Eighteen continues this positive trend. Stephanie is still inept; Lula is still eating in undersized spandex; Grandma Mazur is definitely a pip; and it's all driving Stephanie's mom deeper into her whiskey flask. All the core elements are still in place, including the frustrating Ranger-Stephanie-Morrelli love triangle, but nothing feels contrived this time. If you have enjoyed Plum novels in the past, you should enjoy this one as well.

I had to write a review after seeing all the awful reviews posted here. I am a huge fan of the stephanie plum novels and thoroughly look forward each and every time a new book comes out. A coworker borrowed "Wicked Appetite" to me and I was instantly hooked. Although both series are very similar, this is the kind of book that I enjoy, I can always count on Janet to make me laugh out lout on my train ride home. Awesome book a must for any Plum fans!

I always enjoy the Stephanie Plum novels and this one was no different. The characters are quirky and entertaining. The story lines are always similar and Stephanie is always getting into unfathomable trouble but I laugh aloud many times and enjoy taking a break from other more serious novels with this series.

not nearly as good as i expected. too short..not very exciting. boring as hell. wished i woulda saved my money and waited until it was cheaper. kept waiting on something explosive to happen and it never did. not even interested in tnumber nineteen..

I think maybe the reason so many people are giving this book bad reviews is because it does step outside the normal Evanovich bounds of genre. It's a good deal more on the supernatural side, which I happen to love. It's not the Plum series. I love those books too, but I believe Wicked Appetite is a fresh new series that will draw in a whole new group of fans for JE. I can't wait for the next installment and I hope that the bad reviews do not discourage JE from continuing the series.

Well, after the disappointment of the last 4 books in the series, which I thought was just a slump, I was duped again. This is no slump! This is an author who has run out of ideas, has no clue where to go with these characters, and just keeps raking in money for the same exact book but with different titles. What a hack.

Like so many others, I have stuck with what once was a beloved series only to be saddened at the downward spiral that this author keeps inflicting upon her fans. This book in particular felt like it was written from the same base template, however was never "fleshed out". I kept thinking that I was reading someone's draft. The dialogue was horrible and felt like it was written by someone who had no experience in writing what so ever - not the author that we all heaped praise upon in books 1 thru 6 or 7.

I read this in 2 hours, and that was in between getting my Thanksgiving dinner ready. I probably only needed about 45 minutes for this one. I think I'd feel better if Evanovich just came to my house and took the $15 or $16 right out of my wallet. Then I'd have a real excuse for feeling robbed.

As for the new movie....I have never seen such poor casting. The trailer looks just awful.

Someone needs to once and for all admit that this series is dead.

I preordered this book and looked forward to reading it. I ended up flipping through it to get to the ridiculous ending, thoroughly annoyed with the pendantic writing, boring plot, and rehashed characters. And frankly, if Stephanie ate that much that often, she'd weigh in at 350 lbs - although the food descriptions were better than the sex scenes. Again, no resolution for Plum as to which boyfriend. Hopefully there's no nineteen. If there is, I'll pick up a copy at the store and see if the last two pages have any more closure - then I'll put it down. I've wasted too much money on the last two books. DON'T bother to buy it or even read it.

As the series goes on, the content dwindles. Evanovich is becoming tired, rushed or bored! The character development it's lacking, the plot flat. You often read this series for the humor, the laugh out loud moments, but they too are lacking! The entire book could have focused around Hawaii, what happened there, but nothing but a slight tease which leaves the reader disappointed and empty. Either end the series or make drastic improvements!

I would love to get my money back on this little jewel! Ms. Evanovich should start considering a different career. Please anyone considering this book, please do yourself a favor spend your money and time else where.

what a disappointment. It is sad to watch a writer with real talent turn into a commercial money machine. I pre-ordered Trouble Maker at the same time I pre-ordered Wicked Appetite from the store. When Trouble Maker arrived, could not believe I let myself be sucked in to the tune of 15.00 for a comic book!!

Should have cancelled my pre-order for Wicked Appetite then,, but was willing to give Janet another chance. I wish I could get my money back. I agree with all comments that her Stephanie Plum (what a wonderful character) series is stuck - there is no expansion of character (except perhaps the size of Lula).

Am now in search of another author - anyone have any suggestions?

I don't care what anyone says, I absolutely loved this book. Come on people! These books are not meant to be great novels. They are just completely fun reads that make you laugh out loud in public places as you read them. I think this is a great take off from the Stephanie Plum novels and I am hoping that she turns this into a completely new series. I love the silliness and crazy characters, and I cannot wait to read the next one. Keep them coming, Janet!

I always look forward to the newest Stephanie Plum novels. Granted they are pretty much the same and I'm getting a little annoyed with Steph's bed hopping (not a lot of difference between Steph and her hooker friend Lula anymore). Another thing I've missed in the last couple Evanovich offerings is that surprised chuckle that would just burst out now and then as I read. Still, this book was a nice break from my usual police procedurals. I liked it, but it could have been better. Be nice to see more apprehensions and a lot less sleeping around with multiple partners.

SOME SPOILERS - Don't read if you don't want to know

JE struck gold with the Stephanie Plum series, then proceeded to run it into the ground. Now with this new cringeworthy series, she's recycled a milder version of Stephanie as the character Lizzy and sidekick Lula as sidekick Glo. They are watered down characters with weaker personalities and a stronger penchant for taking the approach that is the silliest.

And as for recycling, we also have the return of Diesel, Wulf, and Carl the Monkey. Ok.... really?? This is the 3rd book with Carl the Monkey. Are we working off the idea that monkeys are ALWAYS funny? Someone should clue in JE that this is not an absolute.

This book reads very much like something a 13-year old trying to write a JE book would come up with. The heroine gets covered in various food substances. The heroine gets dragged through animal poo and possible other animal secretions. The heroine gets zapped unconscious. The sidekick jumps into doing things (witchcraft) that she has no knowledge of and then badly screws up. The sidekick breaks things. The male love interest can get into any locked room (Ranger, anyone?). The male love interest is cool acting with a hint of danger (Morelli, anyone?). Other been there, done that moments include: explosions, grave robbing, non-stop doughnut eating, eating fast food with complete abandon, eyerolling, kisses that cause a heat rush to the groin--sound familiar? Even the language she uses sounds exactly like the language in the Plum books. The only original character was Claire, who was such a non-character that she could have just not been there.

And the part that really had me rolling MY eyes? That we are told as readers that in this series there is no chance of the heroine and the love interest EVER hooking up because to do so would cause one of them to lose their special abilities. So, there's the warning that this series will be all sexual tension between the main characters and sexual banter, but no sex. I'm pretty sure that we called that "Three's Company" back in the 70s. It wasn't funny for Jack Tripper, and it ain't funny for Diesel.

Janet E, write one last, great Plum book and announce your retirement. Leave em wanting more, not shaking their heads over the decline.

I have been a huge fan of this series even during the ups and downs of the last several books but no more. This book is rubbish and a complete disappintment. The dialogue is choppy, the plot is awful and there are no redeeming qualities. I am done!!!!

I can't believe this! I feel like I've been robbed. The story is moving along in what has come to be the usual mediocre manner, then it just quits! It's not cute, it's annoying. As a fan, I feel like I've been disrespected. No more, I will not spend one more cent on an Evanovich book. Stick a fork in me, I'm done.

I took this book out of my public library. i enjoyed reading it so much i bought a copy from the store and had it sent to my daughter. The book is hilariously funny. Even now I giggle when I think about the broom in the tree, I would recommend this read for anyone who likes to laugh, likes slightly weird stories, and sexual innuendos. The monkey is the BEST.

I have been a Plum lovin fan for many years and have always enjoyed grabbing the next plumventure right when it came out....but the last few books...I didnt feel the rush right out need. The last few books felt unfinished and choppy.

I remember laughing out loud during the first 10 books...then the laughing was less and the eye rolling began. I long to love these books again....so maybe instead of churning two out a year...we could have one amazing one. Just a suggestion.

I actually love the series of books but when this book was first presented to me, it was presented as a "NEW" book and it was never stated that it was actually 3 of the previous "in between" novels put into one book. So I definetly purchased it and when I received it and opened it to start reading, that is when I realize I was duped! Then I went back to the site and it was advertised correctly that time. I am very disappointed in the way it was presented to me so I would purchase it. Since I got rid of all my paperwork on the purchase it wasn't returnable, so I decided to just donate the book at our local train station library so maybe someone who hasn't read the 3 books that are combined into this 1 book, can have a chance to read it.

I do look forward to the new book in the series that will be coming out in November. This series is so addicting because of the characters and have many times made me laugh out loud while reading. Lula and Grandma Mazur are such hoots! They actually make the stories more enjoyable.

I loved the Stephanie Plum books up to no 12 and kept hoping that JE would get back on track with each following book. As they got progressively worse I told myself to stop putting myself through the tired writing that no longer gave me the belly laugh moments that I loved. As Stephanie became more annoying even Grandma and Lula started losing their originality and I just wanted Joe and Ranger to dump the silly witch!. When no 18 came out so quickly I thought to myself that JE must have realised the series had come to the end and this was the finale where the decision on who would be revealed. However, this was not to be and 18 was by far the worst book of the series.
Janet, its time to stop!

While some fans I know have already given up on Stephanie Plum as a character who is not moving forward, I'll still carry on with Lula. Although I cannot personally identify with her, I love her spunk. Lula carries this story ---and thus the Stephanie Plum series--- forward. She keeps me laughing and wondering what she will get into next while Stephanie seems to be snoozing. That laugh out loud humor is what drew me to this series initially. However, if Stephanie doesn't wake up, I will most likely be waiting for my opportunity to catch up with her and Lula et al via my local library rather than my own copy.

After reading all of the Janet Evanovich collection over the past three months, I was hungry for anything else to come along in that same genre. Her style of witty writing leaves one hungry for more of that less serious and fun stuff!! She didn't disappoint with this selection.

I always find something funny enough to laugh out loud when reading Stephanie Plum ... this book had none of those moments. Just the same old story with Stephanie, Lula, Morelli, Ranger, Grandma Mazur -- blah, blah, blah.

Thought it was a waste of money.

I cannot tell you how disappointed I was with this book! Miss Evanovich took the easy way out, glossing over the best story and going back to the same old same OLD. I'll have to be really convinced before I take another Plum novel.

Most readers who enjoyed the previous Stephanie Plum books will like "Explosive Eighteen". Janet Evanovich does a commendable job of following up the story line from book seventeen, taking the readers through the various twists and turns, and leaves us waiting for book nineteen to become available.

This book was a giant disappointment for me. I was so anxious to read it that I bought it the first day it came out and devoured it by the following morning. I wish now I had practiced patience and waited until I had read the reviews so I could have saved my money.

My problem was not that Stephanie and Lula were still inept at capturing their skips since I expected that. It was not even that Stephanie still did not choose between Ranger and Morelli since I expected that, too, even though I hoped she would. My major disappointment is that readers were led to believe the next book following Smokin' Seventeen: A Stephanie Plum Novel (Stephanie Plum Novels) would be at least partially about Stephanie's time in Hawaii. This was relegated to one small paragraph.

Overall this book was the same as the last three or four in the series, but with less excitement or humor. This is the first negative review I've ever felt compelled to write and I hope it's my last.

Janet Evanovich always entertains; always makes me laugh.Of course, my favorites are the Stephanie Plum series but it was fun to see what Diesel was doing. A fun book to keep one smiling and warm during these cold, cold months!

I have every book in this series. Stephanie Plum and her friends are the best entertainment I've had in a long time. When you are reading and catch yourself belly laughing, you are being entertained.

Books thirteen through sixteen were pale imitations of what fans had come to expect from Stephanie Plum, but Sizzlin' Seventeen was a pleasant surprise. Explosive Eighteen continues this positive trend. Stephanie is still inept; Lula is still eating in undersized spandex; Grandma Mazur is definitely a pip; and it's all driving Stephanie's mom deeper into her whiskey flask. All the core elements are still in place, including the frustrating Ranger-Stephanie-Morrelli love triangle, but nothing feels contrived this time. If you have enjoyed Plum novels in the past, you should enjoy this one as well.

I had to write a review after seeing all the awful reviews posted here. I am a huge fan of the stephanie plum novels and thoroughly look forward each and every time a new book comes out. A coworker borrowed "Wicked Appetite" to me and I was instantly hooked. Although both series are very similar, this is the kind of book that I enjoy, I can always count on Janet to make me laugh out lout on my train ride home. Awesome book a must for any Plum fans!

I always enjoy the Stephanie Plum novels and this one was no different. The characters are quirky and entertaining. The story lines are always similar and Stephanie is always getting into unfathomable trouble but I laugh aloud many times and enjoy taking a break from other more serious novels with this series.

not nearly as good as i expected. too short..not very exciting. boring as hell. wished i woulda saved my money and waited until it was cheaper. kept waiting on something explosive to happen and it never did. not even interested in tnumber nineteen..

I have read all the Stephanie Plum Novel including the in between's. I loved the character of Diesel and I am so excited that he get's to be in his new series of books. I think Diesel is ready to stand on his own and I think with this book is a great start and I can't wait for the next book to come out and seeing where Diesel, Lizzy, and Carl go next. I just can't wait!!!!!!!!!!!

I have loved the Stephanie Plum series since the very first book. I have to admit that I have read them twice but this one was a major snooze. I have always looked forward to a new one coming out and couldn't wait for this one. Now I wish I had just waited and maybe gotten it through BookLending because I'm sorry that I spent money on it. Very disappointing.

I started reading this series a few years ago. I read the first thirteen books during the summer and couldn't wait for her to release fourteen. The last several books have not been good and I would have thought Stephanie would mature a little by this point. It appears to me that Janet writes these books because she knows they will sell, but she is not really into the characters any more. She should do her readers a favor, and end the series.

I don't know how many times I've recommended the Stephanie Plum books to people; I even contacted the publishers to get the books on Kindle when they first came out. However, I found this last book depressing; Stephanie is stuck in a rut and appears to be going nowhere. The pattern is repeated book after book; the only thing that's changing are the numbers! I've been a faithful reader but I think I've bought my last book in the series.

I thoroughly enjoyed the evening I spent reading Explosive Eighteen. The characters never let me down and this plot was particularly well done. I usually have to wait an entire year for the next edition. I certainly hope there will be a book 19 in June 2012. Stephanie Plum seems to get lustier with each installment. Thank you Janet!
Tami CasiasCrystal Bound

I have been a huge Stephanie Plum fan for years! Looking forward to every book and in the last couple being really disappointed, it's now the same story again and again.
I was really hoping JE would realize how it's the same story over and over and change it up for us Stephanie Plum followers. Alas, if you have read the first 18, there is nothing new with this one. Please JE, if you write another Plum book, please give us something new!

Book arrived on time and in perfect condition. With that being said, I'm beginning to grow a bit weary of basically the same story. I think this series has run its course. It has gotten to the point where I don't care whether she picks Ranger or Morelli. I probably won't buy the next one. This is the reason for just two stars.

Being addicted to the Stephanie Plum series makes me a little leary of Janet Evanovich being able to keep it up. BUT, she does not disappoint in this latest volume. I loved it! As usual it kept me chuckling and guessing what was going to happen next. I look forward to the next in the series because I want to know what "my friends in New Jersey" have been doing now. *S*

What a fun book!! My husband and I are both reading this...well I read to him in our quiet time or on road trips... We both find it cute, silly and entertaining!! Cannot wait until June 19th when Wicked Business is out so we can continue the adventure!!

At the end of eighteen books, Stephanie Plum remains incompetent as a bounty hunter. The character is actually even more hapless than when the series started. She continues to behave as a novice, a victim and an insecure child who constantly needs help from the svengali who is supposed to be a mentor. The "love triangle" has gone from intriguing to annoying and a bit distasteful. The characters such as lula, grandma, connie and vinnie are more caricatures than relatable characters.

I just cannot justify the time or expense of book nineteen

If you like Janet Evanovich's writing style and story telling, then you will like Wicked Appetitie. Yes, it IS similar to the Plume series but what did you expect? If you are expecting a page turning tale filled with a little humor and a lot of fun then you will love it!

Janet Evanovich is such a hoot. I enjoy reading her books. They are light and pure fun. Stephanie Plum's character is so imaginative and the grandmother is just certainly not the typical. What's coming for nineteen? It's fun reading on my Kindle Fire.
Addie

I usually love Janet Evanovich books in any form but for once I was really dissapointed. Not only did it seem chaotic in plot but the ending came so abuptly you wondered where the rest of the story went? Maybe its time for Stephanie to walk down the isle and retire with her prince charming.

Written by a former lover of all things Stephanie Plum:

I have read all of the books in this series, and Explosive Eighteen (which was not explosive at all, unless you count the scene with Lula in the deli....) is by far the WORST of the lot. I rarely write reviews, but after spending 13.99 for the Kindle version of this book, I just had to warn others: do not buy this book!!!!

Just as in the movie Groundhog Day (where Bill Murray's character keeps reliving the same day over and over again), I feel that when I read JE's Plum books, I am rereading the same book over and over again. Anyone who has read all of the books in this series can basically describe the plot of this book: Stephanie can't bring in a skip to save her life, some idiot gets the best of her at least twice, Lula eats waaaayyyy too much food and stinks up the bathroom, Vinny is a weasel, Connie uses too much hairspray and shows too much cleavage, Grandma Mazur goes to funerals, Stephanie's mom spends her time in the kitchen, while her dad sits in front of the TV until it's time to eat, Stephanie loves two guys at once and just can't pick between them, and somehow, even though Stephanie acts like a moron, she will end up bringing down an enemy or a skip in an unrealistic way to save the day. The saddest part of this book was that absolutely NOTHING was fresh or new.

Somehow, even though these books have always been unrealistic, the quirky characters, humorous writing, and fresh 'voice' of JE made them showstoppers. Unfortunately, 18 books in, these books just aren't worth it anymore.

JE: Please do us a favor and wrap up this series for good..... and put Stephanie with Morelli!!! :)

Sizzlin' Sixteen was a flop, in my opinion. Something just wasn't as funny and it was way too short and then I read she's letting her daughter write these books. Now there's this totally lame "Wicked Appetite." It isn't even funny. Super powers? Get real. I waited eagerly for every new Stephanie Plum book and now I'm about ready to find a new author. I read not even half of WA and stopped because it was just too stupid and it didn't hold my interest. Evanovich must have so much money that she doesn't care about her readers. If her daughter wants to write, then she needs to start her own series and Evanovich needs to write her OWN material.

I am once again disppointed by one of my favorite authors. I "deleted" this from my Kindle, when I was about 50 pages in. A total waste of money. It appears that Evanovich is out of steam, and I'm done with her.

I bought this book for my wife for Christmas. She has the entire set and has thoroughly enjoyed each one. Once she started it, each spare minute was spent with the book and she finished it in two days. Now she can hardly wait for the movie of book 1 to be released.

I ordered this as a gift for a friend & she loves it.Thank you the store.com.It came in a timely manner but the only bad thing about this purchase was that I was not given a tracking number to track my order. It still came on time.

You might think that after 17 novels featuring the same implausible characters acting in similarly stupid ways that the humor in the 18th would pale. Not so. In Explosive Eighteen, the exploits of incompetent bounty hunter Stephanie Plum and her sidekick Lula, a former `ho, continue to evoke laugh-out-loud embarrassment in public places, and, yes, her ongoing affairs with detective Morelli and bad boy Ranger continue unresolved. As Lula says to Stephanie, "It's like you're a reality show, all by yourself."

Stephanie and Lula set out on the trail of a series of "skips" who have failed to show up in court, among them Stephanie's old nemesis, Joyce Barnhardt. After a series of misadventures involving the repeated loss of Stephanie's car (as usual), the two find themselves embroiled in a complex set of relationships with Joyce and a rumored international gang of jewel thieves called the Pink Panthers. It's pointless to sketch out the story any more than this. The book is worth discovering for yourself.

Here, for example, is Lula in action:

Lancer [a bad guy] "eyeballed the rocket launcher and turned white. "I'm going to have to get tough now. I'm going to have to force you to leave."

"Do you got one of these babies?" Lula asked him, patting the rocket launcher.

"No."

"Then how you gonna force us to leave?"

"I have a gun," Lancer said. And he pointed his gun at Lula.

"I don't like when people point a gun at me," Lula said. "It makes me nervous, and it's rude. Do you see me pointing my rocket launcher at you? I don't think so."

Coincidentally, this month the first film built on the Stephanie Plum novels will open, with Katherine Heigl playing Stephanie. Heigl is too blonde, too tall, and too busty to match the character of Evanovich's imagining, but her skills as a comic actor and her delightfully breezy manner are perfect, and she's pictured as a brunette in stills promoting the movie. Sherri Shepherd will play Lula, and Debbie Reynolds, Grandma Mazur, one of the series most unforgettable characters. (Grandma Mazur protests: "I'm not so old. There's parts of me don't sit as high as they used to, but I've got some miles left." Grandma packs a .45 in her purse. Her hobby is attending viewings at funeral homes.)

(From [...])

Janet should have found some potion for herself when she wrote this book. I have always been a huge fan of the Plum books and was excited when I heard that I wouldn't have to wait until the usual summer releases. Now, I feel like the wait would have been worth it. Was the early release to promote the series before the movie is released? If you're a fan, borrow the book. Do not waste your money.

I love Janet Evanovich, but her latest Stephanie Plum books are just not as funny as they once were. This book I absolutely loved. I thought it was like the earlier number books. It was funny, and I absolutely love the characters. I cannot wait until the next one comes out. So glad Carl is back. This book is a great distraction from ordinary life.

I have read the whole Stepanie Plum series. This was just more of the same. Makes me think I'm done with these books. It's time for Stepanie to make up her mind about her two lovers and either pick one or find a third and settle down. This wasn't nearly as amusing as prior books.

Reading this version was like reading 12 - 17 all over again...same plot, same Grandma attending a funeral, same torn between two guys (can't blame her though...I couldn't pick between the two either), same Lulu...only funnier.

But even though it was repetitive it was funny as heck!

So, if you want a couple of LOLs (because you actually do laugh out loud) go ahead and read it...

I have been reading the Stephanie Plum novels since they first came out and I have really grown to love and enjoy the characters. This one was another hilarious group of adventures that, in my opinion, made this another Janet Evanovich hit. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who likes a little who done it and a lot of laughs.

Of course we love Stephanie and this books is no exception. I loved book "17" and I know it is hard to try to top the next book and the next book!! I was not disappointed with this book and of course Lula is a stitch. The trailer for the movie looks pretty good which I must admit I was a little prejudice towards who is playing the characters. Enjoy

I've read all of the previous 17 books and love them so much, I couldn't wait for Explosive Eighteen to hit the shelves...I ordered it the first day it came out. It was nice having it within minutes of ordering it.

I took this book out of my public library. i enjoyed reading it so much i bought a copy from the store and had it sent to my daughter. The book is hilariously funny. Even now I giggle when I think about the broom in the tree, I would recommend this read for anyone who likes to laugh, likes slightly weird stories, and sexual innuendos. The monkey is the BEST.

I have been a Plum lovin fan for many years and have always enjoyed grabbing the next plumventure right when it came out....but the last few books...I didnt feel the rush right out need. The last few books felt unfinished and choppy.

I remember laughing out loud during the first 10 books...then the laughing was less and the eye rolling began. I long to love these books again....so maybe instead of churning two out a year...we could have one amazing one. Just a suggestion.

I actually love the series of books but when this book was first presented to me, it was presented as a "NEW" book and it was never stated that it was actually 3 of the previous "in between" novels put into one book. So I definetly purchased it and when I received it and opened it to start reading, that is when I realize I was duped! Then I went back to the site and it was advertised correctly that time. I am very disappointed in the way it was presented to me so I would purchase it. Since I got rid of all my paperwork on the purchase it wasn't returnable, so I decided to just donate the book at our local train station library so maybe someone who hasn't read the 3 books that are combined into this 1 book, can have a chance to read it.

I do look forward to the new book in the series that will be coming out in November. This series is so addicting because of the characters and have many times made me laugh out loud while reading. Lula and Grandma Mazur are such hoots! They actually make the stories more enjoyable.

It just keeps getting better and better. Love the drama between Stephanie's choice of Ranger or Joe -- or both. And, her antics, along with Grandma Mazur and Lula's antics and comments keep you laughing out loud.

I loved the Stephanie Plum books up to no 12 and kept hoping that JE would get back on track with each following book. As they got progressively worse I told myself to stop putting myself through the tired writing that no longer gave me the belly laugh moments that I loved. As Stephanie became more annoying even Grandma and Lula started losing their originality and I just wanted Joe and Ranger to dump the silly witch!. When no 18 came out so quickly I thought to myself that JE must have realised the series had come to the end and this was the finale where the decision on who would be revealed. However, this was not to be and 18 was by far the worst book of the series.
Janet, its time to stop!

While some fans I know have already given up on Stephanie Plum as a character who is not moving forward, I'll still carry on with Lula. Although I cannot personally identify with her, I love her spunk. Lula carries this story ---and thus the Stephanie Plum series--- forward. She keeps me laughing and wondering what she will get into next while Stephanie seems to be snoozing. That laugh out loud humor is what drew me to this series initially. However, if Stephanie doesn't wake up, I will most likely be waiting for my opportunity to catch up with her and Lula et al via my local library rather than my own copy.

After reading all of the Janet Evanovich collection over the past three months, I was hungry for anything else to come along in that same genre. Her style of witty writing leaves one hungry for more of that less serious and fun stuff!! She didn't disappoint with this selection.