Explosive Eighteen question

Honestly, I don't think all that much has changed since "One for the Money". A few new characters have joined the crew but the formula has remained largely unchanged.

At the moment, it doesn't bother me, the books still entertain me enough that I'm not really all that fussed that Rex is over 1000 in hamster years.

I think one day, I'll probably stop reading them but I'm not there yet.

It will probably not be any better, but I know I won't stop reading them. They are still entertaining and Stephanie has become an old friend.

Someone needs to knock Ranger over the head already. She wants to have that relationship with him, but he won't do it, so she keeps going back to Morelli. We can all tell that he loves and has feelings for her; otherwise, he wouldn't always be the one there for her. He already said he was emotionally attached. I wish Janet would give us some insight about why he is so closed up. I think Steph can help to knock some of those walls down, if he would just let her, but he is scared and stubborn.

I read 10 of these and stopped for the same reasons. Then, my friend convinced me to go back to them. I did. I did the audio books of 11-16. They were ok, but getting old. Seventeen was the worst. Nothing about the trip to Hawaii. Of course, only Stephanie would come home with the picture and start the crazy story.
I like that Connie is getting more into the stories.
As for Ranger and Morelli-I don't care who she goes with. She has no self esteem, just sleeping around. They must not really love her because they treat her poorly. Yes, Morelli says he loves her, but really won't commit. Ranger says, "Babe" and she falls into bed with him. What man would commit to that.
I bet if Morelli showed up with an engagement ring, she'd say yes. But, that's won't work with the storyline.
This reminds me of the Murder, She Baked books. The main character was between two men--but she never slept around with them. She just couldn't decide. One day, an old male friend from high school shows up, and next thing you know, they get married.
Maybe this story needs a new man for Stephanie.
But, really, she's such a mess, who would want her. She admits she can't cook, can't keep house, takes laundry to moms (is she in college??), can't/won't apply herself and get a good job. She's a mess. It's time for her to grow up.

One day I may be finished with the series but right now I am still reading them. I have been reading them for years and every time I think I am done I read the next one and I love it. I think I am stuck on them for a while yet.

All of her books are the same old, same old. I've lost interest. I think Janet will never let Stephanie decide which man she wants because that's probably the only thing that keeps readers coming back. Its certainly not the witty writing or character development!

I think the book was pointless. The same old thing presented in the same old way. The title is based on a very contrived situation. Don't waste your time.

I read this book and really am not comfortable with the author's style. I kept hoping that the story line would develop more depth.....I continued to read to the end and was disappointed. I will probably not buy another of her books.

I enjoy the books, as long as they make me laugh which a few of them have had me in tears(god I love Grandma)laughing so hard I don't care if it's repetitive. The going back & forth between Morreli & Ranger is getting annoying though. But that wouldn't Stephanie Plum if she was clear minded & knew what she wanted.

A few laughs, which was very disappointing. I figure if I'm not busting out laughing by page 5 it's gonna be a dud. Heck, Grandma didn't even get in to trouble in this book! I got a lot of people started on the series because I loved it so much, but I've noticed a lot of us are re-reading earlier books because they had more characters, plot, and action. I'll keep reading them if someone gives me the book, but it isn't a series I go looking for any more.

Evanovich has a money making formula. Every book is the same, with the characters never moving forward. So incredibly frustrating, given we do actually like her characters. I think this series is akin to watching a soap opera. Nothing changes.

After reading Explosive Eighteen, I decided I am DONE with the Evanovich series. DONE. You know what? After wading thru pages and pages of Steph avoiding Morelli, you know what character I was missing most? BOB THE DOG! YES, good ol' Bob the Dog bounding merrily around the house or out the door, just being a joyful bundle of fur. Because nothing else was doing it for me, plot-wise or anything else in this book. Made me realize that I just don't care about these characters.
Another thing, Steph doesn't destroy a car in this episode. That's one of the staples that we depend on for yuks in this series, and Evanovich pulled the rug out from under us.
I was tired of her racial stereotypes a long time ago, and now she cannot even deliver the winning formula anymore. Forget it. Also I dug up one of the older episodes, #5 I believe, in which Evanovich actually uses the 'C' word -- thought that would have killed her career right there, but it was just another nail in the coffin as far as I'm concerned.
I'm done with her. Not wasting any more time on this.

These are nice quick, easy reads...I read them on the beach this summer. I've been a fan since I read One For The Money about four years ago!

I'll keep reading them but I've stopped wasting my $$ on them and I borrow them from the library.

I was disappointed by 17, but I really enjoyed 18. I don't expect anything different. So I'm not disappointed in that. What I look for is the entertainment value. I thought Janet had her Stephanie groove back with 18. Definitely back from the series fatigue. Made me laugh out loud several times. I guess I'm a Janet fan forever, but not of the purely romantic books.

I, too, read them to relax but I truly disliked 17 and felt like I had to read 18 to get the unpleasantness out of my head. It helped a but. I figure if Janet wants to really shake it up, Stephanie will realize it is Lula she has loved all along and they will have a commitment ceremony and open up a raw foods restaurant. But I doubt that is the planned character arc.

I've loved the series, but the last few books have left me yawning. Nothing has changed. Stephanie can't decide between Ranger and Morelli, Lula eats everything, vehicles keep blowing up.

I'll read the next book, but only because I'm hoping for something better.

I felt this book in particular was a throw away book. I was excited after 17 to see what happened. Based off what I read about it in 18, I think Hawaii alone could have made a book in itself. There wasn't enough going on in this book to make it overly interesting. Hopefully 19 will wrap something up...

I agree that she didn't move the character anywhere in the 17 or 18, except into both men's beds. It's always a fun romp through Jersey, but I if I want to read the same thing over and over I can just read the last 17 I already have. I think it's time she makes a decision. I'm sure she will have some readers unhappy with either direction she goes, but she needs to make a decision or hang up the character. I for one won't be buying 19 until it comes out on paperback or is a heck of a lot cheaper than the 14 I paid for the kindle version. Staying stagnant is always the best way to lose readers (especially when all the hype for 17 and 18 was who did she pick leading you to believe she was going too).

Just finished this book. I love the series but I would like to see the characters develop more. Kind of the same old thing each time. Still makes me laugh out loud though.

I keep coming back too, but I would like her to decide on a man and make some real money

I love the series but I feel like the dead horse been beaten six feet in the ground. Stephanie hasn't evolved in the series and it's time for something to happen. But I will be purchasing Nutty Nineteen or whatever the title many be.

I thought 18 was better than the last few. I guess I'm with everyone else. I've stuck it out this long, and now I HAVE to find out what happens.

I don't read these books for "wow" factor ..I read them when I want to relax and read about someone else's shitty days instead of reliving my own. I read them to laugh. I don't see anything wrong with that.

Aah but it is the curiosity that keeps us coming back. That and the fact we remember how much we loved these novels at one time.

There are a couple one-liners but she's still stuck in a job she sucks at and in between two men, Ranger who she wants to be in a relationship with--who won't do it, so she wavers back to Morelli. They both need their heads examined for sticking around this long, and come to think of it, so do I. Wish she would take the hint from her readers and give Stephanie some growth.