Review: A Witty Comedy/Romance
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 10 18, 2013
Gosh, I want to make sure I remember everything before I even begin my review. Ever had the feeling that you just read a book and all you want to do is remember every single aspect of it? Yeah, Van Dyken's The Wager did that to me. I'm still speechless! Okay, let's begin by saying this book was definitely one of the most witty I have read since joining ADBA. I am currently taking a Shakespeare class at the university, and boy, this book definitely has modern elements of a few Shakespeare plays: Much Ado About Nothing, Taming of the Shrew, and a hint of Twelfth Night. Jake and Char are two feisty characters that seem to always be at odds at a distance, but when looked through a magnifying glass, their endless bantering and quarreling is what makes their relationship. There were so many nice moments where both Char and Jake had such perfect timing with their comebacks and responses towards their "dislike" for one another. Now, add a loco-in-the-coco grandmother into the mix and you're in for one hell of a ride! A straight forward story that just makes for a fun read. Just the right amount of drama, comedy, and emotion.I usually don't like romances where the hero and heroine already have a past, but the story focused more on them trying to fix themselves and their lives rather than how quick they worked their way into the bed. That's what made the book so intriguing. Not to mention the crazy-as-hell grandmother who just loves to meddle in other people's affair! I think she definitely stole the spotlight. She was the character who most kept me on my toes because, honestly, I never knew when she was going to pop up and say something my own grandmother- who curses like a sailor mind you- would probably blush at! It was definitely an enjoyment from beginning to end. The protagonists were such lively characters that fed from each other's energy and charisma. The grandmother's "Godmother" skills just make the story one hundred times better! Many laughs mixed in with a few tears and a dash of crazy made this book a one-of-a-kind read, I enjoyed immensely! 5 STARS! Why? One, because I can. Two, because of such in depth writing with outstanding vocabulary. Three, the grandmother, of course! Can't leave grandma out! Now, I'm just hoping Char's sister gets her own story. Hmmm...~Jenny