Title: Love in a Nutshell
Author: Janet Evanovich
First published January 3, 2012
310 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9780312651312 (ISBN10: 0312651317)
Rating: 3.67
Overview
When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. Kate Appleton is determined to do just that.
After her world falls apart, she heads to her parents’ summer house in Michigan to start a Bed and Breakfast inn. But with no job and no income, Kate needs to come up with a plan.
Enter Matt Culhane, the owner of a local brewery who is in desperate need of a spy to catch a saboteur. Although Kate despises beer and nobody trusts her, she sees an opportunity to earn some money and prove her worth.
As Kate infiltrates the brewery and begins investigating, she and Matt find themselves drawn to each other. But will their budding romance survive when Kate’s true purpose is revealed?
Janet Evanovich’s Love in a Nutshell is a charming and hilarious tale of second chances, unexpected love, and the power of perseverance.
About the Author
Meet Janet Evanovich – the accomplished author behind several bestselling book series. Her creations include the Stephanie Plum series, the Lizzy and Diesel series, the Alexandra Barnaby novels, and Trouble Maker graphic novel.
With 12 romance novels under her belt, Janet is also the co-author of the Fox and O’Hare series with Lee Goldberg. In her book, How I Write: Secrets of a Bestselling Author, she shares her tips and tricks to becoming a successful writer.
Editoral Review
Love in a Nutshell by Janet Evanovich is a charming romantic-comedy novel that explores the complexities of relationships and the search for true love. Evanovich is a New York Times bestselling author famous for her humorous mystery novels, which often feature strong female leads.
Love in a Nutshell, first published on January 3, 2012, is a departure from her usual mystery genre, but her trademark wit and humor remain evident. Set in small-town Michigan, Love in a Nutshell follows Kate Appleton, a recently divorced woman who moves back home to help her family run their bed and breakfast.
The business is in dire straits, and Kate must find a way to save it. In comes Matt Culhane, a handsome and charming handyman, who offers his services to Kate in exchange for room and board.
As they work together to renovate the bed and breakfast, the chemistry between them is undeniable, but Kate’s past and Matt’s secrets threaten to ruin their chances at happiness. Evanovich’s writing is light and breezy, perfect for a book about summer romance.
She successfully creates a cozy atmosphere by describing the idyllic Michigan town and the charming bed and breakfast. The characters are likable, particularly Kate, who is relatable in her struggles to move on from her divorce and save the family business.
Matt’s character is also well-developed his past is revealed slowly throughout the book, keeping the reader intrigued as to what secrets he’s hiding. In terms of structure, Love in a Nutshell is formulaic for the romantic comedy genre boy meets girl, they face obstacles, they fall in love in the end.
However, Evanovich’s writing elevates the story beyond the standard fare. The pacing is consistent, and the twist towards the end is surprising and satisfying.
One weakness of the book is the lack of diversity in the characters. The small-town setting is predominantly white, and the supporting characters are primarily caricatures the nosy and gossipy townspeople and the overbearing mother.
Furthermore, the book’s themes of love and finding oneself are not novel, and the conflict surrounding the bed and breakfast’s finances can feel contrived. Love in a Nutshell is a perfect summer read for those who enjoy romantic comedies.
Fans of Evanovich’s previous works will appreciate her trademark humor, and new readers will enjoy the light and breezy writing. This book may not be groundbreaking, but it’s an engaging and entertaining read that will leave the reader smiling.
I give Love in a Nutshell three out of five stars.
