Manhunting [Format Kindle]

Kate Svenson has what she thinks any woman would want: beauty, money, a successful career, and an apartment full of French Provincial furniture. Unfortunately, she also has too much time and lonliness on her hands. Tired of the single life, Kate and her best friend, Jessie, come up with the plan to beat all plans. Thus begins Kate's search for the perfect man. Armed with her list of qualifications (tall, distinguised and successful), Kate heads to Toby's Corner, Kentucky, home of The Cabins Resort and vertical golf -- a magnetic haven for the suave businessmen of Kate's desire.

Well, it started out a good plan... Within the first few days of her arrival, Kate has managed to attract men that meet her requirements but with disastrous results. The only thing decent out of the whole trip? The two new friendships she's made: Penny, gorgeous and engaged, who feels she needs to do a little harmless dating before she's tied down for good, and Jake, the rugged resort handyman and exact opposite of the man of her dreams. Hopeless and exhausted, Kate is on the verge of giving up. But wait...is there a light at the end of this tunnel after all?

Manhunting is a delicious romp of a novel, full of sexual tension and too much pride. And while readers can guess the ending before cracking the spine on this book, it does not deter whatsoever from the sheer pleasure of reading. Contains writing that veers toward inexperienced during the first few chapters, but soon Jennifer Crusie hits her groove and takes off like a woman on a mission. Excellent debut from an author worth reading again.

It has all the trade mark Crusie attributes even at this early stage - great humour, even better energy level - it's a fun, uplifting read. It also has a great heroine in Kate, who is too thin, too successful but also too staid. She makes you aware of the price Kate has paid to get where she's at. And you laugh out loud at the terrible dates she manages to get for herself on her one woman mission to 'manhunt' herself a husband.

Jake is an equally great character. He is warm and lazy and funny. He also needs more direction in his life.

Both lovers help bring out the best in each other - which is what love's all about after all...

There was a quirk or two with the secondary characters (Jake's brother is unexpectedly brutal (emotionally, not physcially!) in one scene) so it's only a 4 star rating, but it shows Crusie to be the talent she so obviously is, from the word go.