Now or Never by Janet Evanovich
May. 15th, 2025 02:41 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
iariaI liked this one.
I was not really sold when I first started the book but it was good. I enjoyed how the cases played out. For the most part Stephanie was pretty competent and held things together, with the wacky shenanigans kept to a minimum.
+ Stephanie taking down Zoran was excellent. Okay it wasn't the smartest decision to follow the van, to forget her cell phone, to enter the building, or to run instead of shooting him BUT none of that was overly dumb either, imo. She saw the van, of course she had to follow it. The cell phone was dumb but she was focused! Though frankly she should have been immediately grabbing the phone to call in support even before getting up to follow the van. She looked in the building but she had the sense to immediately back away to get help which is something! And yes she had the gun but she is very used to not using it so I can't hold it against her that her first instinct was run in that instance.
More importantly she kept her calm once she woke up and then she used what she had to save herself and Julie. I loved so much that she took Zoran down herself. Loved her using Mr. Big as a painful distraction and then physically taking down Zoran. Loved that she shot him not once, but twice. Go, Stephanie. One of my favourite scene in the series in awhile.
+ I am not surprised that Stephanie chose to marry Morelli. From the beginning that's basically what I assumed would happen, they just have the feel of the end game couple.
+ I do find it interesting that Stephanie a) acknowledged that Morelli was the safe choice between her two loves and that's why she chose him, because she did know everything about him whereas Ranger was still a man of mystery, b) that when Stephanie said she already knew who she wanted to marry she followed that up by not being in any way bothered by the idea that she could end up with her second choice (a very laissez-faire 'it was hard to pick anyway' approach), and c) stated that "there was a bond between us, and it would continue", and the Ranger responding that she made the smart choice but then kissing her and stating that he didn't think they'd make it 2 months. I can't believe JE had Stephanie marry one of them but still managed to keep the love triangle alive!
+ I was absolutely surprised that Stephanie actually ended the book married. I thought for sure there would be a lot more hijinks and drama and silliness surrounding the wedding and instead it happened off page. Huh.
+ I really appreciate Stephanie getting shooting lessons (although I'm sure that was a thing she's done before) and I liked her not only carrying the gun but actually using it. Her immediately shooting at Zoran when he popped up outside her window was great.
+ I love Ranger's protectiveness of Stephanie.
+ Herbert's 'gentle' stalking of Stephanie was creepy but I ended up in the same place mentally as Stephanie with him. Kind of sad, pathetic hapless, you know. His word vomit ended up kind of endearing. And frankly Stephanie deserves a stalker who helps her/makes life easier for her for once.
+ The reveal that Herbert was Robin Hoodie did surprise me. I didn't even consider the possibility but it doesn't not make sense.
+ Lula being into the idea of being the aunt of Stephanie's child was really sweet.
+ Lula immediately going into panic rescue mode when she came out to find Stephanie gone was nice.
+ Morelli telling Stephanie he trusted her professionally was great. On paper she isn't the most competent but she gets her job done and does have good instincts.
+ I loved Stephanie feeling all comfy-cozy with Ranger and how that's how he always makes her feel.
+ I loved Ranger calling in half his people when Stephanie disappeared. It was nice to see Tank even if very briefly and I liked his smiling approval of Stephanie taking down Zoran. Also I was amused by Ranger pointing out that he'll have get Stephanie a camera to wear when she moves to a more severe location because his men will be disappointed at the entertainment loss. This book made me want more of Stephanie interacting with Rangeman again.
+ Heroic dogs for the win. Bob protecting Stephanie was great, Mr. Big saving the day and leading rescue to Stephanie and distracting the bad guy was excellent work I approve.
I was not really sold when I first started the book but it was good. I enjoyed how the cases played out. For the most part Stephanie was pretty competent and held things together, with the wacky shenanigans kept to a minimum.
+ Stephanie taking down Zoran was excellent. Okay it wasn't the smartest decision to follow the van, to forget her cell phone, to enter the building, or to run instead of shooting him BUT none of that was overly dumb either, imo. She saw the van, of course she had to follow it. The cell phone was dumb but she was focused! Though frankly she should have been immediately grabbing the phone to call in support even before getting up to follow the van. She looked in the building but she had the sense to immediately back away to get help which is something! And yes she had the gun but she is very used to not using it so I can't hold it against her that her first instinct was run in that instance.
More importantly she kept her calm once she woke up and then she used what she had to save herself and Julie. I loved so much that she took Zoran down herself. Loved her using Mr. Big as a painful distraction and then physically taking down Zoran. Loved that she shot him not once, but twice. Go, Stephanie. One of my favourite scene in the series in awhile.
+ I am not surprised that Stephanie chose to marry Morelli. From the beginning that's basically what I assumed would happen, they just have the feel of the end game couple.
+ I do find it interesting that Stephanie a) acknowledged that Morelli was the safe choice between her two loves and that's why she chose him, because she did know everything about him whereas Ranger was still a man of mystery, b) that when Stephanie said she already knew who she wanted to marry she followed that up by not being in any way bothered by the idea that she could end up with her second choice (a very laissez-faire 'it was hard to pick anyway' approach), and c) stated that "there was a bond between us, and it would continue", and the Ranger responding that she made the smart choice but then kissing her and stating that he didn't think they'd make it 2 months. I can't believe JE had Stephanie marry one of them but still managed to keep the love triangle alive!
+ I was absolutely surprised that Stephanie actually ended the book married. I thought for sure there would be a lot more hijinks and drama and silliness surrounding the wedding and instead it happened off page. Huh.
+ I really appreciate Stephanie getting shooting lessons (although I'm sure that was a thing she's done before) and I liked her not only carrying the gun but actually using it. Her immediately shooting at Zoran when he popped up outside her window was great.
+ I love Ranger's protectiveness of Stephanie.
+ Herbert's 'gentle' stalking of Stephanie was creepy but I ended up in the same place mentally as Stephanie with him. Kind of sad, pathetic hapless, you know. His word vomit ended up kind of endearing. And frankly Stephanie deserves a stalker who helps her/makes life easier for her for once.
+ The reveal that Herbert was Robin Hoodie did surprise me. I didn't even consider the possibility but it doesn't not make sense.
+ Lula being into the idea of being the aunt of Stephanie's child was really sweet.
+ Lula immediately going into panic rescue mode when she came out to find Stephanie gone was nice.
+ Morelli telling Stephanie he trusted her professionally was great. On paper she isn't the most competent but she gets her job done and does have good instincts.
+ I loved Stephanie feeling all comfy-cozy with Ranger and how that's how he always makes her feel.
+ I loved Ranger calling in half his people when Stephanie disappeared. It was nice to see Tank even if very briefly and I liked his smiling approval of Stephanie taking down Zoran. Also I was amused by Ranger pointing out that he'll have get Stephanie a camera to wear when she moves to a more severe location because his men will be disappointed at the entertainment loss. This book made me want more of Stephanie interacting with Rangeman again.
+ Heroic dogs for the win. Bob protecting Stephanie was great, Mr. Big saving the day and leading rescue to Stephanie and distracting the bad guy was excellent work I approve.
