I found this book to be a poor imitation of the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich ...
343859
I found this book to be a poor imitation of the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich complete with crazy grandmother.  Maybe if I hadn't read the Plum books first I would have liked it better but you can't get better than Janet Evanovich for this kind of book.
3551740
Completely a shadow of the Stephanie Plum stories.  It felt like the author was following the Plum stories character by character, chapter by chapter.  I tried to like it, but the storyline was just not developed enough, not believable or very funny. She solves the case, but you don't even know how it happens. The writer seems to have talent, I think she just needs to look elsewhere for a muse.
4107429
This  book was just disappointing. I have enjoyed the Stephanie Plum series but it is getting worse and worse. This was my last waste of money so the series is officially over for me now.
3750059
The author could have made a little bit of an effort to cover up the fact that the characters were straight out of the Stephanie Plum novels of Janet Evanovich. Really, a collection agent heroine, a cop from her past, and a hot mysterious guy? Really? Not to mention other parallels? Really?

That said, it was a funny book, although not written as well as the Stephanie Plum novels. Fortunately we don't need much character development, since we already know who these people are. Some of the situations were just too unrealistic and silly.
154725
I have read every book in this series and find myself left unsatisfied more and more. This book is a recycled version of all the others but without any real high point or suspense.  Contrary to many of the others I didn't crack a laugh once.  Stephanie's antics and fiasco's were so predictable.  After 20 books the romance is at the same point of indecision.  I have read fan fiction with a much more exciting story line.  I don't think I will be buying twenty one but if I happen across a free copy I'll probably read it.  Janet Evanovich please stop recycling old premises and shake thing up for Stephanie, Ranger, and Joe.
526532
I love Evanovich but this book was a rip off! Way too short for the amount of money it costs. I was disappointed.
3750008
The character is like Janet Evanovich.'s Stephanie Plum.  Both have a wild grandmother, long suffering mother trying to marry her off, the men is her life are a cop and a security specialist.  Both love food but don't cook, Stephanie is donuts, Tiffany cupcakes.  Not as sharp as Janet Evanovich, not as funny.  The writer shows promise but maybe should come up with characters that are her own not "borrowed"
2745708
Although this is not a Stephanie Plum novel, it sure seemed like that was what I was reading.  It's as though Janet Evanovich simply wrote a Stephanie Plum novel, then changed all the character names and told us this isn't a Stephanie Plum novel.  Well, I wasn't fooled.  This book was more like one of the between the numbers books. The only saving grace to me wasting my time reading this book is that I didn't actually spend money on it.  My Mom got it as a free book through her book club and gave it to me.  If I had paid for this book I would not have been happy!!  Don't waste your time!!
4515033
I couldn't finish it.  A 5th grader could have written a better story IF that's what you can call this atrocity.  The characters are unbelievable and even if they had been developed, they would still be completely unlikeable. The main character is inconsistent and her roommate is nothing more than a vapid shell.  The plot, or lack thereof, is full of contradictions and gaping holes. The author seems to be trying to mimic the wild antics of the Stephanie Plum series, but she falls waaaaaay short.  If you want to read a good story, don't waste your time on this one.
2727165
This book is a rip off.  I have loved the series, but this book is boring, I laughed once, the plot stunk, it is a waste of money.  Do not buy this book.  Janet Evanowich needs to be more dedicated to her readers and give them a product that is worth the money.  Last book was borderline, this book was terrible, so I am done.  Good bye Stephanie, I wish you and your family, especially your Dad, a happy holiday season.
1500552
I didn't even bother to finish the book, it was that bad.  I remembered that one of these characters was in one of the Between the Numbers books with Stephanie Plum and that was equally awful.  If you generally like Janet Evanovich, you may want to bypass this one ...
1133755
I expected something on the caliber of the Stepahie Plum series, but this series is a far cry. They are so corny and the characters are shallow and predictable. I bought the audio series and the reader is no Lori Petty or Debi Mazar (she spells her first name the same way I do):-)

Save your money and wait until you can download this free or check it fromt he library.
2480590
The first few of the Stephanie Plum series were fun to read. I was hoping #20 was going to be different than the last few books in the series. I hope Janet Evanovich is giving money to charity since I keep wasting my money by buying her books.
4450372
I purchased this boxed set after reading the first book, which was a pretty enjoyable fun and brainless escape read. As other readers mentioned, this book series' plot structure is somewhat similar to Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series and I had high hopes of another entertaining series. However, the author fails to keep the series from becoming stale; whereas Stephanie Plum hunts down criminals as part of her job as a bounty hunter, Maddie Springer, the heroine of this series continues to throw herself into ridiculous situations for no other reason than being dumb, ditzy, or lacking common sense.

Also, while I like Stephanie, who is a great friend and granddaughter, usually ok daughter and girlfriend, and has a self deprecating sense of humor, Maddie is simply annoying (and gets more annoying the more you read). I can't imagine why Detective Ramirez, the hero of this series, would continue to date Maddie who is selfish, always makes excuses and needs to be rescued, lies repeatedly, constantly interferes in his career and doesn't put out. What's also annoying is how forgetful and lazy Maddie is and how disparaging she is to her family. I'm on the third book and to date, Maddie has forgotten every single family appointment including her own mother's wedding, fittings, family birthdays, etc; she never does her actual job of designing shoes in favor of eating, sleeping or watching TV; and she bails on her family because she feels sorry for herself, or can't handle life,etc. Heroines should have some redeeming qualities, right?

In summary, I'd recommend maybe reading the first book, which is before Maddie gets too annoying, but save yourself the aggravation of the boxed set.
3311983
I bought this book because it was inexpensive and had an interesting plot line.  It was a terrible rip off of Evanovich!  Complete with her wild hair, sexy but unconnected protector, crazy grandma, goofy parents, and on and on.  Stick to Evanovich, at least she can write and can spell "learned".  (It's not "learnt").
1563911
I was a big Janet Evanovich fan and followed suggestions to read this series for a fun fast similar type read. I did like the first 3 books very much book four started to get a little too much with the 3 way attraction and indecisiveness.  Book five just turned me off to the series completely I am almost upset I continued reading it. By no means did I think this was one of the strongest female characters in a series but this book made Carlotta a very weak female with way too may immature issues ... Should I? Shouldn't I? It's what I wanted... It was the past. It was such a turn off and disappointment.
3630402
The book was just OK - something to read if you have nothing else available.  It was much longer than necessary and I found the 2 female characters slightly annoying - but that just might be an age thing - I guess they were acting age appropriate.  One thing that really turned me against the book was the author's use of the name "Joe Morelli" for one of her characters - Stephanie Plum's boyfriend's name!!!  Maybe it was meant to be an homage to Janet Evanovich (and maybe that was mentioned somewhere in the preface or endnotes)  but I didn't appreciate it.  Yes, a minor, senseless, tacky reason to totally dismiss an entire book,  but what can I say.  Avid readers will understand.