Hot Stuff by Janet Evanovich & Leanne Banks

For me the mark of a great author is someone makes me want to go out and read everything they’ve ever written, and I’ve been doing that with Janet Evanovich’s books for years.

Books in her “Stephanie Plum” series make me literally laugh out loud at least three times per book. So anytime a new book by her comes out, I pick it up immediately.

In Hot Stuff, Evanovich teams up with Leanne Banks and together they deliver a wild tale that is full of memorable, quirky characters and laugh out loud moments.

Cate Madigan is a bartender who lives with a cross dressing bar singer in Boston. Her family is forever playing matchmaker, and their latest choice, Patrick Pugg, leaves a lot to be desired. He’s persistent, he’s odd, and he refers to himself in the third person. But he won’t go away.

Cate meets ex-cop Kellen McBride at the bar where she works, and while he is sexy, Cate believes there is more to him than meets the eye.

When her roommate disappears and an enormous dog who supposedly belongs to her roommate appears with instructions for Cate to take care of him, Cate finds herself in the middle of a mystery that threatens to uproot the quiet little life she’s made for herself.

Fortunately for her, both McBride and Pugg, as well as her neighbor friends Julie and Sharon, help find a solution that works for everyone, helps every woman get her man, and manages to have fun along the way. Oh, and baking. Can’t forget the baking.

Hot Stuff is a great read. It’s quick, intriguing, and fun - the perfect companion this summer for the beach, pool, or airline.