rating: 4-4.25–NO! it didn’t just end that way–stars
A Date with Fate (The Adventures of Anabel Axelrod) is filled with sass and sarcasm from Anabel. You will laugh throughout the book. Anabel has a smart-ass comments for just about everything. Her inner monologue had me giggling to myself.
Anabel is a 28 year old book store owner that has sass, rules, and an inner circle of family and friends that she will fiercely protect and in return they do the same. The story takes place over a weekend and the start of this book will have you a bit twisted in knots.
As you follow Anabel throughout her weekend you will be introduced to her friends, family and her current man, Luke. Luke is a hot hunk of a man that has a mysterious job that in her mind entails some undercover/high-tech/ ninja/Rambo shit. They don’t ever really talk about his occupation or any real personal details of his life but that’s because she doesn’t really want him asking those types of probing questions either. She regards her privacy in the highest regards and doesn’t share–except of course with her BFF Anna and even then she leaves out a few details from time to time.
Anabel normally lives a regular life but this weekend it seems that everything went to hell in a hand basket! Her friends seem to have other plans for Anabel and she gets sucked into things and then it all snowballs and gets hugely out of control and she finds herself in predicaments that a normal women would cower in the corner while drinking herself into oblivion. Not Anabel! She takes everything thrown her way head on and doesn’t really think about the repercussions or consequences to her actions.
Favorite quotes and/or excerpts from the book:
“My female parts didn’t give a rip if the man could add two plus two, spell the word dog, or even get a basic knock-knock joke.”
“Shooting the nail precisely into your brother’s thigh? That had to take a cold, calculated aim. I believe there was the added bonus of an infection. Is that correct?” I airily waved him off. “Yes, that’s correct, but enough with the compliments. You’ll make me blush.”
“Look, Luke, if I break my rule about being picked up can you promise not to dismember me on the first date or worse yet, bore me?”
“I’m rubbing oil on my buttocks. Gots some ground to cover, but I’ll be done in a minute.”
“I whispered, “Don’t let me drive home.” He whispered back, “We walked.”
(by Tracy Ellen)
If I had on compliant it would be that the story was a bit slow in a couple of spots. The character is a hoot but some of the background information given to explain the other characters in Anabel’s life made the story a bit slow. This would not deter me from recommending this book. I enjoyed the read and thought that Anabel and Luke’s relationship was a good mix of hot, adventurous, and sweet. Luke really cares for Anabel and despite all her rules about men and relationships she seems to really care about him and maybe is even willing to break a few of her rules. I love their banter and I love that he goes and does what he feels is best for her even if she wants to be all independent.
There are several twists and turns and WTF moments in this book. The biggest moment for me occurred at the ending where I just couldn’t believe it ended the way it did and I had to confirm this by going back and re-reading the chapter because I just couldn’t believe there wasn’t another page to end my suspense. I will definitely be reading the next installment of The Adventures of Anabel Axelrod–Courted by Karma (Volume II). I believe it has a spring release date but don’t quote me on it. Go get it and have a good laugh and give Luke a little lovin’!
