Maybe This Time: A Novel Mass Market Paperback – November 1, 2011

I was captivated on what would happen next. I couldn’t put it the book down. I really enjoy all of jennifer’s novels. I like how she tired in Simon with North and getting him out of trouble. A little piece from one of her other great novels.

After what seems like far too long since her last solo novel, Jennifer Crusie strikes again with "Maybe This Time", another engaging book complete with her usual wit, humor, and oddity. Of note, it is set in 1992, and the only reason I can figure is, the absence of prevalent cell phone use, which, admittedly, works well in the context of this story.Andie Miller wants to move forward with her life, wanting to marry her fiancé, a good-guy writer named Will. But to do that, Andie decides it is time she face her past - and ex-husband - North Archer for the first time in a decade. Using the ten-years' worth of alimony checks that she has held on to and never cashed, Andie sees North, ostensibly to give him the checks and tell him to let the past be.But the surprise is on her when North, secretly affected at seeing his ex-wife again, and newly appointed as a guardian to two children, who are relatives, begs her to try and fix his wards, as they have driven other nannies away and have been dealt with a lot of loss. Andie surprises herself by agreeing, telling herself it is only for a month, and then she can move on with Will.What follows is a tale of ghosts who have a proprietary stake in the house where the children dwell, as well as one of the children, Alice, herself. Along with another ghost, vivacious young May, who also claims a connection to the kids (read to find out!), and her desire to have late-night chats with Andie about Andie's long-suppressed feelings for North.While this book lacks the requisite cat or dog that Jennifer Crusie seems to adore, everything else - the chemistry, odd but endearing characters, and an interesting plot - is here. Add in a new angle that Crusie uses - the paranormal, which is both somehow endearing *and* chilling - and this is a unique novel. Complete with a smart-aleck psychic named Isolde with ghostly spirit guides, an intellectual who writes about ghosts but does not believe in them (wait 'til you read how he ends up!), a nosy/slutty/opportunistic reporter named Kelly O'Keefe, the creepy Mrs. Crumb, and North's brother, Sullivan, a.k.a. Southey. The book, as is the usual, does not scrimp on quirky characters.Some say the romance ends up taking a back seat to the ghosts and kids, and maybe it does. But sometimes, as the saying goes, actions do speak louder than words. North's actions in the face of his own skepticism about the goings-on around him prove later that he is a man worthy of second chances, which Andie also yearns for. North seems to be broadly drawn versus past heroes like Cal Morrissey, but in a way, I think that allows the reader to fill in the gaps by reading about his actions and going from there. But he does possess Crusie's brand of dry humor and good looks and a streak of loyalty. Always a great place to go from!Also somewhat new is the heroine as a sort of quasi-protective mother figure. Many of Crusie's past works have heroines who do not feel the need to have kids (and good for her!). Andie, while starting in the same mold, finds herself becoming quite devoted to the kids, finding she is maternal, after all, and willing to go against anyone - living or dead - to protect them. One scene I thought was heartbreakingly sweet was after a traumatic scare, Andie rocks Alice and sings "Baby Mine" to calm her down.)I truly hope we do not have to wait another six years (her first since the also-wonderful "Bet Me" in 2004) for a solo novel.So if you like a dose of paranormal with your romance, pick this up. I guarantee you won't want to put it down!

Andie Miller hasn't seen her ex-husband North Archer in 10 years. Their marriage was passionate, but Andie resented North's workaholic tendencies and the two divorced after only a year. Andie arranges a meeting with North, ostensibly to return his uncashed alimony checks and inform him of her intention to remarry, but what she's really looking for is closure - to confirm to herself that her feelings for North are really, truly a thing of the past.North manages to convince Andie to help him out with two young orphans that have been left in his care. They have been living in another part of the state with a housekeeper and a succession of nannies.It doesn't take long for Andie to figure out why the nannies have all beat a hasty retreat. It's hard to decide which is creepier: the house, the kids or ... the ghosts. Will Andie stand a chance against the undead? More to the point, will her future husband stand a chance against her not-so-ex husband?I did enjoy this story, but it's not at all what I expected. Let's start with the "good stuff". I liked the fact that the story was set in 1992. Since that's about when I first started reading Jennifer Crusie it had a certain nostalgia. Andie is a trademark Crusie heroine: attractive in a down-to-earth kind of way with a caustic wit and offbeat sense of humor. The supporting characters are quirky and well drawn and the story never dragged. It may not have been the story I was looking for, but I was certainly never bored. The "ghostly" bits are sufficiently scary without sacrificing the overall comedic tone of the book. That last part is tricky but the author does pull it off.And yet I was disappointed. When I heard there was a new Crusie solo release I hit that pre-order button, no questions asked. Why? Because if you want a good contemporary romance you just can't beat Jennifer Crusie. Problem is, this really isn't a romance, or at least not much of one. The main relationship takes place between Andie and the little girl, Alice. Yes, there are scenes dedicated to Andie and North, but they felt like window dressing. The focus of this story is Andie's heart being won over by little Alice (although frankly it just seems to "happen" - one minute they're just two strange, distant children; the next Andie can't live without them).Bottom Line: It's a fun story but if you're expecting a vintage Crusie romance ala "Bet Me" or "Welcome to Temptation", you may be disappointed. If you don't like stories with a strong paranormal aspect then give it a pass.Occasional strong language and some very mild sexual content.

Jennifer Crusie delivers again. Thoroughly enjoyed this book and its likeable, less than perfect characters and the humour that is quintessential Crusie.

great love and ghost story,excellent condition ,seller highly recommended.

Love Jennifer Crusie books but this one really threw me..usually I can't put it down for needing to know what happens next but with this one I didn't put it down with the hope it was going to get going. There are some very good parts to this story but for me it dragged in places. Finished the book in a few days but for me more interaction between the 2 love interests would have been nicer

I love Jennifer Crusie but must admit to being a bit let down by this book as it took a long time to get moving and the story was fairly slow once she got to the house, did not find the children likable and wanted more interaction between the hero and heroine. Still has the great style of the author but lacking the humor that has been so apparent in past books like 'Agnes and the hit man', 'Don't look down' and 'Welcome to temptation'.

It's been a few years since I read a Jennifer Crusie ,but in this story she has lost none of the old'touch'!.This is a very enjoyable(,if predictable ending) story and I found the characters to be mostly quite believable!a good book for a sleepless night.