Review copy was received from Author. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Bananapants by Penny Reid Published by Self-Published on August 6, 2024
Genres: Romantic Comedy
Pages: 372
Format: eARC
Source: Author
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Estranged childhood friends unexpectedly reunite under bizarre circumstances and bicker their way to love in this bonkers romantic comedy.
Ava Archer misses her best childhood friend most especially during the month of April. Ask any tax attorney, it's a lonely, grueling time of year. Luckily, Ava has just received a surprising and delectably absurd offer from her posh doppelgänger at work. She must pretend to be the aforementioned posh co-worker for one night at an extremely fancy party; a party so fancy, there exists absolutely no chance anyone will recognize her or suspect her ruse...
Desmond (Des) Sullivan is a thief. And not the heart-of-gold kind. He’s the steal-from-the-rich-and-give-to-the-also-rich-so-he-can-get-paid kind. He does, however, have one firm rule never steal what the target can’t afford to lose. After a brutal falling out with his father, Desmond hasn’t returned to Chicago in over ten years. But when a good friend is swindled and something priceless is stolen, Desmond must return home, both as himself and his thieving alter ego. Infiltrate a dangerous secret society of the world's most elite billionaires while leveraging his estranged father’s resources and not blowing his cover? Sure. No problem. Or it wouldn’t be a problem if Ava Archer hadn’t just walked into the room, wearing a ridiculous wig, speaking with a preposterous accent, and pretending (badly) to be someone she’s not.
For those of you who are fans of the author’s Knitting in the City series, Bananapants is the second generation., taking place about 30 years later. It’s not surprising that some of the original couples’ children would be friends, or more, considering how close the couples in the original series are. Many of them live in the same building or work together, and there is still the knitting night.
Ava Archer is the daughter of Greg and Fiona. Fiona was in the CIA, so her children know self defense, among other things. Desmond Sullivan is the son of Quinn and Janie, so it’s not surprising he knows security, and lots of random facts. Although Ava is pushing the envelope on random facts herself.
Ava is a tax attorney. Des is in security and sort of a thief. He and Quinn are estranged. Des disappeared from Ava’s life 10 years ago and now he’s back in town.
So I really enjoyed the catchup on various bits of information from the world and learning about the next generation. Ava and Desmond always loved each other, but neither was ready for any kind of relationship in high school. I found the non-action parts in the three quarters of the book very slow. There was so much of them talking and not about much of anything. I found them more ridiculous than humorous, a mask for real feelings perhaps. The action kept things moving a little, related to Desmond’s current mission.
In the last portion of the book, the conversations became more real and productive to them connecting. I appreciated the emotional honesty and realness. Des also faced a mental health episode which was well-written. I really enjoyed the later chapters and the ending.
About Penny Reid
SEX! It all started with sex, between my parents. Personally I don’t like thinking about it, but whatever works for you is a-ok with me. No judgment. The sex happened in California and much of my life also occurred in that state until I moved from the land of nuts (almonds), wine, silicon… boobs, and heavy traffic to the southeast US.
Penny Reid is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Best Selling Author of the Winston Brothers, Knitting in the City, Rugby, and Hypothesis series. She used to spend her days writing federal grant proposals as a biomedical researcher, but now she just writes books. She’s also a full time mom to three diminutive adults, wife, daughter, knitter, crocheter, sewer, general crafter, and thought ninja.
By the wee hours of the morning or when I’m intoxicated I love to listen to the voices in my head and let them tell me stories. I hope you enjoy their stories.
I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 24-COYER
Love spinoffs like this! The pressure is on to read the original series. Wonderful review, Anne💜
I LOVE the original series here. Penny Reid has such a real feel on the characters.
I’ve never read Penny Reid but this sounds like fun. I love the title too😁
Her books are excellent although not in your usual genre. They have a realistic quality of characters with events and situations which aren’t in a lot of fluffy books, but they have fun too.
I haven’t read any of her Knitting in the City series, but I am a fan of Penny Reid. This book sounds like fun. 😀
Oh you definitely should read Knitting in the City and the Winstons – so so good!
I enjoy when authors have a second generation series so I can keep up with favorite characters and get a new set of characters.
yes it can really work well with a world and some background characters you know and love.
The title made me snort! LOL Sounds like a lot of fun.
There is definitely some fun.
I have this author on my TBR. Her books always look so fun! This looks like a good read and one I think I’d really enjoy.
Her books are great and the characters are very real emotionally. I’d start with the first generation Knitting in the City or the Winston Brothers.
I like that this is a spinoff about the next generation and I like that there’s knitting, even if some of the book was a little slow.
Thanks Naida. I would definitely start with Knitting in the City series (first generation) . First it has more knitting and it lays all the world building that partially makes this book more fun.
I enjoy this author and need to read/listen to more. Great review Anne.
Thank you Kimberly. This author knows how to build realistic characters with emotional authenticity.
I have long wanted to read this author … someday. I do love the title of this one!
oh you should read something of hers! I’d suggest Knitting in the City or the Winston Bros as places to start.
Penny Reid is fun
Somehow her quirky characters are very realistic.
I always love this author, and this one did not disappoint me either! Great review!
There’s just something about the way Penny Reid develops characters that is so much more than other authors.