Review: Nice Girls Don't Have Fangs

Nice Girls Don't Have Fangs (Jane Jameson, 1) by Molly Harper

Paranormal Romance

Pocket Star (March 31, 2009)

384 pages

From Amazon.com:

Jane Jameson’s mama said there’d be days like this. Fired as the children’s librarian in Half Moon Hollow, Kentucky; broken-down car late at night. But mama didn’t think about the possibility of Jane getting shot by a deer hunter and left for dead. Or being made the undead by Gabriel Nightengale so she’d have a second chance at, well, life. Adjusting to life without chocolate and sunbathing—never mind a job—has its challenges, but sexy Gabriel is one major perk. If only she can figure out how to tell her parents about her new liquid diet. And who is trying to frame her for murder?

This one definitely took me by surprise. Lately, when it comes to the more lighthearted of paranormal romances, I've found myself disenchanted. Too many female protagonists are poorly written copies of MaryJanice Davidson's Queen Betsy. The ditz shtick should be left to the Undead novels. What makes this debut foray into paranormal romance so refreshing is that the heroine, Jane, is simultaneously intelligent and hilarious. I like the idea of a leading character being a librarian - it reminds me of another Jane from author Mindy Klasky, who's trilogy I also enjoyed.

Harper definitely did a good job balancing the cute with the realistic. Jane's dysfunctional family, ghost of an aunt and best friend Zeb provide plenty of comic foil. Her far-from-perfect relationships with these characters lend themselves well to carrying a series.

Perhaps the best part of all is the fact that while there is a sexy vamp love interest, or two ;), she doesn't fall head over heels in love by the end of the novel.

Even if the plot wasn't as solid as it is, or the characters as enjoyable, I would definitely plan on picking up the second book, Nice Girls Don't Date Dead Men, just for the laughs alone

Grade: B+