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Sizzle (Great Escapes)
Too hot to handle!
Emily Tate wants Richard Parker, the sexy number cruncher who's been hired to keep her in line and under budget. Richard Parker wants Emily Tate, the sexy advertising executive who's running the ad campaign for a sensual new perfume called Sizzle. And sizzle is exactly what happens when Emily and Richard get together.
Emily Tate wants Richard Parker, the sexy number cruncher who's been hired to keep her in line and under budget. Richard Parker wants Emily Tate, the sexy advertising executive who's running the ad campaign for a sensual new perfume called Sizzle. And sizzle is exactly what happens when Emily and Richard get together.
92 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published February 1, 1994
About the author
Jennifer Crusie
79 books7,604 followersJennifer Crusie is the New York Times, USA Today, and Publisher's Weekly bestselling author of twenty-three novels, one book of literary criticism, miscellaneous articles, essays, novellas, and short stories, and the editor of three essay anthologies.
She was born in Wapakoneta, a small town in Ohio, and then went on to live in a succession of other small towns in Ohio and New Jersey until her last move to a small town in Pennsylvania. This may have had an impact on her work.
She has a BS in Art Education, an MA in literature, an MFA in fiction, and was ABD on her PhD when she started reading romances as part of her research into the differences between the ways men and women tell stories. Writing a romance sounded like more fun than writing a dissertation, so she switched to fiction and never looked back. Her collaborations with Bob Mayer have pretty much proved everything she was going to say in her dissertation anyway, so really, no need to finish that.
For more information, see JenniferCrusie.com and her blog, Argh Ink.
She was born in Wapakoneta, a small town in Ohio, and then went on to live in a succession of other small towns in Ohio and New Jersey until her last move to a small town in Pennsylvania. This may have had an impact on her work.
She has a BS in Art Education, an MA in literature, an MFA in fiction, and was ABD on her PhD when she started reading romances as part of her research into the differences between the ways men and women tell stories. Writing a romance sounded like more fun than writing a dissertation, so she switched to fiction and never looked back. Her collaborations with Bob Mayer have pretty much proved everything she was going to say in her dissertation anyway, so really, no need to finish that.
For more information, see JenniferCrusie.com and her blog, Argh Ink.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
May 9, 2024
Sadly, I didn’t like Sizzle at all.
The story. Emily is a marketing professional, promoting products with high success, but also high costs. Richard is a financial adviser, hired to rationalize the costs of her upcoming project.
Of course, Emily is pissed off by her hands being tied in her campaign, even more by the fact that Richard is an arrogant jerk, who never listens to her.
They soon fall in love with each other, but Richard still doesn’t listen, so Emily teaches him a lesson.
Characters. Both Emily and Richard are irritating characters.
Richard is arrogant, autocratic, controlling, and “doesn’t listen”. Of course, he is incredibly handsome and has an amazing body.
Emily is hostile, haughty, self-centered, and doesn’t listen either. Her behavior is not consequent. She tells him she doesn’t want to date him, but after a minute she openly flirts with him.
She is totally pissed off that Richard never listens (I should have counted this phrase), but Richard says he is sorry and Emily is fine with it.
Really? Is that enough?
Then Richard doesn’t listen again (See? Boring!), and Emily is pissed off again.
It is weird that she doesn’t like his personality, but loves him. Of course you also get some information on the positive features of Richard’s character, but not enough to give a good account of falling in love with him.
Erotica. I don’t remember if I ever read such boring erotic scenes. They are written in a factual, clinical style: he did this, she did that, and so on. I didn’t feel the “sizzle”.
I didn’t understand what the basis of their love was, but as these two have equally irritating personalities, I guess they fit each other. If Emily and Richard are real, I believe their relationship won’t last over two months.
The story. Emily is a marketing professional, promoting products with high success, but also high costs. Richard is a financial adviser, hired to rationalize the costs of her upcoming project.
Of course, Emily is pissed off by her hands being tied in her campaign, even more by the fact that Richard is an arrogant jerk, who never listens to her.
They soon fall in love with each other, but Richard still doesn’t listen, so Emily teaches him a lesson.
Characters. Both Emily and Richard are irritating characters.
Richard is arrogant, autocratic, controlling, and “doesn’t listen”. Of course, he is incredibly handsome and has an amazing body.
Emily is hostile, haughty, self-centered, and doesn’t listen either. Her behavior is not consequent. She tells him she doesn’t want to date him, but after a minute she openly flirts with him.
She is totally pissed off that Richard never listens (I should have counted this phrase), but Richard says he is sorry and Emily is fine with it.
Then he touched her and said “I’m sorry” again, and she gave up and said, “That’s good enough for me.”
Really? Is that enough?
Then Richard doesn’t listen again (See? Boring!), and Emily is pissed off again.
It is weird that she doesn’t like his personality, but loves him. Of course you also get some information on the positive features of Richard’s character, but not enough to give a good account of falling in love with him.
Erotica. I don’t remember if I ever read such boring erotic scenes. They are written in a factual, clinical style: he did this, she did that, and so on. I didn’t feel the “sizzle”.
I didn’t understand what the basis of their love was, but as these two have equally irritating personalities, I guess they fit each other. If Emily and Richard are real, I believe their relationship won’t last over two months.
March 6, 2024
This book will be perfect for you if you love historical fiction..." But it's a modern book!" you will say. But it really isn't, this book was written in the mid-nineties and in my mind that makes this book (almost 30 years old) historical.
It is based on what we now call 'sexual harassment' in the workplace. It is NOT PC. Sexual innuendos are thrown about like confetti; sex is had during office hours, the boss could be seen as stalking, men are making sexual come-ons willy-nilly, and the females are manipulative witches (they had to be to get what they need in the workplace).
But with all that aside, if you were born in the '50s, '60, or '70, you may see the historical accuracies and even the amusement behind this short novella.
If you were born later, you might find this an interesting read about what women went through to get where they are now.
And if you have a really open mind you will find this one hot read!!!
It is based on what we now call 'sexual harassment' in the workplace. It is NOT PC. Sexual innuendos are thrown about like confetti; sex is had during office hours, the boss could be seen as stalking, men are making sexual come-ons willy-nilly, and the females are manipulative witches (they had to be to get what they need in the workplace).
But with all that aside, if you were born in the '50s, '60, or '70, you may see the historical accuracies and even the amusement behind this short novella.
If you were born later, you might find this an interesting read about what women went through to get where they are now.
And if you have a really open mind you will find this one hot read!!!
April 24, 2023
Emily Tate, a marketing manager who has a heck of time keeping her projects in line with the company's budget, is assigned a partner to keep her spending in line. Even though she makes millions for her company -- it's not enough for them. So they hire Richard Parker, an anal as can be budget advisor to keep her spending on track. She despises him sight unseen. But he's an irritatingly handsome guy who manages to charm his way into her heart. So what's an independent and intelligent woman to do when she learns that the one man who she wants to spend the rest of her life with has an annoying habit of ignoring everything she says? She turns the tables on the oaf and what follows is a sexy, smart and witty little book. And it most definitely lives up to its title!
June 14, 2016
I miss Jennifer Cruise. I want a new book really bad, but this oldie is really funny and so hot is really does Sizzle.
Emily Tate is a marketing director for a perfume company. her last campaign went over budget, even though it made millions for the company. Richard Parker is a budget czar who has be hired to oversee all projects. Emily is not happy. This numbers geek just doesn't listen! But, boy or boy, is he hot.
Emily Tate is a marketing director for a perfume company. her last campaign went over budget, even though it made millions for the company. Richard Parker is a budget czar who has be hired to oversee all projects. Emily is not happy. This numbers geek just doesn't listen! But, boy or boy, is he hot.
September 7, 2021
An ad executive who makes profits on her products, even if she overspends
A money man with a rep for keeping the budget balanced.
When these two work together for an ad campaign on the newest perfume, Sizzle, sparks fly
A money man with a rep for keeping the budget balanced.
When these two work together for an ad campaign on the newest perfume, Sizzle, sparks fly
July 19, 2020
3.5 stars for this novella-length office romance. Richard is the hard-ass budget exec supposed to rein in marketing whiz Emily and her usual overspending.
Both characters are likable, intelligent and sexy. The conflict in the plot is Richard’s unwillingness to listen and how Emily finally gets him to realize his behavior.
Both characters are likable, intelligent and sexy. The conflict in the plot is Richard’s unwillingness to listen and how Emily finally gets him to realize his behavior.
July 28, 2020
If you like an author so much that you have the cover of one of her books as your profile image, you take the good with the bad. Sizzle is not a great book, an opinion that Jennifer Crusie shares at jennycrusie.com:
But look at what she's done in the past 26 years and it's obvious, Sizzle was just a blip. Despite the low rating, there were still flashes of brilliance that kept me amused.
I have but one request: Please, Ms Crusie, please write that story where Emily, the businesswoman, ends up with her secretary, Jane!
A long time ago, I decided I wanted to write romance novels and tried a businesswoman-in-the-city story called Sizzle. I didn’t like it, so I stopped after twenty-thousand words; that’s what happens when you try to write to what you think are the rules of the genre. I started my second novel (which became Manhunting) and tried to sell it, and in the middle of a thousand rejections, I found a novella contest that Harlequin was running. The deadline was only a week away, so I slapped an ending on Sizzle and sent it off, on the theory that they’d reject the novella and ask to see my novel. Never do that. They published Sizzle and rejected Manhunting (and changed their minds after many, many rewrites). That means that my first book (second published) is not exactly what I had in mind as a Jennifer Crusie. This is not a great book. (If it’s in a collection with other novellas, don’t judge them by Sizzle.) There are parts of it I still like, but frankly if I were writing this today, the businesswoman would end up with her secretary; they have a great relationship. You have been warned.
But look at what she's done in the past 26 years and it's obvious, Sizzle was just a blip. Despite the low rating, there were still flashes of brilliance that kept me amused.
I have but one request: Please, Ms Crusie, please write that story where Emily, the businesswoman, ends up with her secretary, Jane!
January 13, 2013
This was a short story, which I am not crazy about in the first place. But this one was really pretty silly. Emily is promoting a new perfume called Sizzle and is butting heads with Richard, the new company money manager. He may look like a sex god but he is all business. At least he is SUPPOSED to be. So reality is really suspended when he falls for Emily and pursues her so randily at work. I mean really,boinking under Emily's desk and in the boardroom closet while workmen are right outside the door and can open it at any minute.
Richard's main problem is actually a typical one of most men I know(lol!). HE DOES NOT LISTEN. So, Emily sets out to teach him a lesson, while making him 'sizzle'. And naturally he comes around and is her good little listener and they end up having a HEA.
Richard's main problem is actually a typical one of most men I know(lol!). HE DOES NOT LISTEN. So, Emily sets out to teach him a lesson, while making him 'sizzle'. And naturally he comes around and is her good little listener and they end up having a HEA.
November 17, 2012
2.75 stars. Didn't round up because I didn't get enough of Crusie's trademark humor in this short story. (That said, I loved Jane! She was a corker!) The extra .25 star is for Jane.
Just finished it, and while I'm glad that I read it, I wouldn't need to read it again. I am exhausted from all the effort that Emily (savvy career woman) had to invest in maintaining a functional (as opposed to dysfunctional) relationship with Richard (insensitive, bean-counting beta that he is). Felt as though she took on a part-time job. I've come away with the impression that I've been watching an unedited dog-training video. Hate to say it, but I don't really have high hopes for the couple's future .... together.
Just finished it, and while I'm glad that I read it, I wouldn't need to read it again. I am exhausted from all the effort that Emily (savvy career woman) had to invest in maintaining a functional (as opposed to dysfunctional) relationship with Richard (insensitive, bean-counting beta that he is). Felt as though she took on a part-time job. I've come away with the impression that I've been watching an unedited dog-training video. Hate to say it, but I don't really have high hopes for the couple's future .... together.
December 8, 2012
It was okay, but I found myself rather annoyed with a lot of the story. The hero was annoying, with serious problems with paying attention to others, and the heroine was determined to "fix" him. The hero may have been endearing and hot and whatever, but "fixing" him of annoying traits, especially through sex, is not the answer. And I can't say I really felt the connection between the characters, except that they said it existed.
And it was all from the heroine's perspective. I believe I have made known (somewhere, anyway, where most likely no one has seen) my dislike for romances all from the heroine's perspective, except for very rare cases. And this was not one of those exceptions. I really would have liked to have known what the hero was thinking about a number of things.
And it was all from the heroine's perspective. I believe I have made known (somewhere, anyway, where most likely no one has seen) my dislike for romances all from the heroine's perspective, except for very rare cases. And this was not one of those exceptions. I really would have liked to have known what the hero was thinking about a number of things.
March 25, 2019
I went into reading this one knowing it was an early Crusie story, and all I can say it, boy has she gotten better with time. The story was unimaginative and the characters were not very well developed...my favorite character was Jane, the secretary!! It did have a smokin’ love scene, but I would like some substance along with the smoke. Crusie’s later books are head and shoulders above this one.
October 16, 2011
Jennifer Cruise's first novel. Well, novella. It's short but satisfying. The main characters are openly drawn to each other, but his proclivity to not hear what she's saying, which makes her crazy, forces her to take action because she knows she won't be happy with a man who won't even let her order what she likes in a restaurant.
December 26, 2012
Jennifer Crusie's first novel from way back when. I was lucky to get my hands on a copy. It lacked Crusie's snarky humor, but it was fun to see how her writing has evolved over the years. No one writes banter like Crusie!
September 19, 2010
Ok, i liked it the book overall, BUT i have to say/write this: ladies sex does not change a man!!!
and that made me rate this book a 2 instead a 3 or 4..
and that made me rate this book a 2 instead a 3 or 4..
May 9, 2012
It's hard to say this about a Crusie book...but, meh.
September 1, 2023
Sizzle by Jennifer Crusie is a steamy office romance that you can read in a short time.
Will Emily fall for Richard?
Emily Tate
She is a single, work focused, successful woman running the ads for a perfume company. Emily's last ad campaign has turned major profits, but...isn't there always one? She was way over budget on that campaign. The execs want her to make this newest scent just as fabulous and stay under budget. Emily knows what she needs to do, but now she has to deal with Richard, the firm's new accountant.
These two immediately have chemistry, and sparks fly even in a conference room filled with their colleagues. However, Emily isn't ready to concede defeat for her campaign or her heart. She knows what she needs to get the perfume out there, and she knows what she wants in a man. Can Richard deal with them both?
I like Emily. She is brilliant with respect to her career. However, her personal life is nonexistent. Her best friend is Janet, her secretary and the one who plays matchmaker. Emily wouldn't be where she is without Janet.
Richard Parker
He is an accountant hired to bring in control over all the campaign budgets. Richard will be the last word on everything, so basically, he controls all budgets, but he is especially interested in Emily. Richard calls meetings and demands Emily attend them, but then he doesn't listen to what she has to say. He keeps saying "no," even when he doesn't understand.
I didn't care for him at first, but after he ate some crow, he became tolerable. Still, I think he uses his looks to get away with being a tyrant.
Four Stars
This story has lots of heat. It was written in the 1990s, and I enjoyed the blast from the past. It was like a cross between Working Girl and Nine and a Half Weeks. My rating for Sizzle by Jennifer Crusie is four stars.
My biggest criticism is the cover. The bottle of Sizzle is black with a ruby stopper. The cover could have at least shown that since the book was named after perfume.
Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of Sizzle by Jennifer Crusie.
Until the next time,
This review was originally posted on Baroness' Book Trove
Will Emily fall for Richard?
Emily Tate
She is a single, work focused, successful woman running the ads for a perfume company. Emily's last ad campaign has turned major profits, but...isn't there always one? She was way over budget on that campaign. The execs want her to make this newest scent just as fabulous and stay under budget. Emily knows what she needs to do, but now she has to deal with Richard, the firm's new accountant.
These two immediately have chemistry, and sparks fly even in a conference room filled with their colleagues. However, Emily isn't ready to concede defeat for her campaign or her heart. She knows what she needs to get the perfume out there, and she knows what she wants in a man. Can Richard deal with them both?
I like Emily. She is brilliant with respect to her career. However, her personal life is nonexistent. Her best friend is Janet, her secretary and the one who plays matchmaker. Emily wouldn't be where she is without Janet.
Richard Parker
He is an accountant hired to bring in control over all the campaign budgets. Richard will be the last word on everything, so basically, he controls all budgets, but he is especially interested in Emily. Richard calls meetings and demands Emily attend them, but then he doesn't listen to what she has to say. He keeps saying "no," even when he doesn't understand.
I didn't care for him at first, but after he ate some crow, he became tolerable. Still, I think he uses his looks to get away with being a tyrant.
Four Stars
This story has lots of heat. It was written in the 1990s, and I enjoyed the blast from the past. It was like a cross between Working Girl and Nine and a Half Weeks. My rating for Sizzle by Jennifer Crusie is four stars.
My biggest criticism is the cover. The bottle of Sizzle is black with a ruby stopper. The cover could have at least shown that since the book was named after perfume.
Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of Sizzle by Jennifer Crusie.
Until the next time,
This review was originally posted on Baroness' Book Trove
November 29, 2020
So, I read this before but can't find it in my list. Weird, but oh well.
However, this is bad. Just . . . bad. I like Crusie but this is not one of her good ones (from other reviews, a few people mentioned it was her first published story, so maybe she just needed to get her feet under her as an author?).
First of all, the writing isn't great. It just feels off at times. The dialogue in particular often feels fake.
Then, Emily and Richard fall in love way too fast. Seriously, it comes out of left field. After like 2 (?) dates, neither of which went well.
But the worst part is that he's just an ass and she complains about his treatment of her, but keeps going back because he's hot. That's it. He's good looking so she wants him. I didn't feel the attraction at all (let alone love!) because Crusie spends no time showing us how he could possibly appeal to our heroine in any way other than that he's got a good looking face. He's basically a controlling asshole with a hot bod. That's it.
The not listening thing was supposed to be funny I guess, but he also doesn't listen when he starts touching her and she says "stop" and "no". In one disturbing scene, he doesn't listen when they're making out and he decides to fuck her and she tells him not to but he just goes on and does it anyway. I mean, come on. That's not hot. These scenes are assault and rape. But it's somehow ok because he's hot?
And the ending was ridiculous. At one point Jane (who was a fun character) tells Emily that Richard is hot and the not listening is his only flaw, so she should just "change him". I really thought one of them would laugh and make a comment about how you can't change people, but nope, that's what Emily does. She gives him a lesson in how it feels to not be listened to and then bam, he's a new man. Right.
Really nothing to recommend here. There are a lot of Crusie stories that blow this one away, so don't waste your time on this one.
However, this is bad. Just . . . bad. I like Crusie but this is not one of her good ones (from other reviews, a few people mentioned it was her first published story, so maybe she just needed to get her feet under her as an author?).
First of all, the writing isn't great. It just feels off at times. The dialogue in particular often feels fake.
Then, Emily and Richard fall in love way too fast. Seriously, it comes out of left field. After like 2 (?) dates, neither of which went well.
But the worst part is that he's just an ass and she complains about his treatment of her, but keeps going back because he's hot. That's it. He's good looking so she wants him. I didn't feel the attraction at all (let alone love!) because Crusie spends no time showing us how he could possibly appeal to our heroine in any way other than that he's got a good looking face. He's basically a controlling asshole with a hot bod. That's it.
The not listening thing was supposed to be funny I guess, but he also doesn't listen when he starts touching her and she says "stop" and "no". In one disturbing scene, he doesn't listen when they're making out and he decides to fuck her and she tells him not to but he just goes on and does it anyway. I mean, come on. That's not hot. These scenes are assault and rape. But it's somehow ok because he's hot?
And the ending was ridiculous. At one point Jane (who was a fun character) tells Emily that Richard is hot and the not listening is his only flaw, so she should just "change him". I really thought one of them would laugh and make a comment about how you can't change people, but nope, that's what Emily does. She gives him a lesson in how it feels to not be listened to and then bam, he's a new man. Right.
Really nothing to recommend here. There are a lot of Crusie stories that blow this one away, so don't waste your time on this one.
February 2, 2022
Crusie es una de mis escritoras favoritas y como hace años que no publica nada, poco a poco leo las novelitas que publicó al principio de su carrera. Este es un harlequin de los noventa, romance de oficina bastante sexi pero al que se le notan un poquito los años. La ejecutiva Emily Tate tiene ideas, buenas ideas, pero lo de ajustarse al presupuesto no es lo suyo. Por eso le ponen un controlador, Richard Parker. El principal problema de Richard es que no escucha, y tengo mis dudas de que al final del libro haya aprendido a hacerlo. En cualquier caso, esta comedia romántica brilla con el habitual humor de Crusie, un poquito huraño.
Reseña algo más extensa, en mi blog.
Reseña algo más extensa, en mi blog.
July 23, 2024
so…
I love Jennifer crusie books and am from Columbus so delight in the references. But this one is a reprint and it does not hold up great in 2024. Richard’s behavior and attitudes are not ok. Don’t love the manipulative sparks and sexy scenes between these two. In real life a man this bossy and domineering is not gonna learn or do better. Sorry Jen: the set up just didn’t work for me. I think I have read this before but maybe not.
I love Jennifer crusie books and am from Columbus so delight in the references. But this one is a reprint and it does not hold up great in 2024. Richard’s behavior and attitudes are not ok. Don’t love the manipulative sparks and sexy scenes between these two. In real life a man this bossy and domineering is not gonna learn or do better. Sorry Jen: the set up just didn’t work for me. I think I have read this before but maybe not.
February 5, 2022
I really struggled to like the main characters, but their motivations are hard to follow and the basis of their chemistry is questionable. There are also some interactions that border on sexual assault (and are treated as jerk moves, but essentially forgivable “didn’t really mean it” jerk moves). I think this one is skippable unless you are really committed to reading Crusie’s complete works.
January 15, 2024
A 30-year-old novella from Jennifer Cruisie. I always enjoy her books, but in this instance Richard just didn't work for me. I understand that the fact that he didn't listen was a factor of his era, but he was given so many chances to redeem himself and he didn't take them. A whole lot more than 3 strikes...
July 8, 2017
The story just rubbed me the wrong way. I felt the romance move too fast and skipped over lust and went straight to love. I also didn't enjoy how childishly the heroine solved their communication problems.
September 12, 2018
A quick read
Thought not nearly as fleshed out as some of her other works (Welcome to Temptation,) (Fast Women,) to name a couple, this was an entertaining little story. Not too deep, but with enough characterization to redeem its brevity.
Thought not nearly as fleshed out as some of her other works (Welcome to Temptation,) (Fast Women,) to name a couple, this was an entertaining little story. Not too deep, but with enough characterization to redeem its brevity.
May 22, 2020
Cute
I have been desperate to purchase new books by Jennifer Crusie, but sadly none are available. I decided to buy a coupleof short stories I hadn't yet read. Enjoyed this one,but it didn't have the same laugh out loud quality of her other stories. Still enjoyable though.
I have been desperate to purchase new books by Jennifer Crusie, but sadly none are available. I decided to buy a coupleof short stories I hadn't yet read. Enjoyed this one,but it didn't have the same laugh out loud quality of her other stories. Still enjoyable though.
October 16, 2023
I enjoyed the Liz Danger books so thought I'd try another by Jennifer Cruise. While Liz Danger is fun and funny and interesting...this one is the typical (spoiler) girl sleeps with guy and then says "I love you".
Wow how did that happen! Blech.
Wow how did that happen! Blech.
August 26, 2024
Surely, I do not know how Ms. Crusie does it. So creative and pretty funny and crazy like a fox. I was a bit surprised with the sensual episodes so be aware if that is offensive to you. Otherwise, read and enjoy a clever writer.
Shelved as 't-but-s'
November 16, 2019At 31% I had to call it quits. The scenario increasingly bothered me and the male protagonist not listening at all really got up my nose. Nope nope nope
July 4, 2020
Definitely not Cruisie's best...read like it was quickly written, and one story that either should have been filled out, or filed.
February 7, 2021
Die letzte Geschichte hat mir am besten gefallen, jedoch waren die anderen auch gut
Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews