Nice Girls Don't Bite Their Neighbors

Half-Moon Hollow, Book 4

By: Molly Harper

Narrated by: Amanda Ronconi

Length: 8 hrs and 23 mins

Publisher's Summary

WITH THIS RING, I THEE DEAD.

Just as Jane Jameson’s unlife seems to be stabilizing, fate sinks its fangs firmly into her butt. Despite her near-phobia of wedding planning, her no-frills nighttime nuptials to her sexy boyfriend, Gabriel, are coming along smoothly. That is, until she turns a fatally wounded teenage acquaintance, and the Council pronounces her responsible for the newborn vamp until he can control his thirst.

Jane’s kitchen barely holds enough Faux Type O to satiate the cute teen’s appetite and maintain Gabriel’s jealous streak at a slow simmer. As if keeping her hyperactive childe from sucking the blood out of the entire neighborhood isn’t enough to deal with, the persnickety ghost of Jane’s newly deceased grandma Ruthie has declared war on the fanged residents of River Oaks. Suddenly, choosing monogrammed cocktail napkins and a cake she can’t even eat seem downright relaxing in comparison.

Tensions inside the house are growing… and outside, a sinister force is aiming a stake straight for the center of Gabriel’s heart. Most brides just have to worry about choosing the right dress, but Jane fears that, at this rate, she’ll never make it down the aisle for the wedding all nice girls dream of.

©2012 Molly Harper (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

Jane 4 (ever)

I'm writing this review with a goofy grin on my face, because what can one say about an author who uses "vampire" and "chrysalis" in a sentence, and it makes perfect sense. Molly Harper is sublime.

This isn't my favorite Jane book, but that just brings it down to a solid 5-star, instead of the 5-star+ (in my head) for the previous three books. This book stands on its own: Ms. Harper does an excellent job weaving in past histories without it being jarring or disruptive: seamless. One will, of course, enjoy it even more if one has read the previous books, but that's because the characters are all so decidedly like-able (Grandma Ruthy, aside) and their inidividual stories in Jane's past are hilarious. I hope the wrap-up in this book doesn't signify the (final) end to Jane's series. If so, I have deep hope for more from the "Driving Mr. Dead" spin-off.

Amanda Ronconi, again, does a terrific job with narration, Her intonation is spot on, and her voices are specific and character-identifiable. She truly brings to life Ms. Harper's clever, funny, pleasant, witty, and entertaining writing. (Gush much?)

Brava encore to the team of Harper/Ronconi.

Molly Harper Does It Again! (Light Spoilers)

Ever since I finished "Nice Girls Don't Live Forever" I've been waiting patiently for this book to come out. I got it the day it was released. And once again Ms. Harper did not disappoint me. I've said it in every review of one of her books and I'll say it again, "I love Molly Harper's books!". She is so clever and witty and her character development from book to book is fantastic. I've come to view these characters as almost family and hate it when I hear that music at the end......

Harper starts each book and chapter with a piece of advice from a fictitious paranormal "guide book". In this book it is "Siring for the Stupid: A Beginner's Guide To Raising Newborn Vampires". It sets the tone for the book as well as each chapter, depending on the advice given in each blurb. From book to book, it still hasn't gotten old; it still "works"'. This story goes along pretty much the same way as the other books in the series, with Jane and her friends trying to solve a mystery or sometimes several mysteries; all the while trying to avoid being killed in some gruesome manner and/or avoid entanglements with Jane's Grandma Ruthie, a fate almost worse than death.

In this latest installment of the "Nice Girls" vamp series, Jane is now the "sire", having turned an old family friend into a vampire after he's accidentally hit by a car. It is now Jane's responsibility to see that Jamie, a gorgeous teenager whom she babysat as a child, learns how to be a decent vampire and doesn't go on a random killing spree through Half Moon Hollow. Added to this, someone is trying to kill her fiance, Gabriel. And if all of that weren't enough, horror of horrors, they're also trying to plan a wedding.

Jane Jameson is such a great character. I love her snarky, sarcastic attitude and the way she seems to attract trouble. I've always enjoyed watching the underdog get ahead and, for a heroine (and a vampire, no less), she surely is an underdog from the word go. And boy is she accident-prone! In spite of her super-fast reflexes and super-human strength, bad things still just seem to happen to her. Once again, as in previous books, there are laugh-out-loud moments, like the "Wives Need To Learn Special tricks" lecture given by her Mama on Jane's wedding night (and Jane's reaction to it). Then there is the description of the gowns Jane makes her gorgeous bridesmaids wear, out of pseudo-revenge. There are also some touching moments like, near the end, when Jane "loses" some very important "people" to whom she is very close......Sorry Molly, I totally saw it coming.

Amanda Ronconi is the perfect narrator for Molly Harper's books. I wrote this in a previous review: "Amanda Ronconi's voice is perfect for Harper's stories and I'm glad she is the narrator for all of them so far. She differentiates between characters well so I was never confused about who was speaking. I greatly enjoy Ms. Ronconi's style of 'performing the books', not just reading them". I would also say that, since Ms. Ronconi is a talented actress, it's no surprise that I have gotten sucked into these books like I have, no pun intended. She's quickly becoming my favorite narrator and I find myself comparing every other female narrator in this genre to her - unfavorably, I might add. In fact, I've purchased other books simply because she narrates them (even though it is a YA series, "Soul Screamers", though very different, is quite good).

All-in-all I highly recommend this book and the entire series to anyone who enjoys the paranormal genre. Even if you don't normally appreciate paranormal lit, I think you should give it a try. It's completely different from another, very popular, series in which vampires "sparkle". It has lots of humor, a little bit of romance, action, and mystery. I certainly hope this is not the last we'll hear of Ms. Jameson (aka Mrs. Nightingale).

Another Great Book By Molly Harper

What made the experience of listening to Nice Girls Don't Bite Their Neighbors the most enjoyable?

I have loved all of Molly's book and this one is just as good! This book sums up Jane's story and yet creates more for her to build on.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I always get a kick out of Jane and was happy that her voice and personality were the same in this book compared to the first one. Sure Jane has grown but she is still the lovely sassy person she started out to be. The other great thing is that all the other main characters were there and had progressed in to their own lived and that each one had there own voice.

What about Amanda Ronconi’s performance did you like?

Amanda Ronconi's performances are always stellar. She has a way of making a character sound sassy, strong and comical which is totally Jane. I think when Molly found Amanda to read her books she found a great combination. You can really tell that Amanda loves reading Jane.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I love the end of the book which ended happy yet very Jane.

Molly Did it Again!!!

There's no reason for me to go into the background of the "Nice Girls Don't..." series, by now we are all here because we love Molly Harper's writing as well as the narrative talent of Amanda Ronconi. What I will say is this - get this book!!!! If you liked any of Molly Harper's work, then you shouldn't even be doubting this purchase; if you've never listened/read any of Molly's work, then by all means, get this book (though starting at book 1 would be helpful too), but be warned - once you start reading Molly's work, you WILL become addicted!.

*Warning* If you listen to your audiobooks via earphones/earbuds, just be aware that this book will make you look crazy because there will be many times where you cannot help but laugh out loud (I got a lot of funny looks while I was grocery shopping).

another fun book from Molly Harper

This book was so much fun to listen to in the 'Nice Girls" series. It continues with the same characters, and the hilarious predicaments that befalls Jane Jameson. Is well worth the listen and the narrator is superb, she has the perfect voice and delivery for Jane, and her associates. Very funny, with a mystery or two, to keep you interested.

Great Overall Everything!

Loved the story. Loved the narration. Loved the romance.

I found myself laughing out loud, more than a few times. I even scared my poor husband more than once (which if you ask me is worth the credit right there).

I highly recommend this book. Good Stuff!

Great As Always

Molly Harper has done it again! This 4th book in the "Nice Girls" series is just as good as the other three. I was entertained and laughed many times (as I always do with MH books).
I have to admit, I panicked near the end because I thought the series was ending because of some things that happened, but then Molly threw us a curve ball and now there is subject matter for several more books. Whew! That's a relief.
Amanda Ronconi was awesome as the narrator, as always.
I had started and stopped several audio books before NGDBTN because I was bored but I listened to this one every chance I could and was disappointed when it was over. I am ready for #5.

SO MUCH FUN!

I love this series. This is fun and quirky and I just can't get enough. I love Molly Harper and Amanda Ronconi both! Keep em coming!!!

Funny and entertaining...

Stories written by Molly Harper and narrated by Amanda Ronconi are winning combinations and they're good every time. This is the forth book in the Nice Girls series and it is just as funny and entertaining as the previous ones. Very good story, very good narration.

Grab some popcorn and get ready to laugh out loud

Molly does it again, and just when you think the story has no where to go enter a whole new plot. Bring back all our old favorites and throw in some humor. Molly Harper's sense of timing is outstanding. I also love her naked warewolf books.

enjoyable

light story, full of actions, the only minuses was too many names starting with J. for someone not native English - annoying and confusing.

Better than great

I love all the Jane & Gabriel books but this is my favourite. It is action packed from start to finish & you see a lovely change in relationships between Jane & her mum & sister. It is real closure. I detest Grandma Ruthie & I love that she finally gets some back! A real gem of a story

Amazing !

I loved the whole series involving Jane and Gabriel. I’ll be sad to not read about them anymore and all the other character. I loved this book, laughed and cried brilliant thank you.

FINALLY

No clue if this is a spoile, as I don't remember the synopsis, but:
So happy this wedding finally happened and everything else worked out as well 💜
The ending made me cry a bit too 😢

fitting end

such a fun series. Jane is a joy, Zeb, Gabriel, Dick, Jolene and Andrea are great friends for a newly dead librarian vampire to have on her side. It was a fitting end to the series.

FANTASTIC SERIES

I am so sorry that this is the last in this series really enjoyed all of them

Nicegirls

Having read the first book and really enjoying it, I was curious to what the audible book would be like. Can't fault it. Great to listen to!

Great book

Loved listening to Jane trying to plan her wedding to Gabriel whilst dealing with a newly turned teenager and other issues. Loved Grandma Ruthie - she makes a fun ghost. Amanda is a brilliant narrator and she really brings these characters to life,

A thoroughly enjoyable series.

Loved the"nice girls" series all 4 of them and in some ways will miss the characters.
There are more in the Sleepy Hollow series read by Amanda Ronconi which if in the same vein will be well worth exploring.

best "nice girls" yet book

Really enjoyed this one, I think this is the best one in the series , hope theres more to come, Molly Harper out did herself here, was hooked from the first word to the last, was dissapointed it had to end.