Nice Girls Don't Live Forever

By: Molly Harper

Narrated by: Amanda Ronconi

Length: 9 hrs and 4 mins

Publisher's Summary

Nothing sucks the romance out of world travel like a boyfriend who may or may not have broken up with you in a hotel room in Brussels. Jane Jameson's sexy sire Gabriel has always been unpredictable, but the seductive, anonymous notes that await him at each stop of their international vacation, coupled with his evasive behavior over the past few months, finally push Jane onto the next flight home to Half Moon Hollow -- alone, upset, and unsure whether Gabriel just ended their relationship without actually telling her.

Now the children's-librarian-turned-vampire is reviving with plenty of Faux Type O, some TLC from her colorful friends and family, and her plans for a Brave New Jane. Step One: Get her newly renovated occult bookstore off the ground. Step Two: Support her best friend, Zeb, and his werewolf bride as they prepare for the impending birth of their baby...or litter. Step Three: Figure out who's been sending her threatening letters, and how her hostile pen pal is tied to Gabriel. Because for this nice girl, surviving a broken heart is suddenly becoming a matter of life and undeath.

©2009 Molly Harper White (P)2010 Audible, Inc.

Harper & Ronconi make great audiobooks together!

I don’t usually pace myself whenever I read series, I’m more of a back-to-back kind of girl, but the Molly Harper / Amanda Ronconi duo deserves to be savoured because they make outstanding audiobooks together. NICE GIRLS DON’T LIVE FOREVER is a winning amalgamation of smart aleck humour, three dimensional characters, snappy writing, and excellent narration. The story is more action-packed than usual, and I loved the werewolf tidbits that are scattered throughout this book. It’s the little details that make a series stand out, and JANE JAMESON’s got them in abundance!

These novels usually tend to be pretty straightforward in the plot department, so I was pleasantly surprised by the complexity of this installment’s story. The Courtneys were hilariously stereotypical blondes, and I loved the dynamics between Jane and her two BFF’s: Jolene and Andrea. The latter character is also involved in another thread that was unexpected, but due. And, of course, there’s no shortage of laugh-out-loud moments including Dick’s attempt at “cheering” Jameson up after her supposed break-up with Gabe which proves to be oddly effective. Who knew that getting drunk, swallowing your feelings, and starting a bar fight could be so therapeutic!

I did have one major beef with this novel, and that was Jane and Gabrielle’s continued on-again-off-again relationship woes. I’m not big on the whole “create drama within the main couple with miscommunication” ploy unless the protagonists’ love is still fairly new. Jameson and Nightengale have been together pretty much since book 1, yet they haven’t learned to talk to each other which frustrated me to no end. However, the werewolf morsels did help to distract me from this minor annoyance with their unique details that were both enlightening, and a little scary. I am just thanking my lucky stars that human babies are not born with a full set of teeth like weres are. Ouchie!

What can I possibly say about Amanda Ronconi’s narration that I haven’t said already? Harper’s writing is entertaining enough on its own, but when paired with this talented woman’s voice, it achieves a level of awesomeness that puts it in a league above the rest. Ronconi navigates Jane’s world like it’s her second skin while also doing an excellent job of the secondary characters, and delivering all of the punch lines with pizzazz. She’s one of my top 3 favourite narrators, and this series is the reason why.

NICE GIRLS DON’T LIVE FOREVER is another fun filled installment in a series that consistently delivers barrels of laughs.

10 of 10 people found this review helpful

Very Funny Book!

I found myself laughing out loud more than once. I loved the story and the romance. I would recommend this book to any paranormal romance lovers.

10 of 10 people found this review helpful

I love these books!

These books are so funny, and the reader is very good. Very entertaining!

8 of 8 people found this review helpful

Great rap-up!

For the third book
In the third book, the storyline is focused on the mysterious women Jane's lover Gabriel hides from her “for own good” and the new book store that she inherited. She also finally confronts her sister in a scene that is really touching and funny at the same time. The series is not adventurous nor exciting like the books I usually prefer, but gives me a very heart warming giggly fun (and it's about vampires!) while listening to it. I also though the narrator gave a wonderful performance throughout the series. A nice ending to a fun series!

For the whole series
I liked the premise of the first book a lot. A small town librarian getting shot accidentally and turning into the vampire and then getting mixed up with murder and mayhem. I think the Jane Jamison books are essentially cozy mystery with a vampire twist. It doesn't have the usual fight against the races, apocalyptic prophecy nor the dark outlook other paranormal series often have.

The series is really really funny, especially the snarky, quarky and snide comments Jane makes. Some might compare the series to the Betsy series, but IMHO there is a BIG difference. I actually like the main character! Sometimes I wish she wasn't so nice, but I suppose in real “family feud” people do have love/hate relationship with loved ones just like her and try desperately hard not to ruin what relationship they have. So if you like paranormal stuff but not really into violence, blood, or doomesday story, this is a great series!

16 of 17 people found this review helpful

Very clever!!

I have enjoyed listening to these books so much. They are a laughable side of the paranormal. It was a good romance with a twist. I know I will never look at another bridal shower and wedding the same way again!!!Love the narrator too!! Amanda Ronconi was perfect for the part. Great job!!!

16 of 17 people found this review helpful

Fun

I love the book, the reader was great!! PLEASE please release the first two books of this awesome series!!! : )

7 of 7 people found this review helpful

Sad this is the last book

I have throughly enjoyed all three of these books, they have everything I was looking for: romance, humor, sex, passion, innocence, a smart heroine, and supernatural beings! All without the disturbing darker issues that often go along w/ aformentioned creatures. I was very sucked into the story, and I'm very sad this is the last one! I was pleased at how the series was wrapped up, although I wished Jane had put her grandmother in her place.
Highly enjoyable!!

6 of 6 people found this review helpful

Great humorous adventure in the vampire genre

What was one of the most memorable moments of Nice Girls Don't Live Forever?

When Dick takes Jane out to a bar to help her get over being dumped, (The way guys doe it) When Jane and Jen make up, When Zeb's babies are born, and Jane takes care of Gab's last "Child" who has been harassing him and her for years.

Which scene was your favorite?

When Andrea after being turned confirms her love for Dick

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, every book in this series, has so much LOL humor, and the characters just keep getting better and better. Plus Amanda Ronconi is the perfect narrator for this series. She does accents and voices beautifully and you know who's speaking and delivery of the comic lines are awesome

Any additional comments?

f you've listened to Christopher Moore's "Blood Sucking Fiends", "You Suck" and "Bite Me" and enjoyed that series then you'll really love this. I find myself laughing out loud so many times. I just started the third book in the series. If you enjoy FUNNY Vampire stories this is a MUST have series. I know I'll listen to it more than once.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Snarky Goodness

This is a great book in the series; I actually think it is my favorite out of the three that are out. This book has Jane going crazy wondering if her boyfriend is cheating on her, has some big things happening in her best friends life, and her family driving her insane as usual. I just read on Molly Harper’s blog that there will be a fourth Jane book soon and I cannot wait. I enjoyed all three books (this one the most). The narrator is great and very entertaining, the same narrator also reads Molly Harper’s other book And One Last Thing.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Please more books!

I am soooo hoping Ms. Harper is writing a sequel to this series! I loved everything about these books and the narrator, Amanda Ronconi, was perfect. I loved the witty writing and the wonderful characters.

Please, please, Ms. Harper, please write more!

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Brilliant

Any additional comments?

I really enjoyed this book, yet another great instalment in the series. A lot of tension between Jane and Gabriel as Gabriel is keeping a secret from Jane trying to protect her but Jane thinks he's cheating on her and breaks up with him.
I love when they resolve their differences and that Dick and Gabriel make up in this book as well, there's also a big change for Andre and big news for Jeb and Jolene! I did love that Jane and Jenny had a huge blow out that seems to have set them on the path of reconciliation! There was a lot happening in the book and some great lines from all the characters! I loved the whiteboard fight between Aunt Jettie and Grandma Ruthie!

brilliant

I absolutely love the writings of Molly Harper they are so fun I can't wait for the next installment

Lighthearted and funny

I didn't like this one as much as the others and in my heart it was 3.5 stars not 4 but I rounded up ;D Molly harpers books are always worth a chuckle and this one entertained and amused. I'm really glad that janes family issues are beginning to be resolved. I kind of missed Gabriel as he wasn't in it much but that was a key to the storyline. I'm looking forward to the next one in the series :)