Reviewed by Anne Boling for Readers' Favorite

In the latest Stephanie Plum book, Smokin' Seventeen by Janet Evanovich, Morelli's aunt Bella put a hex on Stephanie, causing a huge pimple to pop up in the middle of her forehead. As though that wasn't bad enough, Bella put a second hex on Stephanie...this time affecting her libido. After his office burned to the ground, Vinnie set up business headquarters in Mooner's bus while he made plans to build again, but someone buried bodies on the building site. Then bodies begin showing up with "To Stephanie" notes on them. Vinnie was holding a circus bear as collateral on a bond. Stephanie's mother is determined to find her a husband. Stephanie is in love with two men...... just a standard day in the life of Stephanie Plum!

Janet Evanovich is back. I was a little disappointed in the last two Stephanie Plum books (15 and 16,) but with Smokin' Seventeen, Evanovich is back in the saddle. The characters are fantastic. Those of us who are fans have watched as Stephanie has evolved. I see a difference in her this time...could it be maturity? I also had a little more feel for her father in this book. Usually he eats and shakes his head, but this time he admitted.....something. Grandma is still wonderful as usual, although she played a lesser part in this story. Lula is still her tenacious self. For some reason every time Lula or Stephanie reach into their purse and pull out a stun gun, I develop fits of laughter. Evanovich has created characters we not only love, but we cherish and look forward to. The story always has a plot that keeps us on edge. Although I did figure this one out ahead of time, it did not detract from the entertainment. Thank you Janet Evanovich for another delightfully entertaining read that left me laughing so hard I was gasping for breath.