Bet Me

[2] Over the next ten years, Crusie sold several short category romances, and then signed with St. Martin's Press to release longer single-title novels.

Critic Kimberly Baldus sees the cherry "as a wink from author to readers and back again, creating a sense of a community forged through shared knowledge and insights about the novel".

Despite knowing about the bet, Min agrees to go on a date with Cal, thinking she can enjoy a free dinner and prove to herself that she is immune to his charms.

They part ways but soon find themselves thrown together repeatedly due to a series of coincidental and often comical events, including mutual friends and their exes’ schemes.

Throughout the story, their budding relationship faces numerous hurdles, including interference from Min’s ex-boyfriend David and Cal’s ex-girlfriend Cynthie.

[8][9] According to critic Kyra Kramer, Crusie's use of heroines who are overweight, such as Minerva, the protagonist of Bet Me, "communicates a compelling feminist message of women’s empowerment and emancipation from some elements of the hegemonic gender ideology".

Readers can relate to the conflicting descriptions, as the characters' debate reflects society's inability to agree on a single acceptable body size.

[8] Although Min half-heartedly diets in an attempt to fit into a bridesmaid dress, throughout the novel every likable character encourages her to stop trying to change herself.

Crusie allows Min to question her long-held beliefs about her own attractiveness as Cal shows that he is not only not disgusted by her body, but he is actually turned on by her enjoyment of food.

Crusie appears to give credence to this theory, describing Cal's "light-headed" moments when he catches a glimpse of Min's new red lace bra, before shattering it when Cal tells - and shows - Min that he finds her equally attractive in scruffy sweats as in fancy lace.

[8][9] Romantic Times reviewer Jill M. Smith gave the novel 4.5 out of 5 stars, praising Crusie's use of humor and her eccentric characters.

[4][13] Library Journal reviewer Margaret Hanes also noted the novel's formulaic nature but found it was rescued by the well-drawn characters and witty dialogue, resulting in an enthusiastic recommendation.

[14] In Booklist, John Charles judged that Crusie appropriately balanced cynicism versus optimism, resulting in a ""wickedly witty" novel.