Tortoise Interruptus by J.L. Merrow
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I adore JL Merrow’s sense of humor and Tortoise Interruptus is no different. The story is short, sweet, incredibly witty, and laugh out loud funny in parts. This is a great story for fans of Merrow’s as well as though new to the author. This is short enough to satisfy while giving a glimpse of the author’s trademark sense of humor. In fact it’s rare to read a story of JL Merrow’s that isn’t quite enjoyable and funny. So TI fits very well with her backlist and is an easy story to recommend.
The plot is pretty basic with a great set up. Tip is a man with a problem – he randomly turns into a turtle with little to no warning. He’s been cursed by an impatient witch after lingering in her shop. He also has no way of knowing how long he’ll be a turtle each time he turns; it could be minutes or days. This is especially hard on his dating life. That’s the last thing on Tip’s mind though when he’s turtle-napped by an old lady.
The story is very entertaining and humorous from start to finish. It’s pretty short, easy to read in one sitting, and sucks you in from the very beginning. Watching and listening to Tip’s thoughts as a turtle is pretty funny and there are several laugh out loud moments. Whether it’s from being turtle-napped to trying to make it with a hot guy, Tip’s life is anything but boring. The writing is very good and filled with a lot of sly references and witty rejoiners. The characters are filled with a sense of humor on their own and you can’t help but identify with the cast. They’re just adorable and wonderfully depicted.
If there’s a slight hitch, it’s only that the love interest Steve is a bit too perfect. He seems to be grinning and smiling constantly, which made me wonder what kind of drugs he was on. Tip obviously was into him and they have definite chemistry but I’ll admit I wasn’t disappointed at the lack of sex scenes. Instead the multiple interruptions worked beautifully and I wouldn’t have wanted the story any other way. Not to mention the last line of the story is simply fabulous.
three am 
I just lurved this book. But I have to admit, when Jamie puts her hard-core humour hat on, it works for me in a very big way. The ending was perfect. 🙂
Yes! I think I truly adore her humor more than any other author right now.
I loved it too! The part where he “accidentally” ends up in the handbag is hilarious……
and the “shell job”