I have to admit, I wasn’t originally impressed with Sarah Strohmeyer’s Bubbles series, but I’ve had a change of heart. Let me tell you why.

When you start with Janet E. and Stephanie Plum (Jersey girl who becomes a bounty hunter purely for the money; big hair, lots of mascara; crazy family) and go to Sarah St. and Bubbles Yablonski (Pennsylvania girl, near Jersey; hair dresser turned investigative journalist to make a better life; big hair, lots of make-up; crazy family) it feels as if you’re reading a lesser version of Plum. Until you realize…great, great differences.

First: Stephanie Plum. Bubbles Yablonski. Decent name. Trying to hard to be cheezy.

Second: Bounty hunter who relies on more experienced help and dumb luck to pay the bills. Hair stylist who actually has talent as an investigative journalism, pursues the career to a) provide a more financially stable life for her 17 yr. old daughter and b) provide a better role model for her daughter.

Third: Has not self-control in regards to alcohol, junk food or men. Doesn’t drink, eats junk as a comfort, has taken a vow of chastity, no matter how hot the temptation.

Fourth: Basically motivated by her sense of self. Basically motivated by her love for her daughter.

So here’s the deal. Janet & Stephanie are FUNNY…if you don’t mind the F-bomb, a couple of skim-over sex scenes and some pretty loose morals. Everything you really hope your life never turns into, while secretly hoping it would for a month or two.

And then there’s Sarah St. and Bubbles. A few swear words (possibly one or two F-bombs per book), the avoidance of sex (though not the absense of the desire for it) and a life truly revolving around the desire to provide a better life and role model for a young woman.

I don’t think Bubbles is as funny, nor as quick of a read, as Stephanie. However, if you are looking for some good laughs, some crazy adventures and a little bit of sexual tension, pick one up (Bubbles Unbound is the first book). I definitely recommend the series.