Bet Me and Other Relationships

In this novel, other Characters have a huge impact upon Cal and Mel's relationship. For instance, their friends. Because Cal's friends keep making bets with him about Mel, is the reason that they keep coming together - reluctantly, then not so reluctantly. Mel's friends are very wary about this relationship that has blossomed between her and Cal, especially Liza. Bonnie believes that it's Fate and it's totally going to be alright, which it will, but Liza doesn't think so. She does Cal's dirty laundry by getting information from Cynthie, Cal's ex-girlfriend.

Another time when relationships have an impact upon their relationship is because of their Family. Cal's nephew also seems to bring Mel closer to their family, simply because he pretty much just loves her, and Mel really likes him as well. Mel's mother is very nit-picky, and very rude to Mel, always nagging on her about her diet, about her looks, her weight and doesn't seem to fully appreciate Mel. Cal's parents don't appear very much in this novel, but they are very cold, and Cal can't stand going to dinner with them every third Sunday.

Another relationship that overcomes in this novel, isn't by a person, but by a Cat. Not just any cat, a Cat that Cal accidentally let into Mel's apartment - whom Mel adopted and named Elvis. Yes, it was by mistake, but the cat brings them closer together and almost helps mold them into "a family." Elvis is truly happy with Mel, and he likes Calvin. He's probably the only one that is fully accepting of them in the novel, Ha ha.

This novel is very cute, and fun and sexy. Mel and Cal tend to let the opinion and relationships of others dictate how they should be to and with each other. They really break that trend in the last few chapters, when they are together in Mel's apartment, and they are "fooling around" and both of their parents, friends, ex-girlfriend/boyfriend, all barge in. The families and friends are doubtful of their love for each other, so because of that, Cal proposes to Mel (with a doughnut as the ring) to prove to them that this is real. Of course he redoes it later on with a real ring, but still.

This is a very good novel, and I'm really glad that it was chosen for this class. I'm excited to see what'll happen in our next novel! :)