Dawn is determined to make it in NYC and not go back to the small town that she left. Even if it means writing lawn care columns that she paid by the word to make ends meet. At a party that she is invited to by her ex boyfriend, that she can't seem to stop seeing and can't help but kind of like her his new girlfriend, she manages to land a job with Charm magazine working on their 10th anniversary of "Ten Girls to Watch" contest. It is short term gig, but she spends the next few months following up on each of the winners from the past ten years. She is just assigned to get basic info, but Dawn can't just find out contact and what they are doing now. She finds the women opening up her and learning from each of them. She is still trying to work out her personal life, but she is learning so much from these women maybe they are starting to effect her personal life. Maybe, she needs to follow the examples that she is seeing around her and accept what she wants.
I really felt like I could relate to Dawn. She made choices and faced with some personal things in her life that I could relate to. She was built to be real and would start to grow, but would come across more obstacles that would put her back and she would have to accept and/or learn from.
There were moments were I wish that we had been able to read more of Dawns writings. Have seen some of the profiles she was writing I think could have really helped or expanded the plot, more than just the short paragraphs at the start of chapters.
Overall I would give this book three stars in that the main character was really relatable. But, you couldn't get behind other characters besides the main one, even though she was really relatable. The plot was well developed and well wrapped up, though leaving you wanting just a little more about the characters. I would read more by Charity and would defiantly recommend this book to others.
November 2, 2012
October 22, 2012
Living in Glass Houses: Zoe McNight
Jonathan and Lauryn are at a point in their relationship where outside pressures are building and something may have to give, but what if it is not the same thing for each of them. Lauryn is just waiting for the ring, thinking she just needs to be patient. Jonathan meanwhile has just meet Bree, who could just be the girl of his dreams. Does he want to give up the comfort he has built with Lauryn though and there may be more that he is letting down in choosing, but who does he choose for.
Blair and Vaughn have always had a volatile relationship. Blair finally gives into the temptation of looking somewhere else for something else with Dylan. But, Vaughn is realizing that he might be losing Bliar and wants to try again to save what they have. Can they both commit and get past their secrets.
Elle is confused, she is happy with what she has with Luke, but she can't stop thinking about her last relationship with Marcus. Will she be strong enough to work out her emotions and put what she at risk for what could be.
The plot alternates between different points of view and narratives. All of the are friends or have friends in common that link the story lines together. Making is an easy flow. I found that the whole story just flew by for me, set up that you wanted to keep reading about what would happen next. I was frustrated with many of the characters at times, but you still wanted to keep reading to see how they worked out of the situations.
I would give this book 3 stars for how it kept you wanting to keep going. But, I had a hard time relating to some of the characters and feeling emotionally invested in them. But, I do think that sometimes the emotional backgrounds of some of the characters could have been expanded more.
October 19, 2012
Getting Over Mr. Right: Chrissie Manby
Ashleigh has been dating Michael for two years plus, and she figures it is just a matter of time before Michael gives her the more commitment that she is looking for. Even if he is just using his current promotion to expand his bachelor image, an upgraded bachelor pad, new sports car, new wardrobe. But, it is just a matter of time right. That is until she checks her Facebook in the middle of the day and finds that Michael is now single and then proceeds to unfriend her.
Processing it all Ashleigh realizes (or is confirmed by friends) that she has just been dumped via Facebook. Unfortunately, Ashleigh just can't accept it. Breaking every rule of how to get over a break up. She goes to his apartment and sneaks in, stalking his new girlfriend, lets all thoughts and what she can do take over her life, racks up credit card bills trying to find ways to win him back, calls a phone psychic and tries voodoo. Having alienating friends, losing her job, ending up have to move back home, and multiple people telling her she needs professional help. Ashleigh finally realizes that maybe she dose need some new perspective, but will it be late and what if Michael starts to talk to her again.
British chick lit that can cross cultural lines, that is relatable. Ashleigh was built as a character that just about any female could relate to, having done or wanted to do something like she does in the book. Ashleigh does take it to an extreme and finally realizing that is what helps her slowly breakout of parts of it. I think it does get to a point where it does get harder to relate to Ashleigh since you really just want to tell her, no you didn't do that or just stop, but she kept going. Or she would start to change and you though she got behind some growth and then back again. I appreciated how the character had grown at the end, but getting there was tough at times.
I would give it three stars as it 3 stars. It is a good read and flew by, but didn't have much substance. It was a fun read and fun to think what would happen if you did some or any of the vengeful thing in this plot, but at the end of the day it isn't deep.
Processing it all Ashleigh realizes (or is confirmed by friends) that she has just been dumped via Facebook. Unfortunately, Ashleigh just can't accept it. Breaking every rule of how to get over a break up. She goes to his apartment and sneaks in, stalking his new girlfriend, lets all thoughts and what she can do take over her life, racks up credit card bills trying to find ways to win him back, calls a phone psychic and tries voodoo. Having alienating friends, losing her job, ending up have to move back home, and multiple people telling her she needs professional help. Ashleigh finally realizes that maybe she dose need some new perspective, but will it be late and what if Michael starts to talk to her again.
British chick lit that can cross cultural lines, that is relatable. Ashleigh was built as a character that just about any female could relate to, having done or wanted to do something like she does in the book. Ashleigh does take it to an extreme and finally realizing that is what helps her slowly breakout of parts of it. I think it does get to a point where it does get harder to relate to Ashleigh since you really just want to tell her, no you didn't do that or just stop, but she kept going. Or she would start to change and you though she got behind some growth and then back again. I appreciated how the character had grown at the end, but getting there was tough at times.
I would give it three stars as it 3 stars. It is a good read and flew by, but didn't have much substance. It was a fun read and fun to think what would happen if you did some or any of the vengeful thing in this plot, but at the end of the day it isn't deep.
October 12, 2012
The Wedding Beat: Dean Sipher
Gavin is a wedding writter for The Paper, as well as a hopeless romantic. Yet, he still finds himself single in his thirty's, attending weddings every weeken for work. With his Best Friend at a New Years party he meets the girl of his dreams, who he allows to get away without getting her number. He spends the next few months covering weddings looking for her and learning what he needs to do or should have done.
That is until he finds himself covering Melinda's, the girl who got away, wedding. With his job in balance and his heart on the line Gavin has some choices to make. What is the line he is willing to walk or cross and can he really do it.
Gavin in this piece is a bit like, James Marsden's character in 27 Dresses with Katherine Heigl. Which is actually refered to in the plot of this book. And in that comparison being made the character uses it learn about himself, which I could appriciate in using something that many characters in other movies would bring them down. He uses it to grow himself, without the self wallowing that wasn't needed.
For the most part for me this book felt like everything happened a little fast, like everything was on fastforward. Couples would get together and engaged in just a few days, married in just a few months. I personally don't know of any relationships going this fast, most people I know (and my own personal one) have been in relationships for years or at least a year before moving on to another step. I suppose to each their own, but this juts didn't seem beliveable to me.
I would give this book 3 stars. It was ok and I am glad that I took the time to read it. The character did grow through out the book. Overall, I don't feel I got much out of it more than an enjoyable read though.
October 4, 2012
Las-Minute Love: (Year of the Chick Series): Romi Moondi
Romi from Year of the Chick is back, see my review of the first book. Now, that Romi's sister is engaged her parents are a bit more distracted. So, in this book her parents weren't pushing guys at her as much, though they did still have that expectation, maybe Romi was just better at ignoring it and didn't need to focus on it with her readers. In this one we hear about the success of the first book, but which is also really important, you could read the book on it's own and it can stand on it's own.
Again, this book was set up in a way that you wanted to just keep reading and figure out how Romi is going to deal with each of the situations. Personally, I think I enjoyed this novel more than Year of the Chick since you got to see more of Romi as a character. You could see how she had grown and changed through the last book, between them, and could continue to grow. She still got caught up in a guy in this plot, but there was more to her than just the guy and her writing this time. You knew her, I felt like this time. She talked about what she enjoyed in her spare time, beyond writing, you got to know some of her friends and more than just how she took her problems to them. It felt deeper and more about the character than the first one to me, even though I enjoyed the first one, I feel like I enjoyed this one more. Romi made some great growth as a character and I can't wait to see what happens with her next chapter in the series.
I am conflicted on the rating to give this book. It is a enjoyable book, again not an intro to the chick lit genre, but a relatable book in the genre and worth reading. Still found it different then any chick lit book, I would give it 3.5 stars I think to show I liked it more than the first, but I just don't feel like it is necessarily a 4 star all the way. I will round up though. And do go read this because, Romi becomes a character that you care about and want to succeed, in love, standing up to her parents, and just being herself in the way she dreams.
This review is part of chick lit plus blog tours.
I was provided a copy of the book for review, but the summary and thoughts on the book are mine.
Again, this book was set up in a way that you wanted to just keep reading and figure out how Romi is going to deal with each of the situations. Personally, I think I enjoyed this novel more than Year of the Chick since you got to see more of Romi as a character. You could see how she had grown and changed through the last book, between them, and could continue to grow. She still got caught up in a guy in this plot, but there was more to her than just the guy and her writing this time. You knew her, I felt like this time. She talked about what she enjoyed in her spare time, beyond writing, you got to know some of her friends and more than just how she took her problems to them. It felt deeper and more about the character than the first one to me, even though I enjoyed the first one, I feel like I enjoyed this one more. Romi made some great growth as a character and I can't wait to see what happens with her next chapter in the series.
I am conflicted on the rating to give this book. It is a enjoyable book, again not an intro to the chick lit genre, but a relatable book in the genre and worth reading. Still found it different then any chick lit book, I would give it 3.5 stars I think to show I liked it more than the first, but I just don't feel like it is necessarily a 4 star all the way. I will round up though. And do go read this because, Romi becomes a character that you care about and want to succeed, in love, standing up to her parents, and just being herself in the way she dreams.
This review is part of chick lit plus blog tours.
I was provided a copy of the book for review, but the summary and thoughts on the book are mine.
September 28, 2012
And The Winner Is (The Adventures of Marty Peters): Erin Brady
Marty Peter's is an accountant, who has abandoned aka disappointed her family by moving down the street. She never moved into the city though and that is why she spends her mornings and evenings commuting into NYC. Around working and commuting Marty works on pursuing her dream of writing. No one has liked her works though and maybe she should just sticks to the numbers that make sense to her. But, then everything changes at whirlwind speed.
First she goes on client presentation with her chauvinist boss to Theodore McKenzie one of their largest clients and a leader in the entertainment industry. McKenzie is threatening to pull his account and with that would go many of their other accounts, including the one for the Motion Picture Academy and why the firm gets to do a presentation on voting at the Oscars every year. Marty makes an impression on Teddy, McKenzie, and has the fate of his account with the firm in her hands now. Not something her Boss is happy about. On the way to this meeting Marty finds an abandoned bag on the subway with a journal inside it, but with a name but contact number or other information about the owner. The errors start as Marty realizes the screen play in the journal is amazing and since she doesn't know the owner she takes credit for the work. With Teddy McKenzie interested in her screenplay Marty just might have found a way to live her dream as a writer. That is until she actually meets E. Riley, the owner of the journal. With things rolling with the screenplay and at work it might be to late to stop things, but now that she is starting to like Riley and she isn't sure where her priorities should be and what is worth losing to get your dream.
Written between a memories with quotes of friends of how Marty became famous and is famous and her telling her story above of how she started on the path in Hollywood.
I was sent a copy of this novel by Erin Brady and writing the review per her request, but the summary and opinions are my own.
This was in a different format that I hadn't read before, so it was a little odd for me. But, I found that I really did enjoy the plot over all. Marty was a fleshed out character that I found that I could relate to. The situations that she found herself in and how she reacted kept her human and in ways a reader could relate to, though they were exceptional circumstances most people wouldn't find themselves in. Not as much with the supporting characters, in I couldn't relate to them, but you learned enough about each of them as you needed to know and when you need to know it. I liked the set up of finding out about the supporting characters as the main character learned things and think that for some of the supporting characters that is what Brady was doing.
I enjoyed reading about Marty and watching her grow and learn, she made some choices that seemed real to me, even like things I might do and ways I would react at first. I would give this book 4 stars and would like for more by Brady and would enjoy seeing her grow as a writer.
First she goes on client presentation with her chauvinist boss to Theodore McKenzie one of their largest clients and a leader in the entertainment industry. McKenzie is threatening to pull his account and with that would go many of their other accounts, including the one for the Motion Picture Academy and why the firm gets to do a presentation on voting at the Oscars every year. Marty makes an impression on Teddy, McKenzie, and has the fate of his account with the firm in her hands now. Not something her Boss is happy about. On the way to this meeting Marty finds an abandoned bag on the subway with a journal inside it, but with a name but contact number or other information about the owner. The errors start as Marty realizes the screen play in the journal is amazing and since she doesn't know the owner she takes credit for the work. With Teddy McKenzie interested in her screenplay Marty just might have found a way to live her dream as a writer. That is until she actually meets E. Riley, the owner of the journal. With things rolling with the screenplay and at work it might be to late to stop things, but now that she is starting to like Riley and she isn't sure where her priorities should be and what is worth losing to get your dream.
Written between a memories with quotes of friends of how Marty became famous and is famous and her telling her story above of how she started on the path in Hollywood.
I was sent a copy of this novel by Erin Brady and writing the review per her request, but the summary and opinions are my own.
This was in a different format that I hadn't read before, so it was a little odd for me. But, I found that I really did enjoy the plot over all. Marty was a fleshed out character that I found that I could relate to. The situations that she found herself in and how she reacted kept her human and in ways a reader could relate to, though they were exceptional circumstances most people wouldn't find themselves in. Not as much with the supporting characters, in I couldn't relate to them, but you learned enough about each of them as you needed to know and when you need to know it. I liked the set up of finding out about the supporting characters as the main character learned things and think that for some of the supporting characters that is what Brady was doing.
I enjoyed reading about Marty and watching her grow and learn, she made some choices that seemed real to me, even like things I might do and ways I would react at first. I would give this book 4 stars and would like for more by Brady and would enjoy seeing her grow as a writer.
September 21, 2012
The Next Best Thing: Jennifer Weiner
Ruth has lived with her Grandmother for most of her life, ever since the accident that cost Ruth her parents and left her scared for life. Graduating from college, she decides to move to Hollywood to pursue her dream of being a writer. With her grandmother along for the ride they set out. Grandma thrives working as an extra, with a boyfriend, and friends in the community center. While Ruth works, as an assistant, she writes hoping to get her own show on TV.
With hard work, a broken heart, and trying to find her way in a society obsessed with beauty with a scared appearance Ruth attempts to find her happiness in Hollywood. She thinks she is getting her dream when her show is picked up. But, she just has to realize how much she may have to compromise or give up in order to actually live her dream.
Personally, I enjoyed this book more than some of Weiner's other recent stories. I enjoyed how she concentrated on one plot line and primarily on one character, with the supporting characters around Ruth. Instead of spreading the plot around multiple main characters and all the others that surrounded around each of the different characters. You had just one person to get behind and follow, that I felt I could really get behind more, while sometimes I get overwhelmed with having to follow and care about multiple characters. I enjoyed her other books, but going back to focusing on one person and the world that surrounds her lets me get behind that one person better. I am glad that this is more back to the roots of Weiner's early works.
If you had a chance to pickup Weiner's kindle novella Swim earlier this year, it was the inspiration for this novel and introduces us to Ruth. There were elements in this novella that weren't in The Next Best Thing, that I missed a bit, but having read both of them I was able to see all the elements, but wish if there was going to be some overlap that it all could have been there.
I am going to give this book 4 stars as it a great Weiner work and had characters that you could get behind and appreciate. But, it did still leaving you wanting a little more. I appreciated how it reflected Weiner's personal experience of having had a TV show picked up and dropped last season and I will miss The Great State of Georgia which I had tried to catch on hulu as I don't have cable. As always I look forward to more from Weiner as I always do and hope she keeps building more characters that we as readers can get behind and relate too.
September 14, 2012
The Unfinished Work of Elizabeth D.: Nichole Bernier
Elizabeth dies in a plane crash that is overshadowed with September 11th, the one that changed the world we all live it, occurred soon after. But, her friends can't forget her and how she died as well as the others.
Kate stops on her way to a summer on an island to get away from the world to pick up Elizabeth's journals that she left her in the will. Kate decides she is going to spend the summer learning about her friend. The more she learns about Elizabeth and the friendship she thought she had the more she questions, about Elizabeth and her own life. While Elizabeth's husband is pushing Kate to share what she learned and that is a decision Kate isn't sure she is ready to make.
Written between Elizabeth's past journal entries and growing up and Kate in the present reading the journals and considering what she is learning. Questioning choice she has made, her marriage, what she knew about her friend, and what she might want to do in the future. Through out the plot you get to see both characters grow and change.
I enjoyed how the plot of this book deals with difficult issues, making the reader think about the choice they make, what they think they know about their friends and how they judge people or how they might be judged by the others around them.
I thought one great growing point that Kate could have done through this book that she didn't is she talked about how she enjoyed reading Elizabeth's journal and she wished that she had a journal or something to show how she grown to her husband, but she never did journal or try to write or anything. I wish that she would have tried, but see how that could have made the plot more complicated too.
I haven't ready any of other books by Bernier (this may be a debut novel not sure) and I would pick up more by her. I think she has a great writing style and provides a different view of how to look at things. I would suggest this book to others. It reminds me a bit of early other authors I enjoy, Emily Giffin, Jennifer Weiner and other recognizable names.
I would give it 4 stars.
Kate stops on her way to a summer on an island to get away from the world to pick up Elizabeth's journals that she left her in the will. Kate decides she is going to spend the summer learning about her friend. The more she learns about Elizabeth and the friendship she thought she had the more she questions, about Elizabeth and her own life. While Elizabeth's husband is pushing Kate to share what she learned and that is a decision Kate isn't sure she is ready to make.
Written between Elizabeth's past journal entries and growing up and Kate in the present reading the journals and considering what she is learning. Questioning choice she has made, her marriage, what she knew about her friend, and what she might want to do in the future. Through out the plot you get to see both characters grow and change.
I enjoyed how the plot of this book deals with difficult issues, making the reader think about the choice they make, what they think they know about their friends and how they judge people or how they might be judged by the others around them.
I thought one great growing point that Kate could have done through this book that she didn't is she talked about how she enjoyed reading Elizabeth's journal and she wished that she had a journal or something to show how she grown to her husband, but she never did journal or try to write or anything. I wish that she would have tried, but see how that could have made the plot more complicated too.
I haven't ready any of other books by Bernier (this may be a debut novel not sure) and I would pick up more by her. I think she has a great writing style and provides a different view of how to look at things. I would suggest this book to others. It reminds me a bit of early other authors I enjoy, Emily Giffin, Jennifer Weiner and other recognizable names.
I would give it 4 stars.
September 7, 2012
Don't Let Me Go: Catherine Ryan Hyde
Grace sits on the steps of her apartment building so that someone will see that she's in trouble and needs help. Billy is a former dancer and an agoraphobic that never leaves his apartment, till he is pulled onto the balcony to find out what a little girl is doing on the stoop each day. The neighbors in the building end p coming together to help Grace and she pulls each of them out of their own little worlds too. They find that they all really have been lonely. Now, they have someone who needs them. Rayleen, the manicurist who takes Grace in the evening and makes sure she gets to school, kind of the one who spearheads the whole concept. Felipe, who walks Grace home from school and is teaching her spanish. Billy, takes Grace in after school, and teaches her to dance. Mr. Lafferty is a bit bigoted to the other neighbors and seems angry, but Grace has a way to melt parts of his heart. Ms. Hinman, says she is to old to help, but find she wants to and enjoys a lost hobby in making Grace some new clothes. They all come together and help Grace and each other, pulling Billy really out of his apartment. That is until Grace's Mother comes out of her drug induced stupor and takes Grace away from everyone.
This book took me a little to get into, but I really got into it towards the end. I appreciated how all of the characters were built up and developed. The chapters alternated between from Billy's perspective and Grace's. I liked the child's perspectives alternating to the adults, with different information given in both. All of the characters changed and grew through out the plot of the book.
I would suggest this book to others as a nice fun read. It has some moments that are deep and the characters do great growth other the plot, but it isn't made have to really think intellectual. I hope that others enjoy it too. 4 Stars
This review is part of chick lit plus blog tours.
I was provided a copy of the book for review, but the summary and thoughts on the book are mine.
This book took me a little to get into, but I really got into it towards the end. I appreciated how all of the characters were built up and developed. The chapters alternated between from Billy's perspective and Grace's. I liked the child's perspectives alternating to the adults, with different information given in both. All of the characters changed and grew through out the plot of the book.
I would suggest this book to others as a nice fun read. It has some moments that are deep and the characters do great growth other the plot, but it isn't made have to really think intellectual. I hope that others enjoy it too. 4 Stars
This review is part of chick lit plus blog tours.
I was provided a copy of the book for review, but the summary and thoughts on the book are mine.
August 31, 2012
Dewitched: The untold story of the evil queen: EL Sarnoff
The Evil Queen is sentenced to what appears to be life in prison/the dungeon for the attempted murder of Snow White. After serving some of her time, Jane Yvel, also know as the Evil Queen has someone take pity on her and instead of staying the dungeon she is sent to Faraway. Jane thinks she is being sent to a spa, but what Faraway turns out to be is Evil Rehab for fairy tale characters.
Jane works through her issues, makes friends, and actually starts to care about others so she is sent back into the world. Her biggest fear after rehab is facing Snow White and pain that she caused her. But, that pain may cost Jane more than she ever realized, but there could be other influences at play that Jane has been suppressing for years.
There are some spoilers in the review, so if you don't want any spoilers be warned, but I shall try to keep them vague as to not give away the whole plot.
One of my favorite lines from Wicked the musical, but I love the novel too.
"Are people born Wicked? Or do they have Wickedness thrust upon them?"
I think this plot is really looking at this quote in relation to Evil. Is Jane and the other characters who visit Faraway Evil/Wicked, or do they just not know better or have been trained that way, following examples. They just need redirection to learn or be shown something new and different and then they can be the person they are meant to be or can at least now be a contributing part of society.
So, Faraway shows them another way to look at things and contribute to society. Bring out the best part of the characters and helping them be who they should be? Or changing their fate? I think the characters all have to learn something much like many of us all have to learn something and how our past effects or changes us.
With that I will leave you with the rest of the wicked quote "After all, she had a father. She had a mother, as so many do..." and I think this is important to consider that is what comes next.
This was an enjoyable read for me. I would give it 4 stars. I feel like the plot have a creative way to deal with complicated issues that many people deal with. While it also keeps the plot moving and light hearted and as an enjoyable read. I look forward to more from Sarnoff and hearing more again Jane and I think Sarnoff has given us an interesting ways to consider fairy tales.
This review is part of chick lit plus blog tours.
I was provided a copy of the book for review, but the summary and thoughts on the book are mine.
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