#BookReview: I Regret Nothing by Jen Lancaster
Reviewer: Samantha I received a review copy Summary: New York Times bestselling author Jen Lancaster has lived a life based on re-invention and self-improvement. From Bitter Is…
Pretty in Plaid by Jen Lancaster
Jen Lancaster keeps her humorous bit alive with her third novel, Pretty In Plaid. Lancaster takes readers on the ultimate flashback in time, traveling back through the ‘80s and ‘90s and revealing her journey to show just how she got to where she is now. I enjoyed reading about the disastrous birthday dinner when Lancaster was eight and realized how to eat a lobster, her Greek years in college and how she struggled to fit in, and how she came to meet her future husband, Fletch.
Pretty in Plaid was a fun read, mainly because I was learning even more about one of my favorite authors. I like how Lancaster lets readers into her life, and her humor and honesty through each saga keeps me laughing throughout the novel. I do have to be honest and say this wasn’t my favorite novel from Jen Lancaster; it just didn’t give me the same pull as the others I have read. I think maybe because there was not really a “true” plot, it was just basically story-telling and I wasn’t sure where the story would stop. Still an entertaining read and I would recommend to all chick lit fans, just not a personal favorite of mine.
Bitter is the New Black by Jen Lancaster
Jen Lancaster has it all- loving boyfriend, good family and friends, a high paying corporate job, designer labels, and a wicked sense of humor. She walks though life with her sarcastic filled sentences, not afraid to cut down others (or herself- she refers to herself once as “Carbohydrate Barbie”) but that all comes to a sudden halt when she is laid off from her cushy position. A year goes by, and with the economy suffering after the 9/11 attacks, Jen finds herself still without a job after one year. The only thing keeping her alive is the occasional (and I do mean occasional) temp job and her loving husband Fletch.
Until Fletch loses his job. They cannot believe it- but they have to sell their beautiful spacious penthouse and move to the not-so-fabulous side of Chicago. And sell her designer clothes. And stop going to the salon. Jen cannot believe the twist life has thrown at her, but through all the hardships she endures, she realizes how lucky she is. She has great parents, a loving and supportive husband, and new perspective on life. Who needs to get weekly manicures? Who needs to have dozens and dozens of high end beauty products?
Jen Lancaster pens a hilarious memoir of her struggles that will keep readers laughing out loud until the end. There is even a nice life lesson that we can all take away from getting an inside look of Lancaster’s ordeal. Her bold commentary and larger than life personality that shines through the pages will have readers wanting more from this sarcastic and witty author.
Chick Lit Author: Jen Lancaster
Then, she was laid off from the wonderful, high paying job that kept her highlights glowing. And carrying her Prada bag into the unemployment office didn’t help her out at all. Neither did applying for 300 jobs in a few short weeks. The economy was suffering after 9/11, and that is apparent to Lancaster after one whole year of being unemployed. Another blow- husband Fletch is laid off. After having to give up the penthouse, the salon, and most of her designer labels, Lancaster decided to start a website to vent about her unemployment state. The site quickly gained followers and popularity.
After having to continually borrow money from her parents to keep up with rent and groceries, Fletch finally got a job and Lancaster decided to take some time off from her temp jobs to focus on writing. Her website made her realize that she just may be good at it. After landing a literacy agent, Lancaster’s first essay is published. Soon after that, her first novel, Bitter is the New Black, is published.
Jen Lancaster’s published titles are: Bitter Is the New Black, Bright Lights, Big Ass, Such a Pretty Fat, and Pretty in Plaid.
