Life After Yes by Aidan Donnelley Rowley

Rarely do I read a book that is so powerful, so moving, and so thought-provoking, that the characters and plot invade my thoughts for weeks after finishing. Debut author Aidan Donnelley Rowley does exactly that in the SheKnows Book Club final pick of the year, Life After Yes. The story follows Prudence Quinn O’Malley, a born and bred New Yorker, after she accepts a marriage proposal from her supportive and loving boyfriend, Sage. The proposal, which takes place in Paris, is beyond beautiful and romantic, and Quinn accepts without a second thought. But just a day later, Quinn’s thoughts and emotions begin to spin out of control. Is it because her father won’t be able to walk her down the aisle, as he perished on that fateful 9/11 day? Is it because she still thinks about her first love, and wonders if she is making the right choice in committing her life with Sage?

I think one reason I found a common ground with Quinn is because of the numerous mistakes she makes. Quinn is a highly successful young lawyer and is set to marry Sage, who is an equally successful investment banker. But even with her success and her supporting friends and family, Quinn still almost seems like a misfit, determined to be selfish and indulge in binge drinking, and upset those she’s loves the most. At first, I was angry with the book. I hated Quinn! The way she treated people, especially her fiancée, the way she seemed to care so little for anyone else but herself, made me disgusted with her character. But as the story moved along, I started to understand. I began to feel for Quinn. The more dilemmas’ she faced, the more the deeper meaning of the story became obvious to me. By the time I reached the last few chapters, I had started crying, thinking about my own life and the mistakes I made, the ones I haven’t owned up to and probably never will, and how I can strive to be the best I can with what I have. It was almost like therapy!

Life After Yes was one of my favorite reads of 2010. I commend Aidan Donnelley Rowley for writing such a truthful story, with real characters and real problems. I almost feel this novel should come with a warning label: Will you risk asking yourself the questions Quinn is asking of herself? Are you brave enough to face the answers? I recommend everyone to read this book, chick lit fan or not. I think we can all identify with a piece of Quinn, and take away a lesson on true happiness.

Rating: 5/5

One Year Blog Anniversary

Well today is officially the day- my one year blogiversary. I couldn’t be more excited, albeit a bit surprised, at how fast my blog grew. I absolutely love the new world I have been welcomed in to. I feel such a connection, even though it may be virtual, with so many other readers, writers, agents, publishers, etc etc. I have been so lucky to make great working relationships with so many in this industry, and I get excited each time a new book, interview, or just a simple email ends up in my inbox. I got the nicest email just yesterday from a woman telling me she bases all her book buying decisions on my reviews- quite a compliment!

One of the main reasons I started Chick Lit Plus was to help gain connections in the writing industry because I am trying to be a published author some day. The responses I received to help critique and edit my work overwhelmed me. I want to give a big thank you to Cathleen Holst who has been working so patiently with me while I take baby steps towards becoming a better writer. Without her continuing support and encouraging words, I fear I may have given up. I also want to thank Lauren from MyLifeIncomplete.com, who has turned into such a fantastic virtual friend. I have leaned on Lauren when I needed some unbiased advice and she is always coming up with some great ideas for my site. I hope we can keep working together in the future! I also have one more thank you and that goes to Crystal Patriarche of BookSparks PR. Crystal kindly asked me to be a part of the SheKnows Book Club earlier in the year, and I had a great time working with the SheKnows community. I look forward to coming back next year, and for any readers that haven’t signed up for the SheKnows Book Club, I suggest you do! An interactive Q&A session with authors is such a great experience!

I hope everyone is enjoying my giveaways so far for my blogiversary week. If you haven’t already entered to win The Kiss Test by Shannon McKelden or Just Like Me, Only Better by Carol Snow be sure to get your emails in! I have one more giveaway to post tomorrow, so come back to read all about it. A big thank you to each and every one of you that check out my entries each day, and I hope you keep coming back for more!

Samantha

Enter the Emily Giffin Contest

One of my favorite authors, Emily Giffin, is running a FABULOUS contest through SheKnows.com. She is giving away a few of her favorite things- including a Blackberry and a pair of designer shoes! Check out the contest and enter here!

House Rules by Jodi Picoult

Jacob Hunt isn’t the average teenager. Though he is seemingly quite smart- especially with forensics analysis, he is terrible at reading social cues and expressing emotions, causing him to be an outcast among his school. But Jacob suffers from Asperger’s syndrome- a form of autism. While he can function at a higher level than those with autism, it doesn’t help him make friends any easier. The only person who really seems to understand Jacob is his tutor- until she is found dead, and Jacob is the prime suspect. Suddenly, Jacob’s family- which includes his single struggling mother and younger teenage brother- are under the spotlight. Could Jacob really have committed murder?

House Rules is a gripping, suspenseful novel by best-selling author Jodi Picoult. By examining different character point of views, readers can get a deeper understanding of the murder mystery at play. The clues help lead the plot along, but are never too informative, so I kept trying to read faster to find out who was the real killer. I had tears in my eyes while reading what Jacob’s mother went through during her daily life- what she needed to do when Jacob has tantrums in public and how she was coping during the days he was in jail. The story is powerful until the end, and keeps you thinking about the characters long after you have finished.

 

Pieces of Happily Ever After by Irene Zutell

Alice Hirsh is trying to adjust to life in the San Fernando Valley after living in New York. Judgmental and borderline unfriendly, Alice relies on her  family- Alex, a wonderful husband and father, working as an entertainment lawyer for the stars, and her precious daughter Gabby. But everything turns when Alex announces he needs a “break”- then Alice finds pictures of her husband cuddling with the hottest man-eating actress in Hollywood, also Alex’s newest client. Suddenly, she is on the verge of getting a divorce, and is having to deal with the demise while the paparazzi is stalking her and five year old Gabby asking all the hard questions.

Alice struggles to get through each day, trying to pick up the broken pieces around her. She finds friends with the most unexpected people- another mother who loves wearing Winnie-the-Pooh sweatshirts but can swear like a sailor and an ex porn star trying to make a better future for herself. Their friendships help support Alice through her mother’s declining health and a possible love interest- with a former paparazzo.

Pieces of Happily Ever After by Irene Zutell is a heartwarming tale of a very real situation and one women’s experience of trying to get her life back on track. I loved the spin with the fairy tale, seeing how Gabby’s love of fairy tales could relate to Alice’s life. The supporting cast really helped shape the novel, with just enough detail on each person’s lives. This is feel good reading material that shows no matter how much you lose, there is more you can gain to get your happily ever after.