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Book Review: Shy Town Girls, Ivy by Katie Leimkuehler

This is the second book in the Shy Town series and it focuses on Ivy. Ivy is a twenty-something girl-about-town, who is a rising star in the advertising industry. She lives with her best friend Ella, and another girl, Bobbie. A fourth girl, Meryl, rounds out their gang. Their world is based in Chicago and filled with work drama, fashion dilemmas and romantic entanglements. Ivy seems to find trouble wherever she turns. Despite knowing she shouldn’t mix work with pleasure, Ivy starts dating one of her clients. Matters get more complicated when she develops feelings for her best friend’s brother, Shane. Add some daddy issues to the mix, and the angst of being a quarter century old, and you’ve got yourself a story.
The beginning of the book was a struggle for me, which may be because I’m not a twenty something anymore. The Shy-Town girls’ day-to-day lives, work aside, seemed trivial to me. I initially found Ivy to be self-indulgent and arrogant (and proud of it). I was turned off by all the drinking and talking about random hook-ups (although I eventually learned this didn’t mean sleeping together). Obviously, my age was getting in the way of my connection with the characters. When the story focused on Ivy’s career I was more interested. When the author dropped a literary bombshell with letter from Ivy’s long-lost father I became seriously invested. As the story progressed, I was thrilled to see Ivy growing up. The character development was authentic and believable. I came full circle, caring for Ivy and appreciating her relationship with her friends. I even became a little nostalgic about my own twenties.
I also really enjoyed the romantic storyline that takes place in the book, although it’s really not the focus of the story. Ivy’s story is about work, friendship, family, love and growing into an adult. The writing is very good, especially the dialogue. The plot is fun and there’s a great teaser at the end of the book that definitely has me intrigued to read book three.

Book Review: A Cinderella Christmas by Holly Kingston

Reviewer: Terry I was given this book in exchange for an honest review. Lucy is a sweet, passive girl that ends up being used by…

Book Review: In the Bag by Kate Klise

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Summary:
Bestselling YA author Kate Klise flies high with her first novel for grown-ups. In the Bag is You’ve Got Mail meets The Parent Trap in the 21st century—an absolutely enthralling story of globe-hopping, lost luggage, found opportunities…and the old-fashioned art of flirtation in a modern world. Told from the alternating perspectives of two single parents and their two teenage children, In the Bag is warm and witty, surprising, stylish, and smart contemporary women’s fiction for fans of Jennifer Weiner, Jane Green, and Megan McCafferty. Kate Klise’s sparkling career as a novelist for adults has taken glorious flight!
Review:
I have to say that I didn’t love this book. The premise sounded good, the cover was cute, and I liked the short and quick chapters, which made for a fast read. I understand that sometimes fate does work in strange ways, but the believability started to get stretched a little thin for me as the book carried on. The ending was a little confusing as well, and I can honestly say that I would have preferred none of the “terrorist” angle be included in the story. I like reading books that are based outside of the US because I love traveling, so reading about Paris and Barcelona and Madrid sparked my interest. Unfortunately, it just wasn’t held for the duration of the book.
3 stars

Book Review: Chocolate Shoes and Wedding Blues by Trisha Ashley

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Summary:
When Tansy Poole inherits a run-down shoe shop tucked away in the village of Sticklepond, ‘Cinderella’s Slippers’ is born – providing the footwear to make any fairytale wedding come true…
Carrying everything a bride would want to walk down the aisle in, Tansy’s shop soon expands to carry shoe-themed wedding favours, bridesmaid gifts and even delicious chocolate shoes. It’s the dream destination for any shoe-lover!
If only everything in her personal life could be as heavenly – but with a fiancé trying to make her fit into a size 8 wedding dress, not to mention the recent discovery of disturbing family revelations, Tansy takes refuge in the shop’s success.
But one man isn’t thrilled by the stream of customers hot-footing it to Cinderella’s Slippers… Actor Ivo Hawksley, resident of the cottage next to the shop, is troubled by a dark secret in his past and has come to Sticklepond to nurse his own broken heart.
However, Ivo realises that he and Tansy have a link in their past and soon, they both find out how secrets shared can make a very strong bond indeed…
Forget the Jimmy Choos, Chocolate Shoes and Wedding Blues is the only accessory you need for spring 2012…
Summary:
I tend to find a lot of British chick lit pretty slow, and unfortunately this one fell in that category for me. While I enjoyed the story perfectly fine, it just seemed to take forever to progress through the chapters. I found so many scenes and sub plot points that didn’t seem wholly necessary, and wished it had been shorter so my interest could have been kept easier. I liked the basic storyline – Tansy taking over Cinderella’s Slippers and the possible love interest between her and Ivo. If there had been more focus on those main points I think I would have enjoyed this story a lot more. Still cute chick lit, just not my favorite.
3 stars

CLP Blog Tours Book Review: The Bitches of Brooklyn by …

Reviewer: Samantha Rosemary Harris is now on tour with CLP Blog Tours and The Bitches of Brooklyn Summary: From the author of the Anthony and…

Book Review: Love on a Budget by Norma L. Jarrett

Reviewer: Rhonda I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Summary: Jake Jiles was always handy with tools. Despite his…

Book Review: Totlandia 4 by Josie Brown

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Summary:
As summer sizzles in Totlandia, emotions boil over for the newest members of Pacific Heights Moms & Tots Club, whose trust in each other is sorely tempted by Bettina and her club politics.

When Jillian’s vindictive joke backfires, she learns the true meaning of forgiveness.

Jade’s betrayal puts her in a dangerous downward spiral with no bottom in sight—until she finds friendship and redemption where she least expects it.

Lorna faces the biggest trial in her marriage, and makes an important decision that may end it for good.

While Ally may regret the choices made she to get accepted in the club, her exile puts new opportunities in her path, thanks to Brady and his ceaseless desire to win her over—with Barry’s help, who is playing his own little game with the Top Moms Committee.

But it’s Bettina who suffers the ultimate punishment—one that changes her life, and the livelihood of the club, forever.
Review:
This Totlandia books have seriously done a number on me! I started the first one not sure how I would like them, being a non-mother myself. But I was immediately hooked on this crazy group of women and the mommy group they belonged to. I’ve been having fun reading about them throughout the seasons, and the fourth book really took the cake in over the top for me. Friendships that we’ve read in the other books that seem like true friendships (rare in this series, trust me!) are breaking apart, the mom and tots club seems to be heading for disaster, and we think Bettina might finally get a taste of her own medicine – about time! The sex scenes are also pretty steamy, especially with the addition of a new man into the cast. If you haven’t read any of the books in the series I recommend you start at the first and work your way into them. They are fab and not to miss!
4 stars

Book Review: Last Christmas by Talli Roland

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Summary:
For Lucy, the best Christmas present is forgetting the past.

Eager to banish the ghost of Christmas past – when her boyfriend dumped her on the streets of Paris – Lucy is determined to make this the best Christmas ever. She rallies friends and family for an epic celebration that just happens to fall on the same day as her ex’s festive wedding. Furious at how she’s been treated, Lucy can’t help relishing the party v wedding smackdown.

But when the wedding is threatened and only Lucy can help, can she find the spirit inside to save the day, or will this Christmas be even more disastrous than the last?
Review:
Talli Roland is one of my favorite chick lit authors, so even though I’m not crazy for novellas, I really wanted to read another offering from her! Last Christmas is quick, cute, and packs a lot of personality for such a short read. I thought Roland did a great job making sure the main characters were developed, which can lack in novellas from time to time. The storyline had great qualities, from love lost to moving on to even showing forgiveness in a big way, and of course – plenty of romance. If you need a sweet treat for the holiday season, pick up your copy of Last Christmas!
4 stars

Book Review: Synchronized Breathing by Tara Ellison

I was given this book in exchange for an honest review.

Oh the whoa’s of being not only a divorce in your 30’s, but trying to date and find a real connection in the dating world all while struggling to raise a child. Scarlett’s got some stories to tell on both fronts! Scarlett is a newly divorced mom of an adorable little man in California and finds herself just a little lost. Not only does she find herself trying to jump start her career, but she is also finding the world of dating just a little harder then she recalled from her younger days.

This is a not only funny story about the whoa’s of dating, raising a busy toddler, but also dealing with a control freak ex, and one should never forget the blunt sexually active mother she finds herself living with; but it is also a story of how Scarlett finds herself amid all this chaos.

This is a great read and not a boring typical romance, it is a story anyone that has been through a divorce and been thrown back into the crazy single world can truly relate too. Granted Scarlett mingles with movie stars and producers. Scarlett’s story will both amuse you and make you think.

This is actually a story I will be passing on to friend’s that often find themselves in similar situation’s much like Scarlett’s….dating the wrong guy over and over, for all the wrong reasons.