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Book Review: Double Click by Lisa Becker
Chick Lit Review

Book Review: Double Click by Lisa Becker

I received a copy of Double Click by Lisa Becker in exchange for an honest review.
Summary:
Fans of the romantic hit Click: An Online Love Story will enjoy another voyeuristic dive into the lives of Renee, Shelley, Ashley, Mark and Ethan, as Double Click picks up with their lives six months later. Are Renee and Ethan soul mates? Does Mark ever go on a date? Has Shelley run out of sexual conquests in Los Angeles? Will Ashley’s judgmental nature sabotage her budding relationship? Through a marriage proposal, wedding, new baby and unexpected love twist, Double Click answers these questions and more. Readers will continue to cheer, laugh, cry and cringe following the email exploits of Renee and friends.
Review:
I was very excited once Becker got a hold of me to review Double Click, the sequel to the super-cute and enjoyable Click: An Online Love Story. I of course jumped at the chance – and not only because I knew a character was named after me thanks to a Facebook post while the story was being written. Side note – the Samantha character is a huge gossip with mismatched socks – me to a T 😉 Back to my review …I loved it! I’m actually not sure which book I loved more, but since I’m given them each a 5 star review, we’ll just call it even! It was great fun catching back up with the gang, seeing how they have changed and grown and matured (cough, Shelley!) and I whipped through this book in a day. The story is written entirely in emails, but I never felt cheated out of a “real” story or felt that anything was missing. I don’t think this style of writing can be easy, so that I love these books that much makes me enjoy them even more. I hope you can read these!
5 stars

May 16, 2013
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Book Review: Pedigree Mum by Fiona Gibson
Chick Lit Review

Book Review: Pedigree Mum by Fiona Gibson

Kerry Tambini and her husband decide that the timing is right to move their family to a small town on the coast where Kerry grew up. Not long after the move though, Kerry soon finds out that the family will be missing her husband- after he makes a huge mistake. Kerry isn’t willing to give up though, and finds ways to make her family happier than ever. Including bringing a new member into it… a dog named Buddy! While Buddy is exactly the healing balm that Kerry and the kids need, he is also a stepping stone to helping Kerry find a new life. Through lots of crazy meet-ups and run-arounds, Kerry starts feeling more comfortable in the uppity town she calls home, and meets a few new prospects on the way.

I found this book nothing but delightful right from the start. The author really showed the ups and downs of small town living, and not only how you are judged by others, but how you can let yourself start doing some judging. My favorite part was that the author told the story from many different prespectives. I liked the chance to see the story through more than one set of eyes. You don’t see that often in books, nor this well done. All the characters had their fun quirks and their own distinct personalities. I could tell the difference when I read each of them. This book was a joy to read and not one that was easy to put down. And, I’m not going to lie, it made me want to run out to the nearest dog shelter!

I would definitely recommend this book to not only animal lovers, but to those who love stories about small towns and the quirkiness of them all.

May 15, 2013
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Book Review: Love Me Anyway by Tiffany Hawk
Chick Lit Review

Book Review: Love Me Anyway by Tiffany Hawk

Reviewer: Kate I received a copy of Love Me Anyway by Tiffany Hawk  in exchange for an honest review. Summary: When twenty-three-year-old Emily Crane’s marriage…

May 14, 2013
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Book Review: The Life List by Chrissy Anderson
Chick Lit Review

Book Review: The Life List by Chrissy Anderson

I received a copy of The Life List by Chrissy Anderson in exchange for an honest review.
Summary:
The Life List, part I of The List Trilogy, is the ultimate chick lit novel and most of the story is true. Chrissy Anderson, a twenty-eight year old fashion executive, created a seven-point life list at the age of sixteen and she’s been steadily checking off the boxes and mocking the style and life choices of everyone around her ever since. Her life begins to run amuck when she unexpectedly meets a much younger, Leo, who makes her question her “perfect life.”

Chrissy’s lifelong friendships and her marriage are put to the test as she tries to sort out her feelings for Leo. With the help of her brassy, no-nonsense therapist, Dr. Maria, Chrissy learns more about herself than she anticipates. But, it isn’t until the untimely death of her best friend that Chrissy is catapulted into long overdue authenticity and scrambles to correct the mistakes of her past….trying to figure out if it’s Kurt, Leo or both that she has to get rid of to make everything right.

Women of all kinds–twenty-somethings, housewives and superwomen wanna-bes–will all be able to relate to the pressure of constructing the ideal life, only to fall short. Not everyone will agree with Chrissy Anderson’s decisions, but all will pause as they follow along on her journey to ask, “What would I do if I were her?”
Review:
Whew. What a book. When you read this (not if, when) be prepared to be entertained, to learn, to question, to laugh, to cry. This book was hard to put down from the first page, and even though I think it was a little on the long side, it was worth ever moment. I finished this book last week and I’m still talking to people about it. The characters are still sticking with me, and I’m even still questioning some of life choices after reading this very thought-provoking novel. I’m not sure I can really list all the reasons why I loved this book so much. There was drama and heartbreak and betrayal and friendships and …. truth. The emotions are raw, the storyline is not pretty at times, and there is some deep stuff to be uncovered throughout the chapters. I am so excited that this is a trilogy, and after begging Anderson for the second novel, I am happy to say The Unexpected List is now on my Kindle. Truly not one to miss.
5 stars

May 14, 2013
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CLP Blog Tours Book Review: After Math by Denise Grover Swank
Chick Lit Review

CLP Blog Tours Book Review: After Math by Denise Grover …

Denise Grover Swank is now on tour with CLP Blog Tours and After Math
Summary:
Scarlett Goodwin’s world is divided into Before and After.

Before she agreed to tutor Tucker Price, college junior Scarlett was introvert, struggling with her social anxiety disorder and determined to not end up living in a trailer park like her mother and her younger sister. A mathematics major, she goes to her classes, to her job in the tutoring lab, and then hides in the apartment she shares with her friend, Caroline.

After junior Tucker Price, Southern University’s star soccer player enters the equation, her carefully plotted life is thrown off its axis. Tucker’s failing his required College Algebra class. With his eligibility is at risk, the university chancellor dangles an expensive piece of computer software for the math department if Scarlett agrees to privately tutor him. Tucker’s bad boy, womanizer reputation makes Scarlett wary of any contact, let alone spending several hours a week in close proximity.

But from her first encounter, she realizes Tucker isn’t the person everyone else sees. He carries a mountain of secrets which she suspects hold the reason to his self-destructive behavior. But the deeper she delves into the cause of his pain, the deeper she gets sucked into his chaos. Will Scarlett find the happiness she’s looking for, or will she be caught in Tucker’s aftermath?
Review:
Denise Grover Swank became a favorite author of mine from the first book I read by her, Twenty-Eight and Half Wishes. I highly recommend all of her books, and if you haven’t read anything from her yet – you are missing out! While After Math wasn’t a favorite of mine, it was still a good book. The writing is flawless as usual, the characters have depth and keep the story interesting, and it just feels unique. I love that Scarlett was a math major, and Tucker’s back story was also interesting to read about. While it is a good girl falls for bad boy type of plot, there’s just something about her books that makes me feel like I’m reading about a subject for the first time. One to check out!
4 stars

May 13, 2013
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CLP Blog Tours Book Review: Unexpecting by Lori Verni-Fogarsi
Chick Lit Review

CLP Blog Tours Book Review: Unexpecting by Lori Verni-Fogarsi

Lori Verni-Fogarsi is now on tour with CLP Blog Tours and Unexpecting!
Summary:
Shelley and David are a couple of almost-empty-nesters preparing to embark on the next stage of their life. They’ve just ordered white furniture and are planning the vacation they’ve waited their entire lives to take.

Their lives are catapulted in a completely different direction when Alexandra, seventeen and pregnant, shows up on their doorstep and announces that she’s the daughter they never knew they had! Their life becomes filled with dilemmas as they add not only another child, but also a baby to a household that was just about to become serene.

Shelley feels like she no longer fits in anywhere and to top it off, having two teenaged girls suddenly plunged into being sisters and school mates is not exactly warm and fuzzy. When Alexandra’s behavior becomes erratic, the couple is faced with even tougher decisions to make.

Hold on for an emotional yet witty ride as you join this family of characters in a story of love, loyalty, heartbreak, and humor that will stay with you long after you turn the last page!
Review:
Wow, what a read. I adore books where I have pretty much zero in common with the main character but can wind up being best friends with her. I have also read Momnesia, which introduces us to Shelly, and I highly recommend both these novels. I actually ended up enjoying Unexpecting even more, not always a common occurrence with sequels, but this was just so hard to put down. I got emotional a few times throughout, I was surprised at times, shocked, dismayed, happy, confused…whew! But I loved every minute of it, and this is definitely worthy of a 5 star review!
5 stars

May 13, 2013
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Book Review: Eloves me, Eloves me not by L. A. Johannesson
Chick Lit Review

Book Review: Eloves me, Eloves me not by L. A. …

I received a copy of Eloves me, Eloves me not by L. A. Johannesson in exchange for an honest review.

Synopsis:

Still single at 39, Kayte Wexford has everything but Mr. Right. She has a fabulous career and interesting friends, but there’s still no one waiting at home for her but the dog.

With keyboard at the ready, she turns to technology for help, hoping online dating will finally deliver the man of her dreams.

eloves me, eloves me not is a contemporary romantic comedy that follows Kayte’s online dating adventures while focusing on the relationships of four main characters, each with their unique views on love: Kayte is the ever-hopeful romantic, Roman the consummate bachelor, Thomas is newly and skeptically single and Chloe is already living happily ever after.

Join Kayte as she meets a series of cyber-suitors and learns what she will and won’t do in the name of love. See if you can you predict where Kayte will end up and with whom.

Review:

This book was really a lot of fun and a nice spin on a romantic comedy. I thought L.A. did a really great job at creating very likeable characters and creating a world for Kayte that is a hoot with tons of laughs. While reading this book I constantly visualized what I thought it would look like on the big screen, and this one is a winner! If you are looking for a really great book that has a romantic interest in online dating and so called cyber-suitors, then this book is for you. I think you will really enjoy it!
Rating: 4 stars

May 10, 2013
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Book Review: The Week Before the Wedding by Beth Kendrick
Chick Lit Review

Book Review: The Week Before the Wedding by Beth Kendrick

I received a copy of The Week Before the Wedding by Beth Kendrick in exchange for an honest review.
Summary:
After enduring a chaotic childhood, Emily McKellips yearns for a drama-free life, complete with a white picket fence. Her dreams are about to come true: She has a stellar career, a gorgeous house, and a fiancé any woman would die for. But as friends and family arrive in picturesque Valentine, Vermont, for her wedding, an uninvited guest shows up.

Ryan is Emily’s first husband from a disastrous starter marriage. They wed on a whim, only to discover that combustible chemistry couldn’t ensure a happily ever after. But Ryan is no longer the headstrong boy she left behind. He’s now a successful film producer who just happens to be scouting a resort in Valentine with his adorable retriever in tow.

As the bridesmaids revolt and the mothers of the bride and groom do battle, Emily is surprised to discover new sides of both her ex and her fiancé. She thought she had life and love all figured out, but the next seven days might change her mind—and her heart.
Review:
There were many details that made me fall in love with The Week Before the Wedding. I highly enjoyed that Emily had a bit of a wild-child past, how crazy her mom was, and of course – that I was reading a wedding book! (Mine is now LESS than four months away!) What I liked the most is that throughout the book, I had no idea how Emily was going to end up – or who she would end up with. On one hand, I truly thought she would stay with Grant, her fiancé, because she did seem to love him and their wedding was, well, a week away. They had chemistry, stability, and a happy life together. On the other hand, I thought for sure Emily was going to throw caution to the wind and wind up with Ryan. I mean, his name was tattooed on her ring finger! But they also had chemistry, a past, and an odd respect for one another. So who did she end up with? I can’t tell you that! But I can tell you this book has a lot of heart, some seriously comical moments with the mothers, and is a very enjoyable read!
4 stars

May 10, 2013
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Book Review: The Last Telegram by Liz Trenow
Chick Lit Review

Book Review: The Last Telegram by Liz Trenow

I received a copy of THE LAST TELEGRAM by Liz Trenow in exchange for an honest review.
Synopsis:

Decades ago, as Nazi planes dominated the sky, Lily Verner made a terrible choice. She’s tried to forget, but now an unexpected event pulls her back to the 1940s British countryside. She finds herself remembering the brilliant colors of the silk she helped to weave at her family’s mill, the relentless pressure of the worsening war, and the kind of heartbreaking loss that stops time.

In this evocative novel of love and consequences, Lily finally confronts the disastrous decision that has haunted her all these years. The Last Telegram uncovers the surprising truth about how the stories we weave about our lives are threaded with truth, guilt, and forgiveness.
Review:

I am a really, really big fan of historical fiction (especially those that take place during WWII) and absolutely devoured this book. The book opens up with quite the backdrop, and since it is told in first person, you really feel present and in the moment. I was really touched by Liz’s writing and thought she did such an amazing job at transplanting the reader and creating such remarkable moments between the characters. I really loved Lily as the main character and my heart broke a few times throughout the novel. Such an amazing novel, but let me warn you, keep a box of tissues handy for this one during the last few chapters because you will definitely need them.
Rating: 5 stars

May 9, 2013
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