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CLP Blog Tours Book Review: Transplanting Holly Oakwood by Di Jones
Chick Lit Review

CLP Blog Tours Book Review: Transplanting Holly Oakwood by Di …

Di Jones is now on tour with CLP Blog Tours and Transplanting Holly Oakwood. When Holly finds her boyfriend in bed with her best friend, her world comes crashing down. Not sure where to turn or who to trust, she flees from London to Los Angeles to work for a great job – a Consulate – and tries to forget the betrayal. But life in LA proves no easier than what she left behind. Her boss Brittany is a snob, her body type is nowhere near the norm, and she struggles with homesickness as loneliness envelopes her. The only thing that seems to get her by is her new friendships – and a possible love interest. But can Holly really move on from her life in London and find happiness in LA?
Transplanting Holly Oakwood is a true chick lit book, and so much fun to read. Poor Holly can’t seem to cut a break wherever she is – London, LA, doesn’t matter! I could really feel for her and how she seemed not to fit in. And her boss Brittany – what a B word! It was fun that we were able to get POV’s from other characters, including the famed Brittany, and I thought that really added a lot to the story. I loved the romance because I didn’t know which man was going to win in the end – and Holly had three possible suitors along the way, if you count her douche-canoe of an ex. Holly got into so many comical – and frustrating – situations, but I was happy with her ending and I highly enjoyed this novel. One for chick lit readers!
4 stars

April 15, 2013
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Book Review: From the Kitchen of Half Truth by Maria Goodin
Chick Lit Review

Book Review: From the Kitchen of Half Truth by Maria …

I received a copy of FROM THE KITCHEN OF HALF TRUTH by Maria Goodin in exchange for an honest review.
Summary:

If your mother can’t seem to tell the truth…how true is your life?

Meg May doesn’t know what’s true. And she needs to find out.

Imaginative and free-spirited, Meg’s mother created a life out of stories. Outlandish stories, really, the kind you can’t possibly believe—unless your mother won’t tell you anything else about your past. After all, how do you argue with someone who tells you that a spaghetti plant sprouted on your first birthday, that you used to take hot dogs for a walk, or that your father died in a tragic pastry-mixing accident?

But as charming as those stories are, they aren’t enough for Meg anymore. When her mother becomes ill, Meg decides she has to know the truth. As the two spend one last summer together, Meg can’t convince her mother to reveal a thing about who they used to be—or who they are now.
Review:

Oh you guys, you guys – this book is lovely. I was drawn in and held captivated from the very first chapter and I loved pretty much everything about this story. The premise of the book revolves around a mother and daughter relationship and I really, really enjoyed the dynamic between the two main characters. Often times in life, we take things and people for granted and this book really examines this idea and runs with it. This book makes you think and remember things from your past and although it starts off fairly light, it picks up pace and really digs deep towards the middle and especially toward the end. From The Kitchen of Half Truth will bring you through a full swing of emotions and you will often times find yourself laughing and sometimes crying – but most importantly, your heart will ache with delight while reading. Such a wonderful debut and I can’t wait to see what Maria produces next.
Rating: 4.5 stars

April 12, 2013
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Book Review: Inferno by Kate Austin
Chick Lit Review

Book Review: Inferno by Kate Austin

InfernoI received a copy of INFERNO by Kate Austin in exchange for an honest review.

This book begins with Dante (our main character) who is living successfully abroad in Europe and then one day, he receives a phone call home from his mother who is calling in backup to save the family restaurant. Dante returns home and gives it a go. He expected the hard work and dedication but he didn’t expect to hit it off so well with Elise, the florist that his dear sweet mom hired to help out as well. Elise struggles with the attraction too. For once she is doing exactly what she wants to do, but then Dante walks in and really shakes things up. The two of them fight hard to resist the attraction but will they succumb to it finally after all? Or will they be able to resist indefinitely?

This book was sweet and saucy all rolled into one. I really enjoyed Kate’s writing and thought that she did an excellent job setting the story up. At first, you think that things are going to be a little slow and predictable, but once Dante meets Elise, you know that you couldn’t be more wrong. I loved the instant attraction between the two and I think that Kate does a fabulous job at creating realistic situations and adding in a little flair and spice to really amp things up. I was rooting for Elise and Dante since they met and secretly hoped that they would figure a way to work things out and yet do what they want to do. And, without any spoilers, I think the author does an amazing job at satisfying the readers as well as keeping true to her story. Overall, this book is a really good read and a lot of fun.

Rating: 4 stars

April 12, 2013
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Book Review: Blue-Ribbon Jalapeno Society Jubilee by Carolyn Brown
Chick Lit Review

Book Review: Blue-Ribbon Jalapeno Society Jubilee by Carolyn Brown

I received a copy of BLUE-RIBBON JALAPENO SOCIETY JUBILEE by Carolyn Brown in exchange for an honest review.

Summary:

Miss Clawdy’s Café has won the Jubilee blue ribbon every year since the dawn of time. This year, town matron Violet Prescott is going after that ribbon with an iron-clad determination only thinly disguised by her perfect coiffure and flawless manners, bless her heart.

It’s time for café owners Cathy and Marty and their best friend Trixie to pull out their secret weapon. And this is where a lifetime of friendship, combined with just the right recipe at just the right time, might carry the day—or blow everything to smithereens.

Welcome to Cadillac, Texas, where the jalapeños are hot, the gossip is hotter, and at the end of the day, it’s the priceless friendships that are left standing…

Review:

I was instantly smitten with the title, description and cover for this book and knew I would love it from the get go. Author Carolyn Brown pleases from the get go with trademark southern char, twang and hilarious wit. The Blue-Ribbon Jalapeno Society Jubilee is a fun southern tale that delivers a very fun and authentic tale that could and would definitely take place in a small southern town. I loved the adventures of the women and I loved all of the gossip that went on. Friendship and family are key themes in this book and you can easily see how important they are to the main characters. I don’t really have any complaints because I enjoyed it so much. Full of sass and southern comfort, this book is a winner.

Rating: 4.5 stars

April 11, 2013
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Book Review: The Best of Us by Sarah Pekkanen
Chick Lit Review

Book Review: The Best of Us by Sarah Pekkanen

I received a copy of The Best of Us by Sarah Pekkanen in exchange for an honest review. Let’s be serious – how can you not love Pekkanen’s books? I was so excited to start reading her latest offering, and the synopsis had me practically panting. What a juicy, juicy little read! An all-expenses trip to Jamaica is the setting and we meet four women, all struggling with something in their own way. Pauline is the hostess, wife of Dwight, who surprises him by planning a trip to Jamaica to celebrate his birthday with some old college friends. Pauline loves her husband – and yes, his money – but she hasn’t filled him in on the biggest secret she’s keeping – the true story behind her disabled sister. Tina isn’t sure about accepting the invite when she receives it – she has four young children to mother and isn’t sure being away for so long is a good idea. Allie convinces her she needs the time off, but she is struggling herself with the news that a genetic condition runs in her biological family. And Savannah accepts the trip to try to help heal the wounds of her husband’s infidelity. The women and their husbands (minus Savannah’s) head to Jamaica to spend the week basking in luxury – until secrets are revealed and betrayals are made.
It just seems fitting that a hurricane also touches down while this group is on holiday, because all the swirling turmoil in that house just calls for it! Whew, what a bunch of fab little stories woven into one. I was hooked from the beginning, and highly enjoyed reading about each and every character. I did not expect some to act like they did. I was surprised at times, delighted at others, horrified even during a few moments, but my interest was always up. This story made me think a lot about marriages, friendships, love, even motherhood. A definite must-read!
5 stars

April 10, 2013
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Book Review: Strawberry Wine by Lee Adams
Chick Lit Review

Book Review: Strawberry Wine by Lee Adams

I received a copy of Strawberry Wine by Lee Adams in exchange for an honest review.
Summary:
Ten years have passed since Tanya Smith’s last summer at Laurel Lake-the summer of Marie. Today Tanya is a confident, successful music promoter-a far cry from the naïve seventeen-year-old who showed up at the lake full of rosy notions of first love, lifelong friendships, and evenings spent sipping strawberry wine on the shore. That September changed everything, and as far as Tanya is concerned, there’s no going back. That is, until a mysterious phone call from Marie’s lawyer brings Tanya face to face with the past. Suddenly she finds herself returning to Laurel Lake and to everything she left behind there. Will the dark secret that haunts the lake break her heart all over again? Or will Marie’s legacy be the key that unlocks the future Tanya gave up on ten long years ago?

Review:
This book started off very slow for me, and unfortunately, once a book starts slow I always seem to struggle with it. I liked the premise for the story and once I got over the hump in the beginning I enjoyed reading it a lot more, but then I think I was too far removed from the story to really get involved. With the beginning, we just learn so much so fast about so many different characters, and it left my head spinning a bit. I had fun learning about the lake and the friendships Tanya had with the other summer kids. Marie’s story was really hard to read about, and I think the thing I liked most about the book is that nothing seems to be sugar-coated. Some of the characters go through incredibly difficult situations, and it made the story feel very real-life, which I like. I wish I could have gotten into the plot just a bit sooner so my attention could have been held throughout, but I still enjoyed the story and wanted to see how the ending turned out for everyone.
3 stars

April 9, 2013
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CLP Blog Tours Book Review: Eighty-Eight Keys by Catherine Lavender
Chick Lit Review

CLP Blog Tours Book Review: Eighty-Eight Keys by Catherine Lavender

Catherine Lavender is now on tour with CLP Blog Tours and Eighty-Eight Keys. Summary: Leah is a young woman who is trying to break free…

April 8, 2013
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Book Review: The Secret of Happy Ever After by Lucy Dillon
Chick Lit Review

Book Review: The Secret of Happy Ever After by Lucy …

I received a copy of The Secret of Happy Ever After by Lucy Dillon in exchange for an honest review. This book begins by introducing…

April 5, 2013
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Book Review: The Boy Next Door by Annabelle Costa
Chick Lit Review

Book Review: The Boy Next Door by Annabelle Costa

I received a copy of The Boy Next Door by Annabelle Costa in exchange for an honest review.
Summary:

Through middle school, high school, bad dates, and an ill-advised punk phase, Tasha has always been able to count on Jason. Since the day he moved in next door, he’s gone from the weird kid in a wheelchair to Tasha’s most trusted friend. But lives change and the friends are going in different directions. When Jason and Tasha rekindle their friendship, sparks fly. After years of being a wild soul, now the ex-lead of a band turned music teacher is just looking for a relationship to last.

When none other than Jason introduces her to a man who can give her what she wants, Tasha is on the verge of throwing passion and love away just so she can forget her troubled past and settle down. But Jason isn’t ready to give her up just yet.
Review:

I had so much fun reading The Boy Next Door and thought that Annabelle did such a fantastic job crafting such fun characters that are honest, flawed and easy to relate to . I loved the romance and thought it was very light and sweet. I also really, really liked the flashback scenes and thought that Annabelle did such a great job at going back and forth between time, which isn’t easily done and many authors struggle with. Overall, this book is really good and full of details. I was very impressed with this book and will definitely check out this author in the future.
Rating: 4 stars

April 5, 2013
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