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Book Review: Why Can’t I Be You by Allie Larkin
Chick Lit Review

Book Review: Why Can’t I Be You by Allie …

I received a copy of Why Can’t I Be You by Allie Larkin in exchange for an honest review. How many times do you wish you were someone else, even if for just a few days? Jenny Shaw is about to get the chance to actually be someone else when she hears “Jessie!” being called out across a hotel lobby. Not knowing why, she responds, and is thrust into the life of Jessie Morgan, who’s high school is hosting a reunion at the same location of Jenny’s work conference. Jenny transforms into Jessie and is welcomed into her old clique, and finally feels a sense of belonging that she never got from her own life. But how long can she pretend to be someone else – and what will happen when the friends find out the truth?
I thought Why Can’t I Be You was a really interesting read, because it made me think while I was following Jenny’s journey. Would I take a chance to become someone else? Who? How would I finally spill the beans? Larkin gives readers a short and sweet story that I anxiously followed along, wondering at each turn when Jenny would be busted for not being Jessie. Sometimes I wondered how the friends could not possibly see it – but then, sometimes we are too blind to realize what we don’t want to see. The romance in the story was what really left me questioning, and I’m almost glad we don’t get the full conclusion at the end – I liked leaving that up to my imagination, and I definitely kept thinking about Jenny after I was done reading. An entertaining story, and one for chick lit fans to check out!
4 stars

March 6, 2013
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Book Review: A French Affair by Katie Fforde
Chick Lit Review

Book Review: A French Affair by Katie Fforde

I received a copy of A French Affair by Katie Fforde in exchange for an honest review.

Summary:
Gina and Sally Makepiece have inherited a stall in the French House – an antiques centre nestled in the heart of the English countryside.
Gina is determined to drag the French House and its grumpy owner into the twenty-first century. Bearing all the attributes of a modern-day Mr Rochester, Matthew Ballinger is less than happy with the whirlwind that has arrived on his doorstep.
The last thing either of them want is to fall in love.
But will a trip to France change their minds?
My Review:
I thought A French Affair was a cute read, but a bit predictable and sometimes on the dull side. I never quite got fully invested in the story, but it was able to keep my interest enough to finish reading. Gina and Sally make a great pair, and their antics gave me a few laughs along the way. The romance was the predictable part, but sometimes that just is how it is. I liked the parts about the French House and how they are trying to learn the antique business. That seemed fun and original, but sometimes a few of the plot points didn’t make a whole lot of sense to me. In all it was a cute book, but not a favorite of mine.
3.5 stars

March 5, 2013
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Book Review: Grace Unexpected by Gale Martin
Chick Lit Review

Book Review: Grace Unexpected by Gale Martin

I received a copy of GRACE UNEXPECTED by Gale Martin in exchange for an honest review.

In a cleverly plotted romantic comedy, GRACE UNEXPECTED features thirty-something Grace Savage, who has made her way through terrible job after terrible job and gone through a muddy puddle of bad men who had commitment phobia. In an effort to shake things up, she visits her mother, who conveniently lives in Shaker Village in New Hampshire, and there she finds something completely unexpected. In Shaker Village, she learns that men and women live side by side and work together in complete celibacy. She is intrigued to say the least, but when her boyfriend dumps her instead of proposing, Grace adopts the Shaker way of life. She vows to stick it out with her new lifestyle, but when she returns to her old life, she struggles when begins juggling two bachelors. They test her will but she stays strong. Will Grace finally find the man of her dreams? Or will she crack before then?

I had so much fun reading GRACE UNEXPECTED and was completely surprised by the ending of the book (no spoilers here please). Gale does such an amazing job at crafting realistic characters but adding a fun little flair to each of them. I loved the time that Grace spent in the Shaker village and I found the idea quite interesting and unique – definitely something I’ve never read in a book before. Overall, this book is really fun and quite funny and heartwarming. I think that if you are looking for a contemporary romantic comedy, then this book is for you.
Rating: 4.5/5

February 28, 2013
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CLP Blog Tours Book Review: Work For Hire by Margo Karasek
Chick Lit Review

CLP Blog Tours Book Review: Work For Hire by Margo …

Margo Karasek is now on tour with CLP Blog Tours and Work For Hire. This novel is full of hard questions, tough conundrums, and I often thought to myself what would I do? Our heroine is Tekla, a law student who is getting top grades and is on the right track to having much success upon graduation. But when she needs more money to keep her up with her rent, a job offer poses a threat to her carefully-planned out life. She gets a job as a tutor for two young children of extremely wealthy – and absent – parents. But tutor is stretching it, and soon Tekla finds herself running into the ground trying to please not only the kids, but the parents as well. While her grades and perfect attendance starts to suffer, Tekla has moral dilemmas about her job – and begins to question herself.
I really enjoyed Work For Hire, and the main message is actually pretty similar to my second novel, so that probably helped me connect with the plot. Tekla has a great high-paying job, but at what cost? The situations that happen throughout the novel will frustrate you, anger you, and make you sad. Karasek did a great job building up her supporting cast, and it was easy for me to become immersed in the story. The ending left me with a bit of a question mark, which I found to be the only downside of the whole book. I was highly entertained throughout, and it was tough to put down. One I recommend!
4.5 stars

February 28, 2013
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Book Review: Up Close by Henriette Gyland
Chick Lit Review

Book Review: Up Close by Henriette Gyland

I was provided with a copy of UP CLOSE by Henriette Gyland in exchange for an honest review.

The book begins with the unexpected death of Dr. Lia Thompson’s grandmother and she needs to head to Norfolk to pay her respect. But, as she arrives to her grandmother’s house, she gets an eerie feeling that there is more to her death than meets the eye. She begins to dig a little deeper, but along the way she runs into Aidan, who crushed hard on Lia when they were kids. The two get closer the longer that she sticks around, but it is only a matter of time until she realizes that Aidan has been scarred, but internally and externally from his accident when serving in the navy, and he has secrets too. But, as Lia inches closer to the truth, she begins to question Aidan and his motives and wonders if she should even trust him? Or is he too close for her to see the truth?

I started reading UP CLOSE and was instantly drawn in by the suspense, mystery and intrigue. This book is very suspenseful and has a very quick pace which is a great thing for a reader. And, to make things even better, there is a romance on top of all of the mystery and it will definitely leave you wondering until the very last minute whether or not Aidan can be trusted. It seems like there is literally a secret on every page and each of the characters has their own demons to conquer, which makes the book that much more entertaining. Overall, this was a fast paced read that I enjoyed very much.
Rating: 4/5 stars

February 27, 2013
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Book Review: The Union Street Bakery by Mary Ellen Taylor
Chick Lit Review

Book Review: The Union Street Bakery by Mary Ellen Taylor

I received a copy of The Union Street Bakery by Mary Ellen Taylor in exchange for an honest review. I was immediately intrigued from the synopsis because I love a good mystery, have a thing for ghosts, and can’t resist history. This book has it all – and then a sweet family story, a bit of romance, and a heroine that doesn’t give up when the chips fall around her. Daisy McCrae is out of a job and back living at home and working in the bakery that has been in the McCrae family for generations. The same bakery where Daisy was abandoned by her birth mother when she was three, only to be adopted by the McCrae’s and given a chance at life. Just days back at home, Daisy is bequeathed a journal from the 1850’s from an elderly resident who passes away. Daisy – and both her sisters – are confused why Daisy got the journal. But as Daisy starts reading the story of a young slave girl named Susie, more than history is being brought to light.
I thought The Union Street Bakery was a marvelous read! If you like ghost stories and history, don’t pass this one up. I was so intrigued about Susie and her life, and fitting all the puzzle pieces together throughout the course of the book was enthralling. Daisy is a sweet character who has lost her way after getting the pink slip, and I liked that she wasn’t quick to just start anew. She struggled with her new role in the bakery, she struggled with her sisters, and she struggled in the romance department after her ex-fiancé shows up in town. The adoption story of hers really tugged at my heart, especially the rejection she feels. I loved the ending and how everything was revealed to the reader, and this is a book I highly recommend!
4 stars

February 26, 2013
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CLP Blogs Tours Book Review: White Diamonds by Shirley Hailstock
Chick Lit Review

CLP Blogs Tours Book Review: White Diamonds by Shirley Hailstock

I received a copy of WHITE DIAMONDS by Shirley Hailstock in exchange for an honest review from CLP BLOG TOURS!

White Diamonds follows Sandra Rutledge, who has practically lived in front of the cameras most of her life. Instead of life in the public eye, she longs for a quiet existence and longs to be a professor at the university. She is incredibly smart, and she is at her family cabin in the Pocono Mountains when she meets Wyatt Randolph, who is a missing junior senator from Pennsylvania. Only, she finds him bleeding in the middle of the road. Only his entrance into her life makes things complicated because it turns out there is more to the story because he actually knows her father, only he accuses him of treason. But, is Wyatt telling the truth? At first, Sandra doesn’t believe him, but together they go on the search for the truth and what is behind the cache of diamonds that have set off a trail of murder and deceit.

I really enjoyed this story and found it quite suspenseful and thrilling. Shirley has a knack for crafting a very believable tale of intrigue and I thought she did an amazing job at crafting both Sandra and Wyatt. My heart was racing during most of the read and I kept wondering who to trust. Like I said, this book is full of lots of twists and turns and I found myself racing to catch up. Overall, this story is quite enjoyable and is very fast paced. I think you will enjoy it just as much as I have.
Rating: 4.5/5

February 25, 2013
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CLP Blog Tours Book Review: Torn Together by Emlyn Chand
Chick Lit Review

CLP Blog Tours Book Review: Torn Together by Emlyn Chand

Emlyn Chand is now on tour with CLP Blog Tours and Torn Together. This novel is a beautiful story about Daly English, a woman who doesn’t quite know her way yet. She has a difficult relationship with her mother, she still mourns the loss of her father, and she struggles with her art. Daly meets two people that have a profound effect on her life. First there is Meghann, a pregnant teenager who Daly is wary of at first. Daly is jealous of the relationship between her mom and Meghann, but quickly gets a new outlook on life from their friendship – and perhaps a second chance with her mom. She also befriends Kashi, a believer in fate who hails from India. A love affair between the two commences quickly, and Daly takes a life-changing trip to India to meet Kashi’s family for approval. Daly finally feels her life has a purpose, a direction, and she feels happier than she can remember. But is it too good to be true?
Torn Together is a heart-wrenching story that will take readers on an emotional roller-coaster of emotions. Daly is a sweet girl that can never seem to find her way, and I loved when the pieces of her puzzle started clicking into place. Without giving away too much, there is a big shakeup just past the halfway point that made me cry and wonder why life can be so unfair. I had a hard time putting down this book, and I find myself still thinking about Daly and how her story might have continued after finishing the book. I really enjoyed reading about Meghann and her situation, and thought the rest of the supporting cast was very intriguing. Daly’s trip to India and meeting with Kashi’s family is interesting, entertaining, and also educational. I’m actually a big fan of reading about Indian culture and I was entranced by the descriptions and learning about the customs. One for your to-read list!
4.5 stars

February 25, 2013
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Book Review: Avra’s God by Ann Lee Miller
Chick Lit Review

Book Review: Avra’s God by Ann Lee Miller

I received a copy of AVRA’S GOD by Ann Lee Miller in exchange for an honest review. Avra’s God by Ann Lee Miller tells the…

February 22, 2013
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