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Brownie Points by Jennifer Coburn
Chick Lit Review

Brownie Points by Jennifer Coburn

I received a copy of Brownie Points by Jennifer Coburn in exchange for an honest review.

Brownie Points follows the Taylor family as they move to Los Corderos, a small suburban paradise. Lisa knows that the move from San Francisco will take a toll on her family but she doesn’t expect them to fit in right away considering they will be the only interracial family in the area and her 13 year old son Logan … is gay. But, what she doesn’t expect is that things might be more difficult than she expected. After Logan is incessantly bullied at school, he soon makes nice with his twin’s Girl Scout troop. But, when he tries to join, they refuse and he sues them for discrimination. What ensues is national news story that only makes things worse for him and the Taylor family. Adding that on top of all of the complications Lisa is facing, and she is close to losing it all. Will the Taylor family be able to survive living in Los Corderos? Or will they regret that they ever moved?

When I first received the review request for this book, I instantly said yes. I have been such a fun of Coburn since her earlier works and usually devour each and every one of her books. Typically, she brings the heart and the humor to each book, and this one is no exception. This book is unlike anything she has ever written and I actually enjoyed that about it. Definitely uncharted territory, I feel like Coburn handled this topic gracefully and with tons of poise. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and was sad to see it end. It is definitely tons of full of plot twists, so stay sharp!

[Rating: 4.5/5]

January 10, 2013
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Come A Little Closer by Bella Andre
Chick Lit Review

Come A Little Closer by Bella Andre

Bella AndreI was provided with a copy of COME A LITTLE CLOSER by Bella Andre in exchange for an honest review.

Come A Little Closer is the most recent book in the Sullivan family series, and it stars movie star Smith Sullivan. At an important time in his career, Smith can’t afford any distractions. He is taking a risk bigger than anything he has ever done before but he just can’t seem to keep his head in the game. He is distracted by Valentina Landon and no matter what he does, he can’t get her off his mind. But, things are more complicated than they seem. Valentina is a business manager and has seen one to many women fall victim to actors and their ways. So, Smith knows that she will be a tough cookie to crack but he thinks that she will be worth it. So, after sparks fly after weeks together, Smith knows that he will stop at nothing until he can convince her that he isn’t like the rest of them. But, will he able to steal her love and change her mind?

To be honest, this is the first book in the Sullivan series that I have ever read. Actually, I had never heard of them before I dove into the latest from Bella, and I am completely smitten and am so excited that I found this series! I loved everything about this book: I loved the romance and the sparks between Smith and Valentina and I fell head over heels for Smith early on and was only waiting for Valentina to follow suit. I always suspected that she would though and I couldn’t have been happier with the ending. This book had heart, great character development, a believable story, fun and humor … and sexy steam! Woo-wee! What a read! I am definitely going to dive into the other books after this one!

[Rating: 5/5]

January 9, 2013
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Book Review: The Pollyanna Plan by Talli Roland
Chick Lit Review

Book Review: The Pollyanna Plan by Talli Roland

I received a copy of The Pollyanna Plan by Talli Roland in exchange for an honest review.
Ah, Talli Roland. Her books are always a treat to read, and she never fails to win me over with her sassy writing and loveable characters. Our heroine this time around is thirty-something Emma Beckett, who embodies a non-optimist life. She firmly believes in being realistic and not getting wrapped up in fantasy or hope. Her fiancé is a safe man, she works in insurance (everyone always needs that!) and she doesn’t trouble herself with silly time-wasters such as decorating her apartment. But when she gets fired and loses her fiancé back-to-back, Emma is shaken to say the least. When a friend challenges her to think like Pollyanna: glass half full, always seeing the upside, Emma takes it on. But will her decision turn out positively…or will Emma realize her old way of thinking was the best?
Emma literally cracked me up throughout this book. I was always laughing over her meticulous thought plans, her carefully constructed life. This book whizzed by for me, filled with snappy dialogue, a crew of some pretty fun characters, and a fab story-teller at the helm. I adored the skiddy romance between Emma and Will, and enjoyed the sub-plots that Rolland built in for her characters. The ending was right-on, and this is another chick lit book you must add on your to-read list!
[Rating: 4.5]

January 9, 2013
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Kismetology by Jaimie Admans
Chick Lit Review

Kismetology by Jaimie Admans

I received a copy of Kismetology by Jaimie Admans in exchange for an honest review. Kismetology by Jaimie Admans starts off stating two truths: finding…

January 8, 2013
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Book Review: Horse Play by Jo Carnegie
Chick Lit Review

Book Review: Horse Play by Jo Carnegie

I received a copy of Horse Play by Jo Carnegie in exchange for an honest review. Summary: Churchminster village – picturesque, quaint, sleepy – or…

January 7, 2013
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Book Review: Designer Dirty Laundry by Diane Vallere
Chick Lit Review

Book Review: Designer Dirty Laundry by Diane Vallere

I received a copy of Designer Dirty Laundry by Diane Vallere in exchange for an honest review.
Summary:
Samantha Kidd, ex-buyer turned Trend Specialist, designed her future with couture precision, but finding the Fashion Director’s corpse on day one leaves her hanging by a thread. When the killer fabricates evidence that puts the cops on her hemline, her new life begins to unravel. She trades high fashion for dirty laundry and reveals a cast of designers out for blood. Now this flatfoot in heels must keep pace with a diabolical designer before she gets marked down for murder.
Review:
Ah, a good chick lit mystery that involves lots of fun fashion – my kind of book! And I even share a name with the heroine – that has to be a good sign, right? 😉 Designer Dirty Laundry is a fast-paced book that kept me entertained with mystery, drama, fashion, and romance throughout. Samantha is such a fun heroine, a woman who stumbles upon a mystery when all she is trying to do is make a few changes in her life. The fashion and land of couture is a big focus in the book, and Vallere clearly has a background here and brings a lot of knowledge and fun behind-the-scenes tidbits for readers. A lot of fun to read and even better – a sequel that is burning a hole in my bookshelf!
[Rating: 4]

January 4, 2013
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All the Lonely People by Jess Riley
Chick Lit Review

All the Lonely People by Jess Riley

I was provided a copy of ALL THE LONELY PEOPLE by Jess Riley in exchange for an honest review.

I was immediately hooked when I read this: “WANTED: a whole new family to share holidays with. Please have a good heart and be a thoughtful, polite person. No sociopaths, no pedophiles, no fans of the Kardashians. We’re not weirdos, I promise. I love old Steve Martin movies, new Steve Martin banjo tunes, Indian food, and reruns of Bob Ross painting happy little trees. So if you’re looking for something other than the typical family dysfunction this Christmas, drop us a line.” After losing her dear mom to cancer, Jaime realizes that her death has not brought her and her siblings any closer, it only makes her realize that they don’t actually like each other. So, in lieu of being able to spend time with her family for Christmas, she decides to post an ad on CraigsList asking for a new family. But, will Jaime actually get what she is looking for?

I found this novel surprisingly funny. I mean, what does Jaime expect to happen when she solicits a new family for the holidays?!? I definitely had fun reading this novel and it definitely made me appreciate my crazy family more during the holiday season. In addition to a good laugh here and there, this book is also heartwarming and I definitely found Jaime’s journey to forgiveness sweet and charming. Overall, this book is a great read, especially for those people who have a hard time with their own family during the holiday season.

[Rating: 4/5]

January 4, 2013
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Back To You by Priscilla Glenn
Chick Lit Review

Back To You by Priscilla Glenn

I received a copy of Back To You by Priscilla Glenn in exchange for an honest review.

Back To You by Priscilla Glenn follows Lauren Monroe. When she first laid eyes on Michael Delaney back in high school, she instantly knew that he was trouble. But, she challenged herself and saw something in him that made her really question whether or not he was truly a bad boy. Against her better judgement, she took a chance and they formed an unlikely friendship. And although she should have known better, it still ended badly. Eight years later, Lauren encounters Michael once again as she embarks on a new career. She refuses to rehash her devastation from the past but that seems more difficult than she thought it would be. Will she be able to forgive and forget? Or will he end up hurting her again just like he did in the beginning?

Back To You is a poignant and charming look at the idea of second chances. I absolutely fell in love with Lauren and Michael from the get go and found myself rooting for a chance encounter after the first ended so badly. Like me, Priscilla is a big believer in second chances and I absolutely loved the way that she handled this one. Poetic yet intense, this relationship definitely has its ups and downs, but who hasn’t believed in someone even though they knew they shouldn’t? I’ve had many girlfriends who have had instances like this one, and some work out, some don’t. But, none have been as heartwarming or heart wrenching as this one. I loved every second. Who can deny what the heart really wants?

January 3, 2013
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Book Review: The Baby Planner by Josie Brown
Chick Lit Review

Book Review: The Baby Planner by Josie Brown

I received a copy of The Baby Planner by Josie Brown in exchange for an honest review.
Summary:
The Nanny Diaries “meets “The Wedding Planner “in this smart, dishy novel from the author of “Secret Lives of Husbands and Wives”–featuring a woman who runs San Francisco’s premier baby planning company and the mommies-to-be who seek out her services. Katie Johnson may make her living consulting with new moms on the latest greatest baby gadgets no parent should be without, or which mommy meet-ups are the most socially desirable, or whether melon truly is the new black, but the success of her marriage to her husband, Alex, depends on controlling her own urges toward motherhood.

He’s adamant that they stay childless. Sure, Katie understands that he’s upset over the fact that his out-of-town ex-wife rarely lets him see their ten-year-old son, Peter. But living vicariously through her anxious clients and her twin sisters’ precocious children only makes Katie resent his stance more deeply.

While helping a new client–Seth Harris, a high tech entrepreneur who must raise Sadie, his newborn daughter, as a single parent after the tragic death of his wife in childbirth–maneuver the bittersweet journey from mourning husband and reticent father to loving dad, Katie’s own ideals about love, marriage, and motherhood are put to the test as she learns ones very important lesson about family: “How we nurture is the true nature of love.”
Review:
Josie Brown is a hands-down a favorite author of mine. The first two books in the Totlandia series had me stitches, and I absolutely adored The Baby Planner as well. Whenever I read mom-lit I always point out in my reviews that I am not yet a mother myself, as sometimes that can cause a disconnect with the characters. Not in Brown’s books. Katie was my new BFF, and I loved reading her story. She was savvy, smart and my kind of heroine, and I devoured this book in a couple of quick days. Another 5 star review for a marvelous Josie Brown book!
[Rating: 5]

January 2, 2013
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