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Between You and Me by Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus
Chick Lit Review

Between You and Me by Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus

Between You and Me by Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus follows Logan Wade and her somewhat normal existence … that is until she gets a call from her famous cousin Kelsey saying that she needs a new assistant. Usually, business between family members if a bad idea, but what happens when your family member happens to be a world renowned pop sensation and Fortune Magazine’s most powerful celebrity? Logan dives in when Kelsey makes her an offer that she can’t refuse, but their relationship is quickly but to the limits when tensions rise on tour and Logan has to be the middle man between Kelsey and her parents. Anxious for some normalcy, Kelsey tries to break away from it all, but she ends up making mistake after mistake. Kelsey continues to unravel in the public eye and it is only a matter of time until Logan must make a choice between saving herself, and saving her cousin.

When I was first contacted about reviewing Between You and Me, I instantly said yes. I’ve been a big fan of both authors for quite sometime now and was anxious to see their latest joint venture in paper back, and I was thoroughly impressed with this book. If you are a fan of Britney Spears (who isn’t right?!?), then you will really enjoy this book because it closesly mirrors her life the last couple of years as she fell from pop princess to absolute train wreck. The authors wrote Kelsey in a perfect comparison to Miss Britney and she plays the role perfectly. She is unpredictable and dying for attention, even though she vows that she wants nothing less. The book is fast paced, entertaining, and a perfect piece of fictional pop culture. I could definitely see Kelsey plastered on the front pages of our gossip magazines with some of the stunts that she pulls in the book. Overall, a perfect summer time read – a true escape and a wild ride.

[Rating: 5/5]

June 22, 2012
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The Drought by Steven Scaffardi
Chick Lit Review

The Drought by Steven Scaffardi

The Drought by Steven Scaffardi follows Dan Hilles following his break-up with long term girlfriend, Stacey. Dan is a pretty average guy – he has a normal job, a regular group of friends, and typical male hang-ups. But, it isn’t until after his break up with Stacey that he realizes just how “average” he is. Dan has been out of the dating game for quite sometime, and although he tries to hop right back in, things aren’t quite as simple as he once imagined. The lack of dating leads to Dan experiencing a “drought” … and I’m not referring to a lack of rain. Yes, he has gone quite sometime without having sex. His closest pals rally together and try their best to help out their friend – but it seems like Dan isn’t willing to help himself and can’t really seem to catch a break. Luckily for Dan, he has Kelly to confide in, and after confessing his woes, she begins to teach him just what makes a woman tick. Is Kelly the answer to his prayers? Will the “drought” ever end?

Here at Chick Lit Plus, we occasionally get requests from authors promoting their newest “Lad Lit” novels. Being a female, I sometimes have difficulty relating to the main characters, but not with this one. Steven Scaffardi’s first novel is absolutely hilarious and will leave every reader, male or female, laughing out loud. I found the characters very relatable and know several friends who have found themselves in very similar situations- albeit not as funny as Dan’s particular story. The Drought is well witten and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a book that actually brings the laughs.

[Rating: 4/5]

June 21, 2012
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Finding Lucas by Samantha Stroh Bailey
Chick Lit Review

Finding Lucas by Samantha Stroh Bailey

I received a copy of Finding Lucas from Samantha Stroh-Bailey in exchange for an honest review. This book opens to Jamie Ross celebrating her five year anniversary in Montreal with her boyfriend Derek. A weekend that should be filled with romance and feelings of happiness, it turns out to be the opposite for Jamie. Since when have her Derek been so off with one another? What happened to the laid-back guy with long hair she first met – and how did he become a metrosexual with too much hair gel and only caring about climbing the corporate ladder? Jamie realizes that she is unhappy, but she just can’t make that jump from safe relationship to being alone and starting over. When the TV show she works for devises a plan to reunite lost loves, Jamie starts thinking about her first love- Lucas. Perhaps this is a sign, telling her to get rid of Derek and find Lucas. Jamie dives head-first into hunting down her past love and hoping he still thinks about her, without realizing the one she really wants is right in front of her.
I loved this book! And here’s a strange thing – I’m pretty meticulous about editing, and this book did have a lot of instances with the quotes inside the punctuation, which drives me crazy. Also, the book was a bit long, which sometimes frustrates me as well. But even with those two things, once I finished reading I knew this was a 5 star book. Very rare for me, and just shows how much I truly loved the writing and plot. Jamie was such a fun and unique heroine. Her lifestyle and family is a bit different, and I found both her and the supporting cast really intriguing. I also liked the romance parts. It was clear Derek and Jamie were not meant to be, but I was never really sure who she was going to end up with, and I liked the mystery. Also – I was totally laughing yet seething when Derek and his mom gave Jamie a “breakup bill” – oh man, that was good! I really loved this book and it is going on my Favorites List!
[Rating: 5]

June 20, 2012
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+ One by Brian Baleno
Chick Lit Review

+ One by Brian Baleno

+ One by Brian Baleno follows the all too common problem today about finding balance between love and work. Jake, the main protagonist, finds himself in quite the predicament because he is a workaholic for a job that he loves and in a relationship with a woman that he loves. So, which one will he choose? Love or Money? This novel takes an in depth look at both sides of his predicament and how it effects those involved.

I found + One to be well written and also a very in-depth look into what many individuals face today. The characters are well written and realistic, as are the dilemmas that they face. I found the dynamic between Jake and Kara to be raw and heartfelt. This book is definitely not a happily-ever-after type of book …. seeing as how he is unable to make his relationship with Kara work, but we get to watch Jake as he grows as a person and matures. Seeing as how I am a female, I wanted a little more love and a happy ending, but I know that sometimes things happen and relationships don’t work out. I found the ending to be refreshing and honest. Overall, a great lad-lit novel from a debut novelist. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a good read from a male perspective.

[Rating: 4/5]

June 19, 2012
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Worth Lying For by Lisa Cheney & Lisa Craig
Chick Lit Review

Worth Lying For by Lisa Cheney & Lisa Craig

Worth Lying For by Lisa Cheney & Lisa Craig stars Mary Minke: semi-happily married, mother, with an overall fairly content life. Sure, there are things here and there that she wishes she had done differently, but overall, things are good and she has no major compliants. That is until she stumbles upon a bag of cash in the fancy car of drug dealer Jimmy Adler and steals it. At first, she isnt sure what to do with it. Seeing as how she has lived in the same house, with less than adequate things, she looks into the simple things in life like a new washer and dryer, or a fancy pair of shoes. But, after a while, she is overcome with guilt and finally confides in her best friend. Mary vows to do some good with the money finally, but must do so in secret away from her husband who is the local sheriff.

As a debut novel, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect when I started Worth Lying For, but it didn’t take me long to feel right at home with this novel. The whole time, I felt like I was re-living a very Thelma & Louise esque adventure. Lisa Cheney & Lisa Craig are absolute riots when it comes to their writing and know how to drop in funny lines here and there and were always spot on. I loved how real the characters felt, especially Mary- I felt like she was very real and I loved that she was far from perfect yet still very likeable and relatable. Overall, I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for an adventure of a read.

[Rating: 4.5/5]

June 18, 2012
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Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer
Chick Lit Review

Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer

Well, since I read the first three, I figured I should give the fourth Twilight book a shot, and borrowed Breaking Dawn from a friend. I haven’t really found love with the first three, possibly because I’m not that into vampires, and I think I’m simply too old for the books. *Sigh* So with Breaking Dawn, the story picks up where Bella Swan has decided she wants to be a vampire so she can live forever with Edward Cullen. She has made her decision between Edward and Jacob, and vampire trumps werewolf in this case. We watch her make her decision, marry Edward, have sex with a vampire and get pregnant with a vampire baby, and read about the gruesome birthing scene that has terrified me. I’ll be honest – I stopped really reading by the 100th page of so. So I had a lot of speed reading ahead of me, as this is one ginormous book. With the series not doing much for me, it was hard to keep my attention commanded on the fourth. I haven’t watched any of the movies yet, and I probably won’t unless I’m super bored one day and stumble upon them on Starz or something. While the books weren’t for me, I clearly understand that many, many others love them, and I’m happy I gave them a go.
[Rating: 2]

June 15, 2012
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Finding My Happy Pace by Heather Wardell
Chick Lit Review

Finding My Happy Pace by Heather Wardell

Ah, one my favorite indie authors, Heather Wardell, has done it again. I have been enthralled with her books since number one, and I’m super happy to say I’ve reviewed them all here on ChickLitPlus. Finding My Happy Pace features thirty year old Megan, a teacher with absolutely no backbone. Megan has been letting people such as her brother and “best friend” Amanda take advantage of her for years, thanks to her mother’s “don’t count beans” philosophy. Megan struggles to stand up for herself in any situation, but things begin to change when she meets Andrew, and MMA fighter and marathon runner. Megan begins training for a marathon herself, and during her time with Andrew and fellow runner Jeanine, Megan begins to understand that being assertive doesn’t automatically mean being selfish. Can Megan change her outlook on life for good after so many years of being a doormat?
Loved! One of my favorite things about Wardell’s books is that she brings back previous characters, or at least hints about some. While others were featured, the dominance was Andrew – the boyfriend from Planning to Live. I loved hearing his story and catching back up with him, and seeing a romance between him and Megan blossom. Sometimes it got difficult to read about Megan constantly being treated like nothing by her friend Amanda (and James –ugh – what a character!) and it could almost cross the line into her being too whiny. But this is where Wardell’s superb writing skills come in, and she helps readers understand why Megan lets herself be treated bad. I highly enjoyed watching Megan grow as a person, and this is another 5 star referral for Heather Wardell from me!
[Rating: 5]

June 14, 2012
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Sea Change by Karen White
Chick Lit Review

Sea Change by Karen White

Ooh, another Karen White novel! *Rubs hands together with glee* I was excited to tear into this one, and it was classic White style, just what I was hoping for. The story follows Ava Whalen, newly married to Matthew Frazier. They eloped quickly after meeting, and Ava knew with all her heart that he was the only one for her. They decide to live on St. Simons Island, where Matthew’s family has lived for generations. Upon arrival, Ava’s happiness begins to fade. The past starts creeping amongst the shadows – and Ava becomes obsessed with learning about Matthew’s heritage, specifically the story of Geoffrey and Pamela Frazier, who lived in the house in the 1800’s. Ava also learns for the first time about Matthew’s first wife, and the mysterious circumstances surrounding her death. Her husband couldn’t have played a part in Adrienne’s murder – or could he? The more Ava digs into the lives of the Frazier’s the more confused she becomes. Her obsession with the past soon leads a trail of questions to her own past – and her connection to St. Simons Island.
Loved it! Once I started Sea Change, there was no putting it down. I loved going back and forth between the present and past, and was absolutely enthralled with Pamela Frazier and her sad tale. This book has a great deal about the subject of reincarnation, and I thought it was done in a fabulous way. It’s hard to put into words how gripping I thought this story was. This was a book that I thought of at night when I was supposed to be sleeping, and I could see the characters moving in mind, living out the journey I thought they would or should take. I finished it in about two days because I had to know how it ended, and this is one not miss!
[Rating: 5]

June 14, 2012
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Unlocked by Rachael O’Bryan
Chick Lit Review

Unlocked by Rachael O’Bryan

Rachael O’Bryan is currently on tour with her novel Unlocked and CLP Blog Tours. I thought the concept for this story was interesting, as O’Bryan comes right out and says that the scenarios that happen to the main character, Rebecca, are loosely based on her own experiences. The book is written in short stories, touching on people and situations that Rebecca finds herself in, mostly during the time she was working as a tutor in college for the football team. There are nine guys that share the spotlight throughout, and Rebecca relates each guy and situation to a lesson that was learned. The focal points of the story are love, friendship, self-confidence, trust, acceptance, and heartache, and I could definitely see them all. At the beginning of the book it didn’t seem that Rebecca had any self-confidence, and it was nice to see her grow throughout the stories. Readers follow along as she searches for love and acceptance, both with others and for herself. There were a few stories that I could relate to more than others, and I think anyone should be able to find at least one story that they can relate with as well. This was a fast read, but sometimes a bit too scattered for me to find a good hold onto the characters. Not a favorite book of mine, but still an interesting read.
[Rating: 3.5]

June 13, 2012
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