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Waitlisted by Laurel Gans
Chick Lit Review

Waitlisted by Laurel Gans

Laurel Gans is on tour with CLP Blog Tours. I was really curious to read Waitlisted, because the main character is a college student. I was a college student not too many years ago, and my MC in the book I published is the same age, so I thought it would be fun to see her mindset. Kacey Barlow has her well-planned life turned upside down when her college tells her they booted her from the grad school roster. Kacey thought her slot was already confirmed, but with too many students, UI was forced to make some cuts, and Kacey is on that receiving end. Not wanting to disappoint her parents or be embarrassed in front of her friends, Kacey decides she will just have to get into grad school on her own. Problem – she has trouble concentrating on the work she needs to do. Problem – the test she has to take is really hard. And problem – TV shows just keep getting in the way of her studying! Will Kacey be able to make into grad school, or will she be the disappointment of her family?
I was a little on the fence about the book. I enjoyed all the dental talk and could understand Kacey was worried about letting down her family. Gans has a fun and fast way of writing that kept me pulled into the story, even when I wasn’t a huge fan of the main character. That I think speaks highly of the author. My problem with Kacey was that she seemed very lazy and sometimes I wondered if she was compulsive liar. I actually identified with her roommate, Natalie, much more. But even though I didn’t always see eye to eye with Kacey, I wanted to read her story. I wanted her to get into grad school. I was rooting for her – seriously. And I have to say that all rests with the author. I really salute Gans and Waitlisted, and will happily read more of her books. I hope one comes out about Natalie – I really loved her character and would love to read more about her!
[Rating: 3.5]

February 15, 2012
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The Will of Venus by Cynthia Robinson
Chick Lit Review

The Will of Venus by Cynthia Robinson

Review by Sara Palacios The Will of Venus by Cynthia Robinson, PhD, is a magical, enchanting tale of two sisters, Livia and Danae. On the…

February 14, 2012
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One Pink Line by Dina Silver
Chick Lit Review

One Pink Line by Dina Silver

Dina Silver is on tour with CLP Blog Tours. Her debut novel One Pink Line, is a must-read. I absolutely adored this book, and will be adding it to my Favorites List. Readers follow the lives of Sydney and Grace – Sydney a college senior who unexpectedly finds herself pregnant, and Grace, a young girl who finds out her family isn’t what she always thought it was. I really don’t want to give too much away with my review, because there is a little twist about halfway through the story that made me go from liking this book to loving it. Silver writes with a lot of heart, and I could easily connect with both Sydney and Grace. I would give this book a five star review, but there was a handful of editing mistakes that I caught – including “waived” instead of “waved” but overall this is a great book. I highly recommend!
[Rating: 4.5]

February 13, 2012
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Thank You For Flying Air Zoe by Erik Atwell
Chick Lit Review

Thank You For Flying Air Zoe by Erik Atwell

I got real excited when Erik Atwell approached me about doing a blog tour for his chick lit novel Thank You For Flying Air Zoe. A male writing chick lit? I had given this a shot before with Robert Rave and his novel Waxed and had a blast with it. So I was excited to give this book a try. Apart from completely befriending new-Dad Erik, I had such a fun time with his book! The story begins with Zoe Tisdale about dying in a plane crash. That might be a bit dramatic, but it scared the crap out of Zoe, who begins to think about her life choices. Once in an all-girl garage band with aspirations of becoming a rock star, Zoe, now in her forties, is selling butter. Yes, her life did not pan out the way she expected. After her near plane-crash, she decides she is going to chase her dreams again. She wants to reunite the band, The Flip-Flops. This proves to be a challenge, as two members of the band aren’t speaking to each other (and are sisters) and the third is the over-the-top environmentalist that lives in a tree. But Zoe refuses to give up hope when it comes gaining her youth back. So buckle up, and get ready to fly Air Zoe!
I tried to make my synopsis as fun as Erik’s writing, but I don’t think it worked. Seriously, he just has a way with words that will keep you laughing as you read this story. Zoe was such a fun main character, someone who is so confused at how her high hopes of winning a Grammy turned into her selling butter. The supporting cast is a whole other story, and I loved all the ladies and their stories. I think Ginger was my favorite, just an off-the-wall high society wife and mother whose every scene had me snorting with giggles. If you are a fan of eighties music, you want to read this book. Or if you just appreciate a fun, light-hearted book that will make you smile, check out Thank You For Flying Air Zoe.
[Rating: 4]

February 10, 2012
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The Lost Daughter by Lucy Ferriss
Chick Lit Review

The Lost Daughter by Lucy Ferriss

The Lost Daughter by Lucy Ferriss is a heartbreaking tale of a long-buried secret between two young lovers. As a teenager, Brooke O”Connor finds herself pregnant with her high school sweetheart’s baby. Lost and confused, she makes a decision that changes her life in ways she could have never imagined. She eventually loses the baby, Alex (her boyfriend), and her youthful innocence. We catch up with Brooke fifteen years later, where we find her happily married, co-owner of a Nursery, and a mother to a beautiful baby girl. At first, she seems to be living the perfect life, far removed from the decisions from her past, but we quickly find out that it couldn’t be further from the truth. Her life comes to a cross roads as her husband suggests trying for another child just as Alex resurfaces from the past, revealing a secret that will leave Brooke exploring the deepest, darkest parts of her heart.

At first, I was hesitant to read The Lost Daughter due to the sensitive subject matter, but I gave the book a chance and I am glad that I did. The Lost Daughter delivers everything you expect from a good story; the characters are flawed yet beautifully written and the details are perfectly placed. Lucy Ferriss courageously weaves through a very delicate topic with ease, whilst making you think the entire time about what you would do if you were in the character’s shoes. I tore through each page wondering where the story would take me.

February 9, 2012
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Ros by Dee DeTarsio
Chick Lit Review

Ros by Dee DeTarsio

I really enjoyed the first two books from Dee DeTarsio – The Scent of Jade and The Kitchen Shrink – so I was excited when she contacted me regarding her latest story – Ros. I was intrigued because this story featured Ros, basically an alien from the future that time-traveled back in time and planets to try to figure out what happened to her brother. Heroine Micki has to try to figure out how to hide this extra-terrestrial from the military, her mother-in-law, and her cat – who is featured pretty heavily throughout this journey. Ros gave me a lot of laughs, and I love these little twists in books, so the whole alien part only added to my experience instead of hindering it. DeTarsio has a special way of writing. In The Scent of Jade and now again with Ros she can stretch the chick lit genre into something more. I love that she pushes these boundaries and really steps outside the box. I admire that from both a reader and author perspective. I have to recommend Ros, because the story will make you laugh, but will also really touch you. And it’s so fun to read the creative ways someone thinks the future will be like. Ros going to the bathroom – amazing! I will eagerly await the next gem from Dee DeTarsio!
[Rating: 4.5]

February 8, 2012
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Scotland by Starlight by Nancy Volkers
Chick Lit Review

Scotland by Starlight by Nancy Volkers

Cassie Wrentham is moving to Scotland. She will finally be with Ralph Macnair, the (much) older but charismatic Scotsman she fell for on her first visit to the country. Cassie hopes she is finally ready to settle down and start a great life, but her doubts start crowding her way. She worries about finding a job, affording rent, making new friends, and if she should marry Ralph. Would it only be for convenience and a Visa? Or were she and Ralph truly meant to be?
Scotland by Starlight is the sequel to A Scottish Ferry Tale by Nancy Volkers. I actually liked this more than the first novel, and quickly became enchanted by the characters and their story. Cassie was very relatable in her reluctance to get married, and Ralph practically had me swooning for him throughout the pages. One thing I would change would be the heavy Scottish dialogue. Sometimes I couldn’t understand what he was saying and that snapped me out of my trance. One other thing too would be giving just a bit of information that reader’s learned in the first novel. Some characters and situations were brought up in Starlight that I couldn’t exactly remember. It’s hard to balance between saying too much and boring readers with facts they already know, and giving away the right amount of information to help jog the memories. But let’s talk about the ending that you will never see coming. I sure didn’t. I don’t want to give away too much here, but you will cry. And cry some more. Be prepared for a shocking conclusion.
[Rating: 3.5]

February 5, 2012
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Live Out Loud by Heather Wardell
Chick Lit Review

Live Out Loud by Heather Wardell

Ah, another Heather Wardell book on the blog. I’m happy to announce I have read and reviewed all of her books, and she is at the top of my Favorite Authors list. Live Out Loud captures the story of Amy, hobbyist songwriter with a heavy goal on her mind – honor the memory of her late childhood friend. Amy thinks the way to do this is to start a support center for teenage girls, but when Amy suddenly catapults to fame thanks to a video of her singings blows up the internet, Amy is faced to realize that maybe the center isn’t meant to be. Amy – now posing as Misty Will, hit pop star – has fame at her door and teenage girls following her every move. Can Amy really give up being Misty – or is the call of fame too strong for her to ignore?
Another book I highly enjoyed from Wardell. Amy is such a confused character, so sure that she knows what she wants just unsure how to reach it, but at the same time – she’s hopelessly lost. She knows she wants to honor her friend, but it’s fairly obvious that she has no idea how to go about the center. I loved the pop culture twist in the book – how to become an overnight sensation with just an uploaded video, the pressures celebrities have on them when their considered to be role models, and the great content that gets delivered in each book from Wardell. There are some hard hitting topics discussed – from teen death to abortions – but the story is very touching and I would definitely recommend Live Out Loud.
[Rating: 4]

February 3, 2012
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The Divorce Club by Jayde Scott
Chick Lit Review

The Divorce Club by Jayde Scott

The Divorce Club by Jayde Scott is a book for the women. While the story follows Sarah, a young mother whose husband has just taken off to be with someone even younger, I fell very easily into the story even though I am not married, divorced, or a mom. I think Sarah will be very compatible to many readers, and her journey pulled me in right from the first page. On her own for the first time and having to support herself and her thirteen-year old daughter, Sarah comes up with the idea to start a divorce club – a place where women going through a divorce can come for support, advice, or just bitch about their exes. The club features a slew of different woman, but the most interesting member is Jaime, the only male of the group. Sarah is forced to fight off her attraction to Jaime, and also try to figure out why he joined the group. And contend with a stalker. And deal with ex-husband who has just took up residence at their house again. The chaos is complete is Sarah’s life, and now she just has to figure out how to take control. I really enjoyed The Divorce Club. Like I said earlier, I think this book will strike a chord with all women, whether you can relate to Sarah’s story or not. Scott’s writing is key, humorous yet insightful, witty and distinctive, and the plot twists will keep you frantically reading until the end.

February 1, 2012
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