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Q by Evan Mandery
Chick Lit Review

Q by Evan Mandery

Sometimes, there comes a book that I am so sure I will love that just doesn’t do it for me. Unfortunately, this happened with Q by Evan Mandery. The story follows an unnamed main character, which right off the bat confused me a little. I have read another book with a no-named MC and got into it just fine, but this wasn’t case here. I was constantly wondering why he couldn’t have a name. Anyway, the MC is in love with Quentina, or Q, and is about to marry her. Before he can watch his bride walk down the aisle, MC is introduced to his future self. His future self warns him that he must not marry Q. Eventually, MC starts to believe his future self is real, and leaves Q before they can tie the knot. After this, his future self continually comes back to give him advice – attend law school, leave law school, marry another woman, travel, change his diet, etc. MC starts living his life based only on what his future self is telling him to do. But what if MC made a mistake from the beginning? What if he wasn’t supposed to leave Q? And could he possibly ever get her back?
I love magical aspects of books, and even time travel. This book had time travel being discovered in the future, which is why the MC’s future self could keep coming back to him and warning him about his choices. Those were the parts that I really liked about this book. It’s fascinating to think how just one moment of difference can change a life. What I didn’t like about this book is that I just didn’t get it. I didn’t connect with the MC, I didn’t see his connection to this amazing Q, and a lot of times I didn’t get the humor that I believe was supposed to be there. The book lagged for me whenever the MC would get on his egotistical rants, and I started speed-reading through sections so I could more about the time travel. I think this book had a really good idea for the plot, but the execution and writing just didn’t do it for me. I found myself more baffled than anything when I finally finished.
[Rating: 2]

January 11, 2012
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Red Hot Libery by Devin O’Branagan
Chick Lit Review

Red Hot Libery by Devin O’Branagan

Red Hot Liberty by Devin O’Branagan is the sequel to Red Hot Property, which I have not read. It can be difficult to read a sequel without knowing the characters and situations from the first book. I did struggle a bit with not being able to relate to all the plot points along the way for that reason, but it didn’t completely hinder my reading experience. The book follows Molly O’Malley, who works in real estate and has a slew of personal problems. She is being sued by a former client, her new assistant is hot and comes with a British accent, her tween daughter is acting like a tween, and her dogs are depressed. There is a lot of focus on the dogs in this book, which sometimes seemed odd, but O’Branagan belongs to the Dog Writers Association of America and is a big advocate for animal rescue, and it’s interesting to see how she can translate that passion into her books. Another quirky character is Liberty True, who doesn’t trust the government and believes in many conspiracies. All these sub plot points can be a bit overwhelming at times, and I again wonder if I could have gotten a better grip on the story if I had read the first book. The conspiracies that Liberty True talks about were really intriguing to me, and I actually looked up quite a few on the internet. Overall, I liked this book and even the writing style, but there was a lot going on and a lot of characters to keep track of. I would still recommend Red Hot Liberty, but I would suggest you read Red Hot Property first.
[Rating: 3.5]

January 9, 2012
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Happy Birthday by Danielle Steel
Chick Lit Review

Happy Birthday by Danielle Steel

Happy Birthday was the first book I’ve ever read by Danielle Steel. I know, right? Weird. As much as I’ve always heard her name and seen one of her zillion books on the shelves, her latest is my first. I think I had some pretty high expectations going into the novel, and they weren’t quite met. I enjoyed the book, but I wasn’t particularly wowed by the story or characters.
Readers follow three characters: Valerie Wyatt, who reminded me of a sort of Martha Stewart type. She has a successful TV show and is the “queen of gracious living.” Her life is filled with a busy schedule, lots of money, workouts to keep trim, plastic surgeons to look young…but she can’t face the very real fact she is turning sixty. Then we follow Valerie’s daughter, chef and owner of a happening restaurant and who is utterly obsessed with her work. But she is depressed that she is turning thirty, and has nothing to show for it besides her restaurant. No husband, no children, until….And then there is Jack Adams, twelve years retired from the NFL. Fifty year old Jack prefers her women young and flexible…until a particular move leaves Jack with his back thrown out. Feeling old and washed up, and slightly pathetic, Jack realizes that he wants to make some changes in his life. Scenarios unfold that bring these three characters together is some surprising, some predictable ways. I thought the book was nice and it flowed easily from scene to scene, but nothing really captured my attention or stood out for me. I closed the book thinking it was all right. Would I recommend it? Sure. I don’t think it’s something that needs to be catapulted to the top of your list, but you might enjoy a few lessons these characters learn.
[Rating: 3.5]

January 6, 2012
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A Heart in Sun and Shadow by Annie Bellet
Chick Lit Review

A Heart in Sun and Shadow by Annie Bellet

I received A Heart in Sun and Shadow by Annie Bellet via CLP Blog Tours. I am obviously a big fan of chick lit and women’s fiction, but everyone once in awhile I need to step outside my reading box and try out something a little different. When Bellet came to me about blog tour services, I really wanted to take her on. The synopsis was intriguing, and the first chapter had me pulled in. I’m really glad I took this book on, because it shows me that even if a book isn’t in my typical genre, it’s the writing that makes it special.
The story is set in ancient Wales, and follows three main characters: twin brothers Emyr and Idrys and Áine, a traveling wisewoman. Since the story is fantasy and magical and all those elements, writing a synopsis that will sound coherent will prove difficult for me, so I think I might try to skip that. It boils down to: Emyr and Idrys are cursed, then both fall in love with Aine and she loves them back, but in order to be with them the curse needs to be broken. Aine sets out to find the one who cursed the brothers so they can be happily together. I understand it might sound a bit strange – brothers sharing a wife, but this really is a true love story that actually had me tearing up at points. It seems to make sense in this magical world of Wales that the characters live in. There were some instances where I would stumble a bit in the fantasy chat, but overall a truly enjoyable read with a happy ending. If you’re looking to break away from the celebrities, mommy-lit, or even just a fashionable heroine, I would suggest you try A Heart in Sun and Shadow.
[Rating: 4]

January 2, 2012
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Stay Tuned by Lauren Clark
Chick Lit Review

Stay Tuned by Lauren Clark

Lauren Clark is on tour with CLP Blog Tours. Stay Tuned follows Melissa Moore, a TV producer that gets thrust into anchor spotlight after an on-air fight between the regular anchors. While Melissa has always been comfortable behind the camera, having her face in viewer’s homes is another story. Her best friend helps give her a head to toe makeover, and her new look helps boost her confidence. If only it could help her marriage as well. Communication with her husband has turned into a scattering of Post-It notes, and Melissa wonders if something else is going on with him. With her mother’s mental health declining, a stalker, and a pile of work woes, Melissa wonders if she can hold it together, or if her world will just keep spiraling out of control.
I was having fun with this story from the very beginning. Clark has experience in the TV world, and her knowledge shows throughout the story. It was intriguing to get an insider’s point of view on how shows are produced, and the characters all bring something to the story. Melissa was a great heroine, struggling to keep control of her life and worried about loved ones, but still able to bring humor and a strength. While I thought the pace of the book got a little slow at some points, the last third of the story was pretty suspenseful and I didn’t want to put the book down. There was a sudden and sad twist at the end that seemed a bit rushed to me, but overall, really great book from Lauren Clark. I definitely recommend and will keep an eye out for more from her!
[Rating: 4.5]

January 2, 2012
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Star Struck by Jane Lovering
Chick Lit Review

Star Struck by Jane Lovering

Skye Threppel was in a horrific car accident that took the lives of her fiancé and best friend, and left Skye without all her memory. Skye has more than physical scars to remind her of the accident – she has the internal ones that haunt her as well. The memories that have been lost, the confidence that was stolen, and a new life that she is trying to adjust to. Felix, her best friend’s brother who is also still trying to deal with the accident and death of his sister, suggest the two of them head to Nevada where a TV convention is being held. Skye has the chance to meet her favorite actor, and possibly the trip could help the both of them move on. But once there, Skye meets sci-fi writer Jack Whitaker, and a possible romance blooms. But will Skye be able to overcome Jack’s past? And when Skye is suddenly filled in on her own past and the way she was before the accident, everything changes.
As I was reading Star Struck by Jane Lovering, I didn’t quite know what to think. I really liked Skye as a main character, I thought she was nice girl that went through something terrible and I thought she was brave and relatable on some level. Felix I wasn’t quite sure what to make of. A raging sexpot ready to jump in bed with either man or woman, and sometimes I wasn’t sure how good of a friend he was to Skye. The romance between Skye and Jack was pretty hot, but when the big plot twist came, I again just didn’t know what to think. When Felix confronts Skye about her past, it’s actually very dark and downright depressing. I was a little put off with Felix and the whole revelation, not sure which direction I was about to be taken in. But in the end, Lovering did a great job at pulling me back in, keeping the suspense up, and giving a proper resolution to all the characters. This book was a bit of a roller-coaster to me, but overall the story stuck with me and I would recommend.
[Rating: 4]

December 30, 2011
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Off Leash by Jenna Anderson
Chick Lit Review

Off Leash by Jenna Anderson

I have a read a handful of short stories and my general consensus is…meh. I usually struggle to get invested in the character, or when I am intrigued by the story, it ends abruptly and I feel cheated. I tend to stay away from them as a personal preference, but when my friend Jenna Anderson asked me to read and review her short story Off Leash, I didn’t want to turn her down. And actually, I’m glad I didn’t! Sure this was a short story, about 27,000 words, but I really enjoyed reading it. The main character is Candice Gunderson, who is driving through Indiana with her dog Phoebe. They are on their way to a dog breeder to introduce Phoebe to another purebred and hopefully make a beautiful liter of award winning puppies. But the situation takes a wrong turn after Candice is lost – without a GPS or a phone. They finally find a farm where they can possibly get some help, but the stop proves to be more trouble than useful. At least there is a cute farmer around…
I was hooked on the story from the beginning, and really didn’t feel cheated at all. I got to know Candice and her quirks and the fact that she really wanted to prove her independence, and I enjoyed the romantic connection between her and the farmer, Bull. Some of the scenes between Phoebe and Bull’s dog, Jack, were pretty hysterical, and there was enough some great suspense in there when the dogs go missing. Overall, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked this book. I thought Anderson did a great job with this short story, and I would definitely recommend this quick read.
[Rating: 4]

December 28, 2011
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Recession Proof by Kimberly S Lin
Chick Lit Review

Recession Proof by Kimberly S Lin

Kimberly S. Lin is on tour with CLP Blog Tours and her novel Recession Proof. I really enjoyed this book because the topic is one that was and still is so heavy on the majority of people after the recession. The main character is Helen Jennings, a young professional who has been working her tail off as a financial fund analyst. She knows she doesn’t love her job or have any sort of passion for it, but it pays the bills and looks good on paper. Helen also feels like she is settling in her love life. She doesn’t have the spark with boyfriend Mark, but he’s a nice guy and they work well together. When Helen is let go from her job and struggles to find another in the struggling economy, she finally opens her eyes and decides she can’t let her life pass her by. Her and Mark break up, she moves in with best friend Sophie, and starts to focus on a career she loves – writing.
I saw a lot of myself in Helen, and I connected with her character right off the bat. The beginning was a bit awkward with her and Mark, who so clearly should not have been together, but I could understand why she wasn’t taking the leap and letting him go. Helen showed me that even if you spend years settling, you can still turn your life around and make situations happen that are positive. She was very inspiring to read about and I took a lot away from Recession Proof. The only real downfall to the story was some editing issues, especially lack of commas. For me, being an avid reader and editor, it was pretty obvious and distracted me from the story. Overall though, great story and I highly recommend this book!
[Rating: 4]

December 26, 2011
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Twang by John Schlimm
Chick Lit Review

Twang by John Schlimm

Twang, the latest novel from former country music publicist John Schlimm gives readers a backstage pass to some of the biggest country superstar’s secrets. Maybe. That’s what we get to try to figure out as we read about Salome and Willa Field, a sister sensation that are legends in the country music scene. With a whole lot of devious secrets buried underneath their carefully thought out images. And while we read about Thad Evans and Hope Tanner, country music’s biggest celebrity power couple – but one of them is living a lie. And Billie Blotter, columnist and “friend” to every celebrity is about to bust open their biggest secrets in his tell-all book. Who will be spared? And whose images will be changed forever?
Twang was a lot of fun to read, and to try to figure out if Schlimm is calling on his true insider knowledge between the pages. I thought I saw some similarities between the real stars, but who knows? I’m not much of a country fan, so maybe more of you will be able to find more storylines that just may be real. Regardless of what’s true or not, it was a fun book to read that was full of intriguing secrets and storylines that seemed to grow with each chapter. I would recommend it!

December 23, 2011
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