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The Bollywood Breakup Agency by Naina Gupta
Chick Lit Review

The Bollywood Breakup Agency by Naina Gupta

When I first started The Bollywood Breakup Agency by Naina Gupta, I thought I could tell what would happen. Neela Solanki, in her twenties, loves to party and have a good time, shop, and is fortunate enough to come from a wealthy family and doesn’t have to work, is getting pressured from her traditional Indian parents to find a suitable husband. Neela is against arranged marriages, and sees what her best friend V is going through with her disastrous soon to be husband. But when her parents tell her to either find a husband or they will cut her off financially, Neela starts a secretive new business- breaking up arranged marriages. Her first customer is bestie V, who can’t imagine spending the rest of her life with her repulsive fiancée. As word spreads, Neela’s services become more popular. At the same time, she is possibly finding love herself––but will he be accepting of her business? And will his family be accepting of her?
Like I said, I thought I knew what was coming. The first few chapters I was completely turned off from Neela. Egotistical (constantly talking about how she beautiful is), self-centered, selfish, and completely relies on Dad to fund her way through life. She even makes jokes about getting a “real” job––clearly so beneath her. As the story continued on, I kept waiting for the lightning bolt moment to strike––for Neela to realize her repulsive attitude was one that needed to be changed. But it didn’t happen. So I kept reading, thinking for sure this girl has to turn her life around at some point. Well––spoiler alert––it doesn’t. The self-centered, lazy, spoiled, selfish attitude reeks throughout the entire book. I’m confused. Why was this book written? All I took away from it was that the bad girl gets everything in the end. No lesson learned, all the way to the last page. And I figured out who Mr. Trivedi’s son was within the first two chapters. The suspense was not there if it was going to be mentioned every other page. And I’m sorry, but Neela doesn’t even love Navin as a person––she loves that he was a big TV star. She talks horribly to his dad, but he stands up for her? Baffling. I have no interest in reading the sequel and am really disappointed in this book. The idea behind The Bollywood Breakup Agency is a good one, but Neela needs a major life adjustment for me to be able to recommend this book.

[Rating: 2]

December 2, 2011
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Faking It by Elisa Lorella
Chick Lit Review

Faking It by Elisa Lorella

Taking lessons from a male escort might not be normal for a thirty-something, serious, straight laced writing professor, but that is just what Andi Cutrone signs herself up for after meeting Devin, a true male escort that has worked with many of Andi’s colleagues. Andi offers Devin a proposition: he teaches her how to be a better lover, she teaches him how to be a better writer. Through their lessons together, Andi and Devin become closer, learn about themselves and each other, and dive into deeper emotional levels that will surprise them both.
I received Faking It by Elisa Lorello from a friend, and wasn’t quite sure what to expect from it. The synopsis really drew me in though––a professor, usually so professorial and in control taking lessons from a male escort? Spicy! Of course, I expected to map out how it would go––lessons would be taught, sexual tension would occur, and Andi and Devin would fall madly in love. I won’t give away any spoilers, but I will say that it was not all cut and dry like I expected it, which made me happy and on my toes while reading. Through the lessons that Andi goes through, I felt that I learned a lot from Devin the instructor as well, and think female readers will be able to connect on some level with what Andi is going through. Devin’s character came off the pages as a hot, sexy piece of man meat, but who is also troubled underneath it all and works through his own set of problems after working with Andi. Overall, I thought this book was deeper than the typical chick-lit read, and filled with well-written characters, a juicy plot, and great writing. I would recommend!
[Rating: 4]

November 30, 2011
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Chosen by Chandra Hoffman
Chick Lit Review

Chosen by Chandra Hoffman

This is a review for CLP Blog Tours. Chosen is the story of Chloe Pinter, a young social worker at a Portland adoption agency, who gives readers an inside look at a dark (and scary) side of domestic adoption. Chloe works to bring in birth mothers to the agency, connect them with loving families who would love to love a child, and make sure the adoption process goes smoothly. But when it comes to birth parents Penny and Jason, the situation is anything but smooth. Penny and Jason are a young couple that comes from the wrong side of the tracks, hopelessly poor, uneducated…and desperate. Francie and John McAdoo are waiting anxiously for Penny to give birth, and finally bring home the baby that Francie has waited so many years for. But Francie’s own world begins to fall apart as soon as she brings home the baby and finds her husband has a penchant for Singapore “prostitutes.” And finally there is the Nova’s, who have been through fertility treatments and failed adoptions, and are finally pregnant on their own. But when their baby is kidnapped, their entire world is turned upside. Chloe and all these characters are carefully intertwined and their daily lives, difficult decisions, and surprising outcomes will leave readers thinking and talking about this book much after they have finished reading.

Like I said with my last sentence, this book will get you talking. I can’t tell you how many times I have talked about the book, characters, scenarios, etc. since finishing. The writing is eloquent, the characters and situations gripping, and the plot had me absolutely hooked from the first page. It opened me up to a whole new world of adoption, and to be honest- kind of scared me. I learned a lot from Hoffman, who has worked for adoption agencies herself, and closed this book feeling more educated. I enjoyed getting into so many characters thought processes, and I loved the Anonymous sections. My only issues were that I felt the adoption agency where Chloe worked wasn’t very professional- and that included Chloe herself. So many mistakes were made that led to pivotal moments, and I would hope an agency I chose wouldn’t behave that way! Also, the ending was a little unsettling. If you like happy and tidy endings, this won’t be for you. Chloe’s decisions baffled me a little, but overall, I could understand where she was coming from and still really enjoyed her as a heroine. I’m glad I have been introduced to Hoffman, as Chosen is a solid debut and I look forward for more to come!

[Rating: 4]

November 28, 2011
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Dollars to Donuts by Kathleen Kole
Chick Lit Review

Dollars to Donuts by Kathleen Kole

Kathleen Kole is on tour with CLP Blog Tours. April Patterson is starting to seriously question her move to Boxwood Hills. The sleepy little suburban town has her dodging her kooky and overly-nosy neighbors, gives her a mystery involving said neighbors and a dead rodent, and leads her relationship with boyfriend Kevin down an unknown path. The bright side to moving? April gets to spend more time with her sister Jessica. Jessica is needed when the mystery deepens, stalkers become involved, and April and Kevin’s new houseguest begins to entice April.
Dollars to Donuts is Kathleen Kole’s second novel, after Breaking Even. Like the first book, this one was a fast and cute read that kept me happily engaged with the characters as I kept reading. I loved the relationship between April and her sister Jessica. It was warm and humorous and sometimes filled with drama, but a strong bond was always there. The neighbors and all the run-ins April had with them kept me laughing out loud, and the mystery kept me wondering what was really going on in her neighborhood. The only part that threw me off was the relationship between April and houseguest Gerrit. Even though April had been with Kevin for years, moved to a new town with him and lived with him, her attraction to Gerrit seemed to really come from nowhere and develop super fast. There were a few times that April came off really uncaring when it came to Kevin, and that rubbed me the wrong way. But I loved how the ending tied everything together and gave each character a happy ending. Another recommendation!
[Rating: 4]

November 25, 2011
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Diary of a Mummy Misfit by Amanda Egan
Chick Lit Review

Diary of a Mummy Misfit by Amanda Egan

Libby Marchant and husband Ned are bound and determined to give their only child, son Max, a prestigious education. They work diligently to be able to get him accepted by Manor House Prep School––whether they truly can afford it or not. Once accepted, Libby realizes that maybe prep school isn’t the best place for her. The other moms are first class snobs, she immediately feels out of place, and the competition between the other mothers is chart-topping. Libby befriends Fenella Hunter-Barnes, a rich mother but who is down to earth at the same time. Libby and Fenella easily become fast friends, and team up against the other parents while trying to survive prep school together.
I had a lot of fun reading Diary of a Mummy Misfit by Amanda Egan. I will say that the British slang sometimes left me baffled. I even tried googling a few of the sentences so I could get the full humor, but eventually had to quit because it happened so often. Other than that, I loved Libby’s character––always slightly off-balanced but a loving wife and mother who is just trying to do the best for her son. The friendship she has with Fenella is hysterical. Egan’s writing it quick and witty, filled with humorous tales and quirky scenarios. A really fun chick lit read that I would recommend!
[Rating: 4]

November 23, 2011
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Scorpio Rising by Monique Domovitch
Chick Lit Review

Scorpio Rising by Monique Domovitch

Monique Domovitch is on tour with CLP Blog Tours. Scorpio Rising is set in the 1950’s, and follows the lives of Alex Ivanov and Brigitte Dartois. Alex lives in Brooklyn and is determined be rich and successful after growing up in poverty. Brigitte resides in Paris, and has endured horrific childhood abuse. She tries many times to start over, to find her footing, but new challenges keep appearing and holding her back. The lives of these two different individuals are written with fluidity and ease by Domovitch and I was itching for the two to finally meet. I was hooked on both their stories and curious to see how they would end up. This book is a part of a series, the sequel is titled The Sting of Scorpio, so I knew the cliff-hanger was supposed to happen, but the ending felt a little too rushed for me. The whole book seems to be building on Alex and Brigitte and when they will meet, and I though the last few chapters just went way too fast for me to enjoy. I will be looking forward to the second book though, because the cliff hanger was awesome! Can’t wait to see what happens next….
[Rating: 4]

November 21, 2011
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The Dumpster by Becky Due
Chick Lit Review

The Dumpster by Becky Due

This story had me baffled from the first few pages. The story starts where main character Nicole is getting ready for a Valentine’s party and a romantic evening with her boyfriend. He will finally meet her best friends, I’m thinking he might propose¬¬––until I find out he is merely Nicole’s sex-buddy of two weeks. Um, what? And that’s when I knew I was going to be in for a ride––a very unpleasant ride. This book desperately needed an editor, there were scenes that were crammed in for reasons I couldn’t figure out, the characters were immature (think peeing on sidewalks) and Nicole just came off as a big slut. I think Becky Due was trying to show an insecure woman, but I didn’t make the connection. The writing was crass (too many bathroom trips and bodily functions for me to handle) and I was basically bewildered throughout the book. And slightly horrified. I did some research on Due and her website says her books are “inspiring novels” for women, and that she is “the new voice of women’s fiction.” I’m a little scared. The reviews and ratings are scattered from a 1-5, but this truly is not a book or genre for me. Though I’m not exactly what genre it should fall under. I can’t recommend The Dumpster in good faith. It left me depressed, and I think it portrayed women badly. The main character wants a man so badly (hello, do we need a man to complete us?) that she would jump in bed with anyone. I’m not sure how that is supposed to be inspiring or leave me with confidence. I actually felt a little dirty reading the book. I will not be trying any further novels from Becky Due.
[Rating: 1.5]

November 18, 2011
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The Arrivals by Meg Mitchell Moore
Chick Lit Review

The Arrivals by Meg Mitchell Moore

The Arrivals is the debut novel from Meg Mitchell Moore, and I was truly impressed by her writing style. The story follows Ginny and William Moore, whose grown children suddenly start appearing at their Vermont home with all their troubles. Oldest child Lillian comes with her two young children after finding out her husband was unfaithful. Stephen comes with his pregnant wife Jane, whose pregnancy complications put her on bed rest at the Moore’s home. The youngest, twenty-nine year old Rachel, flees from New York after a painful breakup and even more devastating miscarriage. Ginny and William are suddenly overwhelmed with their children and their problems, and must figure out how to help each individual through their issues. The story, which is told through multiple points of views along the way, teaches lessons of love and family, of strength and forgiveness, and that the job of a parent is never over.
I really enjoyed The Arrivals. Like I stated earlier, I was impressed with the writing style Meg brings to the book. There are scenes where she abruptly stops one story, switches to another, then goes back to the original. I found these mini-cliffhangers delectable and they kept me on edge. I couldn’t help but think of my own mother when I read this book. Not too long ago she told me how much she still worries about each of her kids’ happiness, even though we all are grown now. It made me think about how much goes into being a mom or dad, and the unconditional love some are so lucky to receive. The only real issue I had is that I kept feeling that Ginny was so put out with Lillian, but would give her right arm for Rachel. I didn’t fully understand why it seemed to come off that way, and was the only thing holding me back from really getting immersed in the full story and all the characters. Other than that, I really enjoyed this book, I would recommend it, and I’m grateful for the SheKnows Book Club that has provided me so many great reads throughout the year.
**Please join us on Thursday, November 17th from 5-8pm PST at the SheKnows Book Club to chat live with Meg Mitchell Moore!**
[Rating: 4]

November 16, 2011
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A Slot Machine Ate My Midlife Crisis by Irene Woodbury
Chick Lit Review

A Slot Machine Ate My Midlife Crisis by Irene Woodbury

Irene Woodbury is on tour with CLP Blog Tours and A Slot Machine Ate My Midlife Crisis. This book is described as a “darkly funny novel” and I could definitely see that. The humor is there, right from the get go. The main character is Wendy Sinclair, a forty-five year old newly-wed who starts to suffer from a mid-life crisis. She moves from LA to Houston for her husband’s job, loses her own job, and starts to feel the strains way too quickly in her new house. She heads off to Vegas for an extended weekend with her self-absorbed gal pal Paula––and doesn’t come back. The draw of Sin City makes Wendy wonder if she made a mistake with marrying Roger. Can she handle the stuck up wives of his colleagues? Does she want to go back to no job and sleeping in a separate bedroom from her new husband? How will Wendy’s Las Vegas adventure end?
I enjoyed the humor, the descriptions of Las Vegas (almost like reading a tourist guide!) and the positive attitude Wendy brings to making the life she wants to live. Her friendship with Paula reminds me of a typical LA friendship/frenemy type, but made me laugh many times. I did think the book was a bit too long though. My editor nose was sniffing out scenes that could have been deleted to help keep the book at a quicker pace. And I sometimes wondered why it was taking so long for Wendy or Roger to stick a fork in their marriage. Over a two year time span, you could almost count the number of times they saw each other on one hand. That part had me a little perplexed. Overall though, A Slot Machine Ate My Midlife Crisis gave me plenty of laughs, and really spoke to my travel-loving self, and let me see Vegas through different eyes.
[Rating: 3.5]

November 14, 2011
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