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Breaking Even by Kathleen Kole
Chick Lit Review

Breaking Even by Kathleen Kole

Penelope Whittaker is as sensible as they come. Working as an accountant, soon to be married to another accountant, the loving Ben Miller who she has dated for years. Everything in Penelope’s life is stable and consistent. Until she meets Scott Harrison. After a chance encounter (and locking her keys in her car) Scott comes to Penelope’s rescue. And from there, her predictable life starts to spin out of control. Penelope is taken by Scott’s good looks, his devotion to his son, and his ease when chatting with her. Penelope keeps finding reasons to take her soon to be sister-in-law’s children to school, just to run into Scott. Those meetings turn into a coffee date, then lunch, then dinner. Before she realizes what is happening, Penelope is spending more time thinking about Scott than her fiancé, and fighting with Ben almost every chance she gets. Is Ben really the one for her? Or is life about to give Penelope a chance to break away from her good girl image?
Kathleen Kole is on tour with CLP Blog Tours and her latest novel Breaking Even. I was really intrigued by the story. Penelope’s character is very likeable, even though she is doing something extremely un-likeable- possibly embarking on an affair. But this is life, and that does happen. It was refreshing not to read another story about how horrible the man is and how he cheats, etc, etc. Kole really dives in her heroine’s story and why she feels the pull of another man, with a perfectly respectable fiancé waiting at home for her. I was never quite sure how the story was going to end, or which road Penelope would choose, which kept me invested throughout. And I thought there were some good smaller plot points with Ben’s brothers and their wives and how they deal with their marriages that was interesting to read about. There were times where the writing felt just a bit stiff, but overall I really enjoyed the book and thought it was a quick and interesting read. I will definitely be looking for more from Kathleen Kole.
[Rating: 4]

June 17, 2011
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Hollywood Ending by Lucie Simone
Chick Lit Review

Hollywood Ending by Lucie Simone

Trina Stewart hates that the famous HOLLYWOOD sign mocks her from her own home. After 10 years in the land of celebrities and out $100,000 to film school debt, Trina has still not found the Hollywood job. Instead, she works as a teacher, teaching English as a Second Language- not her dream job. But she refuses to believe that she won’t reach her dreams. Not only will she conquer Hollywood, she will also find that perfect man. Somehow, someway….
Matiu Wulf, a New Zealander, finds himself in LA only to get some real scene design experience and take a class at UCLA to make his resume look good. With more movies being filmed in his homeland, he needs something to set him apart from the other film wannabees. But when he rents the apartment upstairs from Trina Stewart and begins to fall for her, he knows that is the last thing he can do. He is only in LA to take the class, get the experience and some connections, and head back home to Auckland. But when he watches Trina fall for the wrong guy, he can’t help but intervene…
Hollywood Ending by Lucie Simone is a cute romance novel with a dash of Hollywood sauciness. The story is told in both Trina and Matiu’s view points, so readers get an understanding of both main characters. I actually liked Matiu’s character more than Trina’s, which usually doesn’t happen! But he is such a manly man and delectable in both looks and personality that I really couldn’t help myself. There were times that I thought the plot could benefit from some more action, and it was a bit predictable, but overall I thought it was good story and I will definitely be checking out more of Simone’s titles.
Rating: 3.5/5

June 15, 2011
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The Gin and Chowder Club by Nan Rossiter
Chick Lit Review

The Gin and Chowder Club by Nan Rossiter

The Gin and Chowder Club by Nan Rossiter is an eloquently written story about the dangers of an affair and the deep binds of love. The story is set in Cape Cod, and showcases two very different families. Samuel and Sarah Coleman are a happily married couple with two sons, Isaac and Asa. The family is good friends with Nate Shepherd and his much younger wife, Noelle. What the families don’t know is of a secret affair between Asa and Noelle. The pair doesn’t know what to do about their love for one another. They can’t stand being apart from one another, but understand that if the affair was brought to light, the bond between the families would be forever broken. When Asa decides the best thing for him to do would be to go off to college and leave the families at peace, he and Noelle embark on a summer fling, trying to get in all the time together that they can. But the consequences of the summer play a cruel twist of fate, with an unexpected ending for all.
I really enjoyed The Gin and Chowder Club. Even though it is told from Asa’s perspective, I was able to jump right in and form a bond with all the characters. Rossiter’s writing is beautiful, and the Cape Cod scenery made me feel I was there right along with the cast. The only thing that I had a bit of trouble with was the time frame of the story. I kept thinking something seemed a bit off, but it wasn’t until Asa went to the baseball game that I realized this book is set in the 1960’s. Other than that, I really enjoyed the book, and even shed a few tears at the heart wrenching ending. This is Rossiter’s first adult novel, and I will eagerly wait for more!
[Rating: 4.5]

June 15, 2011
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Summer Friends by Holly Chamberlin
Chick Lit Review

Summer Friends by Holly Chamberlin

Delphine Crandall and Maggie Weldon become instant best friends at the age of nine, when life has complications such as which flavor of ice cream to choose. Delphine is a native of Maine, while Maggie’s family visits Maine each year for a vacation. Maggie’s family is well off, and she has many opportunities in life. Delphine doesn’t have the same social status as Maggie, but the girls don’t let that get in the way of become friends. Their friendship stays strong for years, and the girls even go to college together in Boston. But during college, something changes for Delphine. While Maggie gets her degree, a great career, a husband, and eventually children, Delphine slinks back to Maine to work for her family business. She cuts off her friendship with Maggie, and Maggie is devastated over the loss of her childhood friend. But after twenty years, Maggie decides she wants answers- and hopefully her friend back. She tracks down Delphine, still living in Maine and working with her family, with no husband or children. Maggie tries reconnecting with the woman who she once shared all her secrets with…but can their friendship still last despite all that’s been thrown at them?
I was a little torn while reading Summer Friends by Holly Chamberlin. While I loved the vivid scenes that paint the quaint town of Maine and thought Maggie’s character was kind, generous, and good-hearted, I could never really get into Delphine. I was a little confused at why she dropped Maggie’s friendship so quickly. It is kind of explained towards the end, but I didn’t find it to be a real powerful motive for completely shunning someone out of your life. I did enjoy the ending, I thought Chamberlin wrapped up the story of these two women nicely, but the book didn’t really move me like I was hoping it would.
Rating: 3

June 13, 2011
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Family Pieces by Misa Rush
Chick Lit Review

Family Pieces by Misa Rush

Karsen Woods seems to be having a great life. Away at college, she has the perfect boyfriend, a fabulous best friend, her brother nearby, and…

June 10, 2011
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One Night Scandal by Christie Kelley
Chick Lit Review

One Night Scandal by Christie Kelley

Sophie Reynard is a matchmaker born into an unfortunate set of circumstances. Her father will not claim her as his child, since she was a…

June 8, 2011
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Bodyguards in Bed by Lucy Monroe, Jamie Denton, Elisabeth Naughton
Chick Lit Review

Bodyguards in Bed by Lucy Monroe, Jamie Denton, Elisabeth Naughton

Bodyguards in Bed is a book made up of three different novellas from three separate authors, all with the same theme: hot bodyguards doing more than just protecting their clients. The first, “Who’s Been Sleeping in My Brother’s Bed” by Lucy Monroe, covers a brilliant Ph.D. student whose home has been burglarized. Danusia hightails to her brother’s apartment, which thought would be empty, but instead finds hottie black-ops agent Maxwell Baker has set up his own temporary home there. Her eye has been on her brother’s friend Max for some time now, and being alone in an apartment proves their chemistry is hot as ever. The second novella, “Hot Mess” by Jamie Denton, follows office worker Alyssa who gets in an identity mix-up. While at LAX to pick-up whistle blower Charles Rolston, she accidently reels in FBI special agent Noah Temple. Noah skips telling her she has the wrong man, but knows he made a mistake after they end up sleeping together. And the last is “Acapulco Heat” by Elisabeth Naughton, where supermodel Lauren needs the protection of former army ranger Finn Tierney while on location. When Lauren’s co-worker turns out to be from a family of drug lords, murder ensues. It’s up to Finn to protect Lauren from getting murdered herself, but of course he finds time for some passion as well.
Bodyguards in Bed was a quick read, and I thought all three stories were interesting. Short stories and novellas aren’t my forte, but it was a fun book filled with some hot scenes. I think my favorite novella was the third, probably because I thought it was the longest and I could get more into the story and characters. I thought I was going to really like the first, but it seemed to end as soon as it began. If you like short stories and are looking for a hot summer read, I would recommend Bodyguards in Bed to you.
[Rating: 3.5]

June 6, 2011
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Night Road by Kristin Hannah
Chick Lit Review

Night Road by Kristin Hannah

Where do I begin to say how much I loved this book? With the powerful writing that swept me into the story immediately? Or maybe with the fiercely real characters, whom I identified with even though I have never been in their situation? Characters who I cried for, who stayed in my head after I closed the book, who sparked conversations with numerous friends on many different subjects. What would you do if you were Jude? How do teach teenagers about drinking and driving? Why did Lexi give up her freedom for a mistake?
Night Road by Kristin Hannah is a gripping story about a family that deals with a terrible tragedy. Mother Jude Farraday is a “helicopter mom” always in the lives of her twins, Mia and Zach. A slightly overbearing mother, she is always there to make sure her children are on the right track. But things start to slip away during their senior year of high school. Mia’s best friend, former foster child Lexi, is in love with Mia’s twin brother. And Zach is in love with Lexi. The threesome is always together, the best of friends, until one night of wrong decisions rips the friendship, and the Farradays perfect family, apart.
I know this story will be unforgettable to me. I also know when I read a phenomenal story, because I have the characters in my head even when I am not reading. I can’t tell you how many times I imagined scenes between Lexi and Jude, where I became so worked up in the drama of their lives that I had to remind myself I was reading a book. I have read a few reviews that complain about Jude’s character being selfish and a horrible bitch after the accident, and it’s the truth. But people aren’t supposed to be cheerful and reasonable after death. I thought Hannah showcased just what can happen to people after such a tragedy. Did I hate Jude’s character? Yes. But that’s the reality of life. The only downfall I saw to the story was that it ended too soon for me. I wanted to get more of an ending between Lexi and Zach. But I think Night Road is completely worthy of a five star rating, and will definitely get a place on my Favorites List.
[Rating: 5]

June 2, 2011
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Girl in a Spin by Clodagh Murphy
Chick Lit Review

Girl in a Spin by Clodagh Murphy

Girl in a Spin, the second novel from Irish author Clodagh Murphy is out the park good. This story has romance and betrayal, politics and scandal, and a delightful heroine who will not give up on love. I know some chick lit fans are wondering about the “politics” word I used, which isn’t so common for chick lit novels. Jenny Hannigan, the good-hearted and optimistic main character, falls for Richard Allam, a recently separated politician. Jenny thinks she has found true love with Richard. He is the complete package- charming, successful, wealthy- but Jenny also believes Richard has a kind heart and loves her back. When Richard’s publicist Dev Tennant gets involved for Richard’s upcoming election, his job is to “spin” Jenny into someone the public can support- the perfect politician wife. But while Jenny has a slightly wild past, Dev’s job turns out to be harder than he imagined- but he still can’t stop himself for beginning to fall for his boss’s girlfriend. While Jenny finds herself attracted to Dev, she remains loyal to Richard- until Richard’s real motives for leaving his wife are brought to light.
I think the main reason that I loved Girl in a Spin so much is because of Jenny’s character. She actually reminded me a lot of myself, which was fun to notice, but also because she is so darn loveable. I loved her optimism. Even though she came from a tough background and supported herself most of her life, she never gave up on thinking she could get a happy ending. Even though a lot of the book covered political topics- campaigns, speeches, appearances- I was never confused or bogged down by the political references. And the hilarity in many of the scenes! Jenny has quite an unconventional background, complete with a few stalkers that make for some laugh out loud lines, and Murphy does a spot-on job at mixing humor and more serious topics. I thought the politics and the scandal that goes along with Richard and his divorce is (unfortunately) quite a common occurrence nowadays, and that really kept me invested in the story. I liked how readers are able to get into different characters minds- from Jenny all the way to Richard’s estranged wife, Julie. I was hooked until the very last page, and Girl in a Spin will definitely be making it on my Favorites List!
[Rating: 5]

June 1, 2011
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