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A Job to Kill For by Janice Kaplan
Chick Lit Review

A Job to Kill For by Janice Kaplan

Lacy Fields is back in Janice Kaplan’s follow-up, A Job to Kill For. Lacy finds herself thrust in the middle of a murder once again when she is with trophy wife Cassie Crawford as she mysteriously dies. When police begin their investigation, Lacy is devastated to learn that her own best friend, Molly Archer, has been cast as the lead suspect. Molly’s prints are all over the bottle of tea that contained the poison killing Cassie, and Molly has been recently canoodling with Cassie’s uber-rich husband. Lacy knows that Molly couldn’t have possibly committed the crime, and sets out to clear her friend’s name. But while trying to track down the real killer, Lacy finds herself suddenly being the prime suspect. Now it’s not just about clearing Molly’s name- but also her own.
A Job to Kill For was as excellent as the first Lacy Fields mystery, Looks to Die For. The mystery tied in with the glamorous lives the heroine and her friends lead makes this a fun read for chick lit fans. Kaplan, a veteran in the entertainment industry, enjoys name dropping and showcasing designer brands along the way. Her writing is fast and witty, and each supporting character has a well constructed back story that makes them as memorable as the heroine. Once I hit just over the halfway mark and the mystery started to intensify, I had to keep reading to find out just who committed the crime.

July 10, 2010
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Fly Away Home by Jennifer Weiner
Chick Lit Review

Fly Away Home by Jennifer Weiner

Best selling author Jennifer Weiner showcases her talents with her latest page turner Fly Away Home. Tackling infidelity goes a step further with her newest characters, Sylvie and Richard Woodruff. Both in their late fifties, Sylvie and Richard seem to have a fantastic marriage- he is the senator of New York and she is his lovingly doting wife. Sylvie has gotten accustomed to standing beside her husband, attending workouts with her personal trainer, and always wearing the right outfits to public events. But when Sylvie learns that her husband has been cheating- with his much younger intern- her world starts spinning out of control.
Sylvie and Richard’s daughters are also struggling to cope with the news of their father’s infidelity. Diana, an emergency room physician, finds herself in a similar position. Though it appears she has everything- a career, a husband, son- she has strayed outside her marriage with a medical student. Lizzie, the younger sister, is a recovering addict trying desperately to stay clean. When yet another pollical scandal hits the national media, all three women are thrust into the unwanted spotlight.
Fly Away Home is written from three different perspectives- Sylvie, Diana, and Lizzie. I loved that Weiner took on a topic that has been so popular as of lately- the cheating politicians and the wives that do or don’t stay with them. Getting inside the head of the wife and trying to work through her dissolving marriage made me unable to put this book down. An added bonus was hearing from the daughters, and I enjoyed that both girls were struggling with even bigger problems in their personal lives. I think all women will enjoy this book that revolves around empowering the female, love, and above all, family.
Rating: 4/5

July 9, 2010
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Hook, Line and Sink Him by Jackie Pilossoph
Chick Lit Review

Hook, Line and Sink Him by Jackie Pilossoph

Anna is desperate to get married. So desperate in fact, she hires two guys to help get that shiny ring on her finger. Jeff and Dave, two commitment phobic friends, overhear Anna and her boyfriend getting in an argument during dinner, and tell her their idea to help speed up the engagement process. Anna eagerly pays them, and within weeks- she’s engaged! The three decide to take up a business together- helping women (and men!) get engaged. It’s an easy way to make cash, but before too long, the business starts to get too personal. Dave is being targeted to propose to his girlfriend, and Jeff starts having feelings- for the newly engaged Anna.
Hook, Line, and Sink Him, the debut novel by Jackie Pilossoph, will hook readers from the beginning! This novel was a breath of fresh air for me, letting me laugh out loud, connect with each character, and offer a little something different from the usual chick lit novels- a male’s perspective. The entire novel is written from Jeff’s point of view, and it was unusual to get inside the guy’s head for once and see how he viewed love and relationships. I loved seeing how his love for Anna changed him from a downright player with a different lady every night, to a dog-sitting love puppy. I am putting this on my Favorites list!
Rating: 4.5/5

July 8, 2010
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The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson
Chick Lit Review

The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson

The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson follows 17 year old Lennie after the death of her older sister, Bailey. Lennie struggles to continue a normal life, with her friends and classmates acting awkward around her. Lennie has always been the quiet side of the duo, a band geek that enjoys reading and writing, and is unable to handle when the spotlight is shoved on her. Her grandmother and uncle, whom have raised the sisters after their mother pulled a disappearing act, try to help Lennie through the pain, but nothing can fill the hole of losing a sister. On top of all that, Lennie is trying to get a handle on her new obsession with the opposite sex- including the new boy at school and her sisters ex boyfriend.
I do not usually review YA novels, and I am wondering if that is why The Sky is Everywhere didn’t do it for me. I couldn’t quite grasp the characters, and I felt at times the plot twists were too over the top fictionalized. I definitely felt the tone of the characters were out of sync, and by the time I got to the end, I was just ready for it to be over. There were times when I did feel real emotion for the characters involved, but not enough to recommend the book to the others that are not usually YA readers.
Rating: 2/5

July 7, 2010
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The Lies We Told by Diane Chamberlain
Chick Lit Review

The Lies We Told by Diane Chamberlain

Maya and Rebecca Ward are two sisters who share a special bond. Both doctors, the girls witnessed the murder of their parents when they were young, an incident that has shaped the rest of their lives. Maya, the younger sister, works as a pediatric orthopedist, married to Adam, yet another doctor. The couple has hit a hard point in their marriage, as Maya has suffered through multiple miscarriages. Rebecca is a free-spirited risk-taker, working for Doctors International Disaster Aid, which takes her all over the world helping people after disaster strikes. She has no interest in settling down and starting a family like her sister.
When hurricanes devastate North Carolina, Rebecca is one of the first on the scene. She convinces Adam to join her in the rescue and relief mission, and after seeing all the children in need, Adam convinces Maya to join them. While Maya prefers her clean hospital and safe house over a ravaged city, sleeping in tents, and little food, she thinks her marriage will be helped if she joins her husband and sister. But when Maya’s helicopter goes down, everyone aboard is assumed dead. Rebecca and Adam are devastated over the loss of Maya- and turn to each for consolation.
The Lies We Told by Diane Chamberlain is a deeply complicated story of family, betrayal, and forgiveness. The changing point of views between the sisters offer an intimidate look at each of their stories on their parents murder and other past events that has led them to their adult lives. I found this novel to be a page-turner, unable to put it down for chapters at a time. My heart ached for all the characters involved, and Chamberlain’s writing was beautiful and well researched. I was truly transported to the hurricane ravaged North Carolina, and felt that I could walk in the characters’ shoes. If only it weren’t for the ending, this novel would receive a 5 star rating. The last five chapters had my interest for a good hour, I had to see how the characters resolved the many problems they faced, and I was disappointed. I won’t ruin the ending for anybody, but I am curious to see if any other readers had the same reaction I did. Overall, I would recommend The Lies We Told, but be prepared for the ending to leave you unsatisfied.

July 5, 2010
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The Summer We Read Gatsby by Danielle Ganek
Chick Lit Review

The Summer We Read Gatsby by Danielle Ganek

Half sisters Peck and Cassie have taken up residence in the Hamptons after the passing of their beloved Aunt Lydia. Lydia left her house, Fools House, to her nieces, with the instructions that they needed to find the thing of “utmost importance.” Throughout the summer, the girls trot along, finding love, finding mystery, and ultimately finding the importance of being sisters. The girls couldn’t be more different- Peck an extrovert, a wannabee actress who thinks the world is her stage- and Cassie, the sensible, responsible sister, who is wanting to quickly get Fools House sold and get on with her life. But with long-lost loves, an unwelcome house guest, over aggressive real estate agents, and posh Hampton parties, the sisters find enough adventure and revelation over the summer to last the rest of their lives.
The Summer We Read Gatsby by Danielle Ganek wasn’t my favorite novel of the summer. It took me almost half the book to really start to feel for the characters, and I felt at times the story was just too simply farfetched. Ganek is a great writer, and her knowledge and love of art shined through at times, but I didn’t feel it was enough to carry the characters along through their summer at Fools House. I usually look to see how the supporting cast ties in with the main characters, and I thought they fell a bit flat as well. There were also some scenarios that were mentioned once then faded away, never being played out. Overall I was disappointed, once I closed the book the characters and plot were gone from my mind.

July 4, 2010
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I Scream, You Scream by Wendy Lyn Watson
Chick Lit Review

I Scream, You Scream by Wendy Lyn Watson

Tallulah Jones is a struggling entrepreneur, trying to keep her beloved ice cream parlor in business. Unfortunately for her, the biggest way to drive in customers is catering the big annual luau taking place in town- run by her cheating ex-husband. Wayne, a highly successful and egocentric entrepreneur, doesn’t have a problem flaunting his younger girlfriend, Brittanie, in front of Tallulah, further increasing her humiliation. But when Brittanie mysteriously dies after the luau, people are saying it was murder- and fingers are pointed at Tallulah.
Knowing full well she did not murder Brittanie, Tallulah is determined to clear her name. She sets out on her own investigation, quickly racking up names of people around town that held a grudge against the young woman who stole her husband. Along the way, she finds a love connection with an old flame- but could he be involved in the mysterious murder?
I Scream, You Scream by Wendy Lyn Watson is a deliciously written cozy mystery that will delight chick lit fans, especially those who like added suspense. There is enough humor and plots twists to keep the characters engaging, and the love story is nicely played with the “did he or didn’t he?” throw in. A fun, fast, and tasteful read.

July 2, 2010
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The Look of Love by Jill Egizii
Chick Lit Review

The Look of Love by Jill Egizii

Anna has spent twenty years in a marriage from hell, locked in with Erik because of their children and politics. Erik is a successfully trial attorney with ties to equally successfully politicians, and each time Anna has tried for a divorce, Erik is quick to put an end to it. Anna finally realizes she has no choice but to get away from her tainted marriage for her own safety and the safety of her children, but once they are separated everything begins to fall apart for Anna. Erik starts using his powerful connections with the law to keep Anna away from her children, and using his manipulation skills to deteriorate the once strong bond between a mother and her kids.
The Look of Love by Jill Egizii was a touching story, yet I found it difficult to read at times. The brutal honesty and eyes wide open look at parental alienation, psychological devastation, and manipulation of the justice system was hard to swallow at times. Egizii is an advocate for parental alienation awareness, serving as a board member on a number organizations to educate about the devastating effects, and the knowledge readers can gain from this novel is profound. The story that surrounds love, family, and a mother’s quest of well-being for her children is heart-warming and compelling.
Rating: 4/5

June 30, 2010
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The Journey Home by Michael Baron
Chick Lit Review

The Journey Home by Michael Baron

The Journey Home by Michael Baron is a beautiful story that intertwines the lives of four very different individuals. Joseph, a man in his late thirties, is awoken one day with no recollection of who is, where he is, or why he has no memory of his life. All he knows is that his wife is waiting for him, needs him, and it is up to him to find her. Will, a young boy, becomes his traveling companion, and is wanting to get away from his foster parents. Antoinette is an elderly woman living in assisted care, still grieving the death of her husband who passed six years earlier. Her son, Warren, visits her frequently but is going through his share of struggles. He is in the process of a divorce and has lost his job, so he begins to spend more time with his mother, often cooking her meals that she was once cooked for him. Each character is struggling to find happiness and home, and Baron does an excellent job at transitioning between each of their respective lives and journeys. I didn’t get pulled it right away, it took me a few chapters of getting to know the characters and differentiate between the situations, but once I was able to get past the multiple points of view, I was all in. A definite recommendation.
Rating: 4/5

June 29, 2010
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