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The Opposite of Me by Sarah Pekkanen
Chick Lit Review

The Opposite of Me by Sarah Pekkanen

Lindsey Rose is a true workaholic. With virtually no friends besides a co-worker, she spends the nights sleeping in her office and is constantly trying to get further in her promising career as a top New York advertising executive. When she is passed over for a promotion and then fired after getting caught in a compromising position with another employee, Lindsey has no choice but to pack up her belongings and head back home to Maryland to live with her parents.
Lindsey is the complete opposite from her twin sister, Alex. While Lindsey is the smart one with mediocre looks, Alex is gorgeous, flirty, and completely selfish. With her upcoming nuptials to a wildly rich and successful man, Alex’s life dominates in greatness over Lindsey’s. Lindsey clutches furiously to hold on to her friendship with Bradley, who crushed on her all throughout high school, but she finds out Bradley has moved on- to the complete unexpected. Lindsey throws herself into a new friendship and a new job- as a matchmaker for singles. When a devastating medical diagnosis hit the family, Lindsey is forced to take a closer look at her and her twin’s lives and the stereotypes they have been leading- and finds an unexpected twist that makes her re-evaluate the way she has been living her life.
The Opposite of Me, the debut novel from Sarah Pekkanen is a heartwarming tale that brought me to tears at the end. It did seem slightly slow-paced at times, but I thought each plot twist was unpredictable. When I was positive I knew what was coming next, the opposite happened, making me enjoy this book even more. I will definitely look forward to Pekkanen’s next novel, and I am hoping maybe there will be a spin-off that follows Alex’s journey.

April 2, 2010
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Drop Dead Beautiful by Jackie Collins
Chick Lit Review

Drop Dead Beautiful by Jackie Collins

Lucky Santangelo is back again for another round of Hollywood romance and deceit in this Jackie Collin’s tale. Lucky, who stems from a mafia family but has managed to turn herself into one of the hottest Hollywood players, is busy planning a birthday party for her 95 year old father, Gino. She is also in the midst of opening a megaresort in the city of sin, Las Vegas, but is unaware that a long-time family enemy, Anthony Bonar is seeking revenge on the Santangelo clan.
There is many subplots involved, like usual with Collins, and they bring along a hefty portion of suspense, sex, and drama. Lucky’s 16 year old daughter, Max, sneaks away from home to meet the Prince Charming she met on the internet- who turns out to be a crazed ex-actor that is holding a grudge against Lucky since she passed him over for a part in one of her past films. Anthony Bonar, a violent drug dealer, is unaware that his wife is having an affair with the Mexican gardener. Other slightly less exciting plots deal with Lucky’s best friend, an aging Hollywood actress, and her much younger boyfriend trying to maintain a relationship amidst the paparazzi and rag magazines, and Lucky’s business partner and his growing affection for Lucky, despite having a live in girlfriend.
Drop Dead Beautiful from Jackie Collins covers the Hollywood scene with open eyes and no holding back. The sex scenes are raunchy, the violence is gruesome, and each plot will hook readers more and more. This was one of my favorite Jackie Collins reads, and a definite recommendation for chick lit fans.

April 1, 2010
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Dirty Girls on Top by Alisa Valdes-Rodriguez
Chick Lit Review

Dirty Girls on Top by Alisa Valdes-Rodriguez

Six caliente chicas are back again in the follow-up novel from The Dirty Girls Social Club by Alisa Valdes-Rodriguez. This time, the friends are together for a reunion at a posh New Mexico resort, and the secrets each girl is keeping from one another makes this an engaging plot. Usnavys, a plus-sized married mother and sex blogger, is having an affair because she finds her husband too boring. Lauren, a successful journalist, is struggling with bulimia and a boyfriend who unbeknownst to her is also dabbling in something on the side. Rebecca, a magazine publisher, is coping with the fact that infertility may cause her to never have a child with her husband. Sara, host of her own TV show, is dealing with her abusive ex-husband that has re-entered her life. Elizabeth is struggling to make things work with her partner and their newly adopted son, all while her feelings are growing for fellow friend Lauren. And Cuicatl, the wild rock star, is struggling to stay on top of the charts and find a man to finally settle down with. Each woman’s personal story gives the reader something new, whether that be love, betrayal, fear, or despair.
Dirty Girls on Top by Alisa Valdes-Rodriguez is a fast-paced tale giving readers an inside look on these different woman and the adversities they are facing. I found at times following six different story lines was a challenge, but the captivating tales were enough to keep me pushing through. I found towards the end I wasn’t able put the novel down, as a near tragedy hits the group and forces life decisions to be made. Dirty Girls will make readers think, tap into an emotional side, but still gives off a fabulous and funky chick lit vibe.

March 31, 2010
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The Overnight Socialite by Bridie Clark
Chick Lit Review

The Overnight Socialite by Bridie Clark

Lucy Jo Ellis is just a small town girl trying to make it in the fashion world of New York City. When disaster strikes at one of the hottest fashion shows, Lucy Jo is blackballed from the fashion community and ready to give up on her designing dreams and head back to Minnesota. Wyatt Hayes IV, a Harvard-educated anthropologist, is looking for a comeback with a possible book deal and hoping to get revenge on his socialite ex-girlfriend. He decides to conduct a social experiment- turning underdressed, uneducated, and underpaid Lucy Jo into the belle of each and every ball. The city of New York is riveted by this new arrival, except for Wyatt’s ex, who is determined to figure out Lucy’s secret and spill it to all the top magazines.
The Overnight Socialite by Bridie Clark is a modern day story of Pygmalion, and the hate the antagonists feel for one another causes some hilarious scenes throughout their journey together. The writing is solid, and just when I kept thinking I would know the ending, I was surprised at the turn the plot would take. I thought this was a charming tale, with engaging characters and over-the-top parties that will keep chick lit readers hooked throughout.

March 30, 2010
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Poor Little Bitch Girl by Jackie Collins
Chick Lit Review

Poor Little Bitch Girl by Jackie Collins

Annabelle Maestro is such a poor little rich girl. The breed from two of Hollywood’s hottest legends, Annabelle is living up life running a high priced call girl business with coke addict boyfriend, Frankie. When her mother is brutally murdered in her own home and her father is the main suspect, Annabelle is forced to fly home from New York to Los Angeles for the funeral. She is toted along by an old friend turned lawyer, Denver, who is struggling to defend the legendary Ralph Maestro in his wife’s murder, all while trying to find a suitable man. Denver’s best friend, Carolyn, has managed to get herself knocked up by the very married US senator she works for, and has now been kidnapped as part of the senator’s grand scheme.
Poor Little Bitch Girl, the 26th best-seller from acclaimed writer Jackie Collins is another great. The scandal of Hollywood, the raunchy sex scenes, and the way each character entwines with another makes this a page turner until the end. The only problem I had was the big “scandal” wasn’t really that scandalous, if you follow the Tinseltown standards. But still another fabulous novel from Collins that will drag you into that selfish, all about me world, and make you not want to come back out.

March 20, 2010
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The Nanny by Melissa Nathan
Chick Lit Review

The Nanny by Melissa Nathan

Jo Green knows she needs something more. 23 years old and still living with her parents, turning down three marriage proposals from her perfectly okay boyfriend, and living day to day with mundane tasks. When Jo finds an ad in the paper for a live-in nanny position in the big city of London, she eagerly accepts an interview with the Fitzgerald’s. After securing a position and waving good-bye to her old life, Jo begins to settle into her new adventure, not expecting what will come next.
The Fitzgerald’s lead a posh life, with Vanessa the hard working corporate mother and Dick the playful dad running a record store, his hobby. They have a Brady Bunch between them, with three children from their marriage added with two from Dick’s previous marriage- which includes 25 year old Josh. After Jo commissions Josh out of work, the eldest son moves into the family home- and is practically sharing a bedroom with Jo. Jo tries to ignore the feelings of attraction for Josh, especially when boyfriend Shaun makes the trip to visit her, but the feelings are dismissed when Jo finds out he is helping his father hide an affair from Vanessa. The dysfunctional family lifestyle ensues, and soon enough Jo finds herself enjoying her day to hectic day responsibilities within the tizzy Fitzgerald home.
The Nanny, written by the late Melissa Nathan, is a fun tale of a girl trying to find her way. The story of Jo Green trying to make something of herself is entertaining to read, and the Fitzgerald family adds much needed humor in all the right places. The air of mystery surrounding the affair keeps readers interested throughout the way, and the romance between Jo and Josh is undecided until the very end. A light but endearing read.

March 19, 2010
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Once Upon Stilettos by Shanna Swendson
Chick Lit Review

Once Upon Stilettos by Shanna Swendson

Once Upon Stiletto’s is the follow-up novel to Shanna Swendson’s Enchanted Inc. Katie Chandler is still working in the magical community, as an assistant to Merlin- yes the Merlin. Katie is an immune, meaning she is not magical and is immune to the spells and tricks around her, making her a rarity in the community. But when there is a break-in at her work and an inside spy is at large, Katie is put in charge to find out who is behind it all.
That task turns out to be harder than Katie thought, especially with the arrival of her parents from Texas. Her parents already disapprove of Katie’s move to New York City, but an even bigger issue- they are unaware that Katie works in a magical community. They don’t even think magic exists. So while Katie is juggling her parents, the impending holidays, and trying to figure out her love life, more break-ins occur on the job.
Once Upon Stilettos from Shanna Swendson is a fun novel that combines the regular world with the magical. Think Sabrina the Teenage Witch, but for chick lit lovers. The dialogue is snappy, the plot is humorous, and the mystery is engaging. Reading one will want to make you pick up all four novels in Swendson’s Enchanted series.

March 13, 2010
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Sex as a Second Language by Alisa Kwitney
Chick Lit Review

Sex as a Second Language by Alisa Kwitney

Kat Miner is running out of luck. Her movie star husband has divorced her, taking off with all the money and leaving behind a son. She is struggling to keep getting acting jobs, but nearing the precious age of 40, jobs are being lost to the more youthful generation. And her mother, living across the hall from Kat and her son, won’t keep treating Kat like she is still child- giving her no privacy to have a personal life. The only thing keeping Kat from losing it all is the support of her two best girl friends, and her part time job as a teacher, teaching adults English as a second language.
Magnus Grimmson is one of Kat’s students, posing as an Icelandic foreigner struggling to learn English. What Kat doesn’t know is that Magnus is an undercover CIA agent, trying to find Kat’s reclusive father that abandoned the family when Kat was only 10. Her father is a retired CIA agent, but the agency is desperate for his knowledge on the country of Kyrgyzstan now that political wars are raging. It is now up to Magnus to get Kat on his side to help them track down her father, without letting her know he works for the CIA.
Like all good chick lit novels, Magnus immediately falls for Kat, even taking up residence in her spare bedroom. Through some steamy loves scenes, broken friendships, and our heroine finding happiness, Sex as a Second Language by Alisa Kwitney will be a delight for readers. There are plot twists thrown in at the right moments, catching readers off guard, and a happy ending for all.

March 12, 2010
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The Goddess Rules by Clare Naylor
Chick Lit Review

The Goddess Rules by Clare Naylor

Mirabelle Moncur is clearly a goddess. From her enchanting looks that haven’t faded at age 60, to her commanding and domineering presence in any situation, and the way she flawlessly goes through men like sex is nothing, the women screams confident, secure, and goddess-like. Kate Disney is the opposite. Unlike Mirri, Kate will never be a film star, never be sultry, and can’t seem to get past the ‘slug’ of a boyfriend, Jake, who treats Kate like she is indispensable.
When Mirri, animal activist living in Africa, moves to London, she and Kate quickly become friends, and Kate tries to be more like Mirri. She breaks it off with Jake, heads to Capri for a short fling, and begins to live her life more freely and passionately, finally beginning to take a real interest in her career as a painter. But when an old friend reveals himself as a love interest and Jake suddenly is the pining boyfriend she has always wanted, Kate is unsure what her next move will be. In the end, Mirri shows her the true meaning of love, in a very Mirri-like fashion.
The Goddess Rules by Clare Naylor is not only a humorous book with engaging plot twists, but also shows the struggles of someone trying to figure out what love is. Is it right to be with someone that loves you simply because you love them? That and other puzzles fill the plot and will keep readers interest hooked, especially with the supporting cast filling in any holes. I will say that I thought at times the book seemed to go on a little too long, but it only took a few more pages to get me interested in a new situation that started. The ending was particularly a jaw-dropper, and kept me thinking about the characters even after I was finished reading about them.

March 6, 2010
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