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Perfect on Paper by Maria Murnane
Chick Lit Review

Perfect on Paper by Maria Murnane

Waverly Bryson has to be the luckiest girl in the world. After years of disastrous blind dates and her hopes of love being dashed, she has finally become a bride to be. Her fiancée? Only the gorgeous and wealthy Aaron Vaughn III. But suddenly things go horribly wrong. Just two weeks shy of becoming a wife, Aaron breaks it off with Waverly, telling her he’s just not in love with her. Ouch. Waverly is properly devastated, and moves blinding through the next year, wondering why love just won’t happen to her.

Then Waverly meets Jake McIntyre while on the job in Atlanta. He could be the perfect man, except Waverly can’t seem to keep it together around him. The evening concludes with her getting too drunk to dance with Jake and having to leave his company to throw up in the bathroom. Sure that she has ruined any chance with him, Waverly thinks she may well be single the rest of her life. In addition to her failed love life, her job is sinking fast. Being passed over for an assignment at her sports PR position is tough enough, and now Waverly is unsure she wants to continue on in the industry. It’s the support of her two best friends, McKenna and Andie that keep Waverly’s spirits up.

Perfect on Paper: The (Mis)adventures of Waverly Bryson by Maria Murnane is laugh out loud comedy. The heroine goes on laughable dates, finds herself in awkward situations, and is the definition of a klutz. Through each situation the humor shines through, and readers will enjoy the ‘honey notes’ that pop up along the way. This is a definite favorite of mine, I love when books can actually make me laugh and smile throughout each chapter. Murnane does a fantastic job making Waverly so relatable, and the supporting cast including the two best friends, a handful of co-workers, and a lazy father, really help Waverly’s journey along. Chick lit fans will enjoy the complicated romance and strong pull of friendship throughout.

Rating: 5/5

June 1, 2010
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The Bachelor and Spinster Ball by Janet Gover
Chick Lit Review

The Bachelor and Spinster Ball by Janet Gover

Bec and Hailey are best friends that grew up together in the teensy town of Farewell Creek. After Bec returned to the town after trying to make it in the big city, she was hoping that high school sweetheart and childhood friend Nick would still have feelings for her, but it seems those feelings are no longer. What Bec doesn’t know is that Nick is struggling financially after his farm was taken over, and even though he still loves Bec, he doesn’t feel he can adequately provide for her. Hailey is dealing with the death of her parents, and is trying to keep up the store they ran before the car accident a year prior. Hailey has given up her dreams of being a singer and finding love to continue the memory of her parents.
The three friends are brought closer together when a bush fire destroys part of the town, prompting Bec to spur the locals into putting together a fire brigade. In order to raise the proper amount of money, the town holds a Bachelor and Spinster Ball, bringing in people from surrounding cities to enjoy the weekend festivities. When an accident nearly takes Bec’s life, a dark secret her mother has been hiding finally comes to light, and Nick also reveals his feelings to Bec. Meanwhile, Hailey is struggling to put down her guard when it comes to love, finding the man who just could be Mr. Right. But being with him would mean leaving Farewell Creek- and the memories of her parents.
The Bachelor and Spinster Ball by Janet Gover is set in the Australian outback, and each of the three main characters are immediately likeable. Each journey that is being played out is different, yet the three tie together so well. With the sub-plots also at work: the mother’s secret, a budding town romance, and a teacher’s inability to fit in with the rest of Farewell Creek, the entire novel will keep readers wondering what will happen next. A romantic story that also focuses on the meaning of friendship and the importance of family will delight chick lit fans.

May 23, 2010
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The Cinderella Curse by JL Penn
Chick Lit Review

The Cinderella Curse by JL Penn

Cindy is a pretty ordinary girl- ordinary looks, ordinary job, ordinary friends. But one day, she crosses path with a witch, gets cursed, and turns into a pumpkin each night at midnight. This is a real damper for Cindy, as she is trying to give her love life a shot with a handsome police officer. Luckily, he works the overnight shift, so he has yet to see Cindy turn orange in bed. But when his schedule changes, Cindy knows she either needs to tell him the truth and hope he can handle it, or say good-bye to the man she is starting to fall in love with. With supportive parents and a best friend who helps get her through her pumpkin nights, Cindy tries with all her might to reverse the curse, even seeking out local witch covens for help. But only a fairy tale ending will be the answer for this puzzle.
The Cinderella Curse by JL Penn is a hilarious short story, and readers will enjoy all the trip-ups Cindy encounters as a pumpkin. Though the ending may be a bit predictable, it is still a fun story to dive into from one of my favorite authors.
Rating: 4.5/5

May 20, 2010
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Wedding Season by Katie Fforde
Chick Lit Review

Wedding Season by Katie Fforde

Sarah is a jaded wedding planner, helping couples create their special day while not believing in love after her college heartbreak. Bron, a hairdresser, is struggling while living with her over-demanding boyfriend and working at a salon where she clashes on every subject with her overbearing boss. And Elsa, a dressmaker, is painfully shy and would prefer to live life in the shadows. Together, these three women form a tight friendship, each trying to help one another with their issues while working on two weddings-scheduled for the same day.
Sarah is trying to pull off a wedding for her pregnant and over-exuberant younger sister and one of the biggest celebrities, all while fighting feelings for a photographer that is already engaged. Bron is desperate to get out of her relationship and away from her salon job, but never expected to find betrayal on both ends. And Elsa is unsure how to handle advances for the charming Laurence, not used to someone being interested in her romantically. The woman work together charmingly, even when multiple plot twists threaten.
Wedding Season by Katie Fforde is a fun read for chick lit fans, filled with weddings, parties, love, and friendships. Even though Sarah is the main character, Elsa and Bron each get enough time in the spotlight so a deep connection is made with them and their personal stories. An entertaining and light read throughout, sometimes a bit too fluffy for my taste, but still a fun book.

May 17, 2010
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Intimate Encounters by Sierra Michaels
Chick Lit Review

Intimate Encounters by Sierra Michaels

Cali is leading two very different lives. While a graduate student earning high grades in her archeology field and working to finish her master thesis, she also works as a sensual massagist, working with a handful of other young women that are trying to get by in life. Cali struggles with finding normalcy, even though the only men she is meeting is for her services, and her friendships are with women who perform those same services each night. She desperately wants out of the shady business, especially after she is drugged and raped by a client, and a cop poses as a client to bust the illegal acts. But she knows that she can’t hold down a regular job while trying to finish her studies, and the money she makes is too good to refuse.
Intimate Encounters is the debut album from author Sierra Michaels, and is a genuine piece about the struggles many women must deal with. The heroine is wondering if she made the right choice about her chosen field of study, but feels she has come to far to turn her back now. And she knows she can’t keep on leading this double life to make great money if she wants to be able to settle down with a man. Though the novel talks openly about extremely proactive subjects, I never felt I was reading a ‘dirty’ book. Instead, I felt truly touched by Cali and the decisions she needed to make. Encounters is a favorite of mine, mostly due to Michaels being able to take this character who is unsure about her life and is going down the wrong path, and be able to set her straight. It was a long journey for Cali, and I think readers will not only respect the decisions she made along the way, but find the inspiring message lying within.

May 15, 2010
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Bulletproof Mascara by Bethany Maines
Chick Lit Review

Bulletproof Mascara by Bethany Maines

Nikki Lanier is in desperate need for a job, and her lone degree in linguistics is not helping her case any. When she gets an offer from Mrs. M, head of Carrie Mae Foundations (think Mary Kay or Avon) she gingerly agrees to learn about all things makeup. She quickly finds out that not only does Carrie Mae specialize in foundation and mascara, but they are also secret agents out to protect women around the world. Nikki soon finds herself attending target practice, learning which guns are used in which situations, and how to fight enemies with acid nail polish and flash grenade compacts.
After Nikki successfully completes her training test, Mrs. M sends her on to her first mission- to Taiwan. Nikki, along with veteran agent Valerie, are to rescue Lawan Chinnawat, director of a woman’s clinic and a leader in protesting the sex trades that dominate Asia. Along the way, Nikki befriends a handsome stranger who she thinks may be a government agent in on the kidnapping, and learns of a traitor within the company, almost losing her own life because of it.
Bulletproof Mascara, the hilarious spy novel from Bethany Maines, will keep readers laughing throughout as innocent Nikki goes from her awkward unemployment stage to confident secret agent, figuring out missions. Nikki’s character is immediately likeable, someone who is a little unsure about themselves but willing to take on a new challenge. The plot line is fun and engaging, with the mystery not being revealed until the very end. I was a little skeptical at first when I read the synopsis, because cosmetics gals working as secret agents didn’t sound very believable, but Maines definitely makes it work. Bulletproof goes on my favorites list, and I cannot wait for the sequel to come out! The book even has its own website, www.bulletproofmascara.com, and there is plenty of fun to be found there. A must read for chick lit fans that enjoy a little mystery and suspense in their books.

May 9, 2010
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House Rules by Jodi Picoult
Chick Lit Review

House Rules by Jodi Picoult

Jacob Hunt isn’t the average teenager. Though he is seemingly quite smart- especially with forensics analysis, he is terrible at reading social cues and expressing emotions, causing him to be an outcast among his school. But Jacob suffers from Asperger’s syndrome- a form of autism. While he can function at a higher level than those with autism, it doesn’t help him make friends any easier. The only person who really seems to understand Jacob is his tutor- until she is found dead, and Jacob is the prime suspect. Suddenly, Jacob’s family- which includes his single struggling mother and younger teenage brother- are under the spotlight. Could Jacob really have committed murder?
House Rules is a gripping, suspenseful novel by best-selling author Jodi Picoult. By examining different character point of views, readers can get a deeper understanding of the murder mystery at play. The clues help lead the plot along, but are never too informative, so I kept trying to read faster to find out who was the real killer. I had tears in my eyes while reading what Jacob’s mother went through during her daily life- what she needed to do when Jacob has tantrums in public and how she was coping during the days he was in jail. The story is powerful until the end, and keeps you thinking about the characters long after you have finished.

April 29, 2010
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Fat Chance by Deborah Blumenthal
Chick Lit Review

Fat Chance by Deborah Blumenthal

Maggie O’Leary is overweight and not ashamed to admit it. As a top columnist for a New York paper, her column “Fat Chance” touches on the myths of being overweight, offers support and confidence to her loyal readers, and talks about the obstacles overweight people have to endure. While Maggie is large and loving her shape, eating what she pleases, and never working out, that all changes one day when Hollywood comes calling. Heartthrob actor Mike Taylor is preparing for his next movie role as a diet doctor, and is seeking Maggie to be his consultant. Maggie, not seeing how she could possibly fit in to the LA lifestyle of perfect and plastic, decides to go on a diet to look more the part. But she does it all in secret, not wanting people at her job or her readers to know she is trying to change herself, while still writing how great big girls are. Her consulting trip to Hollywood leads Maggie to a possible love interest, and further confuses what she wants out of life. Can she possibly continue on with her column, her life, when she doesn’t truly believe those old philosophies anymore?
Fat Chance by Deborah Blumenthal is a lighthearted tale, and readers will enjoy following the heroine on her weight loss journey. At times the story seemed to fast-paced, especially with the supporting characters and their stories. I also didn’t quite feel a connection to the main character and why she was putting herself on a diet. The first chapters of the book spoke on how proud she was on not being super skinny and how she loved helping readers, but at the drop of a hat she changes her ways. If you can get past all that, Fat Chance is a fun and fast read that will give readers a lot of facts on nutrition, which was a little added bonus among the chick lit storyline.

April 25, 2010
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Necklace of Kisses by Francesca Lia Block
Chick Lit Review

Necklace of Kisses by Francesca Lia Block

Necklace of Kisses by Francesca Lia Block picks up from where YA readers left Weetzie Bat and her Secret Agent Lover Man. Now older, Weetzie and Secret Agent Lover Man, or Max as he is now referred as, are both suffering. Since 9/11, Max has lost all desire and hope, and Weetzie is struggling in the relationship. Deciding to flee to a magical pink hotel, she is on the search for her old prom date, to share the kiss she never had. While there, Weetzie meets a variety of characters through her kisses, including a kidnapped mermaid being forced to have plastic surgery and an invisible housekeeper.
I haven’t read Weetzie Bat, the first novel that came out in 1989 about these characters, but I had done some research before diving into Necklace of Kisses so I felt prepared for what I was about to read. I was all wrong though, as I remained pretty confused throughout the duration of this reading. The plot is fast-paced, but sometimes too fast so I couldn’t feel like I was grasping what I was reading. I enjoyed the magical aspect of the characters and the hotel and the journey Weetzie was putting herself on, but with so many other confusions like characters popping in and out from beyond the grave and wherever else they were appearing from was just too much for me. The best thing about Kisses was that it was very short, it only took me two sittings to complete.

April 23, 2010
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