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The Dirty Girls Social Club by Alisa Valdes-Rodriguez
Chick Lit Review

The Dirty Girls Social Club by Alisa Valdes-Rodriguez

The Dirty Girls Social Club by Alisa Valdes-Rodriguez is an open-eyed peek at the lives of six very different women. The group of college friends, or sucia’s, as they call themselves, are all trying to figure out their loves lives and find a promising career, but none have it easy. Lauren, a feisty columnist, is struggling with her love life after finding her fiancée cheating on her. Usnavys, a successful executive for United Way, is trying to find a man that will be able to meet her pricey expectations of lavish vacations and designer clothes. Rebecca is miserable in her stiff marriage, and uses her job as founder and editor of a Latina women’s magazine as comfort. Elizabeth works as a prominent TV anchor, but is hiding the fact that she is a lesbian from her friends. Amber is trying to make it in the entertainment biz as a performer, and Sara is hiding a frightening secret in her home life.
Dirty Girls offers readers steamy romance scenes, heartwarming love stories, and enough drama to make your head spin. The ending is particularly intense with a murder that lands one of the characters in a coma, but the beginning was a little shaky for me. I actually read these novels out of order; I read the sequel to Dirty Girls, Dirty Girls on Top, before this one, and that novel is what really kept me going through the slow beginning of its prequel. If I didn’t already have a background on the characters and had fallen in love with their stories, I would have been really tempted to give up on Dirty Girls. I am glad that I didn’t though, once you get passed the rocky beginning and get into the real dramatic scenarios, the novel becomes almost irresistible to put down.

April 16, 2010
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Still Thinking of You by Adele Parks
Chick Lit Review

Still Thinking of You by Adele Parks

Rich and Tash have the love that everyone craves. A completely honest relationship, these lovers have it all: trust, commitment, sensitivity, and passion in the bedroom. When Rich’s friends tag along for the private wedding at a French ski resort, one unwelcome guest tags along: one of Rich’s ex-lovers, Jane. While Tash is under the belief that Rich has been honest with her about anything and everything, including his past conquests, this is one old flame that Rich hasn’t told a soul about. Jane is the little sister of his pal Ted, and used to be a fat ugly mess during their college years. But now, Jane has transformed herself into a beauty, and has her sights set on Rich.
Still Thinking of You by Adele Parks is a luscious read filled with colorful characters, devious plot twists, and a tearful ending. I liked that each supporting character (Rich’s gang of friends) got to tell their own story from there inside point of views. Each friend is struggling with their own issues: bankruptcy, infidelity, trying to start a family, and that brings even more to the love story between Rich and Tash. The novel started off a little too slow, I think there was a lot of information that wasn’t necessarily needed, but if you keep pushing through, you will find an incredible story. Still Thinking of You gives readers romance, deception, and a bit of relationship advice as well. A fantastic read for chick lit fans.

April 12, 2010
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Scot on the Rocks by Brenda Janowitz
Chick Lit Review

Scot on the Rocks by Brenda Janowitz

Brooke Miller is in a pickle. A successful Manhattan attorney, Brooke is so sure her dashing Scottish boyfriend is about to propose any minute to her. To Brooke’s complete shock, he doesn’t propose, he dumps her, admits he’s been cheating, and kicks her out of their shared apartment! She is devastated, but sure she can win him back. It can’t really be over right?
When Brooke’s ex-boyfriend, Trip, calls to tell her he is getting married to a Hollywood movie star, she tells a teeny tiny lie. She tells him that she too is engaged- to her dashing Scottish, well, now ex-boyfriend. But she is sure they will get back together before Trip’s wedding, so it won’t be a lie for long. Except for when the wedding roles around and Douglas still hasn’t asked her back, Brooke has no choice but to come up with an outrageous plan to deceive Trip and the other wedding guests.
Scot on the Rocks, the debut novel from Brenda Janowitz is fast-paced and funny, with the heroine landing herself in more than one silly situation. Sometimes though, I did feel frustrated with the main character trying so hard to get this loser back when a real man was right in front of her. But the supporting characters really helped the scenes along, from a best friend struggling with her own marriage, a co-worker trying to win the girl, and of course the luscious Hollywood wedding. A fast and funny read that chick lit fans will enjoy.

April 9, 2010
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Second Time Around by Beth Kendrick
Chick Lit Review

Second Time Around by Beth Kendrick

Ten years after graduating from Leighton College in New York, five friends hold a reunion, where they reminisce on old times. All former English majors, the women wonder what would have become of their lives if they had chosen a different major and profession. A professor, a bartender, a copyright, and an administrative assistant all get that second chance when the fifth member of the group passes away, leaving her four friends $1,000,000 to reinvent themselves.
Now, a novelist, an event planner, a pastry chef, and a bed and breakfast owner are finding the answers to their “what if” questions. They are finally following their dreams and desires, and are doing it together back in the town of their college. Finding their true callings amidst career struggles and love battles, the four friends grow closer to one another while honoring their friend’s spirit and life along the way.
Second Time Around by Beth Kendrick is a heart-felt story on the value of friendship and finding a way to follow your heart. Each woman’s story was interesting and colorful, and the way each character could tie in with one another was excellent. A unique subplot involving the deceased friend kept the mystery up throughout the novel, and the ending will make all readers satisfied.

April 3, 2010
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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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