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With or Without You by Carole Matthews
Chick Lit Review

With or Without You by Carole Matthews

Lyssa Allen cannot believe it when her boyfriend, Jake, announces he is moving out. The two have been trying (unsuccessfully) to conceive a child with multiple IVF attempts, but Lyssa’s growing obsession with motherhood drives Jake into the bed of a colleague, the younger, athletic, more independent Neve. With her job going downhill, Lyssa decides she needs a major change in her life- and she is going to find it by trekking through the Himalayas. If ‘the other women’ Neve can do it, there is no reason Lyssa can’t. What does it matter that she hates the outdoors and can’t live without her blow-dryer?
Turns out, Lyssa takes to the Himalayas better than anyone could have expected. It doesn’t hurt that she quickly falls for the tour guide, the sexy American Dean. Dean was once a California man, but left the easy life behind to live permanently in Nepal. As the days go by, Lyssa realizes she is falling in love with this man, and the ways of her ‘old’ life seem so silly and mundane now. But can she really leave her family behind? Leave behind her career and all her friends?
With or Without You is one of my favorite novels from Carole Matthews. Following Lyssa’s story will make readers think, and all the curves that get thrown in along the way will keep you on your toes until the end. The supporting cast brings so much to the novel; with Lyssa’s sister (known as the “Rabbitt”) juggling six kids under the age of 30 and a mutual friend of Lyssa and Jake’s confessing his crush on Lyssa will keep the plot interesting throughout the way. A heartfelt ending to this compelling story is a definite winner.

December 21, 2009
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Bitter is the New Black by Jen Lancaster
Chick Lit Review

Bitter is the New Black by Jen Lancaster

Jen Lancaster has it all- loving boyfriend, good family and friends, a high paying corporate job, designer labels, and a wicked sense of humor. She walks though life with her sarcastic filled sentences, not afraid to cut down others (or herself- she refers to herself once as “Carbohydrate Barbie”) but that all comes to a sudden halt when she is laid off from her cushy position. A year goes by, and with the economy suffering after the 9/11 attacks, Jen finds herself still without a job after one year. The only thing keeping her alive is the occasional (and I do mean occasional) temp job and her loving husband Fletch.
Until Fletch loses his job. They cannot believe it- but they have to sell their beautiful spacious penthouse and move to the not-so-fabulous side of Chicago. And sell her designer clothes. And stop going to the salon. Jen cannot believe the twist life has thrown at her, but through all the hardships she endures, she realizes how lucky she is. She has great parents, a loving and supportive husband, and new perspective on life. Who needs to get weekly manicures? Who needs to have dozens and dozens of high end beauty products?
Jen Lancaster pens a hilarious memoir of her struggles that will keep readers laughing out loud until the end. There is even a nice life lesson that we can all take away from getting an inside look of Lancaster’s ordeal. Her bold commentary and larger than life personality that shines through the pages will have readers wanting more from this sarcastic and witty author.

December 19, 2009
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Shopaholic and Sister by Sophie Kinsella
Chick Lit Review

Shopaholic and Sister by Sophie Kinsella

Becky Brandon is loving her honeymoon. She and new husband Luke are traveling the world, and the last ten months has just been like a never ending shopping spree filled with exotic goodies. Only hitch- Luke is slightly unaware of the extreme purchases Becky has being shipped to their home. Such as huge giraffe statues. But who doesn’t need them? When the newlyweds decide it is time to get back to London and real life, Becky is slightly jilted on her return. Her best friend Suze has found a new BFF, the horrible condescending Lulu who seems to keep pushing Becky out of the way. But even more shocking- she has a sister! Turns out Becky’s father had a fling with a train stewardess back in the 70’s and Jessica is the result of that. Becky is thrilled! She now has someone that she can shop with, have sleepovers with, and have sister’s night out together. What isn’t great about that?
Well, it isn’t so great if your sister turns out to be a frugal environmentalist that – no!- hates shopping? How can that be? But it’s true- Jess has no interest in designer labels and worse, doesn’t seem to have any interest in getting to know Becky. Becky is crushed- but is also trying to untangle herself from another messy situation involving her, a purse, and Luke’s professional reputation.
Shopaholic and Sister by Sophie Kinsella will bring you the usual laughs from Becky’s antics, but the ending will also teach a nice lesson on the importance of friends and family. This installment was actually one of my favorites; my interest was held until the very end with all the different situations playing out in the chapters. If you love the ‘Shopaholic’ series, this novel will not disappoint.

December 13, 2009
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The Men I Didn’t Marry by Janice Kaplan & Lynn Schnurnberger
Chick Lit Review

The Men I Didn’t Marry by Janice Kaplan & Lynn …

Hallie has been dumped. And not just dumped. Her husband of 21 years has left her- for the younger, perkier, cellulite free Ashlee. With her husband gone and children off to college, Hallie wallows her pain away in massive amounts of Oreo’s at her empty house. But she needs to snap out of it and move on. She is a successful lawyer living in New York City with a fabulous best friend and a handful of kooky neighbors, and moving on is exactly what she is going to do. By visiting her past.
Hallie gets the idea to go looking for her ex-boyfriends; the men she didn’t marry. Maybe that can help her figure out how she chose Bill, her soon to be ex-husband who doesn’t seem to realize that you can’t just have a ‘second act’ with a younger woman when you are married. First up is Eric, a college boyfriend who has now become an extremely rich investment broker, but he seems more interested in himself, his money, and his Blackberry. Next is Barry, who Hallie met while backpacking across Europe. His experience turned out to be on the …quiet side, and a whole lot different than Hallie could have imagined. And finally, Kevin. Hallie travels to the beautiful island of Virgin Gorda to find her high school boyfriend, and thinks she may have found love again.
The Men I Didn’t Marry by Janice Kaplan and Lynn Schnurnberger is ferociously funny, a fabulous and witty tale that will keep your interest until the end. The main character’s motivation to keep her head up and not give up on happiness is inspiring and thought provoking for readers. And the flair of mystery- what exactly did happen to Hallie’s sister and who is the mysterious fourth ex-boyfriend- will keep you wrapped up until you can happily mark this must read novel as finished.

December 12, 2009
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The Scent of Scandal by Carole Matthews
Chick Lit Review

The Scent of Scandal by Carole Matthews

The Scent of Scandal by Carole Matthews revolves around Rose Stevens, who has fled busy London to settle down in the small village of Great Brayford. After finding out her lover was already married, Rose is crushed and in need of getting away from everything that reminded her of him. She works as an aroma-therapist, but some of her neighbors believe she is doing much more scandalous deeds, and take to spying on her 24/7. What they really should be spying on are the other neighbors- the one who is a hooker, the one who may or may not be addicted to sex, and one who is a Peeping Tom!
Before she knows what has hit her, Rose finds herself falling for the sexy local builder, Dan, but still can’t let go about the affair that left her fleeing London. And now to make it even worse- her ex Hugh has somehow found Rose in her quaint village, and he is single and wants her back! Rose struggles with her feelings as the many twists and turns keep throwing apart the characters that you know should be together. I enjoyed the romance and the humor in the novel, but there really wasn’t any ‘scandal’ as the title may lead you to believe. Still another good read from Carole Matthews.

December 11, 2009
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Shopaholic Ties the Knot by Sophie Kinsella
Chick Lit Review

Shopaholic Ties the Knot by Sophie Kinsella

Becky Bloomwood is back and life can’t be any better for the loveable, albeit sometimes clueless shopaholic. She has found her perfect career as a personal shopper at the respectable Barney’s department store, she is living next door to a fashion designer, and her successful, though workaholic, boyfriend has just proposed! Becky cannot wait to be Mrs. Luke Lloyd, and quickly begins planning their nuptials.
Only one snag- her mother is going into wedding overdrive that her only daughter is getting married, and is planning a beautiful ceremony at the house Becky grew up in. But Luke’s high-society mother is insisting on a blow out wedding at the Plaza in New York City. Becky can’t find it in her to let her mother or her soon to be husband down, and finds herself planning two different weddings on two different continents.
Shopaholic Ties the Knot by Sophie Kinsella will not disappoint. You can’t help but laugh at the wacky situations Becky keeps finding herself in- including not being allowed to her own wedding shower- and you just want to peek to the back to find out where exactly she has her wedding. There is plenty of drama to go along with the fun- what is the real story behind Luke’s frosty mother anyways- but I couldn’t help my growing impatience towards the end. With the wedding a mere 14 days away, there is still no decision on where the wedding will take place, and I found myself getting frustrated with the indecision. But in the end, there is a happy ending for everybody, and I think all chick lit lovers will continue to adore the ‘Shopaholic’ series.

December 7, 2009
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For Better, For Worse by Carole Matthews
Chick Lit Review

For Better, For Worse by Carole Matthews

Newly single Josie Flynn does not want to participate in a wedding. After finding her husband has been cheating, she unfortunately still finds herself en route from London to New York to be in her cousin’s wedding. It isn’t all bad though, after meeting Matt Jarvis on the flight. The cute aspiring rock journalist asks her out on a date, and while Josie is relieved that she can still be found attractive, she is stood up and left alone at a New York restaurant, once again crushing her self confidence.
Matt Jarvis just missed meeting Josie at that restaurant, a date that he was highly looking forward to. He is determined to find her, but with little information to go on, madness and humor ensues as he tries to track down the elusive Josie. He even crashes a wedding that he thought was Josie’s cousins, as he was only going off the first name of the bride.
For Better, For Worse by Carole Matthews isn’t my favorite novel by the English author. The plot starts off strong, with good descriptions of all the main players, but as the time goes on, it seems just too unbelievable. The humor can give you a good laugh every now and then, but even some of those scenarios are too silly to believe- trying to smuggle a duck with a diamond ring in its stomach through the airport- is just one example. It is still an entertaining read, though Matthews has definitely written better.

December 6, 2009
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Be My Baby Tonight by Kasey Michaels
Chick Lit Review

Be My Baby Tonight by Kasey Michaels

Do you believe in curses? Tim Trehan sure does. The star player for the Philadelphia Phillies has always been haunted by following in the footsteps of his older brother- always doing the same thing he does just months later. Now, twin brother Jack suffered an injury that ended his MLB career too soon, and Tim is terrified he will be next. So when his awkward childhood friend turned gorgeous young women appears at one of his games, Tim believes he has found a way to fight the curse.
Suzanna Trent has always loved Tim. When they were growing up, she would do anything for him- homework, bail him out of trouble, good ole Suze would do anything. And her love for Tim has not faded over time. After spending a few hours together (and a passionate night in bed) Tim proposes that they head off to marry in Vegas. Thinking that he must have loved her all these years just as much as she did, Suze agrees and quickly becomes Mrs. Trehan.
But Suze quickly finds out that Tim only married her in hopes of warding of the curse that could possibly end his baseball career. Before she can decide how to react, they find out another common factor between him and his brother- fatherhood. Suze is pregnant.
Be My Baby Tonight by Kasey Michaels is an excellent read. The entire book will keep you on your toes, wondering if this couple can possibly make things work. Does Tim really love Suze? And is Suze actually in love with Tim, or just infatuated with the school boy she once crushed on? Michael’s does a great job at making both main characters come alive, and you can’t help but wonder who was really at fault for the rushed marriage- and hope that the adults can overcome all the obstacles.

December 4, 2009
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Secrets of the Hollywood Girls Club by Maggie Marr
Chick Lit Review

Secrets of the Hollywood Girls Club by Maggie Marr

Secrets of the Hollywood Girls Club is an extreme eye opener of what the Hollywood scene is all about. Narrator and leading publicist Kiki Dee leads us through the lives of four friends trying to stay on top of their Hollywood game. Actress Celeste Solange is trying desperately to maintain her youthful face, even when it means going under the knife. But the real fact she is trying to hide is her kinky sex tape made with ex husband before it is leaked to the internet and her devoted fans find out she isn’t as sweet and innocent as her persona seems- and before her husband and Worldwide Pictures exec Ted Robinoff realizes it exists. Mary Anne Meyers, the naive screenwriter from Minnesota, is attempting to begin a relationship with the delicious actor Holden Humphrey, but him being forced to act opposite is mentally unstable ex-girlfriend is causing cracks in the blossoming relationship. Lydia Albright, producer and new president to Worldwide Pictures knows about Celeste’s sex tape and how important it is to keep the secret, ensuring the longevity of Celeste’s career and the multimillion dollars her company has invested in the actress. And agent Jessica Caulfield-Fox is trying to help all her friends avoid a scandal, all while trying to juggle her new role as producer/manager/wife/mother.
The four friends stick together, but end up putting all their careers on the line to try to keep the sex tape under wraps. But publicist Kiki Dee has just stumbled upon a very large secret, something so huge, so extreme, that it would throw all of Hollywood into a tailspin. But can she prove it? And can the friends manage to keep their secrets, careers, and personal lives in check throughout the whole ordeal?
Secrets of the Hollywood Girls Club by Maggie Marr will keep anyone on their toes, constantly flipping pages in hopes of uncovering all the dirty secrets the power players of Hollywood keep. If you love the celebrity world, this book is a must for your list!

November 29, 2009
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