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Dancing Naked in Dixie by Lauren Clark
Chick Lit Review

Dancing Naked in Dixie by Lauren Clark

When Lauren Clark approached me about doing another tour for her second novel, I was ecstatic. I highly enjoyed Stay Tuned, and I had been looking forward to the release of her second novel. Dancing Naked in Dixie is the story of Julia Sullivan, a travel writer who can’t stay still. Not only did she suffer from ADD as a child, but her adult life is always on the go as well. She blames her career for never being able to settle down – and this includes in her love life. Her boyfriend is a great guy, but Julia just can’t see herself being able to settle down with him. Her life gets an upheaval when her new editor turns out to be her estranged father – and his first assignment to her is a doozy. Instead of jet-setting to Brazil or Italy, Julia is forced to travel to Eufaula, Alabama, for the coverage of their local Pilgrimage. How will Julia fare against Southern charm, sweet tea, her handsome host – and a mystery?
Another great one from Lauren Clark! I loved Dancing Naked in Dixie even more than the first. There was intrigue, romance, beautiful descriptions, and the characters were so well-written. I was completely won over from the Southern charm that oozes out of the book, and I felt that Julia was such a relatable character. A bit all over the place at times, but that made her more real to me. The romance between her and host Shug Jordan was paced just right. I love the animosity between Julia and her father, and there was even a sweet ending there for them. 5 stars from me, and a must-read for you!
[Rating: 5]

June 13, 2012
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Southern Charm by Tinsley Mortimer
Chick Lit Review

Southern Charm by Tinsley Mortimer

I received a copy of Southern Charm by Tinsley Mortimer in exchange for an honest review. Let me start off by saying – loved it! I was totally engrossed in the story from page 1, and never lost my enthusiasm throughout. From the cover, the plot, descriptions, even names of characters, this book had it all. A favorite chick lit book of mine for the year, most definitely.
Southern gal Minty Davenport has been obsessed with New York since a little girl in her Eloise-obsessed days. After graduating college, Minty makes the decision to say good-bye to Charleston and head to the Big Apple, where she knows her dreams will come true. NYC immediately takes a liking to the charming Minty, and her photograph ends up in Women’s Wear Daily. A domino effect starts from there. Before Minty can catch a breath or decorate her apartment, she is becoming friends with socialites, attending the most exclusive parties, and has hooked one of the most eligible bachelors as a boyfriend. But can born and bred Southern belle Minty every really fit in with the NY scene and the attitude that comes with being at the top?
Again (in case you missed it) LOVED this book! Minty’s character is so extremely likeable. Even though she has a lot of money (seriously – the designers named in this book had me drooling) she acts so unlike someone that is well off. She never feels entitled, or gets arrogant or shows a hint of snob throughout. I loved reading about how she understands what it feels like to become a jaded New Yorker, and what happens when she is faced with making some tough decisions. My enthusiasm did not wane even for a second while I was reading. And the names that I mentioned – from Minty to Scarlett, Tripp and Ryerson – loved that aspect. The details, designers, mannerisms of the South; Southern Charm doesn’t miss a beat. A Favorite on my list for sure, and one for you not to miss!
[Rating: 5]

June 8, 2012
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Dog Days by Elsa Watson
Chick Lit Review

Dog Days by Elsa Watson

Sometimes, I get so excited about a cover of a book that I don’t bother to read the synopsis. This was the case in Dog Days by Elsa Watson. I saw a cover with a dog on it, saw a title with the word “dog” and knew I had to read it. I am slightly obsessed with dogs – and I’m not even a dog owner. So when I sat down to read, I started as usual with the back cover blurb and learned the story is about a human (Jessica) and a dog (Zoe) that get struck by lightning and change places, Freaky Friday style. Hmmm. I wasn’t so sure about it at that moment. BUT – I loved it! I could not put this down for anything, and had it completed within two days. A 5 star book and a new addition to my Favorites List!
Jessica, a café co-owner, is deathly afraid of dogs. Which is a bit of trouble since the town she lives in loves their canines. They even host an annual event, Woofinstock, a festival celebrating all things dogs. When Jessica switches bodies with Zoe, an abandoned dog, she learns more about the creatures she feared for so long. It doesn’t take much for Jessica and Zoe to become fast friends, but they really need to switch bodies. Zoe can’t stop eating dog food in front of people, and Jessica has a business to run – and a sexy vet to date.
I laughed so hard throughout this entire book. My favorite line: “I guess I should have gone outside and looked for a dead bird to put on top, like I thought about doing.” This is from Zoe’s POV (in Jessica’s human body) after she mixes a raw steak with peanut butter, eggs, cheese and honey, and presents it as a gift to Jessica’s best friend and partner Kerrie. So hilarious. Most definitely one for your to-read list!
[Rating: 5]

June 1, 2012
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Blame It on the Fame by Tracie Banister
Chick Lit Review

Blame It on the Fame by Tracie Banister

I was so excited to read Blame it on the Fame from my fellow author friend Tracie Banister. You got celebrities, award shows, glitz and glamour, backstabbing, romance, frenemies – and a bit of love and true friendship underneath it all. From the moment I started reading I could not put it down. This is one of the best chick lit books I’ve read this year, and a new addition to my Favorites list!
The story follows the lives of the five women nominated in the Best Actress category for the Oscars. You have the sweet-as-pie from the outside seasoned actress who is the biggest bitch behind closed doors, an ex-model turned actress who can’t stay away from the drugs and alcohol – or keep her pants on, an indie queen who tends to stay away from the limelight, a has-been making a comeback, and the outsider from the UK who no one knows in America. This insane cast of characters, along with some delectable supporting characters – make up Blame it on the Fame and make this an irresistible read!
The book moves at a fast pace, starting with the day the Oscar nominees are announced and give readers a glimpse into each of their lives. The peek into Hollywood made this book read like a juicy, juicy celebrity tell-all book, and I was actually holding my breath when it came down to announcing the winner. I loved the wrap-up at the end on what happened after that Oscar night to the leading ladies, and some stories had me laughing out loud. It got just a tad unbelievable at the end, as I’ve never really seen a celebrity drop bombs like what happened on the Oscar stage, but hey – could happen, right? Still a 5 star novel in my opinion!
[Rating: 5]

May 23, 2012
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Point Click Love by Molly Shapiro
Chick Lit Review

Point Click Love by Molly Shapiro

A new one for the Favorites list! I adored Point, Click, Love, the debut from Molly Shapiro. I started this book one night while curled…

May 16, 2012
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These Girls by Sarah Pekkanen
Chick Lit Review

These Girls by Sarah Pekkanen

From Sarah Pekkanen’s debut novel, The Opposite of Me, I knew the women’s fiction world had gained a truly talented author. Not at all disappointed by her sophomore book Skipping a Beat, I was thrilled when offered the chance to review These Girls. Once again – immaculate story-telling, a build-up of memorable characters and situations, and another novel to add to my Favorites list.
The story follows the lives of three very different women. First there is Cate, newly promoted features editor for the lifestyle magazine Gloss. She fears that she may have gotten the job for the wrong reason, a reason that makes her think about a secret she is hiding from her past. Then there is her roommate Renee, who is desperate to get promoted to beauty editor at Gloss. She thinks if she is skinnier she might get the job over her competition, so she starts taking extreme risks to lose the weight. She also has her eye on the delicious Trey, who seems to have his eye on Cate…Rounding on the threesome is Abby, Trey’s sister. Abby fled to be by her brother when her personal life spirals out of control after she falls for the father of the little girl she nannies – who is very much married. Renee and Cate take Abby in, and the girls all form a bond that helps one another through their obstacles.
I thought These Girls had a little bit of everything – romance, love, heartbreak and scandal. It also had some fun chick lit ties in there with Gloss being a focus, and the focal point of the female friendship was really spot on. I loved the little dramas each girl was dealing. Abby’s story was particularly sticky for me, falling in love with a married man and the reason her parents have always been so cold to her was chilling – no pun intended. Pekkanen really hit another home run with her latest. I can’t wait to read what she has next for us!
[Rating: 5]

April 27, 2012
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Save Me by Lisa Scottoline
Chick Lit Review

Save Me by Lisa Scottoline

I received Save Me by Lisa Scottoline via the SheKnows Book Club. The synopsis had me eagerly tearing into this book – a mother who has to choose between her own daughter and her daughter’s bully during a school fire? I had goosebumps just thinking about ever having to be in that situation. I wasn’t sure what to expect, how the story would unfold, and the fire ended up happening right away. Rose McKenna makes her snap decision, and the rest of the book follows her life the days, weeks, and months after the fire and how her decisions continues to affect not only her, but the entire suburban community. I of course won’t tell you more than that, but I will say read this book! It was so fabulous I did not want to put it down for any extended period of time. I thought this might be a sad book, and even mentioned something on Twitter about having my tissues handy, but I don’t think I cried at all. It just really made me think, made me feel for so many characters, and kept me on my toes throughout. I wasn’t expecting the political scenario that emerges, but I loved it! There were a few editing errors I found, and I noticed multiple characters (not living in the same town) had the same farewell which I thought I was a little odd, but overall a really fantastic book that you won’t want to miss out on!
[Rating: 4.5]

April 12, 2012
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Skin Rules by Debra Jaliman, M.D.
Chick Lit Review

Skin Rules by Debra Jaliman, M.D.

I am all about caring for my skin. I stopped going to tan beds in college, I read product reviews, I slather on sunscreen everyday – summer or winter. So I was thrilled to read Skin Rules by Debra Jaliman, M.D. and one of the top New York dermatologists. With 77 tips filling the pages, I quickly soaked in all the advice she had to offer, and have to say I am super impressed with this book! I know it will not be leaving my bookshelf, because I’ve already gone back three times to look up a product or recommendation. I have changed the way I wash my face – from once at night to both morning and night. It might seem pretty obvious, but I never thought of all the germs that make it on to my pillowcase at night. There are so many great product recommendations – from over the counter cleansers, prescriptions for eyelash lengtheners, to laser procedures to help sculpt a body. I definitely recommend you give this book a read!
[Rating: 5]

April 4, 2012
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I’ve Got Your Number by Sophie Kinsella
Chick Lit Review

I’ve Got Your Number by Sophie Kinsella

I couldn’t wait to dive into Sophie Kinsella’s latest novel, I’ve Got Your Number. I’m not sure who sent it to me, but it showed up in my mailbox one day and I squealed in excitement when I opened the package. And can you believe it – I’m giving it a five star review! Shocking, right? I just love Kinsella and her stories, and this one was right up there. You know when you read a book and it just keeps making you laugh out loud? And then every once in a while you snort with laughter? That was me all the way.
The story follows Poppy Wyatt, whose world gets flipped upside down when she loses her engagement ring. Shortly after her ring goes missing, she loses her cell phone – her lifeline! She finds a cell phone in a trash can and decides to claim it as her own. It was in a trash can – clearly the owner had given it up. But she finds out the phone actually belonged to the assistant of Sam Roxton, a very busy and angry businessman, and he wants it back! Poppy eventually convinces Sam to let her keep the phone for a while longer, at least until she hears back about her lost engagement ring. Poppy finds herself a bit bored, and starts reading through some of the text and emails that she is forwarding to Sam. Before she knows it, she is practically playing assistant to Sam, and finds herself immersed in some of his personal business. Poppy thinks a spark might be happening between her and Sam – but how could that be? She is set to marry her ideal man. Sure, they don’t have much in common and his family seems less than impressed with her but still – she knows this marriage is the right thing to do. Right?
I whipped through this story, cracking up along the way. One scene I’ll point out – and you’ll only get if you read the story – was the gift Poppy tried on that was meant for her fiancé’s mother. I was red in the face from laughing so hard. Wait, one more I want to point out. When Poppy is buying a fake engagement ring to play off as the real one. That scene with the jewelry sales girl was AMAZING. All I can say – read this book! You won’t be disappointed.
[Rating: 5]

March 16, 2012
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