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Confessions of a PTA Mafia Mom by Elsie Love
Chick Lit Review

Confessions of a PTA Mafia Mom by Elsie Love

Elsie Love is on tour with CLP Blog Tours and her novel Confessions of a PTA Mafia Mom. I never know why I’m wary to read a book where the main character is a mom, just because I’m not. I never love the characters any less, and usually feel like I learned a thing or two when it comes to parenting. So I’m not even going to say that I was wary to read Confessions, starring well, a mom, as the main character. Elaine Jackerson is having some issues. She practically walked in on her husband having sex with his young secretary, she overhears a phone conversation between her teenage daughter about experimenting sexually with boys in backseats, and her son is growing out of the I Love Mommy stage. Elaine feels a bit lost. She has been defined by being a wife and mother for so long, putting everything else aside, that she doesn’t know what to do know that her marriage is a sham and her children are growing up. On a whim, she decides to join the Herschel Grammar School PTA. All the moms look like grown-up Barbies, with their perfect hair, perfect outfits, swanky cars, and fancy houses. Elaine signs up, takes an oath….and the trouble begins.
Turns out, this is not just a regular PTA she now belongs to. It’s practically the mafia. Head honcho Suni Calverson leads the pack, and when Elaine lets it spill that her husband Bob is sleeping around, the PTA women promise to “take care” of Bob. Elaine doesn’t know what that means. Kill him? Kidnap him for awhile? Castrate him? When Suni sends Elaine off to Vegas so no fingers can point at her, Elaine gets a bad feeling she has stumbled into something very, very wrong. But before she can figure out how to get herself out of the jam, she’s laid up in Vegas, her children are kidnapped, and there’s a hunky young limo driver lying in her bed. Can Elaine take down the mafia of PTA moms, save her philandering husband, and her kidnapped children?
Confessions of a PTA Mafia Mom is downright hysterical. Chick lit lovers, put this on your list. You will laugh until your sides hurt- I know I did. Elaine’s character is so likeable, vulnerable, scared, and lonely, and she thinks she is meeting a true friend in Suni. There are a few fantastic twist and turns along the way, and the fast paced plot will keep you seeking out the end. I’m so glad Love decided to come on tour with me, because her book kept me thoroughly entertained, and I can’t wait to read more from her. This is a welcome addition to my Favorites List!
[Rating: 5]

August 3, 2011
4 Comments
She Makes it Look Easy by Marybeth Whalen
Chick Lit Review

She Makes it Look Easy by Marybeth Whalen

Ariel Baxter feels everything is falling into place. She and her husband have a new house in a beautiful, well to do neighborhood, and her photography business is on its way up. But with her husband constantly working, her kids driving her a little crazy, and the domestic life not all she thought it would be, Ariel starts to question if they made the right decision moving away from their friendly neighborhood. But when Justine Miller, all-star mother, housewife, and neighbor, befriends Ariel, she is immediately drawn into her world of perfect. Justine never seems flustered, has a hair out of place, makes her own healthy meals, and organizes neighborhood activities. Ariel decides she wants to be just like Justine, but no matter how hard she tries, she can’t seem to find the time or organization to follow the footsteps of her neighbor. But life isn’t always as it seems. Justine is hiding many secrets from her new friend, an affair being the biggest of them all, and Justine’s perfect world is slowly crumbling. Will Ariel figure out she is being deceived by her new friend? And will she be able to appreciate what she does, or constantly trying to be someone she is not?
I really enjoyed reading She Makes it Look Easy by Marybeth Whalen. The plot is pretty simple: have you ever looked at a friend, a neighbor, a co-worker, and wanted their life? Thought they had it so much better than you? This is what Ariel does to Justine, puts her on a pedestal and tries to change so she is just like her. But with all the problems Justine is hiding from Ariel and the rest of her friends, Justine’s life is anything but perfect. Money problems, marital issues, the affair, are all threatening to disrupt the picture perfect image Justine has worked so hard to uphold. The story felt very real to me, especially when Ariel goes against her better judgment and starts to shun another fellow neighbor, simply because Justine said to. I thought the prologue to the story was very interesting, and I had to go back and re-read it one more time after I finished the story. I just wish there had been a little more at the end that explained what happened to Justine, but the prologue helps me draw my own conclusion. I guess this is noted as a Christian novel, and while there were a few sections that talked about church and faith, I really wasn’t overwhelmed or felt that Whalen was trying to force religion upon me, which I know can happen sometimes with religious-orientated books. I am giving this book five stars, for the intricate plot, phenomenal writing and character development, and for tackling a subject that so many woman can connect with. Get She Makes it Look Easy on your to-read list!
[Rating: 5]

August 1, 2011
7 Comments
Click: An Online Love Story by Lisa Becker
Chick Lit Review

Click: An Online Love Story by Lisa Becker

Lisa Becker is on tour with CLP Blog Tours and her novel Click: An Online Love Story. This book is written through a series of emails among Renee Greene and friends, as Renee tries to find love through the online world. Approaching thirty, not happy that she isn’t married or doesn’t even have a fling, Renee decides to try her luck on dating sites. Renee CC’s and BCC’s her friends on during each message she gets from the guys, and responses range since her two closest pals are Ashley- too judgmental over Renee’s relationships yet is in a dysfunctional one of her own, and Shelley- who always seems to have a new one-night stand story to share with Renee. But through the dating mishaps, hilarious emails, and shocking revelations with some of the men, Renee finally clicks with Ethan- but can the relationship make it past emails when an unexpected road block jumps in the way?
I absolutely loved Click. Once I started reading, it was too hard to put down. The email format made the book fly by, and some of the dating stories from Renee were hysterical. I really enjoyed Ashley and Shelley and hearing about their lives, which sometimes can be a difficult feat when readers are learning about them only through email. But I thought Becker did an excellent job at bringing in their lives and troubles, and it really added more to the story, especially with the twist to the ending. I have to say, I’m usually pretty good at sniffing out where the troubles will lie with the characters, but this one shocked me! Once the trouble with Renee and Ethan was brought to life, I had to keep reading to know how it all ended. Get this on your to-read lists, you will not be disappointed!
[Rating: 5]

July 14, 2011
9 Comments
Already Home by Susan Mallery
Chick Lit Review

Already Home by Susan Mallery

Jenna Stevens, a recently divorced sous-chef, moves back to her hometown of Georgetown, Texas to start over. Her adoptive parents greet her with open arms, and Jenna decides on a whim to open her own store. While Jenna always had a knack for cooking, her ex-husband worked diligently to place seeds in her mind that she was no good at her profession, so Jenna decides to open a retail store with cooking supplies, instead of doing any actual cooking. Quickly realizing she is in over her head, she hires Violet, a street smart woman that works well with the customers. The duo form an unlikely friendship, and Jenna thinks everything is finally falling into place in her life. But everything changes at rapid pace when her birth parents suddenly show up at her store, claiming they want a relationship with their daughter. Jenna is thrown by these free spirits- Serenity and Tom- who want so badly to reconnect with Jenna after so many years. But Jenna is weary- she loves her adoptive parents, and the timing doesn’t seem right. Why now, why after so many years did her parents decide to come find her? Can Jenna learn to love her birth parents? Or does fate have a different plan?
I adored Already Home by Susan Mallery. This was a book that from page one got my attention and drew me in. Jenna’s character seemed a little fragile after her nasty divorce, but I could tell she wanted to stay strong and make her parents proud. The love between Jenna and her adoptive mother was very touching to read, especially the loyalty Jenna felt to her once Serenity showed up. There wasn’t a whole lot of romance in this story, and I thought that was fine. It was deeper, made me ask myself a lot of questions and really put myself in Jenna’s shoes. Of course, there is a love interest for both Jenna and Violet, and Violet’s storyline really had me invested and shocked. The ending of the story brought tears to my eyes, but I felt satisfied after I flipped the last page. I think this is definitely one to put on your to-read lists!
[Rating: 5]

June 29, 2011
4 Comments
Night Road by Kristin Hannah
Chick Lit Review

Night Road by Kristin Hannah

Where do I begin to say how much I loved this book? With the powerful writing that swept me into the story immediately? Or maybe with the fiercely real characters, whom I identified with even though I have never been in their situation? Characters who I cried for, who stayed in my head after I closed the book, who sparked conversations with numerous friends on many different subjects. What would you do if you were Jude? How do teach teenagers about drinking and driving? Why did Lexi give up her freedom for a mistake?
Night Road by Kristin Hannah is a gripping story about a family that deals with a terrible tragedy. Mother Jude Farraday is a “helicopter mom” always in the lives of her twins, Mia and Zach. A slightly overbearing mother, she is always there to make sure her children are on the right track. But things start to slip away during their senior year of high school. Mia’s best friend, former foster child Lexi, is in love with Mia’s twin brother. And Zach is in love with Lexi. The threesome is always together, the best of friends, until one night of wrong decisions rips the friendship, and the Farradays perfect family, apart.
I know this story will be unforgettable to me. I also know when I read a phenomenal story, because I have the characters in my head even when I am not reading. I can’t tell you how many times I imagined scenes between Lexi and Jude, where I became so worked up in the drama of their lives that I had to remind myself I was reading a book. I have read a few reviews that complain about Jude’s character being selfish and a horrible bitch after the accident, and it’s the truth. But people aren’t supposed to be cheerful and reasonable after death. I thought Hannah showcased just what can happen to people after such a tragedy. Did I hate Jude’s character? Yes. But that’s the reality of life. The only downfall I saw to the story was that it ended too soon for me. I wanted to get more of an ending between Lexi and Zach. But I think Night Road is completely worthy of a five star rating, and will definitely get a place on my Favorites List.
[Rating: 5]

June 2, 2011
10 Comments
Girl in a Spin by Clodagh Murphy
Chick Lit Review

Girl in a Spin by Clodagh Murphy

Girl in a Spin, the second novel from Irish author Clodagh Murphy is out the park good. This story has romance and betrayal, politics and scandal, and a delightful heroine who will not give up on love. I know some chick lit fans are wondering about the “politics” word I used, which isn’t so common for chick lit novels. Jenny Hannigan, the good-hearted and optimistic main character, falls for Richard Allam, a recently separated politician. Jenny thinks she has found true love with Richard. He is the complete package- charming, successful, wealthy- but Jenny also believes Richard has a kind heart and loves her back. When Richard’s publicist Dev Tennant gets involved for Richard’s upcoming election, his job is to “spin” Jenny into someone the public can support- the perfect politician wife. But while Jenny has a slightly wild past, Dev’s job turns out to be harder than he imagined- but he still can’t stop himself for beginning to fall for his boss’s girlfriend. While Jenny finds herself attracted to Dev, she remains loyal to Richard- until Richard’s real motives for leaving his wife are brought to light.
I think the main reason that I loved Girl in a Spin so much is because of Jenny’s character. She actually reminded me a lot of myself, which was fun to notice, but also because she is so darn loveable. I loved her optimism. Even though she came from a tough background and supported herself most of her life, she never gave up on thinking she could get a happy ending. Even though a lot of the book covered political topics- campaigns, speeches, appearances- I was never confused or bogged down by the political references. And the hilarity in many of the scenes! Jenny has quite an unconventional background, complete with a few stalkers that make for some laugh out loud lines, and Murphy does a spot-on job at mixing humor and more serious topics. I thought the politics and the scandal that goes along with Richard and his divorce is (unfortunately) quite a common occurrence nowadays, and that really kept me invested in the story. I liked how readers are able to get into different characters minds- from Jenny all the way to Richard’s estranged wife, Julie. I was hooked until the very last page, and Girl in a Spin will definitely be making it on my Favorites List!
[Rating: 5]

June 1, 2011
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Wherever Grace is Needed by Elizabeth Bass
Chick Lit Review

Wherever Grace is Needed by Elizabeth Bass

Wherever Grace is Needed by Elizabeth Bass isn’t a chick lit novel, but this story definitely won me over and deserves a five star review. The story centers around two very different families, neighbors living in Austin, Texas. Grace Oliver leaves behind her house, boyfriend, and business in Portland for a few weeks to help her father recuperate from a car accident. Grace loved her life in Texas, her father and her older half-brothers, but moved to Portland with her mother after the divorce. Feeling unsettled with her life, she jumps at the chance to go back to Austin. But while there, doctors discover that Lou, Grace’s father and usually a sharp as a tack retired college professor, is in the early stages of Alzheimer’s. The family is devastated by the news, and the diagnosis opens up a lot more questions on caring for Lou, his house, and his possessions.
The family next door to the Oliver’s are suffering from their own tragedy. Ray West and his three young children are trying to cope with the loss of a mother and young daughter. While Ray moves around like a zombie, not sure how to get past grieving for his dead wife, his children suffer from being left on there own. Especially Jordan, who feels guilty for the accident that left her mother and twin sister dead. Grace realizes that the family needs help, and the children need their father back. She becomes a support system for the children, and eventually Ray as well, and tries to help the healing process after such a loss.
I thought Wherever Grace is Needed was an incredibly touching story. Even though most of the book is filled with sad topics, I thought it was more uplifting and inspirational than making me want to cry throughout. Grace’s character is one who wants to help everyone, but at the same time she is trying to bury her own problems beneath the surface. That made her very real while reading the story, and all the supporting characters were phenomenal. Even though there were quite a few, Grace’s family, the West family, the other neighbors in Austin, etc., I never felt overwhelmed by all the lives I was keeping track of, which can happen with large casts. The writing flowed smoothly along, pushing me deeper into their lives instead of making me pull away in frustration. There are great lessons about family, loss, friendships, and love, and I wish I could find more words to praise this beautiful story. Five stars from me and advice to put this on your to-read list.
[Rating: 5]

May 30, 2011
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Here Home Hope by Kaira Rouda
Chick Lit Review

Here Home Hope by Kaira Rouda

Here, Home, Hope by Kaira Rouda is a five star worthy read! I was in love with this novel, from the first page and the hilarious dentist office scene, to the last page where I felt I was left with life lessons, and all the scenes in between. The story centers around Kelly Mills Johnson, a suburban wife who has become bored as her fortieth birthday nears. Her husband, a successful and supportive attorney, has a thriving career and love for golf, and her two young sons are active and away at camp for the summer. This leaves Kelly drumming her fingers, trying to figure out how to overcome her midlife crisis. Her two best friends appear perfect to an outsider- wealthy husbands, interesting careers, and Kelly decides to try to be more like them. She decides to act on her passion for decorating, but before she can even get started, life intervenes with the appearance of her friend’s anorexic daughter. And an affair that shakes the neighborhood. And a friendship that is on the rocks. Kelly tries to tackle many subjects- her start up business, her family, her friends and their problems, and by doing so, realizes what the important things in life are.
I absolutely adored Here, Home, Hope. What I found interesting is that I completely connected with Kelly, even though I am nothing like her being in my twenties, not married and have no children. But I think that shows the strength of a great writer and character that they create- anyone can relate to them, no matter how far off they are from your real life. And I loved that Kelly’s husband was one of the good guys. I will admit that I was almost waiting for the other shoe to drop, waiting for him to be having an affair because that is often how the story goes these days, but he was faithful and supportive through it all. The Things to Change List that Kelly makes along the way was also really inspiring. I thought of a few changes that I could make myself, and I think readers will take a lot away from that. But what really got me with this novel is how empowering it was to read as a women. Kaira Rouda says on her website that she has a particular interest in empowering women and children, it showed through her writing. I closed her first novel feeling like I could do anything, and that is special. Here, Home, Hope is only the first in a series that center around Grandville, the fictional town where Kelly Mills Johnson and friends reside, and I know the others will all be must reads for me.
[Rating: 5]

May 24, 2011
8 Comments
Love Struck by Chantel Simmons
Chick Lit Review

Love Struck by Chantel Simmons

I highly enjoyed Canadian author Chantel Simmons’s debut novel Stuck In Downward Facing Dog, so when Chantel contacted me about her second novel, I had to accept! This story follows twenty-seven year old image consultant Poppy Ross. Poppy finds out that her loving husband, Parker, has been having an affair with a co-worker. Poppy is devastated, but unsure how to proceed next. Before she can get her thoughts together, she receives a phone call- from the mistress herself! Parker had been struck by lightening while the two were out together, and was in the hospital. Parker had suffered amnesia, and can’t remember that last three months- including the affair. Poppy finds the mistress in the hospital, and becomes determined to give herself a makeover to be just like her. She figures this is the only way to save her marriage. But as Poppy’s efforts keep proving to be more and more disastrous, she begins to think her marriage is quite possibly over.
I thought Love Struck was comical, humorous, funny…need I go on? The charades that Poppy put herself through to try to transform into Parker’s mistresses were hilarious- from the talon fake nails that kept falling off, the stripper stiletto shoes, and especially the scene in the spray tan booth- I could not help but laugh my way through this book. There was a serious matter beneath all the comedy- that Poppy’s husband had an affair. I didn’t like that instead of just asking Parker straight out, the best option she could think of was transforming herself into someone she wasn’t. But it took that to help Poppy see who she really was, and in the end, help improve her marriage. Though I did kind of see how the affair accusation would work out, I loved the happy ending. Another definite recommendation from Chantel Simmons.
[Rating: 4.5]

May 19, 2011
3 Comments