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Diary of a Beverly Hills Matchmaker by Marla Martenson
Chick Lit Review

Diary of a Beverly Hills Matchmaker by Marla Martenson

Matchmaker, author, and life coach Marla Martenson chronicles her adventures of matchmaking in the land of Los Angeles. Diary of a Beverly Hills Matchmaker is just what it sounds like, giving readers an inside peek into the lives and relationships of those single and looking. With the backdrop being LA, the stories, people, and situations are to the extreme. Martenson has a humorous voice, and I loved reading about how she needed to figure out how to hook up an old, nerdy, overweight, and balding man with a supermodel look-alike who has to have an Ivy league education but prefers to be a 1950’s housewife. Or secure a match for the man who found his sole mate- but her areolas were too large. Or the woman who will sleep with any man as long as he will drop thousands of dollars for her to shop designer labels. Each tale provides new laughter, and I absolutely love this book! I really liked that Marla not only let readers know about her matchmaking work, but also wrote about her own struggles of writing a book, maintaining a wonderful marriage, and keeping her self-esteem up in the city of LA. It’s also a quick read, only took me a couple of sittings to complete, so if you are looking for something fast, funny, and even enlightening, be sure to check out Diary of a Beverly Hills Matchmaker.
Rating: 5/5

August 13, 2010
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The One That I Want by Allison Winn Scotch
Chick Lit Review

The One That I Want by Allison Winn Scotch

Tilly Farmer believes she has a great life. At 32 years old, she is still living in her hometown of Westlake, is employed as the guidance counselor at the high school, and married to her high school sweetheart. Her mother may have passed away at a young age, and her father is a recovering alcoholic, but Tilly still firmly believes she possess a fantastic life. The only thing she needs now is a baby. Her and her husband, Tyler, have been having trouble conceiving a child of their own, and now their marriage seems a bit rocky. But Tilly is convinced if they could just have a child, everything would be better.
When Tilly runs into an old childhood friend at a fair, things begin to change. Ashley, now a psychic, gives Tilly the gift of “clarity” regarding her future. Tilly begins having flashes of the future, showing her father having a relapse, her husband leaving her for a better job, and her little sister trying to take her own life. These visions frighten her at first, but after some time, Tilly begins to appreciate her new gift, and realizes the major life changes she is now facing.
The One That I Want by Allison Winn Scotch is a beautifully written story about woman whose perfect life begins to unravel faster than she can control. I thought the visions the heroine started receiving actually heightened the story instead of hindering the plot. The “hocus pocus” part makes the story a little less relatable to a real life story, but I enjoy the way the author went about it. As I was reading, I found myself asking a lot of the same questions Tilly was asking herself, and in that sense I think I took away a lot from this story, making The One That I Want be added to my Favorites list.
Rating: 4/5

July 14, 2010
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Hook, Line and Sink Him by Jackie Pilossoph
Chick Lit Review

Hook, Line and Sink Him by Jackie Pilossoph

Anna is desperate to get married. So desperate in fact, she hires two guys to help get that shiny ring on her finger. Jeff and Dave, two commitment phobic friends, overhear Anna and her boyfriend getting in an argument during dinner, and tell her their idea to help speed up the engagement process. Anna eagerly pays them, and within weeks- she’s engaged! The three decide to take up a business together- helping women (and men!) get engaged. It’s an easy way to make cash, but before too long, the business starts to get too personal. Dave is being targeted to propose to his girlfriend, and Jeff starts having feelings- for the newly engaged Anna.
Hook, Line, and Sink Him, the debut novel by Jackie Pilossoph, will hook readers from the beginning! This novel was a breath of fresh air for me, letting me laugh out loud, connect with each character, and offer a little something different from the usual chick lit novels- a male’s perspective. The entire novel is written from Jeff’s point of view, and it was unusual to get inside the guy’s head for once and see how he viewed love and relationships. I loved seeing how his love for Anna changed him from a downright player with a different lady every night, to a dog-sitting love puppy. I am putting this on my Favorites list!
Rating: 4.5/5

July 8, 2010
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Are You There Vodka? It’s Me, Chelsea
Chick Lit Review

Are You There Vodka? It’s Me, Chelsea

I have been a fan of Chelsea Handler since the beginning of her popular late night show Chelsea Lately on the E! network. When I learned she had books out, of course I had to scoop them up. I started with Are You There Vodka? It’s Me, Chelsea. And I loved it! The story speeds through Chelsea’s life, ranging from her as a young girl up until she is an adult, highlighting some of the most bizarre and hilarious events that has taken place. From telling her classmates that she is a major movie star with Goldie Hawn, a girl-on-girl stint in jail, and all her crazy family issues in between, this book kept me laughing until the end. Handler’s uninhibited point of view and sarcastic remarks kept me laughing out loud, and even though at times the story line seemed a bit all over, her narrative kept it all flowing together. If you can appreciate cynical, self-deprecating humor and raunchy situations, be sure to check this one out! If you have seen Chelsea Lately and don’t find her funny, or are sensitive to racy content, I would suggest passing.

June 23, 2010
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Heart of the Matter by Emily Giffin
Chick Lit Review

Heart of the Matter by Emily Giffin

I was waiting anxiously to read Emily Giffin’s fifth novel, Heart of the Matter, as I have yet to be disappointed by this talented author. And sure enough, the opening scene is enough to draw me in and start rooting for the characters. The novel is narrated in turn by both Tessa, the wife of pediatric plastic surgeon Nick Russo, and Valerie, mother to Charlie who is burned badly while at a sleepover. Nick starts to dangerously cross the professional line with his patient Charlie and mother Valerie, and Tessa begins to suspect Nick is having an affair. With both women telling their side of the story, it is impossible to be unsympathetic to either, and my heart was literally aching for each family. The emotions this story brought out of me were intense: at one point I actually threw the book away from me I was so distraught and crying! I can fully say that is the first time I have really let me emotions get the best of me during a reading.
It’s no question that Heart of the Matter will be going under my ‘favorites’ section. Giffin fans will be delighted that yet again her past characters are making cameos, as Tessa is the sister to Dex from Something Borrowed. Dex and Rachel appear multiple times throughout the story, and it was great fun meeting up with them again and seeing where they are in their respective lives. Once I got to the last three chapters, there was no chance of putting it down. This layered novel will pull readers in from the beginning, and keep them wanting more after the last page is turned.

June 19, 2010
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On Folly Beach by Karen White
Chick Lit Review

On Folly Beach by Karen White

Emmy Hamilton is grieving the death of her young husband, Ben, who lost his life serving in Afghanistan. Emmy isn’t sure she will ever be able to move on from the tragedy, but her mother convinces her to seek out Folly Beach, particularly the bookstore Folly’s Finds. Emmy’s love for books and history is strong, and when she receives a box of books from Folly’s Finds, she uncovers what she believes is a love story from the 1940’s during WWII. The letters hidden away between the pages are enough to convince Emmy to move away and try to piece together who exactly the lovers were- and clear up a possible murder that may have been committed in the past.
Once Emmy moves to Folly Beach and begins work at Folly’s Finds, the mysteries from the 1940’s start to piece together. Emmy meets Lulu, whose sister Maggie was the original owner of the bookstore, and possible author of the love letters. Though Lulu is quite tight-lipped about the past, Emmy starts learning more about Lulu, Maggie, and the world they lived in more than sixty years earlier.
On Folly Beach by Karen White is a gripping masterpiece that is really two stories in one. While the book opens with Emmy’s story, the chapters switch between Emmy and Maggie, giving readers an inside look at each woman’s journey to find love and happiness. I have yet to discover another book that kept me up for hours just so I could finish the story and feel the closure of the characters. I will say it took me a few chapters to really get excited about the events that were taking place, but it didn’t take long before I was completely immersed under White’s spell. Prepare for your emotions to run wild when you read On Folly Beach, as the writing is as real as the characters are genuine.

June 15, 2010
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Just Like Me, Only Better by Carol Snow
Chick Lit Review

Just Like Me, Only Better by Carol Snow

Veronica Czaplicki is miserable after her husband leaves her for their older relator. She thought men only strayed to younger and tighter and pastures, but not in her case. Now she is living in Orange County as a single mother to Ben, playing second fiddle to his father and the mega-rich relator he has moved on to. This substitute teacher has a twist of fate interfere one night when she is mistaken as Haley Rush- a young superstar trying to rise to Hollywood fame. When Haley’s manager gets word of Veronica’s uncanny resemblance to his client, he convinces her to stand in for Haley at press events and photo ops, citing Haley is exhausted from her acting and singing demands.
At first Veronica is thrilled- she gets to bank $100/hour just to get dressed up and meet other celebrities- including the hunky Brady Ellis. But Veronica soon learns the downfall of being a celebrity- the nasty comments on the internet about her appearance and being duped by another rising celebrity. Add to the situation that Haley Rush isn’t exhausted she’s just plain crazy, makes Veronica think that her normal life isn’t so bad.
Just Like Me, Only Better by Carol Snow is a fun read for those who enjoy hearing about celebrity shenanigans. What made this book one of my favorites is that is breaks away from the usual patterns. Instead of leaving her for a young cat, Veronica’s husband leaves her for an older woman. And when you think you know exactly what will be the next step or move a character will make, you’re blindsided by something completely different- and usually hilarious. I really enjoyed seeing how the heroine balanced her celebrity life and life as a single, struggling mom. The multiple romances that play out throughout the book are comically funny as well. Highly recommended!

June 10, 2010
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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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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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