Chick Lit Plus by Samantha March

Latest Youtube Videos

Book Review: What Happiness Looks Like by Karen Lenfestey
Chick Lit Review

Book Review: What Happiness Looks Like by Karen Lenfestey

I received a copy of What Happiness Looks Like by Karen Lenfestey in exchange for an honest review.
Summary:
Joely Shupe had a vision of what her thirties would look like: she’d be the mother of two, finger painting with her kids during the day and cooking dinner for her loving husband at night. Instead she’s a single mother struggling to provide for her only child.

To make matters worse, her ex-fiancé, Jake, shows up–unemployed and reeling from a personal tragedy. He claims he’s ready to parent the daughter he abandoned five years ago. Joely is more interested in Dalton, a devoted father to his own son, who offers to take care of her the way no man ever has. Should Joely risk her daughter bonding with someone new or with the man who broke her heart?

Meanwhile, Joely’s sister, Kate, has the husband and the home, but no baby. After several failed attempts at fertility treatments, Kate’s husband is ready to give up. Kate believes his solution to their problems will tear them apart.

For Joely and Kate, one thing is for sure: this is not the life they expected. Is it time to adjust their idea of what happiness looks like?
Review:
I enjoyed about the first 3/4 of the book. The family dynamic between sisters Joely and Kate was interesting to read about, and I like books that have a very real feeling towards them. I like reading about women’s situations, and this story definitely fit that bill. I actually didn’t even realize this was the second book in a series until about halfway through, when Kate was talking about how her husband Mitch had left her previously. I thought something more should be said about that, then looked it up to realize it’s book two, and I’m sure that situation had been discussed in the first book. That being said, I really didn’t feel like I was missing anything by not having read A Sister’s Promise, so that’s good! Now, I said I enjoyed the first 3/4 book – the ending just fell flat to me. I got confused by the relationship Joely had with both Dalton and Jake, and Kate’s struggle with infertility had me scratching my head at points. I almost felt like maybe it was being rushed, because all of sudden everything is wrapped up and I was a bit lost. Overall a good read and I would like to check out the first book as well.
3.5 stars

May 28, 2013
4 Comments
Book Review: Asleep Without Dreaming by Barbara Forte Abate
Chick Lit Review

Book Review: Asleep Without Dreaming by Barbara Forte Abate

I received a copy of Asleep Without Dreaming by Barbara Forte Abate in exchange for an honest review.

Summary:

Fourteen year old Willa Burkett has been waiting her whole life to leave Hoosick Falls, a nowhere place that fails to hold even a single good memory. But, when a series of vengeful incidents stir Willa’s mother Stella to impulsively pack-up and go, it is only to find themselves stranded in yet another ugly, near extinct town, only now, with a broken down car and no ready way out. Unable to move on until an alternate plan shows itself, they accept a job working for Omega Pearl Bodie, proprietress of the Moonglow motel, a long forgotten, steadily decaying relic, where mostly nothing happens, except now, when everything does. It is here in this place of desperate loneliness and restless boredom that Willa will have her world rocked to the core in ways she doesn’t immediately comprehend. The craziness of the life she’s left behind all but eclipsed by the dark turn of the here and now, as Willa attempts to keep one step ahead of the ever-twisting whims of a mother prone to keeping secrets and telling lies, a murderous arsonist returned to the scene of his earlier crimes to dole out revenge one fiery victim at a time, and Jesse Truman. An unknowable boy with indigo eyes that Omega Pearl has hired as handyman at the Moonglow, who Willa longs to save, if only she understood what it is he needs saving from.

Review:

Barbara Forte Abate does an amazing job at creating such intriguing characters that she draws you in from the very beginning. This book is very eerie and at times I was a little spooked by Willa’s mother because she was full of lies and secrets . Oddly enough, this book vaguely reminded me of the movie Psycho for some reason … like I said, it was a little eerie when I was reading it and with good reason. I loved Willa’s character and it absolutely broke my heart that she couldn’t have a better mother than Stella, but this story is complex and very intriguing. Overall, if you like a book that is a little darker than this one is for you.
Rating: 4 stars

May 24, 2013
Leave a comment
Book Review: My Life on Craigslist by Alexandra Ares
Chick Lit Review

Book Review: My Life on Craigslist by Alexandra Ares

I received a copy of My Life on Craigslist by Alexandra Ares in exchange for an honest review. This book begins with Emily Thompson. She…

May 23, 2013
Leave a comment
Book Review: Changing Lanes by Kathleen Long
Chick Lit Review

Book Review: Changing Lanes by Kathleen Long

I received a copy of Changing Lanes by Kathleen Long in exchange for an honest review.
Summary:
Abby Halladay has the perfect life. Or, rather, she will…as long as everything goes exactly according to plan. Abby never leaves anything to chance—not her job as a syndicated columnist, not her engagement to her fiancé, Fred, and certainly not her impending wedding in Paris (New Jersey, that is).
Unfortunately for Abby, even the best-laid plans often go awry—like when Fred runs away to Paris (France, that is), her column is canned, and her dream home is diagnosed with termites. Forced to move back in with her parents and drive her dad’s cab, Abby’s perfect life has now officially become the perfect disaster.
Then a funny thing happens. Slowly but surely, Abby begins letting go of her dreams of perfection. As she does, the messy, imperfect life she thought she never wanted starts to feel exactly like the one she needs.
Poignant and heartfelt, Changing Lanes celebrates the unexpected joys of everyday life—and the enduring promise of second chances.
Review:
I have also read Chasing Rainbows by Kathleen Long, and absolutely adored it. I was looking forward to reading another offering from her, and am pleased to say I highly enjoyed Changing Lanes as well. I thought it was interesting that we never get a clear picture of her relationship with fiancé Fred. We learn right off the bat that he’s fled to Paris, France claiming “boredom” and Abby doesn’t go into a lot of details about him, or have flashbacks of their relationship. I liked that because I think it kept the story moving without having a lot of back story for readers to grasp. Sometimes I almost forgot that Abby was engaged and weeks away from walking down the aisle, but I still thought that part of plot was well-orchestrated. I loved the family dynamics in the story, from her parents and her dad’s well-kept secret, her grandmother who is also trying to move on, and her sisters – especially Frankie – who give an oomph to the story. I appreciate that the story is about second chances and truly living the life you want to live, and I would recommend this book!
4 stars

May 23, 2013
Leave a comment
Book Review: The Apple Orchard by Susan Wiggs
Chick Lit Review

Book Review: The Apple Orchard by Susan Wiggs

I received a copy of The Apple Orchard by Susan Wiggs in exchange for an honest review.
Summary:
Tess Delaney makes a living restoring stolen treasures to their rightful owners. People like Annelise Winther, who refuses to sell her long-gone mother’s beloved necklace—despite Tess’s advice. To Annelise, the jewel’s value is in its memories.
But Tess’s own history is filled with gaps: a father she never met, a mother who spent more time traveling than with her daughter. So Tess is shocked when she discovers the grandfather she never knew is in a coma. And that she has been named in his will to inherit half of Bella Vista, a hundred-acre apple orchard in the magical Sonoma town called Archangel.
The rest is willed to Isabel Johansen. A half sister she’s never heard of. Against the rich landscape of Bella Vista, Tess begins to discover a world filled with the simple pleasures of food and family, of the warm earth beneath her bare feet. A world where family comes first and the roots of history run deep.
And in a season filled with new experiences, Tess begins to see the truth in something Annelise once told her: if you don’t believe memories are worth more than money, then perhaps you’ve not made the right kind of memories.
Summary:
Tess Delaney was a really fascinating character to read about. At only twenty-nine she has fallen in love with her career – and is also highly successful with it! It was so interesting to read about her line of work and I’ll be honest – I really didn’t even know finding stolen objects and connecting them with their rightful owners was a thing! There is a lot of history and charm to this book, but then there is also drama. Tess’s family life has a lot of holes included and as she starts to sew pieces together, even more drama plays out. This book is captivating from beginning to end, and I highly recommend!
4 stars

May 22, 2013
Leave a comment
Book Review: A Stitch In Time by Amanda James
Chick Lit Review

Book Review: A Stitch In Time by Amanda James

When I first received a review request for this book, I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect. But, as I got reading, I was very impressed. In a quick and easy ready, this modern-day romance follows Sarah, a middle aged divorcee who happens to be a teacher. Struggling to find her niche at work and feel satisfied, and also struggling to get over the divorce from her ex-husband, she is in dire need of something new and exciting. And she definitely gets that, and more when John Needler shows up into her world. He is larger than life and very attractive but things aren’t quite right with him. He confesses that he’s involved with time travel and tells Sarah that she has been chosen to help go back in time to fix some things. Her background as a history teacher comes in handy as she is whizzed from time to time in history. But, things get complicated as she starts to feel things for John but doesn’t really trust herself to fall in love again. This story is filled with a lot of historical detail and that is something that I really enjoyed. In the end, you see that Sarah is happy that she is a history teacher because it finally came in handy and the author keeps you guessing until the very end as to what will happen between Sarah and John. Will they? Won’t they? You have to read to find out.

Rating: 4 stars

May 22, 2013
Leave a comment
Book Review: Somewhere Between Black and White by Shelly Hickman
Chick Lit Review

Book Review: Somewhere Between Black and White by Shelly Hickman

I received a copy of Somewhere Between Black and White by Shelly Hickman in exchange for an honest review.

Summary:

Romance, humor, family drama, with a touch of Buddhism. Sound interesting?
When approaching life’s problems, Sophie sees in black and white. That is, when they’re someone else’s problems. So when it comes to her sister, Sophie is sure she has all the answers, and offers them without hesitation. If only her sister would listen. When, through a series of chance encounters, she meets Sam, who is witty, kind, and downright unflappable. Sophie has the overwhelming sense that she’s known him before, and as a relationship builds between them, odd visions invade her mind. Though she tries to dismiss them, their persistence will not allow it. As someone who is quick to judge others, she is intrigued by Sam’s ability to accept people as they are. She begins to see him as a role model, but try as she may, his accepting nature is difficult to emulate. Will Sophie ever be able to put her hasty judgments aside and realize not every problem has a simple solution?

Review:

This book is a very easy read that I enjoyed. The author does a really good job at crafting realistic characters who are very likeable and easy to relate to. The book is also really funny and I found myself laughing out loud at a few parts. Like I said previously, the characters are very relateable, as is the situation. Like most things in life, it is easy to look and judge a situation from the outside when you aren’t personally invested in what is going on, nor do you know the ins or the outs. And that is Sophie’s problem here. She is quick to judge and doesn’t see that sometimes there is a gray area. Well, after she meets Sam, she is intrigued by his accepting personality. Things aren’t as simple as she once thought and things only get complicated from there. Overall, this book is a really solid read and I thought it read and flowed very easily.
Rating: 4 stars

May 17, 2013
5 Comments
Book Review: What A Mother Knows by Leslie Lehr
Chick Lit Review

Book Review: What A Mother Knows by Leslie Lehr

I received a copy of What A Mother Knows by Leslie Lehr in exchange for an honest review. Summary: Michelle Mason can’t remember that day,…

May 16, 2013
1 Comment
Book Review: Love Me Anyway by Tiffany Hawk
Chick Lit Review

Book Review: Love Me Anyway by Tiffany Hawk

Reviewer: Kate I received a copy of Love Me Anyway by Tiffany Hawk  in exchange for an honest review. Summary: When twenty-three-year-old Emily Crane’s marriage…

May 14, 2013
1 Comment