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Book Review: The Life List by Chrissy Anderson
Chick Lit Review

Book Review: The Life List by Chrissy Anderson

I received a copy of The Life List by Chrissy Anderson in exchange for an honest review.
Summary:
The Life List, part I of The List Trilogy, is the ultimate chick lit novel and most of the story is true. Chrissy Anderson, a twenty-eight year old fashion executive, created a seven-point life list at the age of sixteen and she’s been steadily checking off the boxes and mocking the style and life choices of everyone around her ever since. Her life begins to run amuck when she unexpectedly meets a much younger, Leo, who makes her question her “perfect life.”

Chrissy’s lifelong friendships and her marriage are put to the test as she tries to sort out her feelings for Leo. With the help of her brassy, no-nonsense therapist, Dr. Maria, Chrissy learns more about herself than she anticipates. But, it isn’t until the untimely death of her best friend that Chrissy is catapulted into long overdue authenticity and scrambles to correct the mistakes of her past….trying to figure out if it’s Kurt, Leo or both that she has to get rid of to make everything right.

Women of all kinds–twenty-somethings, housewives and superwomen wanna-bes–will all be able to relate to the pressure of constructing the ideal life, only to fall short. Not everyone will agree with Chrissy Anderson’s decisions, but all will pause as they follow along on her journey to ask, “What would I do if I were her?”
Review:
Whew. What a book. When you read this (not if, when) be prepared to be entertained, to learn, to question, to laugh, to cry. This book was hard to put down from the first page, and even though I think it was a little on the long side, it was worth ever moment. I finished this book last week and I’m still talking to people about it. The characters are still sticking with me, and I’m even still questioning some of life choices after reading this very thought-provoking novel. I’m not sure I can really list all the reasons why I loved this book so much. There was drama and heartbreak and betrayal and friendships and …. truth. The emotions are raw, the storyline is not pretty at times, and there is some deep stuff to be uncovered throughout the chapters. I am so excited that this is a trilogy, and after begging Anderson for the second novel, I am happy to say The Unexpected List is now on my Kindle. Truly not one to miss.
5 stars

May 14, 2013
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CLP Blog Tours Book Review: After Math by Denise Grover Swank
Chick Lit Review

CLP Blog Tours Book Review: After Math by Denise Grover …

Denise Grover Swank is now on tour with CLP Blog Tours and After Math
Summary:
Scarlett Goodwin’s world is divided into Before and After.

Before she agreed to tutor Tucker Price, college junior Scarlett was introvert, struggling with her social anxiety disorder and determined to not end up living in a trailer park like her mother and her younger sister. A mathematics major, she goes to her classes, to her job in the tutoring lab, and then hides in the apartment she shares with her friend, Caroline.

After junior Tucker Price, Southern University’s star soccer player enters the equation, her carefully plotted life is thrown off its axis. Tucker’s failing his required College Algebra class. With his eligibility is at risk, the university chancellor dangles an expensive piece of computer software for the math department if Scarlett agrees to privately tutor him. Tucker’s bad boy, womanizer reputation makes Scarlett wary of any contact, let alone spending several hours a week in close proximity.

But from her first encounter, she realizes Tucker isn’t the person everyone else sees. He carries a mountain of secrets which she suspects hold the reason to his self-destructive behavior. But the deeper she delves into the cause of his pain, the deeper she gets sucked into his chaos. Will Scarlett find the happiness she’s looking for, or will she be caught in Tucker’s aftermath?
Review:
Denise Grover Swank became a favorite author of mine from the first book I read by her, Twenty-Eight and Half Wishes. I highly recommend all of her books, and if you haven’t read anything from her yet – you are missing out! While After Math wasn’t a favorite of mine, it was still a good book. The writing is flawless as usual, the characters have depth and keep the story interesting, and it just feels unique. I love that Scarlett was a math major, and Tucker’s back story was also interesting to read about. While it is a good girl falls for bad boy type of plot, there’s just something about her books that makes me feel like I’m reading about a subject for the first time. One to check out!
4 stars

May 13, 2013
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CLP Blog Tours Book Review: Unexpecting by Lori Verni-Fogarsi
Chick Lit Review

CLP Blog Tours Book Review: Unexpecting by Lori Verni-Fogarsi

Lori Verni-Fogarsi is now on tour with CLP Blog Tours and Unexpecting!
Summary:
Shelley and David are a couple of almost-empty-nesters preparing to embark on the next stage of their life. They’ve just ordered white furniture and are planning the vacation they’ve waited their entire lives to take.

Their lives are catapulted in a completely different direction when Alexandra, seventeen and pregnant, shows up on their doorstep and announces that she’s the daughter they never knew they had! Their life becomes filled with dilemmas as they add not only another child, but also a baby to a household that was just about to become serene.

Shelley feels like she no longer fits in anywhere and to top it off, having two teenaged girls suddenly plunged into being sisters and school mates is not exactly warm and fuzzy. When Alexandra’s behavior becomes erratic, the couple is faced with even tougher decisions to make.

Hold on for an emotional yet witty ride as you join this family of characters in a story of love, loyalty, heartbreak, and humor that will stay with you long after you turn the last page!
Review:
Wow, what a read. I adore books where I have pretty much zero in common with the main character but can wind up being best friends with her. I have also read Momnesia, which introduces us to Shelly, and I highly recommend both these novels. I actually ended up enjoying Unexpecting even more, not always a common occurrence with sequels, but this was just so hard to put down. I got emotional a few times throughout, I was surprised at times, shocked, dismayed, happy, confused…whew! But I loved every minute of it, and this is definitely worthy of a 5 star review!
5 stars

May 13, 2013
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Book Review: The Last Telegram by Liz Trenow
Chick Lit Review

Book Review: The Last Telegram by Liz Trenow

I received a copy of THE LAST TELEGRAM by Liz Trenow in exchange for an honest review.
Synopsis:

Decades ago, as Nazi planes dominated the sky, Lily Verner made a terrible choice. She’s tried to forget, but now an unexpected event pulls her back to the 1940s British countryside. She finds herself remembering the brilliant colors of the silk she helped to weave at her family’s mill, the relentless pressure of the worsening war, and the kind of heartbreaking loss that stops time.

In this evocative novel of love and consequences, Lily finally confronts the disastrous decision that has haunted her all these years. The Last Telegram uncovers the surprising truth about how the stories we weave about our lives are threaded with truth, guilt, and forgiveness.
Review:

I am a really, really big fan of historical fiction (especially those that take place during WWII) and absolutely devoured this book. The book opens up with quite the backdrop, and since it is told in first person, you really feel present and in the moment. I was really touched by Liz’s writing and thought she did such an amazing job at transplanting the reader and creating such remarkable moments between the characters. I really loved Lily as the main character and my heart broke a few times throughout the novel. Such an amazing novel, but let me warn you, keep a box of tissues handy for this one during the last few chapters because you will definitely need them.
Rating: 5 stars

May 9, 2013
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Book Review: Before I Met You by Lisa Jewell
Chick Lit Review

Book Review: Before I Met You by Lisa Jewell

I received a copy of Before I Met You by Lisa Jewell in exchange for an honest review.
Summary:
Having grown up on the quiet island of Guernsey, Betty Dean can’t wait to start her new life in London. On a mission to find Clara Pickle – the mysterious beneficiary in her grandmother’s will – she arrives in grungy, 1990s Soho, ready for whatever life has to throw at her. Or so she thinks…

In 1920s bohemian London, Arlette – Betty’s grandmother – is starting her new life in a time of post-war change. Beautiful and charismatic, Arlette is soon drawn into the hedonistic world of the Bright Young People. But less than two years later, tragedy strikes and she flees back to Guernsey for the rest of her life.

As Betty searches for Clara, she is taken on a journey through Arlette’s extraordinary time in London, uncovering a tale of love, loss and heartbreak. Will the secrets of Arlette’s past help Betty on her path to happiness?
Review:
There was a lot I liked about this book, and just little that I didn’t so much love. The mystery aspect – who is this Clara Pickle, how does she tie in with Arlette, will Betty be able to find her? – was a lot of fun to read about. I’m also a sucker for books that flip back and forth between past and present, and my favorite era happens to be the ‘20’s, so I of course was quite happy with that! Betty also has some interesting characters enter her life while she is on the search for Clara, and they made a nice (and sometimes comical) addition to the story. I became entranced near the end of the book when you realized all the answers were going to be revealed, but I was also a little let-down towards the end. We follow Betty through her quest, but then when a huge chunk of the Arlette’s past is found out, we don’t get to see it through Betty’s eye. Someone else tells her and the chapter cuts away and we miss Betty’s reaction, which is something I was really looking forward to. It was almost anti-climatic in a way. But overall, I thought this book was really charming, and I would recommend.
4 stars

May 9, 2013
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Book Review: Wind Chime Point by Sherryl Woods
Chick Lit Review

Book Review: Wind Chime Point by Sherryl Woods

I received a copy of Wind Chime Point by Sherryl Woods in exchange for an honest review.

In the second book of the series, ambitious and driven Gabriella Castle finds herself facing a personal crisis, so she returns home. Everything that she has worked for over the last few years have been yanked out from under her when she finds out that she is pregnant, but she feels safe at her grandmother’s home in North Carolina. She is looking for time to reflect and make difficult decisions about her future, but what she finds instead is love. Wade Johnson fell for Gabi the moment he saw her. Will he be enough to keep her home though? Will she finally find her knight in shining armor?

As I mentioned in my review yesterday, I am such a huge fan of Sherryl Woods and her work. She does such an amazing job at crafting believable characters with real emotions, and this book is no exception. I was completely smitten with Wade and really pulled for him and Gabi to find love. Also, now that I think of it, Sherryl always finds a way to create such loving, kind and heartfelt male characters, and I absolutely love that about her books. Sure, maybe I should get my head out of the clouds, but that is why we read books, right? Anywho, this story is really sweet and definitely conveys the necessity of family and love. I think you will really enjoy it.

Rating: 4.5 stars

May 8, 2013
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Book Review: The Adoption by Anne Berry
Chick Lit Review

Book Review: The Adoption by Anne Berry

I received a copy of THE ADOPTION by Anne Berry in exchange for an honest review.

The Adoption revolves around the story of a woman who finds herself pregnant by a German POW after the second WW. When Bethan discovers that she is pregnant and against her better judgement, she decides to give the baby away. Sweet Lucille ends up in a home with Harriet and her husband who have no idea how to love a child. Lucille has a rough childhood but once she finds out about the adoption, she starts to feel slightly optimistic. She decides to contact Bethan in her late forties and the story really builds from there. The three main women in this story take turns narrating and you get to see and really become Lucille, Harriet and Bethan.

This story absolutely broke my heart. Anne Berry does an amazing job writing this tale in a way that sticks with you long after you’ve read it. I wept for Bethan early on, and then Lucille as I continued through the story. Although the characters are far from perfect, the raw emotion that they convey is what makes them so … real. I really enjoyed getting to read about their faults and although this book is definitely not wrapped tightly in a pretty bow, it is real and honest and through Anne Berry, you get to read about the emotions that each of them felt. This book is haunting and will hold you tightly as a reader. So, word to the wise, if you are looking for a happy ending, this book is not for you. But, if you are looking for a gritty and raw book filled with emotion, then give this one a try.

Rating: 4 stars

May 3, 2013
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Book Review: The Wanderer by Robyn Carr
Chick Lit Review

Book Review: The Wanderer by Robyn Carr

I received a copy of THE WANDERER by Robyn Carr in exchange for an honest review.

This story takes place in Thunder Point, a small and remote community nestled on the Orange Coast in Oregon. We met Hank Cooper (or Cooper) right away and he is the type of man who doesn’t stay in one place very long, but he heads to Thunder Point after his friend Ben dies and leaves him a piece of property on the beach. Once he gets there, he falls for the town and realizes that it is at risk of becoming developed and ironically, he holds the key in his hands with the property that Ben left. And, to top it off, he meets Sarah, a beautiful and very complicated woman full of charm. They seem like a very unlikely pair but one can not deny their chemistry. Will an emotionally unavailable man and an an emotionally scarred woman be able to overlook their past to make their love work? Or are they destined for failure? And what will Cooper do about the land and the potential threat from developers?

I really, really enjoyed The Wanderer and thought Robyn did an amazing job at crafting such amazing, honest and real characters. This story takes place in a very small town and the author does a really good job at creating a visually appealing novel so that you often times feel as though you are right there with the characters. The story opens with a mystery and I thought it did a really good job at peaking my interest early on but I found that my interest was held pretty much throughout the novel. My only complaint is that we had to wait so long to meet Sarah, but I do understand that timing is everything. Overall though, this book is a really enjoyable read and I think you will enjoy it.
Rating: 4.5/5 stars

May 2, 2013
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Book Review: Field of Schemes by Jennifer Coburn
Chick Lit Review

Book Review: Field of Schemes by Jennifer Coburn

I received a copy of FIELD OF SCHEMES by Jennifer Coburn in exchange for an honest review. Field of Schemes follows newly widowed Claire Emmett…

May 1, 2013
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