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The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson
Chick Lit Review

The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson

The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson follows 17 year old Lennie after the death of her older sister, Bailey. Lennie struggles to continue a normal life, with her friends and classmates acting awkward around her. Lennie has always been the quiet side of the duo, a band geek that enjoys reading and writing, and is unable to handle when the spotlight is shoved on her. Her grandmother and uncle, whom have raised the sisters after their mother pulled a disappearing act, try to help Lennie through the pain, but nothing can fill the hole of losing a sister. On top of all that, Lennie is trying to get a handle on her new obsession with the opposite sex- including the new boy at school and her sisters ex boyfriend.
I do not usually review YA novels, and I am wondering if that is why The Sky is Everywhere didn’t do it for me. I couldn’t quite grasp the characters, and I felt at times the plot twists were too over the top fictionalized. I definitely felt the tone of the characters were out of sync, and by the time I got to the end, I was just ready for it to be over. There were times when I did feel real emotion for the characters involved, but not enough to recommend the book to the others that are not usually YA readers.
Rating: 2/5

July 7, 2010
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GIVEAWAY: One Copy of Hook Line and Sink Him
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GIVEAWAY: One Copy of Hook Line and Sink Him

Anna’s a girl who’s desperate to be a bride. Jeff and Dave are two guys who sprint from long-term commitment. Put them together and the three of them are wildly successful! They’re raking in the cash while helping women HOOK, LINE AND SINK their long time boyfriends into finally taking a walk down the aisle. Step into the offices of HOOK, LINE AND SINK HIM, where Jeff, Dave and Anna are fantastic at turning bitter, unhappy girlfriends into bridal gown beauties. When it comes to their own love lives, though, it’s an entirely different story. All three are fishing for answers. Anna’s not sure if she’s settling, Dave’s questioning whether his current girlfriend’s right for him, and as for Jeff, he never counted on falling for Anna. Narrated by Jeff, the ultimate commitment-phobe pre-Anna, HOOK, LINE AND SINK HIM will have you laughing out loud, as you see just how far a woman will go to be a Mrs., not to mention the power of true love, and how it can turn even the most fearful bachelor into a happily faithful Joe with a gold band on his left ring finger.

I have one copy of Hook, Line, and Sink Him by Jackie Pilossoph for giveaway! Comment on this post, re-tweet on Twitter, or comment on Facebook to win! The winner will be chosen Monday, July 12th.

July 6, 2010
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The Lies We Told by Diane Chamberlain
Chick Lit Review

The Lies We Told by Diane Chamberlain

Maya and Rebecca Ward are two sisters who share a special bond. Both doctors, the girls witnessed the murder of their parents when they were young, an incident that has shaped the rest of their lives. Maya, the younger sister, works as a pediatric orthopedist, married to Adam, yet another doctor. The couple has hit a hard point in their marriage, as Maya has suffered through multiple miscarriages. Rebecca is a free-spirited risk-taker, working for Doctors International Disaster Aid, which takes her all over the world helping people after disaster strikes. She has no interest in settling down and starting a family like her sister.
When hurricanes devastate North Carolina, Rebecca is one of the first on the scene. She convinces Adam to join her in the rescue and relief mission, and after seeing all the children in need, Adam convinces Maya to join them. While Maya prefers her clean hospital and safe house over a ravaged city, sleeping in tents, and little food, she thinks her marriage will be helped if she joins her husband and sister. But when Maya’s helicopter goes down, everyone aboard is assumed dead. Rebecca and Adam are devastated over the loss of Maya- and turn to each for consolation.
The Lies We Told by Diane Chamberlain is a deeply complicated story of family, betrayal, and forgiveness. The changing point of views between the sisters offer an intimidate look at each of their stories on their parents murder and other past events that has led them to their adult lives. I found this novel to be a page-turner, unable to put it down for chapters at a time. My heart ached for all the characters involved, and Chamberlain’s writing was beautiful and well researched. I was truly transported to the hurricane ravaged North Carolina, and felt that I could walk in the characters’ shoes. If only it weren’t for the ending, this novel would receive a 5 star rating. The last five chapters had my interest for a good hour, I had to see how the characters resolved the many problems they faced, and I was disappointed. I won’t ruin the ending for anybody, but I am curious to see if any other readers had the same reaction I did. Overall, I would recommend The Lies We Told, but be prepared for the ending to leave you unsatisfied.

July 5, 2010
2 Comments
In My Mailbox: Week of July 4th
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In My Mailbox: Week of July 4th

In My Mailbox: Week of July 4th

Title: Scandalous
Author: Tilly Bagshawe
Received: Charlotte Allen- HarperFiction Publicity
Synopsis: Sasha Miller comes to Cambridge with a dream and leaves on a mission. After falling for the lies and charms of her Director of Studies ‘Theo Dexter’ she finds herself betrayed, humiliated and nursing a bundle of broken dreams. Heading to the US she is determined to rebuild her life. Years later, Sasha emerges from Harvard Business School with one thing on her mind, the downfall of the now famous Professor Theo Dexter. Meanwhile Theo’s long-suffering wife Theresa also finds herself betrayed and cast aside for a younger and prettier model. Unable to cope she returns to Cambridge a broken woman and tries to rebuild her life away from the scheming Theo Dexter. One night Sasha turns up at Theresa’s door, she wants revenge at any cost, will Theresa help her? From the deepest betrayal comes a shocking alliance. Two vengeful women, one very unlucky man…

Title: I Heart Paris
Author: Lindsey Kelk
Received: Charlotte Allen- HarperFiction Publicity
Synopsis: Angela is in the City of Love – but her own love life is heading for trouble…Angela Clark is a British girl living the dream in fabulous New York. But she’s never been to the romantic capital of the world – Paris. So when her lead singer boyfriend Alex suggests a trip there and she is asked to write insider’s guide to the hip city – she jumps at the chance! Meandering along charming streets, perusing Paris’s hot destinations – all in the name of research – Angela decides she could get used to the joie de vivre of Paris. But there’s something awry, Angela soon realises that evil forces are at work, conspiring to sabotage her big break! And when she spots Alex having a tete-a-tete with his ex in a Paris bar – without best friend Jenny to counsel her – Angela begins to crumble. With London and her old life only a train journey away – now is the time to decide if she should stay and face the music or return to the safety of home.

Title: I Remember You
Author: Harriet Evans
Received: Charlotte Allen- HarperFiction Publicity
Synopsis: The perfect book to curl up with on a long winter’s evening. Rich, witty and moving I Remember You is for anyone who likes to dream about a new life — and for anyone who still remembers their first love. Heartbroken Tess Tennant is leaving London and moving back to her picture-perfect home town to take up a teaching job. It’s time for a fresh start, one with warm stone cottages, friendly locals in oak-beamed pubs and of course Adam, her best friend since childhood. But something isn’t right in the town: Adam is preoccupied with a new girlfriend and the past is looming large again. So by the time she has to take her class on a trip to Rome, Tess is feeling reckless. Swept off her feet by a mysterious stranger, she finds herself falling in love. But her magical Roman Holiday is about to turn into a nightmare! Back in Langford, as autumn creeps towards Christmas, Adam is gone and everything has changed.Tess has to decide, once and for all, where she belongs and who with.

Title: Nancy’s Theory of Style
Author: Grace Coopersmith
Received: From Grace Coopersmith
Synopsis: Lively young socialite Nancy Carrington-Chambers has always believed an excellent sense of style and strict attention to detail are what it takes to succeed, but her own husband Todd is showing symptoms of incurable tackiness, so Nancy flees their McMansion for her posh San Francisco apartment. She knows her event planning company, Froth, is a real winner, but she must prove herself by reinventing the turgid Barbary Coast Historical Museum fundraiser. Luckily, Nancy now has the perfect assistant. Derek Cathcart is British, impeccably dressed, gorgeous, and clearly gay—so why does Nancy find him so attractive? Before Nancy can unravel her feelings, her irresponsible cousin Birdie abandons her little daughter with Nancy and takes off. Nancy, Derek, and Eugenia make an unlikely “family,” but strangely it seems incredibly right. Now Nancy’s parents are pressuring her to return to Todd, and she still has to pull off a spectacular party. For someone who’s always known exactly where she’s going, Nancy is in dangerously uncharted waters.

Title: A Vintage Affair
Author: Isabel Wolff
Received: From Isabel Wolff
Synopsis: Do fairytale dresses bring fairytale endings? Every dress has a history, so does Phoebe! Phoebe always dreamt of opening her own vintage dress shop. She imagined every detail, from the Vivienne Westwood bustiers hanging next to satin gowns, to sequinned cupcake dresses adorning the walls. At the launch of Village Vintage, Phoebe feels the tingle of excitement as customers snap up the fairytale dresses. Her dream has come true, but a secret from her past is casting a shadow over her new venture. Then one day she meets Therese, an elderly Frenchwoman with a collection to sell, apart from one piece that she won’t part with ! As Therese tells the story of the little blue coat, Phoebe feels a profound connection with her own life, one that will help her heal the pain of her past and allow her to love again.

July 4, 2010
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The Summer We Read Gatsby by Danielle Ganek
Chick Lit Review

The Summer We Read Gatsby by Danielle Ganek

Half sisters Peck and Cassie have taken up residence in the Hamptons after the passing of their beloved Aunt Lydia. Lydia left her house, Fools House, to her nieces, with the instructions that they needed to find the thing of “utmost importance.” Throughout the summer, the girls trot along, finding love, finding mystery, and ultimately finding the importance of being sisters. The girls couldn’t be more different- Peck an extrovert, a wannabee actress who thinks the world is her stage- and Cassie, the sensible, responsible sister, who is wanting to quickly get Fools House sold and get on with her life. But with long-lost loves, an unwelcome house guest, over aggressive real estate agents, and posh Hampton parties, the sisters find enough adventure and revelation over the summer to last the rest of their lives.
The Summer We Read Gatsby by Danielle Ganek wasn’t my favorite novel of the summer. It took me almost half the book to really start to feel for the characters, and I felt at times the story was just too simply farfetched. Ganek is a great writer, and her knowledge and love of art shined through at times, but I didn’t feel it was enough to carry the characters along through their summer at Fools House. I usually look to see how the supporting cast ties in with the main characters, and I thought they fell a bit flat as well. There were also some scenarios that were mentioned once then faded away, never being played out. Overall I was disappointed, once I closed the book the characters and plot were gone from my mind.

July 4, 2010
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I Scream, You Scream by Wendy Lyn Watson
Chick Lit Review

I Scream, You Scream by Wendy Lyn Watson

Tallulah Jones is a struggling entrepreneur, trying to keep her beloved ice cream parlor in business. Unfortunately for her, the biggest way to drive in customers is catering the big annual luau taking place in town- run by her cheating ex-husband. Wayne, a highly successful and egocentric entrepreneur, doesn’t have a problem flaunting his younger girlfriend, Brittanie, in front of Tallulah, further increasing her humiliation. But when Brittanie mysteriously dies after the luau, people are saying it was murder- and fingers are pointed at Tallulah.
Knowing full well she did not murder Brittanie, Tallulah is determined to clear her name. She sets out on her own investigation, quickly racking up names of people around town that held a grudge against the young woman who stole her husband. Along the way, she finds a love connection with an old flame- but could he be involved in the mysterious murder?
I Scream, You Scream by Wendy Lyn Watson is a deliciously written cozy mystery that will delight chick lit fans, especially those who like added suspense. There is enough humor and plots twists to keep the characters engaging, and the love story is nicely played with the “did he or didn’t he?” throw in. A fun, fast, and tasteful read.

July 2, 2010
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The Look of Love by Jill Egizii
Chick Lit Review

The Look of Love by Jill Egizii

Anna has spent twenty years in a marriage from hell, locked in with Erik because of their children and politics. Erik is a successfully trial attorney with ties to equally successfully politicians, and each time Anna has tried for a divorce, Erik is quick to put an end to it. Anna finally realizes she has no choice but to get away from her tainted marriage for her own safety and the safety of her children, but once they are separated everything begins to fall apart for Anna. Erik starts using his powerful connections with the law to keep Anna away from her children, and using his manipulation skills to deteriorate the once strong bond between a mother and her kids.
The Look of Love by Jill Egizii was a touching story, yet I found it difficult to read at times. The brutal honesty and eyes wide open look at parental alienation, psychological devastation, and manipulation of the justice system was hard to swallow at times. Egizii is an advocate for parental alienation awareness, serving as a board member on a number organizations to educate about the devastating effects, and the knowledge readers can gain from this novel is profound. The story that surrounds love, family, and a mother’s quest of well-being for her children is heart-warming and compelling.
Rating: 4/5

June 30, 2010
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The Journey Home by Michael Baron
Chick Lit Review

The Journey Home by Michael Baron

The Journey Home by Michael Baron is a beautiful story that intertwines the lives of four very different individuals. Joseph, a man in his late thirties, is awoken one day with no recollection of who is, where he is, or why he has no memory of his life. All he knows is that his wife is waiting for him, needs him, and it is up to him to find her. Will, a young boy, becomes his traveling companion, and is wanting to get away from his foster parents. Antoinette is an elderly woman living in assisted care, still grieving the death of her husband who passed six years earlier. Her son, Warren, visits her frequently but is going through his share of struggles. He is in the process of a divorce and has lost his job, so he begins to spend more time with his mother, often cooking her meals that she was once cooked for him. Each character is struggling to find happiness and home, and Baron does an excellent job at transitioning between each of their respective lives and journeys. I didn’t get pulled it right away, it took me a few chapters of getting to know the characters and differentiate between the situations, but once I was able to get past the multiple points of view, I was all in. A definite recommendation.
Rating: 4/5

June 29, 2010
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GIVEAWAY: One Signed Copy of I Scream, You Scream
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GIVEAWAY: One Signed Copy of I Scream, You Scream

Tallulah Jones, proprietor of Dalliance, Texas’s old-fashioned ice-cream parlor, dishes up luscious ice cream that is simply to die for….
Unfortunately, Remember the A-la-mode’s profits are melting faster than a snow cone in July–and Tally’s stuck scooping sundaes for her two-timing ex-husband and his bodacious new girlfriend, Brittanie, at his company luau. To make matters worse, twenty years after she dumped him in the Tasty-Swirl parking lot, Tally’s high school beau, Finn Harper, comes back to town–looking every bit as delicious as a double-dip raspberry mascarpone waffle cone.
The cherry on top? Brittanie drops dead, and Tally’s suddenly the prime suspect in her murder investigation. To catch a killer, Tally will have to churn up Dalliance’s darkest secrets and dip deep into the past. But can Tally freeze out the real culprit before a murder charge puts her dreams on ice for good?

I have one SIGNED copy to giveaway! Post a comment here, on Facebook, or on Twitter to be entered. The winner will be announced Saturday July 3rd. Good luck!

June 28, 2010
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