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Welcome to the Real World by Carole Matthews
Chick Lit Review

Welcome to the Real World by Carole Matthews

Fern Kendal certainly doesn’t have it easy. Living in a completely unglamorous flat above and Indian restaurant, Fern must take on multiple jobs just to afford her rent. She desperately hopes to make it as a singer, but performing at a small pub with an unappreciative audience is not helping her case. Her best friend and accompanist Carl convinces Fern that they should try out for Fame Game, a reality TV competition for singers. To Fern’s surprise, she makes the callbacks- but has to go ahead without Carl.
Meanwhile, Fern is struggling to make ends meet while trying to help support her brother and his extremely asthmatic son who needs constant care and dealing with her new housemate- her father. Fern’s parents are on the verge of divorce and her father is quickly becoming more than a nuisance for Fern. She takes on the job of assistant to Evan David, popular opera singer- even though she knows nothing about opera and keeps having to run out on her professional duties to deal with her personal life events. To make matters more confusing, Evan David takes an unexplainable liking to Fern, all while Carl is desperately hoping that Fern will one day love him as much as he loves her.
Welcome to the Real World by Carole Matthews brings likable characters and a scenario that is very real. It was fun to read about the struggles that the heroine is dealing with, and was refreshing to see a character that isn’t just hoping to fall in love- she is pursing big dreams and fantasies. With a supporting cast of hilarious characters (Fern’s father pretending to have Tourette’s to try to win back his wife) readers will enjoy the humor and snappy dialogue that Matthew’s brings to all her novels.

January 31, 2010
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The Chocolate Lovers’ Club by Carole Matthews
Chick Lit Review

The Chocolate Lovers’ Club by Carole Matthews

Lucy Lombard and her three friends are addicted. To chocolate. The foursome often meet up at their safe place, Chocolate Heaven, to divulge in chocolate and digest each other’s problems. Lucy has found her boyfriend cheating on her yet again, and has to decide if she can give him a second chance- for the fifth time. Nadia, who gave up her career to be a stay at home mom, is struggling with her husband’s own addiction- the much more dangerous addiction to gambling. She is watching their money dwindle down to nothing, and has to make the decision to stay with her husband or take their son and leave. Chantal is struggling through her marriage; even though the money that came with her husband is fabulous and keeps her bejeweled can’t make up for the complete lack of any sex life. She often enters into extramarital affairs, until one man steals $30,000 worth of her jewelry and an escort she was hiring turns out to be otherwise involved- with another friend. And do-gooder Autumn is having her peaceful life broken up by her drug abusing brother moving in with her.
The Chocolate Lovers’ Club by Carole Matthews focuses on these four friends and the challenges they are facing in their lives. The usual Matthews humor is there, but I could also find a serious tone underneath all the chocolate talk. The plot centers around the friends and their addiction to chocolate, but if you look deeper, each friend is struggling through other addictions- Lucy’s addiction to a cheating boyfriend, Nadia’s husband’s gambling addiction, Chantal’s addiction to sex, and Autumn’s brother with a drug addiction. The Chocolate Lovers’ Club is a favorite of mine simply because of a well designed plot, enough humor to keep me laughing, yet enough real life drama’s to let me really take something away from the women’s stories.

January 19, 2010
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Table Manners by Mia King
Chick Lit Review

Table Manners by Mia King

Table Manners, the follow up novel from Mia King’s Good Things, introduces Deidre McIntosh back into reader’s lives. Everything seems to be going so smoothly for our heroine: she has her own line of pastries with a fabulous company and secured the perfect boyfriend, Kevin Johnson, one of the most eligible bachelors in all of Seattle. Deidre’s perfect world suddenly comes to a halt though when everything falls apart at once. The company she is working for isn’t letting her run with her creative ideas for her pastries, Kevin’s snarky sister Marsha seems out to get Deidre, and worse- Kevin’s sexy seductive ex-fiancé suddenly enters into the picture- with her eyes on Deidre’s man.
Mia King brings another fabulous and delectable novel to readers, who follow Deidre and her friends along their difficult journeys. Deidre’s best (gay) friend is soon to get married to his partner, but what they envision for their special day is difficult to achieve. And Deidre’s friend Lindsey from Jacob’s Pointe is thinking about selling the beloved Wishbone diner after suffering a heart attack and losing any positive outlook on life. During her time of crisis, Deidre finds that she has no one she can turn to. But like all good chick lit stories, readers will get that happy ending albeit a few unexpected bumps along the way. Table Manners left me hoping for a third novel from the truly gifted Mia King.

January 15, 2010
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The Infidelity Pact by Carrie Karasyov
Chick Lit Review

The Infidelity Pact by Carrie Karasyov

Four friends living in L.A are bored with their family lives, especially their husbands. Ringleader Victoria schemes up the perfect plan for them: an infidelity pact. Each woman will have one year to have an affair, and the only people they will confide in will be each other. Though the other friends seem hesitant at first, it doesn’t take long for them to dive in to their new lives.
Victoria starts sleeping with her husband’s biggest nemesis, another agent who is always competing with Justin over clients and prestige. Eliza is following the pact reluctantly, knowing that her marriage to Declan isn’t perfect but still not wanting to be unfaithful. Until she sparks the flames with an old crush, Tyler, who also happens to be a huge movie star who is willing to give up his family life for Eliza. Helen jumps right into infidelity, sleeping with random men and even women. She was having doubts about her marriage anyways, thinking her husband Wesley was too old and boring for her, but staying together for their daughter. And LeeLee takes the pact seriously, planning to run away with her other lover, long time friend and Senator Jack Porter. Her husband Brad doesn’t care about her, and doesn’t support her financially like Jack could do for her. Splitting up the family would be difficult for her two daughters, but she was ready to think about herself.
At first, each of the friends are loving their new lives, feeling the freedom and exhilaration that comes from cheating. But each of their situations takes serious turns, and life decisions need to be made. After their secrets are found out and a possible murder is committed, the women begin to wonder if they made the right choices.
The Infidelity Pact by Carrie Karasyov gives a startling eye-opener to L.A’s own desperate housewives, and if you are wanting a behind the scenes the look of the steamy lives of the wealthy elite, look no further. Each woman offers her own unique problems with her marriage and family life, and once situations take dangerous turns, the book becomes even more irresistible to put down.

January 9, 2010
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Sweet Life by Mia King
Chick Lit Review

Sweet Life by Mia King

Marissa Price is living a great life in New York City. Always busy, she doesn’t spend as much time with her husband Paul and daughter Pansy that she would like, but both she and Paul are busy with their careers and eight-year old Pansy has plenty of activities to keep her busy. When Paul’s job suddenly offers him a position to move his family to Hawaii and secure a management position at a prestigious hotel, the family quickly packs up their belongings and heads off to paradise.
Turns out, The Big Island is nothing like Marissa was expecting. The constant rainfall, the cows in the backyard, and the house that looked so beautiful and inviting online turns out to be a falling apart fixer-upper. Trying to adjust to suddenly being a stay at home mom, Marissa finds herself resenting moving to Hawaii, while Paul is having the time of his life. The strains in the marriage become evident, and soon Paul is moving out. Marissa suspects he is having an affair with his secretary, and tries moving on with her own life. This includes getting female tenants to help with the growing stress of bills, women who eventually become incredibly supportive friends.
Sweet Life, the second novel from Mia King, is an inspiring story about love, family, and friendships. Wondering which life changing decisions Marissa will make keep readers engaged throughout, and the ending provides a nice surprise and happy ending for all. The supporting characters, Marissa’s housemates, are a wonderful addition, each character with an incredible story. Their struggles really seal the plot line together, making Sweet Life a favorite for chick lit fans.

January 8, 2010
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I Do (But I Don’t) by Cara Lockwood
Chick Lit Review

I Do (But I Don’t) by Cara Lockwood

I Do (But I Don’t) the debut novel from Cara Lockwood brings us the story of Lauren Crandell, wedding planner. Perfection is her job, and being super organized, overly neat, and a stickler for details is sure to get her far in the business. If only her condescending boss, Gennifer, would notice her qualities, and ignore her shocking “birds nest” hair that G continually calls unprofessional and a disgrace. And if G can overlook the fact that two of Lauren’s weddings goes haywire on the same day, having the firefighters come to the rescue at both events. In particular, the sexy Nick Corona, quite possibly the most gorgeous man Lauren has laid eyes on. And to Lauren’s complete shock- he seems to be as equally attracted to her!
But we all know it can’t be so easy. While Lauren is working on a quickie wedding with a bride from hell, Darla, she realizes the groom is none other than her supposed prince charming, Nick Corona. Devastated, Lauren tries to push her love for this firefighter away, but she just can’t stop running into him. And each and every time she does- he makes a move on her! Lauren does her best to maintain her professionalism and ethical duties as Darla and Nick’s wedding planner, but can she keep holding him off?
Cara Lockwood brings a unique plot line that makes for a fast and entertaining read. The hilarious scenes will keep you laughing, but the seriousness of the situation keeps you wondering how the characters will end up. The first person narration really makes readers feel like they are inside Lauren’s head and all her personal thoughts- something chick lit fans will enjoy. Grab I Do (But I Don’t) for a breezy yet fun read.

November 23, 2009
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Gucci Gucci Coo by Sue Margolis
Chick Lit Review

Gucci Gucci Coo by Sue Margolis

Gucci Gucci Coo by Sue Margolis became one of my favorite books before I even finished the first chapter. Ruby Silverman runs a posh baby boutique for London mothers that have money to spare, and even celebrities can’t resist the adorable and high end items from Les Sprogs. But what happens after Ruby inadvertently sees one of the biggest stars sporting a prosthetic baby bump? Could there be something shady behind why all celebrities that give birth at St. Lukes “the Bentley of birth centers” come out skinny as a rail after having their baby? And if there is, could Ruby’s new love interest, the handsome American doctor, be involved?
Right from the beginning, Margolis brings the humor, the compassion, and the mystery with the supporting characters and their problems. Her mother has just found out she is expecting her second child- at age 50. Her co-worker is desperately trying to get pregnant, but having no luck with IVF treatments. And now, a possible scandal involving the biggest hospital and even bigger celebrity names. Can Ruby put together all the missing pieces before it’s too late- and before she loses the love of her life? Read all about it Gucci Gucci Coo.

November 21, 2009
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The Agency by Ally O’Brien
Chick Lit Review

The Agency by Ally O’Brien

The Agency by Ally O’Brien is truly a book for the Cosmo reading, celebrity driven, fashion loving chicks out there. Get tangled in Tess Drake’s…

October 16, 2009
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