Book Description
When her ex-boyfriend, Trip, gets engaged to Hollywood's latest It Girl, Manhattan attorney Brooke Miller plans to attend the wedding. Who says a modern girl can't stay friends with her ex? Besides, Brooke's got her sexy Scottish fiancé, Douglas, to take as her date. Okay, so maybe he's not exactly her fiancé, but they're living together in his apartment, so she'll be getting the ring any minute, right? Wrong.
After a fight leaves her without a boyfriend (much less a fiancé) just days before the wedding, Brooke faces the ultimate humiliation of attending her ex-boyfriend's nuptials alone. Desperate to find a replacement to fill Douglas's kilt, Brooke concocts an outrageous plan to survive the wedding and win the man of her dreams, all with her dignity ever-so-slightly intact.
Customer Reviews:
To Each Her Own.......2007-10-16
Obviously, I'm in the minority here, but I did not enjoy this book at all. I typically like the light, chic read nature of Red Dress Ink books, but this was subpar. The plot was just so ridiculous - a girl who gets dumped by some loser and then goes on this obsessive mission to get him back. I could go on about the ridiculousness of this plot and the characters who took part in it, but it is not even worth taking the time to type it out. I got 130 pages into this book, not even halfway, and could bring myself to go on no longer.
I Really Loved This Book!.......2007-10-02
What a great read - and from a first-timer, at that! I think Ms. Janowitz has a fantastic future in the literary field. Being in the legal profession myself, I enjoyed her spot-on references regarding Brooke's legal career. I must say that the only "dumb" thing about Brooke was her total blindness to Jack's affection for her. Bless her heart, she just didn't get it for awhile. But, she's a very smart, likable character that you can't help rooting for.
This is a thoroughly enjoyable book and I can't wait to hear more from this author.
a step above chick-lit.......2007-06-03
Maybe it's because the author is as smart and successful as her main character (or moreso?), but it's hard to believe this is Janowitz's first novel - this was a great read, & I only regret that I finished it too quickly - write a sequel, Brenda -- now!!!
Couldn't put it down.......2007-05-31
What a great read!!! Ms. Janowitz has taken a sensitive subject and infused it with humor. I hope there is a sequel. Go buy this book!!1
Smart and funny and warmhearted.......2007-05-26
This book was hilarious! What I liked the most was that, even though it's ostensibly "light" and funny, its main characters were written carefully and with great love, so you really feel for them and want them to be happy. That brought the book to another level, and made the book a really engaging and rewarding read.
Book Description
For Anne Olsen, new and improved is the only way to live. So how'd she fall for a secondhand man? Charlotte had the Malibu Barbie with a full wardrobe. Emily inherited a slightly used Barbie with two outfits and Anne was left with a one-armed, bald Barbie who enjoyed nudist colonies. It's little wonder that at twenty-nine, Anne drives a new car, eats only from freshly opened packages and thinks antique is a euphemism for moldy.
After growing up in the shadows of her older sisters -- one a swimsuit model, the other a pop-feminist -- Anne's personality is one part sibling rivalry and two parts VD (stands for Vague Dissatisfaction, and yes, it itches). Now she's the self-professed underachiever in the family, determined to find happiness on her own terms. But when her sister's ex-boyfriend -- seemingly perfect, potentially interested -- reenters her life, Anne's got to ask: Could she possibly fall in love with a hand-me-down man?
Customer Reviews:
Light, funny reading.......2006-07-23
Enjoyed this book for light, funny reading. Have handed it down to daughters who enjoyed it also.
Hand Me Down.......2006-05-07
I really enjoyed this book-the main character was great!!! I rooted for her grandiose plans.
A must read for younger sisters.......2006-01-28
As a younger sister of an overacheiver there were many parts of this book I could really relate to. It was funny quirky and delightfully silly. A keeper.
About sibbling rivalries, finding love.......2005-10-06
Lee Nichols's "Hand-Me-Down" centered around Anne, a twenty-nine year old who had been jumping from one job to another, one boyfriend to another, who always had a commitment problem. She was unable to stay focused or committed to one thing for long and had always been fascinated with the idea of "new" things. This was due to the fact that she had been using "hand-me-down" things from her two older sisters, beautiful Charlotte and brainy Emily. Anne constantly compared herself to her sisters, feeling inferior as she was not known for anything and had not achieved anything. In addition, she became attracted to Charlotte's ex-boyfriend Ian whom she believed still had a crush on her married sister.
This was an okay book for me as even though the book was fast-paced and at times fun, the main character Anne was a bit too whiny for me. Throughout the whole book, she was forever whining about how she was not good enough, how people overlooked her, etc etc. That being said, the book does has its funny moments which somewhat redeems itself. It's a light, and relaxing read. Not the best in this genre but just don't have high expectations.
Sometimes Hand-Me-Downs Fit Perfectly!.......2005-08-30
OK, so it might not be great literature, but Hand-Me-Down by Lee Nichols is so much fun, you won't mind that it's not. Please don't rush to judge the book by its main character's first misadventure, a silly scene involving mannequins, because what happens if you stick with the book is you'll fall a little bit in love with protagonist Anne Olsen yourself, as exasperating as she is, and you will come to appreciate Nichols' humor as well as her insight into what it can be like to be the youngest and most underachieving of three sisters-- this is my station in life, so I know!
Book Description
When did Abby Foote's life become an episode of Law & Order?
First, a former boyfriend (who dumped Abby in the most humiliating way imaginable) is found murdered the day his engagement is announced.
Then two other ex-boyfriends report attempts made on their lives right after breaking up with her. Coincidence? Detective Benjamin Orr, of the Portland Police Department (and Very Probing Questions and Incredibly Delicious Face), doesn't think so. Neither do Abby's friends, family, coworkers and other exes--who are suddenly shaking in their shoes. Soon everyone is sucking up to her as though the Abby they know and supposedly love to death is capable of poisoning their drinks….
Is someone trying to frame her?
Who? And why? She has to find out fast. Because by-the-book Ben is bound to break her heart.
Which makes him next on someone's list…
Customer Reviews:
Loved it.......2007-10-08
I thoroughly enjoyed the author's voice in this book. It was funny and engaging. The mystery was only a piece of the book for me. I liked the way Abby interacted with her co-workers, friends, and family. If you're looking for a mystery, I'm not sure this is the book I'd recommend. If you're looking for a few laughs, however, this is definitely it.
Interesting premise.......2007-08-13
Magazine columnist Abby Foote has never met a loser she didn't date. From the lothario that just wanted her virginity, to the CPA that wanted a write up in her magazine, she always manages to get her heart broken. But no one broke it more thoroughly than suave Ted Puck, who brought his "cousin" to Abby's birthday party, only to be caught in a compromising position. After getting abandoned at LL Bean when her new beau Henry discovers what a bris is, she's melancholy as she reads about Ted's engagement to his "cousin." When he winds up dead the next day, the police come knocking on her door. When two more of her former boyfriends report occurrences after having broken up with her, suspicion is cast on Abby, she receives apologies from every past misdeed cast against her over the last 25 years. Add to that a scorching crush on the investigating detective, Benjamin Orr (not to be confused with the lead singer of "the Cars"), and Abby is in more trouble than she bargained for. She decides that the only way to clear her name is to actively participate in the investigation, much to Ben's consternation.
Senate's latest is a laugh out loud funny story - every time Abby is sarcastic to someone they end up taking out an order of protection against her. But it's also sad - Abby was far too tolerant of a very disloyal family that doesn't deserve her - one sister even requiring her to wear a blond wig in her wedding so she could have a totally blond bridal party. The story did get a little redundant after awhile, with a pretty unlikely person revealed as the culprit. But Senate is such a good writer that I found myself reading into the night to see how it all turned out.
Repetitive and short.......2007-07-15
I agree with the reviewer above you said that the scenario was far fetched and the main character was flat. The problem was that in this book, the main character said "i am not the murderer" at least 50000000 times and i was like, yes, we all know this. the detective's dialogue was very repetitive as well - "i cannot discuss this case." i felt like not only did the author not research criminal investigations (ie, it seemed implausible that the detective would share a room with the prime suspect or trail her around), but she really didnt have much to offer in terms of WHY, in the absence of evidence, Abby was the prime suspect. that being said, i liked the background stories of abby's drama. i just wish that we had more of a reason why she fell for the detective, beyond holding onto some highschool crush. this book was cute but left a lot to be desired. i may still read future books, if i can get them for $5 on bargain books.
Would not recommend to others.......2007-06-06
I found the characters flat and underdeveloped, the scenarios unrealistic and the dialog awkward and unconvincing. I had the feeling the author threw this book together in just a few days. I always say that life's too short to read bad writing, and this book qualifies. Thankfully, I borrowed it from the library, so I only wasted time and not money.
This was an okay mystery.......2007-03-26
I felt bad for Abbey from the get go. Not only did the police NOT seem to be looking elsewhere for suspects, but jus because you break up with someone cheating on you doesn't mean you kill him six months later. It did seem a bit far fetched. As did the other two exes coming forward with claimes of Abbey trying to commit murder on them as well, months and months prior to when the events occured.
Also, her family was god awful to her. Instead of standing by her, her half sisters more or less caved into their mother, Abbey's step mother. And in one of her sister's case, caving into her husband, Abbey's brother-in-law. They were not there for her when she needed them the most. Why Abbey allowed them back into her life and was in a wedding to one of them was beyond me.
The plot at the end had an ODD twist to it. Odd, but good. The killer was someone I would have never suspected.
I am however looking forward to the next Abbey Foote mystery, mostly because I want to see what happens with Abbey and Ben, the police investigator who she went to high school with, in the next book.
Book Description
With meticulous career planning and a couple of dirty martinis, there is very little that New York City investment banker Vina Chopra can't do. And now that sh's decided to get serious about if nding her mate, there is very little that Vina won't try—even if it means letting her parents get involved. After all, what does she have to lose? Her longest-term relationship thus far has been with the ulcer she ultimately named Fred (unless you count the ex-boyfriend who won't go away).
Amid a series of dates with 'the nice Indian doctor' and an office scandal that could permanently end her career, Vina starts to question everything sh's been working for. Who has she been trying to please all these years? Is this the life that she really wants? Can she if nally learn to put aside her family's expectations long enough and become the girl most likely to if nd a happiness all her own?
Customer Reviews:
Quick read........2007-05-30
This book was a little hard for me to get into at first, but once I did, I really enjoyed it. Even though I'm not Indian, I could still relate to and identify with the main character Vina in some ways. I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.
A Chick Lit. Need to Read!!.......2007-04-30
Our Chick Lit. book club read this as our first book club meeting read! Everyone LOVED the book. It had a character you loved and hated at the same time. We were frustrated with how strong willed Vina seemed to be at times and than so passive at others, but we couldn't put the book down. (None of us!) It is a read for those who are looking for something quick-to-read, puzzling at times, so funny it makes you cry and laugh-out-loud, and even share with a good friend. It brought our group together and was really easy to relate to on some levels. It made our conversation go into personal life experiences that could really tie into the novel itself. Girl Most Likely To was a great reading experience that anyone who is looking for a light-hearted read should definitely look into reading this novel! A job well done for a first time fiction writer...thank you Poonam Sharma!
Funny and Smart.......2007-04-30
I really enjoyed "Girl Most Likely To." I read a lot of books of this genre so I'm always looking for the next unique story. The beginnning is fairly typical of most "chick-lit" but it evolves into a very funny and smartly-written book. You don't have to be a single or Indian to read it and appreciate Poonam Sharma's wit!
The modern independant, achiever working girl trying to know and find herself.......2007-03-28
It takes a while to get into the story, but once you do, "The Girl Most Likely" becomes a definite page turner. Sharma's descriptive use of language shines throughout.
Over the top success for the girl most likely to...........2007-03-07
This book is laugh-out-loud funny, but also wise and wonderful. Poonam managed to convey the manic pace, pressures, escape hatches and pitfalls of the young professionals in New York. Add to that the issues of being a first generation American trying to balance the expectations of her parents, her own strong values and her desires for meaning in her life -- all of this told with wit and comedic very and you have some idea of this enchanting first novel. Yeah, Poonam.
Phyllis Perkins
Book Description
Between the reality of being six weeks pregnant by a guy she's dated for two months and the fantasy of pushing a baby stroller down Columbus Avenue with a wedding ring on her finger were a lot of possibilities for twenty-nine-year old Manhattan publishing peon Sarah Solomon. Will the baby's father run screaming for the nearest subway . . . or pop the question?
"He's going to deny they ever had sex!" bets cynical sister Ally, an uptown lawyer who catches her "perfect" husband cheating . . . and happily retaliates on FindAMate.com.
"He might surprise everyone and propose," offers half sister Zoe, a celebrated relationship guru who critiques dates for a living but would have to rate her own love life a big fat zero.
"Huh?" asks their clueless father, too busy planning his society wedding to trophy wife #3 to notice what's up with his daughters. Until Sarah, Ally and Zoe find themselves suddenly sharing a bedroom in his Park Avenue penthouse . . . . "
And thanks to a little help from each other and some unexpected allies, the Solomon sisters are about to wise up in this heartwarming and hilarious novel by Melissa Senate, author of See Jane Date
Customer Reviews:
If you have sisters, this is the book for you........2007-07-30
A great tale about 3 sisters who barely know each other coming together in their greatest time of need. As each sister faces a lifechanging event, they find themselve turning to the most unlikely shoulder to cry on... each other. Witty and heartwarming, definitely something pass along from sister to sister.
Fluff.......2007-07-10
Fluff, but readable. Predictable, too. How many trite story lines can we gather here? How can everything end happy happy happy? Good beach read but eminently forgettable.
Of course it will have a perfect ending .......2007-02-27
Ally, Sarah and Zoe are the Solomon Sisters. Three sister that are facing major changes in their lives. Ally just found out that her husband is cheating on her. Sarah is pregnant with child from her second date and Zoe the "Dating Diva" finds herself with a man. Now the three sister are sharing a room in their Dad's penthouse while he get ready to marry one of Zoe's ex-friends.
While I enjoyed the "The Soloman Siters Wise Up" by Melissa Senate.I thouhgt that the ending made everything just a little to perfect. Maybe that why I had out grew "chick-lit."
Chick lit, but the best of the bunch!.......2007-02-03
Simply put, this is one of the best chick-lit books out there -- fun, sweet, romantic, and suspensful, and with a happy ending, but without being ridiculous or too silly to take seriously or to relate to. And Melissa Senate is one of the best authors that Red Dress Ink has ever published.
Controversial Topics Taken On With Style.......2006-12-20
Pros: I have to give this writer credit for taking on some really controversial topics and somehow managing to make them not so intense (ex. stepmothers who practice favoritism, unattentive fathers, potential deadbeat dads, abortion, pregnancy in singlehood, adultery, commitment phobia, divorce, plastic surgery, etc.) Senate hit on quite a few topics that are happening repeatedly in today's world but brushed under the rug. She picked strong characters to lead the tale in discussing these topics and I stayed interested throughout. I was the most entertained by Zoe's high school friend, but I liked Griffin because he was so realistic in regards to how many men view fatherhood these days. I was relieved with Zoe's decision at the apartment with Griffin; I'd have done the exact same thing if the tables were turned, otherwise it's settling. It was interesting to me how Ally went out with a friend for plastic surgery shots, and the stepmother she hated was doing the same thing. Maybe they hated each other because they'd somehow grown so much alike, but I wish I'd have known what Giselle did that was so terrible. Background stories would've been nice there. These Red Ink books are blowing me with the blonde hair blue eyes emphasizing, but I was pleasantly surprised when somebody overweight and somebody with brown eyes was mentioned. Acid came back to be a jerk and I was tickled by her reactions to the pregnancy article and the dating article. She is a piece of work! My favorite spot in the whole book was when Ally sang to herself the "It's my birthday/I'll have sex if I want to" song. I'm still giggling about that. Once again, Senate's humor has me hooked.
Cons: Not much. I liked the book throughout, even though I still don't understand this blue eye deal.
Book Description
The only thing Elle Medina has ever been a strong candidate for is a department store credit card . . .
Application for Temporary Employment
Name: Elle Medina
Marital Status: I'm separated from my fiancé, Louis Ferris.
Occupation: He was a highly paid attorney.
Employment History: You mean mine? Technically I haven't exactly worked before. But I'm motivated and I work well with others. Most others. Usually.
Career Goals: I thought I was happy with Louis, but now I'm not sure. Ever since he dumped me for some floozy from Iowa, I've been thinking I should find out what I'm good at and pursue it in a formal job-type way.
Salary Requirements: I need my own apartment (currently staying on friend's sofa) and a car. And I've always wanted a dog. Oh, and I definitely need a shopping trip.
Elle Medina must be qualified for something other than shopping and causing trouble, but when she moved to Santa Barbara after the disastrous end of her engagement, just what she's suited for isn't clear. Bartender? Private eye? Phone psychic? It seems like everything she tries ends in humiliation or legal action -- or both. Her best friend is getting sick of her, her new boyfriend's a con artist and her creditors are on her trail. So why is this the happiest Elle's been in years?
Customer Reviews:
People were staring at me because I was laughing out loud!!!!.......2007-08-21
HILARIOUS!!!!
Elle Medina has never worked a day in her life and doesn't need to because her powerful, attorney fiance takes care of her just fine! At least until he breaks off the wedding. Elle is sent into an emotional tale-spin and is forced to find a J-O-B. Her delusions about work are fantastic! And her job choices, priceless!
I LOVE THIS BOOK!
You gotta love her.........2007-01-10
...or at least feel pity for her. I surely enjoyed reading about her!
TALES OF A DRAMA QUEEN is about Elle Medina who after being left by her fiance has to stand on her own feet for the first time in her life. She starts out crashing on her friends Maya's couch for a while until she finds shelter in a converted trolley. Not that her self esteem isn't low enough already, then she has to find out that her ex married the first best woman he found on a business trip.
Next she enters the working world as a shop detective and after she gets fired there she finds her new calling as a phone psychic which works out slightly better.
And of course all the time she's looking for a new love, with dates ranging from criminals she met during her detective days to the usually bar goers she meets at Maya's bar...
All in all this is a funny book, that has everything I look for in a novel: humor, drama, and romance.
The perfect book for a sunny Florida day at the beach!
Easy, lighthearted read.......2006-08-24
This book is such a good read when you need a good laugh. The story line makes you want to keep reading, not like a mystery, but in the sense you have to know what is going to happen next. I can't wait to read the sequel, True Lies of a Drama Queen. The other reviews are true when they say this character is very real, and quirky. You can't help but feel sorry for her. Definately recommend this as one of the great Chic books that is out.
Good light read.......2006-08-06
I read this book second, not realizing that this one was the first one of two Le Nichols books. No problem reading it secone...so I knew who was who and who got where... I liked the fact that it was very light and fun to read. It is nice to escape for a little while and this book does it.
Really cute, fun and light hearted book.......2006-03-11
I read it in 3 days. Some parts made me laugh out loud, just a fun book for easy reading.
Book Description
A mystery for anyone who has ever hated a friend's boyfriend. . .
Rachel Benjamin and her friends aren't looking forward to Emma's wedding. The groom is a rat, and nobody can understand what Emma sees in him. So when he turns up dead in the morning of the ceremony, no one in the wedding party is all that upset. Not even Emma.
Rachel, who had the good fortune to find Richard floating facedown in the pool, is feeling as if she's woken up in an Agatha Christie novel. It doesn't help that everyone around her seems to have a motive for murder. So, while the cops detain Emma's family and friends at her isolated Adirondacks compound for the weekend, Rachel, an investment banker by trade, makes like Miss Marple (minus the gray hair and sensible shoes) and does some digging of her own. Her investigation gets especially tricky when Peter Forrest, the too-good-to-be-true best man, turns out to be the number-one love interest and her number-one suspect. And Rachel can't help remembering the solemn pact she and her friends made back in college--a promise to rescue each other from bad relationships, using any means required. Has someone taken the pact too far?
Customer Reviews:
Quick Read.......2006-09-15
I enjoyed reading this book. I thought the characters were great and their relationship with each other plausible. I did however find some of the events in the book to be a bit unrealistic. Despite that, it keeps you reading and guessing until the end. I went on to read Sturman's 2nd book and found it equally, if not more, enticing.
Appalling.......2006-05-16
I have never reviewed a book online before, but was motivated to in this case by how appalling I found ?The Pact?.
The prose is childish and unengaging. A cliche is used wherever there is an opportunity (and this is about 5-7 times per page). It took a great deal of effort to keep ploughing through this book, when everything about the style screamed that it was by someone with nothing original or interesting to communicate.
I will skip over the weak plot, though much could be said about it, and head straight to the worst aspect of this novel; the characters. Each and every one of them is shallow or actively repellant. Especially the heroine. She drips arrogance and superficiality and, most unfortunately, this seems to reflect the personality of the author. The question, of course, is why anyone would represent themselves as such a mediocre individual. Constantly name-dropping, judgemental and shallow. I cannot fathom why anyone would find this character appealing.
I cannot advise against reading this book more strongly.
Fun, Quick Read.......2006-02-09
I loved that this story kept me wondering for so long. There were no "dead" spots in the story, it moved along quite nicely, frequently adding new clues to the mystery. At the climax of the story, I serioulsy could not read it fast enough, it was so good! I recommend this to anyone who wants a fun "whodunit" to read.
Had to Keep Reading..........2006-01-18
I'm usually not a fan of mysteries, but I found that I really liked The Pact a lot. I think the author was able to balance the book's mystery element with a good dose of chick-lit. While I felt very anxious to keep reading in order to see who the murderer was, I found I was also curious as to the resolution of the main character's romantic situation. Overall, a very quick, fun read, with just enough mystery to keep a non-mystery fan interested.
Very So-So.......2005-09-17
I guess I'm in the minority on this book. It had a couple of amusing spots, but overall it was weak. Much was made of the heroine's intelligence, yet she jumps to conclusions about who committed the murder twice. She also panics, at one point acting like a silly gothic novel heroine. The whole weekend in the isolated house murder plot was weak, with the police being almost non-entities, but interviewing everyone one at a time in a room just like an Agatha Christie novel. The problem is that Christie novels were written about 70 or more years ago. Trying to write a story like that, but set in the present day doesn't work for me in this case. It didn't seem even remotely realistic. In addition, the characters were overblown, almost caricatures of themselves. As an example, Richard (the murder victim) couldn't just be unpleasant or unlikeable, he was the most despicable character imaginable. Apparently, the only crime he didn't commit was murder. Also, the dialogue felt contrived and forced. Since Rachel was getting ready for a meeting at work on Monday morning, and no one asked how long the police would require them to stay in the house, I knew they were all expecting the murder to be solved by Sunday evening. How convenient. Although I thought that this book was going to be just the kind of mystery I like to read, it wasn't. I think there are other chick-lit books that are more intelligent AND amusing out there.
Book Description
Meet Jess, Robin, Anne, Lilith and Beth…five thirty-somethings living in Chicago and trying to navigate work, men, life and love with humor, intelligence, and - most of all - friendship. Though each woman is very different, and clearly on her own path of discovery, the strength they find in each other makes their individual journeys a little easier.
We meet the ladies in flashback at a Valentine's Day slumber party, establishing the connections between them, and giving us a snapshot of where the women are in their lives. We then move to present day, two years later, and each of the five tells her own story as it happens. Part Sex and the City, part Little Women, with a dash of Slaves of New York (well, Slaves of Chicago, at the very least), Sleeping Over examines relationships both romantic and platonic, (and platonic wanting to be romantic), and looks at all the various configurations of what it means to "spend the night" with someone.
Jess has just returned from a two-year Peace Corps tour in Kenya, and is crashing at the condo of her cousin Mark's best friend, pediatrician Harrison. Dealing with a return to Western Civilization, her long-divorced parents dating each other again, and the feelings she is trying not to develop for the dashing doctor she is living with, may in fact make her crazy at any moment. Then again, if the doctor reciprocates, she just might be on the road to real joy.
Robin relishes her job as executive sous-chef in a trendy little restaurant almost as much as she relishes her friendship with its owner, Michael. But while Michael may think that their cuddly sleepovers are just friends being affectionate, Robin knows that she wants much more. But how do you make someone who knows you so well look at you with fresh eyes? And if he does, will it spell disaster at work?
Beth and her sister, Anne, have recently opened up a boutique together which is managing to keep afloat in spite of the economy. Beth isn't really concentrating on much besides the store, fixing up her loft, and playing with her dog Petey when unexpected reconnections with three men from her past throw everything into turmoil. Ex-boyfriend Sasha has decided they should be friends again, as has grad-school lover Eric…all while Beth is in the infancy of a romance with Jeff, a guy she detested in college who has suddenly become the opposite of detestable. It is either an embarrassment of riches, or a nightmare from the tenth circle of hell, and she will need loads of support from the girls to puzzle out her next move.
Anne loves Beth, and Beth loves their working partnership, but the store isn't Anne's dream, and while the sisters share almost everything, Anne's secret desire to go back to school to pursue a career in occupational therapy is keeping her up nights. Lucky for her, these nights are no longer spent alone, after a bizarre series of events brings Chris into her life - and for the first time, Anne knows what it means to be completely swept off her feet.
Lilith has finally returned to her work in theatre after nursing her father during his ultimately unsuccessful battle with cancer. But getting back in the game has her stuck in the worst kind of triangle. While she and boring boyfriend Martin are temporarily "seeing other people," she meets Noah, a deliciously enigmatic actor, for whom she falls head over heels. Problem one, Noah is married. Problem two, Noah isn't the least bit interested in Lilith, except as a friend. But Jay, on the other hand, is very interested. He is younger, brasher, nothing Lil ever expected to want or need…but nevertheless intriguing. Lil struggles with letting go of the idea of Noah to see if she should be more open-minded about Jay.
There are surprising twists for each of the women, separately and together, including one major disaster which threatens to change their friendship forever. But at the end of the day, five is always a happier number; and sometimes, whoever else you may be sleeping with, sleeping over with your girlfriends can be the best thing to do.
Customer Reviews:
Too much in one story.......2007-07-20
The book starts to get good in certain areas, but there are too many characters and points of view. I actually tried to write out a cheat sheet w/ characterstics of the 5 main women, but it was still too confusing. That in itself ruined the book for me :(
Modern day "Fairytale" - Yawn!.......2006-10-10
I am usually easy to please when it comes to chick lit, but this book is over the top. Give me a break! Every female character in this book gets their dream guy under picturesque circumstances by the end. The characters are flawed, but are never really developed, and instead of caring about them, they become needy and a tad annoying. This book that leads you to believe it is about 5 fabulous, independant women turns out to be the story of Sleeping Beauty x5 without conflict or climax and straight to the happily ever after...
For good Chick Lit, try Emily Giffin or Jennifer Weiner.
A frothy bit of Chicklit.......2006-04-09
In the fairy tales of old, the heroine was beautiful, demure and rescued by the handsome prince. In Sleeping Over, the heroines have flaws, and struggle with their careers and love lives. The men however, are just as unrealistic as the princes in fairy tales of old. They may enter the scene with flaws, but alas, they are diamonds in the rough, and we end up in the same happily-ever-after scenario that makes an old fashioned romance novel.
A realistic look at the search for love among young urbanites? No. An enjoyable book? Yes.
Sleeping Over, the Next Sex and the City.......2006-01-26
This is one of the best books I have every read. I am not yet finished with it but can't wait, I figure I will done by morning tomorrow (since I only get to read on the train to and from work, an hour and a half each way). I hope they make your book into a movie or TV show just like Sex and the City. I could use a good chick TV show again, SATC was my favorite and I would watch Jess, Robin, Beth, Lilith, and Anne any day of the week and twice on Sundays.
Pick one point of view and stick with it.......2005-12-15
After breaking up with her boyfriend before he could dump her, and spending two years in Africa with the Peace Corp., Jess is returning to Chicago and into the fold of her four gal pals, Beth, Robin, Anne, and Lilith.
First stop is to find temporary lodging with Harrison, her cousin's best friend, who happens to have quite a reputation as a ladies man. They share a bed platonically until they both realize that they are into each other. And she also has to stand by and watch her divorced parents date each other again.
First and foremost, "Sleeping Over" is a relationship drama - between the women, their lovers, their families, and themselves. In essence, each character could have her own story, and because of that, none of the characters or couplings is completely fleshed out to the point where the reader really feels like they have gotten to know them, though Jess and Harrison are the most compelling.
There are too many characters, too many "voices," and there is just too much going on - it is just a mess. Each chapter is told from the point of view of one character. All this first person has the reader confused. At times, I had to back track to the start of the chapter to see if it started with Jess, Beth, Lilith, etc. I like first person stories, but 5 interchangeable points of view is taxing on even the most patient reader. Thank goodness I checked this one out of the library.
Book Description
Top Two Don'ts for the Office Party.
--Don't dress in a revealing manner.
(Translation: Don't wear the sexy scarlet, size-eight dress you couldn't fit into three months ago. The one that flaunts your firmed-up cleavage and newly discovered collarbones.)
--Don't make a spectacle of yourself.
(Translation: Don't get drunk and make out with a really cute stranger for the whole company to see; he could turn out to be your boss's roommate.)
I didn't follow these tips and here I am with a hot new man in my life, Jack. But my friends are asking if I really want to bump into my boss in his boxers in the hallway of their apartment. After all, I am aiming for a promotion.
And now, not only does my ex want me back, but the guy I used to think was Mr. Right just kissed me!
Three months ago I couldn't hold on to one guy. Now three want me. When did my life become so complicated?
Customer Reviews:
Great easy read .......2007-10-05
I really enjoyed this book. I liked the characters and it made me laugh. One of the reasons I really liked it, I was able to get through it pretty quickly, so it didn't take out too much of my studying time. And I love when a book actually makes me laugh out loud.
Perfect.......2007-01-02
I just finished this book, and have to say how much I enjoyed it. It was fast paced, funny, sacarstic and just my favorite kind of writing. I can't wait to read more from this author.
More than Slightly..........2006-01-24
There is much to be said about a nice, easy-to-read novel. The Red Dress Ink offerings are soothing, fun and very addictive. Wendy Markham's effort, Slightly Settled, is definitely one of the better ones.
Slightly Settled tells the story of newly-single gal, Tracy Spadolini. It's been three months since her boyfriend of three years, Will, dumped her for another girl, and Tracy finally decides it's time to get back out there. Newly slim (after being prescribed "happy pills" to curb her panic attacks and, surprisingly, her appetite), Tracy has no problem hooking up with sexy Jack at the office Christmas party. The downside? Jack is Tracy's boss's roommate, and catching Mike in the hallway in his underwear does not a good day make!
However, that turns out to be the least of Tracy's problems. Besides catching grief from her friends about dating too soon after her breakup, it seems her ex doesn't know how to leave her alone. Plus, her friend, Buckley, who would make a great Mr. Right, somehow manages to insert himself into the picture, too.
Life is suddenly complicated, and even Tracy's weekly therapy sessions don't help much in figuring out what to do. Wendy Markham's story plays out in a freshly realistic way, and watching as Tracy works out her problems (or tries to!) keeps the reader turning pages quickly. Very light and fun, Slightly Settled is one book that will have you more than slightly entertained.
Slightly Settled.......2006-01-01
Very funny you will love the main character. One of those you won't be able to put down until done.
Adequate read, poor sequel.......2005-02-15
I read Slightly Single in 2001 and thought it was a pleasant read. I was excited to hear that the author had decided to continue the story of Tracey, a recently single woman. However, while the book was the light-hearted read I was looking for, I was annoyed at how indecisive Tracey is and the constant mention (even through the last page) of her ex-boyfriend, Will.
This book was not a good sequel to Slightly Single and I found myself utilimately dissapointed. As a light-hearted "beach read" this book fulfilled my needs on an adequate, but not excellent, level.
Book Description
Some girls seek fame, others have it thrust upon them. . . Clothing designer Kyra Felis has never been one to worship celebrities--she'd rather read a good book or make a blouse out of a tablecloth. She marries Hollywood man-of-the-moment Declan McKenna for love, with no inkling of how his notoriety will send her life spinning out of control.
But once Kyra reluctantly becomes a celebrity by association there's no turning back. And even though she has all the trappings of success, she can't do the things that make her happy--throw a party; drink a glass of wine (or four) at a quiet café; confide in her friends. When Declan's fame literally endangers Kyra's life, she starts to wonder, can she survive more than a year of living famously?
Customer Reviews:
Be Careful What You Wish For..........2007-05-21
Kyra seems to have the life any girl would want: her career as a fashion designer is beginning to take off and her husband, whom she adores, becomes a movie star after the unexpected success of his latest movie. Love, money, fame - what else could a girl want, right? Well, it turns out that the pressures of celebrity threaten a lot more than Kyra's marriage. The author does a good job giving us compelling characters who are doing their best in privileged-yet-trying circumstances. This novel is a fast and fun read.
Great Read.......2006-11-03
Very enjoyable read. Great insight into "living famously". I couldn't put it down.
Entertaining ..........2006-11-01
This book surprised me. It's not your typical Red Ink book ~~ it really is one of the better fiction novels where it's so fun and entertaining and I wasn't able to put the book down. It's perfect for those lazy afternoons (which are becoming more rare as the holidays approach!) ~~ and while a fast read, it is definitely an entertaining one. Not only that, it also provokes thoughts such as, thank goodness, I am not married to a movie star or living in the spotlight all the time.
It is sort of a romance novel but not really ~~ it's not even your typical chick lit novel. It's just a novel with a good story-line and fun to read. This one is about Kyra Felis, a struggling designer, who met Declan McKenna, an up and coming Hollywood movie star and marries him. Shortly after their wedding, he is thrust into the spotlight and into the crazy weird world of Hollywood. Kyra finds herself in the tabloids and fending off a psychotic fan who is obsessed with Declan as well as designing designer clothes for the Oscars for several movie stars. It sounds wonderful ~~ new job, a gorgeous hubby, new big house and a crew to help her maintain that house and lifestyle and as time goes on, Kyra finds herself becoming more and more miserable with the lack of privacy in her house, life and in her marriage. All that is enough to destroy any marriage as well as a person's peace of mind.
Want a sneak peek in the lifestyle of the rich and famous? This book would do it. You find yourself rooting for Kyra and hoping that she will find her peace.
Have fun with this one!
10-31-06
Okay at best........2006-06-14
This isn't the best chick lit I've read, but it's not the worst.
read.. its good.......2006-01-06
A fun book to read that won't take up hours of your time or leave you emotionally drained. You can put it down for days and pick up again without missing a beat. It is a sweet story with an unpredictable outcome. Very unlike most sappy love stories out there. The main character is a person a vast majority of women can relate to, someone who loves with all her heart but cant make a decision on where her heart truly blongs. It will never be the best book you ever read, but you will not be disapointed.
Books:
- Self-Editing for Fiction Writers, Second Edition: How to Edit Yourself Into Print
- Shaker Design
- Snowmen at Christmas
- SQL Cookbook (Cookbooks (O'Reilly))
- Star Wars Complete Cross-Sections: The Spacecraft and Vehicles of the Entire Star Wars Saga
- Styles and Motifs Japanese Gardens
- The 50 Greatest Yankee Games
- The Accidental Salesperson: How to Take Control of Your Sales Career and Earn the Respect and Income You Deserve
- The All-New Tenchi Muyo!, Volume 10 (All New Tenchi Muyo)
- The Art Of Trompe L'oeil Murals
Books Index
Books Home
Recommended Books
- One Breath at a Time: Buddhism and the Twelve Steps
- Eye of the Beholder
- The Impressionists' Paris: Walking Tours of the Artists' Studios, Homes, and the Sites They Painted
- This Old Boat
- Adult All-In-One Course: Lesson-Theory-Technic: Level 1
- Biology, Sixth Edition
- Collected Letters, 1944-1967
- The Joy of Life: The Idyllic in French Art, circa 1900
- Trembling Earth: A Cultural History Of The Okefenokee Swamp
- Inside Argentina from Peron to Menem: 1950-2000 From an American Point of View
Contemporary
| General
| Literature & Fiction
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Love You To Death (Red Dress Ink)
Accidental It Girl
Girl Most Likely To (Red Dress Ink Novels)
The Romancipation Of Maggie Hunter (Red Dress Ink)
How To Be Cool
