Review: The Other Side of the Story by Marian Keyes

Goodreads: Life is a circle, and what goes around, comes around. Just ask a trio of unforgettable women in Marian Keyes enchanting new novel . . .

Written in the charming and chatty voice that has become Marian Keyes's signature style, this hilarious and heartwarming new novel proves there are three sides to every story . . . especially in the world of publishing!

Kritters Thoughts: Well at the beginning of this book, I was nervous I wasn't going to finish the over 600 page book that sat on my nightstand. Then it switched to another character's point of view.

The first one - Gemma - was way too whiny to start the book off. I know the order of the characters mattered due to the unveiling of the story, but I was really not liking this book in the beginning. By the time Keyes introduces the second two characters I am engulfed in their semi-connected stories and wondering how this will all end.

Upon completing - I would have to say in general I liked the book. I know that I am biased when it comes to books based on Britishness (sorry rooms) - never been a fan. But when I got beyond the language barrier I enjoyed how each character was entangled and affected by one another.

I would definitely recommend this but with hesitation to those who are not into the British things AND to those who are not into larger volume books!

Rating: definitely a good read, but can't read two in a row

Pages: 648 pages

GR July - Sept Challenge: Big and Small - this was the big one at 648 pages

Review: My Fair Lazy by Jen Lancaster

Goodreads: Readers have followed Jen Lancaster through job loss, sucky city living, weight loss attempts, and 1980s nostalgia. Now Jen chronicles her efforts to achieve cultural enlightenment, with some hilarious missteps and genuine moments of inspiration along the way. And she does so by any means necessary: reading canonical literature, viewing classic films, attending the opera, researching artisan cheeses, and even enrolling in etiquette classes to improve her social graces.

In Jen's corner is a crack team of experts, including Page Six socialites, gourmet chefs, an opera aficionado, and a master sommelier. She may discover that well-regarded, high-priced stinky cheese tastes exactly as bad as it smells, and that her love for Kraft American Singles is forever. But one thing's for certain: Eliza Doolittle's got nothing on Jen Lancaster-and failure is an option.

Kritters Thoughts: What can I say about Jen Lancaster? Every book of hers, I have literally laughed out loud and I say this truly and honestly. Reading at home, during my lunch hour at work or on the treadmill, I have had numerous stares because I was found to be laughing and shaking - sometimes eye watering.

Her snarky comedy hits the spot. I definitely believe that she can describe experiences with honesty and a bit of oneupness - yep thats a word! I find that when I am reading her book, I think YEP thats how I would have reacted with rats running across my floor and the dog just starring thinking its a new play toy. (This has not happened, but Miss Charlotte has a keen eye for finding flies, making friends and accidentally swallowing them. The sad eyes come when she can't find it anymore.)

I would recommend this book to those who love dry, snarky humor and a fun read. The stories and situations that Jen ends up in are just beyond funny.

Rating: absolutely loved it and want a sequel

Pages: 384

GR July-Sept Challenge: The Inside Scoop

Chick Lit Challenge

Review: Dress Rehearsal by Jennifer O'Connell

Goodreads: No one knows wedding cakes better than the owner of Boston's hottest cake boutique. Lauren Gallagher is a pro at helping brides and grooms of tomorrow pick out the perfect Big Day dessert. She also has a talent for predicting which marriage will last and which is destined to crumble-simply by observing their cake selection process.

Her latest prediction, however, is anything but sweet. Unless her martial Magic Eight Ball is off, one of her best friends is about to tie the knot with Mr. Absolutely All Wrong. But while she's trying to prevent a potential mismatch, she's got her own problems-involving an ex-boyfriend, his new fiancee, and the cake of Lauren's dreams.

Kritters Thoughts: A cute little read. With only 250 pages, this book was one of the shortest I have read in a while. I was absolutely bummed when I turned the last page. I didn't feel like the story was complete when it ended. I would have loved another 20 pages to make me feel like I was leaving the characters in a good spot. I don't always feel this way - I just wanted to make sure these three ladies were completely happy when I left them!

I have read a lot recently where the characters took turns telling their part of the story - it was nice to stay in one character's mind throughout the whole book. With three ladies as best friends at the center of the book, I appreciated it only hearing one voice in the book.

One other personal note - the title Dress Rehearsal. I kept finding myself not understanding why it was given to this story. There is one line where I could see it fitting the story, but I kept wanting to rename the book. I never found one that I fell in love with, but I was never sure if this title really matched with the storyline. This point did not ruin the story, but kept me wondering.

Rating: perfect beach read

Pages: 246

Chick Lit Challenge

GR July-Sept Challenge: On Location (Boston)

Review: Bet Me by Jennifer Crusie

Goodreads: Thirty-three-year-old Minerva Dobbs is annoyed when her current boyfriend dumps her three weeks before her sisters' wedding. But she's downright furious a few moments later when she overhears her now "ex" boyfriend bet hunky Calvin Morrisey that he can't take her home and bed her. In fact, she's so angry at them both that she lets Cal take her to dinner and decides to string him along until after her sisters' wedding.

Minerva pegs Cal as a handsome "used car salesman of seducers." Cal thinks Minerva is a "cranky, starving, risk-averse statistician." But Minerva's hormones keep whispering "this one," although she knows the gorgeous Cal isn't the man for her practical, white-cotton-bra, several-pounds-over-thin, self. And Cal is blindsided by the lust he feels for the voluptuous, sensual woman he glimpses behind Min's actuary exterior. While Cal and Min struggle to deal with their mutual distrust and attraction, their friends and families try their best to interfere and direct the progression of the unlikely romantic connection.

Kritters Thoughts: What a great book. A cute story showing how two completely different people can get swept up in the beginnings of a relationship - and fight it the whole way.

I loved the storyline where couple meets in the bar based on a bet. I don't want to over share because I want everyone to go check out this book, such a great summer read. It is light and cute.

The one issue I found was - my copy that I have been moving with me for awhile was a mass market paperback. I had not read a mass market paperback in awhile and now I know why - I hated it. It was impossible to read on the treadmill. I had to use two hands to read it. I officially will avoid mass market in the future, the price does not entice me anymore.

Back to the book review - I really don't want to share much for fear of ruining such a cute little book. But I would absolutely pass this book onto all the ladies in my life.

Rating:definitely a good read, but can't read two in a row

Total pages: 391

2010 Challenge: TBR

GR Jul-Sept Challenge: Keeping up with the Math (Subtraction)

Chick Lit Challenge

Review: The Fixer Upper by Mary Kay Andrews

Goodreads: After her boss in a high-powered Washington public relations firm is caught in a political scandal, fledgling lobbyist Dempsey Jo Killebrew is left almost broke, unemployed, and homeless. Out of options, she reluctantly accepts her father's offer to help refurbish Birdsong, the old family place he recently inherited in Guthrie, Georgia.


Kritters Thoughts: What a good book!! I can not remember on what blog I found this book - but thank you to whomever you were, such a great read!!

The highlights of the book were A. The main character starts in Alexandria, where I currently live and ends up in GA right near where the boys parents live. B. What great writing that made it absolutely hard to set it down after my lunch hour was clearly over!! C. A good solid story with great characters that kept the story believable.

I have read some reviews that did not believe that this girl coming from a law/public relations background could easily adopt the handyman talents she did. WELP to that I say she didn't she had a fantastic handyman beside her that taught her everything in the book. As this being the only negative I read about this book, I say negative no more!

I can not say enough good things about this book. I don't want to send out any spoilers, but I want to recommend it to all my ladies who read women's fiction/chick lit. I think this book can entertain both crowds.
Rating: absolutely loved it and want a sequel

Total pages: 432 pages

Chick Lit Challenge

Review: Revenge of the Kudzu Debutantes by Cathy Holton

Goodreads: Eadie Boone is no shrinking violet. An artist and former beauty queen who married into one of the first families of Ithaca, Georgia, she tackles everything with gusto and flair. Nita Broadwell, a good southern girl from a good Southern family, is jolted out of complacency when she discovers condoms in her husband's shirt pocket. Lavonne Zibolsky - a transplanted Yankee, bless her heart - is saddled with planning the annual Broadwell & Boone law firm party. That and her lackluster marriage have her seeking solace in the contents of her refrigerator.

Kritters Thoughts: Definitely an interesting read. I spoke with the mom about 100 pages in and said "not again, another book that I am not a fan of." I was upset that I have not been reading the "jaw dropping I want to read this again" books that I am used to since I started blogging. BUT alas this book picked up!

I am used to the novels where at least one of the characters is closer to my age group. Sometimes it is hard to get into a book when you can't physically relate to a marriage falling apart or dealings with children. Although, once the revenge part of the novel kicks in, I was hooked.

Each character was unique but you could imagine these three women as close friends. Without spoiling the major plot of the novel, they have the opportunity to band together and teach their men a lesson. I believe that is when I got really hooked - waiting for their plans to unravel.

One of the great things that I loved about the book was the setting. In Ithaca, GA, a great southern town close to Atlanta. Being a transplanted southerner in a northern spot without sweet tea has been more than an adjustment. I love to read books that are filled with the southern charm.

I would recommend this book to the older set of ladies, who have friends or themselves seen marriages fall apart or know of the pressures of raising children and the strain it takes on someone's life. A light read that any female could enjoy, but definitely wouldn't pass this off to the boys!

Definitely a cute read, but not one to hold on to for another read.

Rating: perfect beach read

Total pages: 288

2010 Challenge: Who Are You Again?

Chick Lit Challenge

Review: Alamo House by Sarah Bird

Goodreads: The sorority sisters of Alamo House at the University of Texas may be at comic odds with each other, but at least they have one thing in common: They all hate the fraternity rats across the street, the Sigma Upsilon Kappas - aka the SUKs. But amid the collegiate turmoil, Alamo House is also the scene of an extraordinary, endearing friendship among three women: Mary Jo, hilariously confused about life and love but determined to get both right; Fayrene, flushed with freedom after escape from Baptist Waco; and Collie, party girl and self-proclaimed guide to the ways of the world. Together they embark a roller coaster of escapades that change them all - and galvanizes Alamo House into an all-out counterattack against the Suks. The result is infectious, side-splitting fun sure to convince everyone that Mary Jo, Collie, and Fayrene are the best soutwestern mixture since tequila, lime and salt.


Kritters Thoughts: A slow start to a short book, but I am glad it finally picked up. I was nervous that this would be another poor review. Alas, the book picked up speed.

I am not a fan of her writing, she used some unecessary words - not obscene just too big for the cheeky chick lit plot the book had. I had a difficult time with her over using expressions and comparisons.

The characters were over the top, but definitely entertaining. It made me remember those college days being surrounded by everyone your own age and enjoying the excessive amounts of free time! I appreciated the misfits that live together and learn how to communicate to each other - the joys of living in dorms with complete strangers!!

The storyline was cute and quirky, but I am not sure I will be adding her to my favorite author list.

Rating:

Total pages: 320

Source: Paperback swap

Chick lit Challenge

Review: The Washingtonienne by Jessica Cutler

Goodreads: When Jacqueline Turner's fiancee gives her two days to move out of his apartment, she has no choice but to leave New York City and crash with her best friend in Washington, D.C. (She can't be expected to keep herself in cute clothes while paying New York City rent, after all.) She needs a new, exciting life-not to mention real employment. Where better to get a fresh start than the nation's capital?

Kritter's Thoughts: I told myself in the beginning I would not beat up a book or an author, so I will have to keep this review short.

I am fine with an occasional sex scene or obscenity cast around - but this book was over the top and too much. Filled with sex, drugs and some work life, this book was not the "Washington Sex and the City" it was advertised to be. I felt that this book completely beat up Washington, DC and its residents. Being a new resident of the surrounding parts of DC, I didn't enjoy the negative connotation the city and its dwellers received.

I only finished because I could use it for two challenges and I am that girl who must give a book a fair shot. After 100 pages, I only had 150 some odd more to finish and couldn't walk away. Thankfully being stuck in a car helped finish it off. Unfortunately, living near DC, I was so excited to read this book and be able to know where the character was running around. I was let down.

I would not pass this book off to anyone.

Rating:

Total pages: 304

Source: Barnes and Noble

2010 Challenge: Shiny and New

Chick Lit Challenge

Taking on Another Challenge

The Chick lit Challenge 2010 runs from January 1 - December 31st. The goal is to read at least 8 chick lit books during the year. Books can be listed ahead of time or as you go along. Books cna also be used for multiple challenges.

This challenge is hosted by http://bookaddict4life.blogspot.com/.