'Chasing Harry Winston,' Lauren Weisberger

PLOT: Leigh, Emmy and Adriana have been friends since high school. As they approach the thirty year old milestone, they are looking toward the future, not too sure they like what they see! They each find themselves alone on Valentines Day and make a pact that within a year they will each change something. Emmy's boyfriend of 5 years has left her for a young personal trainer - she makes a pact to have more flings and boost her 'magic number.' Commitment-phobe Adriana promises that within a year she will have an engagement ring on her finger. Emmy seems to have it all, so isn't too sure what to change - until she starts working with a sexy, brooding author....


REVIEW: This book seems to have received quite mixed reviews - I even read one that called it a 'piece of trash.' Please people, I don't know what you expect from Chick Lit - it's supposed to be light and just a bit of fun. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and would definitely recommend it to anyone who likes Weisberger's other books. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Lauren Weisberger is the author of The Devil Wears Prada, which spent more than a year on the New York Times hardcover and paperback bestseller lists. The film version, starring Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway, won a Golden Globe Award and grossed over $300 million worldwide. Her second novel, Everyone Worth Knowing, was also a New York Times bestseller. She lives in New York City with her husband.

'I Don't Know How She Does It,' by Allison Pearson

THE STORY: Thirty-Five year old Kate is famished - famished for time. As the main bread-winner of her family, her life is a constant juggling act. She rushes between work appointments whilst running over-and-over the busy tape in her head - bouncy castle, dentist appointment, nappies, client appointment, story before bedtime, angel wings, transatlantic flight. The list never seems to end! From the outside, Kate seems to have it all - but she has no time to enjoy what she has accomplished with her life.
Factor in Kate's controlling nanny, her two demanding children, a husband that she passes like a ship in the night, an email lover, a sexist boss, and a workplace that sees hers as a man's job. Just how long will Kate be able to keep up this juggling act, and at what cost?

 I can't think of a woman who wouldn't want this book.' INDIA KNIGHT, GUARDIAN

HIGHLIGHTS: It's no surprise that this is an international bestseller - it is so witty and funny, yet poignant at the same time. This book was an excellent portrayal of a working mother - I loved when Kate bought mince tarts from the supermarket, and broke them up a little to make them look homemade for her daughters' school.
The author uses email exchange, and diary-like entries for Kate, which take the reader right inside Kate's head. A real look inside the roller-coaster life of this highly engaging character.

This book would be absolutely perfect for a book club - so many discussion points and questions!


"What Bridget Jones did for single women, Kate Reddy does for working mothers . . . This book is for every woman who's ever chaired a meeting one minute and duck out for an illicit reunion with her children the next . . ." HARPER'S BAZAAR

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Allison Pearson (aka Judith Allison Lobbett!) is a Welsh newspaper columnist and author. This is her first novel, and was published in 2002. She has since written 'I Think I Love You.' (2010)

An interesting bit of controversy surrounding Pearson - in one of her newspaper columns she labelled Princess Beatrice as a "pampered Miss Piggy" who was "pear-shaped" after photos of her appeared in a bikini. Well who's had the last laugh? Bea is looking svelte and trim these days!

THIS NOVEL IS NOW A MOVIE!!
Starring - Sarah Jessica Parker, Greg Kinnear, Pierce Brosnan, Olivia Munn, Christina Hendricks, Kelsey Grammer, Seth Myers.

Watch the trailer below:

A Hollywood Affair - by Lucy Broadbent

PLOT: Life really isn't like the movies for Pearl Sash - despite the fact that she certainly seems to live the lifestyle. Rockstar father, movie star ex husband (who is also father to her five-year-old) and screenwriter husband to boot! You'd be forgiven for thinking that Pearl has it all! But when her ex husband Brett arrives on the scene, trouble immediately ensues. Pearl never really loved another man the way she loved Brett - not even her husband Adam. And now Brett wants her back, and is prepared to do anything it takes to get her!!!


REVIEW: This was my second 'Little Black Dress' Book, and I can see that they have very strict criteria for the stories/books they publish -which is awesome, because I love them! The novel wasn't predictable like I thought it was going to be - and if memory serves me correctly, neither was the first LBD book I read. 
I found that the relationship between Pearl and her father was depicted beautifully and realistically. That with her husband Adam was a little shallow, but that could be for the authors own reasons. I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a new type of chick-lit to read, and hasn't yet tried the LBD books - as they follow a loose 'formula,' without being 'Mills & Boon' predictable, if you like one, chances are you will like most of them!


AUTHOR:Lucy Broadbent is a British journalist living in West Hollywood, California. She has worked as a columnist for the Independent, Marie Claire, She and Hello magazine, writing about her life in LA. She also regularly contributes to other publications, such as the Times, Glamour, Eve and others. She has two novels published by Little Black Dress Books - obviously 'A Hollywood Affair,' and also 'What's Love Got to do With It?'

LITTLE BLACK DRESS BOOKS: contemporary romantic fiction that you can't live without! 


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'LA Candy,' Lauren Conrad

I picked this book up in the Barwon Heads bookstore for $4, thinking why not - since I am a 'closet' fan of all things 'The Hills.' It was actually a lot better than I thought it would be! NOTE: If you are a fan of 'The Hills' then the storyline will sound very familiar! (Lauren Conrad said about the book, "I wanted this book to be like my life, being signed on to The Hills" - which it pretty much is!)


PLOT: Jane is a 19year old, who moves to Los Angeles with her best friend Scarlett, and works for an event management team. The girls are scouted at a nightclub, and asked to be stars in a new reality show, 'LA Candy.' Thinking it will be a bit of fun, they sign on - not realising that life as they know it is about to be turned upside down! Apart from camera's following them around, once the show airs there are photographers popping up everywhere. Scarlett and Jane's friendship begins to show cracks, especially when Jane wants to be friends with the other two stars of the show and Scarlett doesn't.
With jealously among the girls, and paparazzi becoming more frequent, it's only a matter of time before one of the girls gets caught in a compromising position.


REVIEW: Although I felt like I was watching an episode of 'The Hills,' I thought Lauren Conrad really did give a great glimpse into what her life must have been like when she was taking part in reality shows. There are two more books in the series, which 'LA Candy' left me wanting to read!


It was an honest and entertaining read, written by someone who has experienced this crazy world first hand. 


ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Lauren Conrad first came onto the scene as a teenager in reality show 'Laguna Beach,' and went on to star in 'The Hills.' In 2008 she began her career as a fashion designer, and has already launched a second line. She currently lives in Los Angeles.
Below: interview with author about the book series.

'Ready or Not?' Chris Manby

Some quality quotes:

'To his own credit, Ed had always managed to put his own jock strap in the machine.'


'There is only so much you can say about the fuzzy black and white picture of TV interference that is a prenatal scan.'


' Another snore like a hippopotamus farting through mud erupted from the spare bedroom.'


PLOT: Heidi Savage is only a few months shy of walking down the aisle, and she is questioning if that is what she really wants - especially after her fiance's rugby mates shave his head and eyebrows off. When her ex-boyfriend shows up out-of-the-blue, old feelings are stirred up, leaving Heidi questioning whether she should really be with her beer-swilling, lads lad of a fiance.

In the meantime there is Heidi's best friend Kara, single mother of a sixth month old baby. Kara has only just started back on the dating scene, and is constantly calling upon Heidi and Ed for babysitting duty. Her emotions in turmoil, Heidi wonders if she would ever want a child with Ed, or if she should perhaps be with her ex Steven, who has a child to an ex-wife.


REVIEW: Guest blogger Meg put me onto this book - which she picked up for 50c at a library book sale! 50c insanely well spent I say! I loved this novel because it literally made me laugh out loud in so many parts. Usually I just have a quiet chuckle to myself - but not with this corker! I kind of thought the story would go in a different direction than it did - but I guess that's a good thing that it didn't, because it wasn't stereotypical.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Chris Manby grew up in Gloucester, England. Her writing career started when she was just fourteen, having a story published in 'Just Seventeen.' In 1995 Manby went to see a psychic, who informed her that she would write seven novels! Manby has already had at least thirteen published!

CLICK for author's official webpage

Manby has written under the pen name 'Olivia Darling,' and has also changed her name to 'Chrissy Manby,' as so many people thought her books were written by a man.

'And What Do You Do?" Sarah Long

First... a couple of my favourite quotes from the book...

"You said a rude word mum,' remarked her other son helpfully, 'Arsehole, that's where your poo comes out. I don't know any other mummies who say arsehole.'

"Oh good, you got some more carrots. Are they organic?' Laura couldn't understand why Asa was so interested in the provenance of her food, since everything she ate was discreetly regurgitated in the bathroom shortly afterwards.'

"Rice or pasta?' she bellowed back to her boys. 'Pierre-Louis will take rice and I will take pasta.' It served her right for asking.

PLOT: From the outside it seems like Laura has it all... a gorgeous French husband, two darling boys, and a wonderful lady-of-leisure lifestyle in Paris. She fills in her day eating croissants, going to museums, and chauferring her children tooand from school. And yet as perfect as her life appears, something just seems to be missing. How can she possibly stretch out breakfast all morning? Laura's live in au pair is driving her insane! And Laura's husband is hardly even in their beautiful home. He is so often working on weekends and staying back late at work. So when Laura finds out that her husband is having an affair with his stunning assistant Flavia, she decides to get her own back in the most interesting way.

REVIEW: So often other people ask us irritating questions such as 'and what do you do?'  Laura justifies the question that many housewives have come to dread in this light, yet addictive novel.

The setting of this story was flawless and brilliant! I actually felt like I was in France - not just because of the way the Parisian ambiance was set up, but because of the cultural differences highlighted between English and French - in an amusing and lighthearted way. I found Laura's husband Jean-Laurent a tad annoying - and not just because he had an affair. He just didn't want to take responsibility for any of his actions!

I loved the characters, especially the aggravating au pair Ava. I thought Laura was portrayed as a character of multi-faceted depth - making her seem like more of a real person than other more 2-dimensional chick lit heroines. Laura's decision at the end of the novel was a twist that I didn't see coming - modern woman kudos to her!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Sarah Long live for ten years in Paris with her husband and three children, before they all moved back to London. 'And What Do You Do' was her first novel.

OTHER BOOKS BY SARAH LONG:

'I Heart Paris,' Lindsey Kelk

PLOT: Angela follows her rock star boyfriend, Alex, to Paris for the week - the city of romance. It's not all for pleasure though, as she is there researching an article for Belle magazine, not to mention keeping up with her famous blog. Something seems to be a little strange while she is there though. It seems as if all her efforts are being sabotaged. First her suitcase of gorgeous designer clothes is confiscated and destroyed at customs -along with all her research for Paris!!! Then there is Alex, constantly running into his ex, Solene, who seems hell-bent on winning Alex back. Within less than the week, her life seems to be falling down around her. Her old home London is only a train ride away - should she run back home and leave the carnage of her new life behind her?


REVIEW: This novel follows on brilliantly from the 'I Heart New York' and 'I Heart Hollywood' books. It is so great to have a series of books where I really want to keep reading - and find out what happens to the characters next! I found Angela to be entertaining, independent, and believable. Even after the first book I felt like I knew her personally, which made it so much fun to read about her. Having each novel in a new setting made them exciting. I haven't been to Hollywood myself, but have been to Paris and London. The details about these places were perfect - right down to Angela's craving for Percy Pigs from M&S. (Personally, I always reminisce about the M&S chocolate mousse! That was my daily staple over there!) I highly recommend this series!!!

THE AUTHOR:  Lindsey writes chick lit and edit's children's books. She is a British write currently living in New York. Her website (click here!) is has links that allow you to follow her on Twitter, sign up for her newsletter, and read her guide to New York - among other things! What I love about Kelk's website is that it shows how well informed her books truly are! She writes about what she knows, and that comes across in the comfortable and detailed stories in her books.

Love the cool competitions on the website too, which give you the chance to win copies of the 'I heart' series!


 OTHER BOOKS BY LINDSEY KELK:

Click here to get 'I Heart Paris' on your Kindle!

'Conversations With the Fat Girl,' Liza Palmer

THE STORY: Even though 'fat girl' Maggie has a masters in art restoration, she still works in a cafe. She used to dream of being slim, yet has been able to budge those pounds. She has been friends with fellow 'fat girl' Olivia since she was 12 years old. Only now, at 27, Olivia has lost the weight (gastric bypass surgery!) and has bagged a man - while Maggie harbours a secret crush on her work colleague. Now Olivia is all that Maggie wants to be - thin and getting married, leaving Maggie to be the fat, single bridesmaid. It seems that everyone else is moving on with their lives apart from Maggie. 


With their friendship strained over the different paths that their lives are taking, will Maggie and Olivia's friendship stand the test of time??


QUOTE FROM BOOK:

• "...if i could always live in a place with no mirrors or disapproving glances, i would think i was the prettiest girl around." 

REVIEW: Maggie was very easy to identify with, as her thoughts were very believably conveyed. I also loved the fact that Maggie is an unlikely heroine, not stereotyped in any way. The story didn't follow a predictable storyline in many ways, however it still had that 'feel good' aspect that we all love about 'chick lit.' I have also read 'Seeing Me Naked,' which was just as enjoyable as this book. They receive praise from Meg Cabot, who is an amazing chick-lit author in her own right!


THE AUTHOR: Liza Palmer lives in Pasadena, California with her dog, Poet. She has written two plays that were performed in Los Angeles, and is a graduate of The American Academy of Dramatic Arts-West. 'Conversations with the Fat Girl' is Palmers' debut novel.

Read about the author's other books, news and events on her website:

www.lizapalmer.com

The Sunday Night Book Club - Short Stories

THE STORIES: This book was compiled In collaboration with Woman and Home magazine and Breast Cancer Care of Britain. Twenty-four short stories, encompassing themes of love and friendship, heartbreak and betrayal.

MY FAVOURITE STORY: Life Begins at Forty, Patricia Scanlan.
This story cracked me up, because the main character Amy has a sister-in-law that is constantly imposing upon her at her holiday home, and Amy is too chicken to say anything about it. These impositions have been carrying on for years, and Amy thinks it has been going on for too long, and it's too late for her to draw the line. Her sister-in-law even shows up unannounced at Amy's 40th birthday weekend, which finally tips her over the edge. What Amy does next is her self-confessed 'birthday present' to herself!!

SOME OTHER BOOKS BY PATRICIA:

 

REVIEW: It's a shame that the stories were presented alphabetically by author, as I found the first few stories quite disappointing. It seems that some authors feel the need to go all 'arthouse' and weird when writing a short story. I just wanted a feel good read and a laugh - not the couple of random and depressing stories at the beginning. One of them didn't even make sense! I am glad that I perservered though, as I really enjoyed most of the stories that followed. This book is great for women 20+, and for those who struggle to read a lot at once. Most of the stories were about ten pages long, which makes it perfect if you only have a short amount of time to spare.

AUTHORS: Clare Boylan, Veronica Bright, Elizabeth Buchan, Clare Chambers, Mavis Cheek, Tracy Chevalier, Katie Fforde, Nicci Gerrard, Lesley Glaister, Tessa Hadley, Maeve Haran, Joanne Harris, Wendy Holden, Cathy Kelly, Andrea Levy, Kate Long, Santa Montefiore, Elizabeth Noble, Maggie O'Farrell, Patricia Scanlan, Alexander McCall Smith, Adriana Trigiani, Lynne Truss, Penny Vincenzi. PHEW!

One dollar from every book sold goes to Breast Cancer care. 

BUY THE BOOK!

'Baby Proof,' Emily Giffin

  PLOT: 
Claudia's deal breaker, when it comes to love, is babies. Or to clarify, her distinct wish to NOT have any! When she meets Ben they seem perfect for one another, as he too agrees, no children! And so they fall in love, get married, and look forward to a wonderful, child-free filled future together. Then, one of the two decide that they do want a baby after all, and the relationship falls apart. The remaining half of the couple must decide what they will - and won't - do for love.


REVIEW: 
Initially I loved the idea of the book, because as soon as a couple gets married, the next question always seems to be 'when are you having a baby?' Nothing is more irritating! I found myself getting annoyed along with Claudia and Ben at lines such as:

• 'Once at a book party, an editor came right out and told me that if I didn't have kids at some point, then my life "would be devoid of meaning." Well, gee, then I might as well off myself now then!'
• 'rude inquiries regarding our plans to procreate came from anyone and everyone: Ben's family, my family, friends, random mothers in the park, even our dry cleaner.'

I thoroughly enjoyed the story, and often found myself nodding along to the things that initially annoyed Ben and Claudia. Definitely a funny read - especially for those in a serious relationship. If it's not 'so when are you two getting married?' it's 'when are you two having a baby?' (And after that, no doubt, 'when are you having a sibling for little Johnny?')

I definitely intend to read more books by Giffin - and am looking forward to it!


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Emily Giffin is an American author of chic lit. Before she moved to London to pursue writing full time, Emily completed a Law degree and worked in a litigation department. She has had published 'Heart of the Matter,' 'Love the One You're With,' 'Something Blue,' and 'Something Borrowed.'

This year, in May 2011, a movie adaptation of 'Something Borrowed' was released (movie website) starring Kate Hudson, Ginnifer Goodwin, Colin Egglesfield and John Krasinski. Trailer below.

LINKS:    

author's website

author's blog

Pages Online - magazine review

'Unlucky in Love,' Jessica Fox

FOURTH BOOK IN 'THE HEN NIGHT PROPHECIES' SERIES.

PLOT: On set in Thailand for a Bollywood movie project, Libby is humiliated when her office romance turns out to be a joke. She promptly decides to stay away from reckless romances, particularly after a tarot card reader warns that she will 'be a danger to many men.' A series of strange events see Libby literally endangering the life of the martial arts trainer Craig, who she immediately develops an animal attraction towards.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Jessica Fox is actually the pen name for Ruth Saberton, whose website you can view by clicking this link: 

Ruth Saberton/Jessica Fox  

It's a great website - especially if you want to get inside the thoughts of an author. She has a blog, short stories, competitions and books she is reading, etc. Definitely worth a look - a well set up website! 

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REVIEW: I'm sorry to say that I was pretty disappointed with this novel, having so much enjoyed 'Always the Bride' from the same series. Having travelled to Thailand myself I found the setting descriptions a little off the mark and lacking in detail.


Three main things annoyed me:

 1) The all-too-frequent use of similes
      eg. 'Eastwood came charging over like a bull in Bermuda shorts.'
             '...her heart plummeted faster than a base jumper with no parachute.'
             'Hilly's triumphant smile still hung before her like the Cheshire Cat's.'
They just went on and on - relentlessly.

2) The main character Libby - as if anyone would be that obsessed with 'prophecies.' If a girl really likes a guy and he's showing mad interest in her, she would NOT keep her distance just because a tarot reader said 'you'll be a danger to many men.' What does that even mean??!

3) The novel is part of a series called The Hen Night Prophecies. However, hardly any links were made to the other books or their characters - who are meant to be Libby's best friends!



I wouldn't really recommend 'Unlucky In Love.' Since it only loosely links to the other books in the series, it is not necessary to read it to gain understanding of the other books. That said, having enjoyed the first book I read, I'll give the rest of the series a go. Stay tuned to see if the next one gets a better review. Also, please don't write off Jessica Fox - I loved the first book of hers I read. Perhaps 'Unlucky in Love' was merely 'like a dud popcorn kernel in the bottom of the bowl.'

'The Secret Lives of Fortunate Wives,' Sarah Strohmeyer

        

A couple of the rules for being a Hunting Hills Wife:

 *   Eat voraciously in social occasions. Leave everyone wondering how you keep your teenage figure when little do they know that you'll be living on green tea, celery and alkaline water for days afterward.

 *   Do try and keep your options open in the family income department. If your husband appears headed for a demotion, if he is an alcoholic, drug addict or, worse, lacking in capitalistic enthusiasm, it is acceptable to search for other breadwinners. In fact, it's expected.

 *   Never admit to a fellow wife that you just slept with her husband.

PLOT: This novel is set in the sheltered suburbs of Hunting Hills. Women give up their careers, when they marry rich men, to be socialite wives; wives who have too much money and not enough to do! It is accepted that partners may have affairs, but these are conducted in secret.

Socialite Marti Denton never realised that she was in love with John Harding, until he returned home from an overseas trip... married! Marti hatches a plan to steal John away from his new and socially awkward wife Claire.

Soon scandals such as lesbian affairs, secret love trysts and embezzlement rock Hunting Hills. The fortunate wives are petrified that their private lives will be splashed all over the front page of the newspapers.

             Click here for Sarah Strohmeyer audiobooks!

REVIEW: I am fast becoming a huge fan of Strohmeyer. Sometimes it can be a bit hit-and-miss when you try a new author. I have often read a great book, then been disappointed by the second one I have read by the same author. Not the case with Strohmeyer. 'The Secret Lives of Fortunate Wives' reeled me in from the very start. The exclusive gated community of Hunting Hills is portrayed believably, almost reminiscent of a modern day Stepford Wives. There are also elements of the 'Desperate Housewives' series in here. If you are a fan of that program, or of Strohmeyers other books, then this novel will not disappoint!

If you wish to recommend a book or see it reviewed, post a suggestion below.