Book Review: Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?

Book: Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow? 

Genre: Chick Lit 

Author: Claudia Carroll 

Cover Critique:

Very sparkly and girly cover, apt for a chick lit. I HEART it!

Book Blurb:

Absence makes the heart grow fonder…doesn’t it? What happens when two people decide to take a year off…from each other? Annie and Dan were the perfect couple. But now the not-so-newly weds are feeling more like flatmates than soul mates and wondering where all the fun and fireworks went …When Annie lands her big break in a smash-hit show…that’s heading for the bright lights of Broadway she’s over the moon. Goodbye remote Irish village of Stickens and hello Big Apple! But with their relationship already on the rocks, how will Annie and Dan survive the distance? They’re hitting the pause button on their marriage. One year off from each other – no strings attached, except a date to meet at the Rockefeller Centre to decide their fate. Will they both turn up? Or is it too late for love? (Courtesy: Amazon.com)

Review:

Just like the bubbly cover and the witty title, I was expecting the novel to be full of laughs and a gripping read, as suggested by many reviews I read on Amazon (Now after finishing the novel, I am wondering how it got so many rave reviews). I bought this book in paperback thinking it would stay up on my shelf in the corner where I keep the books I like to read and savour again and again. But after reading the complete novel, I have to say I was disappointed to an extent. This is the first book I read of this author and it failed to impress me in a sense that I may not be impulsively buying any other novels of her.

It would be wrong to say that it is a total crap or utter waste of my time. I did enjoy the way she introduced the characters in the first chapter, putting a hilarious spin on a not-so-good situation: that Annie’s husband Dan does not give her the attention and affection which she deserves and demands. Since the novel is written from Annie’s point of view, you get the feeling that it does get boring after the second chapter, with her constant whining and grumbling about Dan’s time-crunch and workaholic attitude along with her complains that their in-laws who interfere a lot in her house, where she thinks that she should be the boss.

After the author establishes the basic plot, she does not take it further, her witty jokes and impulsive heroine are not enough to save the story from getting redundant in the middle and then utterly predictable near the end. The theme of long-distance relationship, was good to begin with but sadly, the writer did not fully explore it through Annie’s story. A mediocre read which lacked the depth and maturity of a skilful writer.


As far as the other characters are concerned, none of them were so unique or affable so as to stay with me after I finished the book. The only character which I found likable was of Jules, her sister-in-law, who in a way is Annie’s true friend. In my opinion, she is the only fully-sketched genuine character that left an impression on me, with her heart of gold, her immature but lively attitude and her quirks and flaws.

There are annoying slang words which the author keeps on using every third paragraph in the novel. I do not understand why she twists their spelling, for example, instead of “fuck off”, she uses, “feck off”, for the word “shit”, she writes “shite”. Does it have anything to do with the fact that Annie has Irish accent? Then there is the irritating recurring use of the words “anyway” and “anyroadup”, which spoils the reading fun and pissed me off totally!

I personally did not find the repeated mention of “constipated goat” and other aweful diseases (in relation to Dan’s work as a vet), to be pleasant. Maybe because I am not too fond of a hero who is a vet or to be honest a doctor, but that would be my personal choice, other readers may find it completely tolerable and even fun.

Overall, it was a mixed experience for me but since minuses outweigh the plus points of this book, I would have to say, it is not my cup of tea. I would prefer a Jill Mansell any day of the week for a quick session of light humor coupled with a strong grip on the story, than opting for this!

Review Girl Rating: 6/10

If you want to buy it and make your own opinion, click here.

If you have already read this book and have a different view, feel free to share. Not to mention, if you agree with me and enjoyed this review, make sure you let me know through your comment.

Book Review: Life Swap

Book: Life Swap (US Title: Swapping Lives)

Genre: Chick Lit / Contemporary Fiction

Author: Jane Green

Cover Critique:

These days, with easy-to-use softwares that can produce amazing graphics, there is an abundance of beautiful covers in the market. So, quite tough to grab reader’s attention with something unique which can stand out among other books sitting on stands. In this case, the superb quality of what’s inside the book, does not match with what’s outside, i.e. the cover!

There have been so many covers over the years due to re-print and new editions of the book (as you can see below!). I like the latest one which I posted at the top, though I think it can be made a lot more attractive with better graphic skills. Since, this is not a judging factor as to how well the book is written, I will not cut any points because of a slightly let-down cover.

Book Blurb:

From the outside Vicky Townsley would appear to have it all. Features Director of the hugely successful Poise! magazine, she lives alone in London, is single and seriously successful. But she'd give it all up in a heartbeat for marriage, children, and a house in the country. Amber Winslow on the other hand, has exactly what Vicky Townsley wants; a huge stone mansion in Connecticut, children and a busy charitable commitment for the local Women's League.

But Amber isn't happy either. She hasn't found quite the fulfilment she had expected from being a full-time wife and mother, so when she spots a double page spread in Poise! magazine asking married readers to life swap with a glamorous, single journalist in London, she sits down and writes a letter. But she never expects to be picked... (Courtesy: Amazon.com)

Review:

While browsing through local bookstore, I picked up this book and what a gem I discovered! This is the first book I read from Jane Green (I am surprised I did not know about this best-selling author before!). I am looking forward to reading her upcoming release, “The Patchwork Marriage” (already put it in my Amazon Wish List so I can buy it as soon as it releases!).

This book tells the story of two women who are desperately wishing for something that they do not have. As you can easily figure out from the blurb, Vicky is a thirty plus single woman from London, who wishes to have a married life with a loving husband, beautiful kids, big house and a cute dog. On the other side of the Atlantic, there lives Amber whose life includes all these above-mentioned things but she is still not satisfied emotionally and longs to fill the void inside her.

Both women wonder as to what it is like to live their dream-life but when they are given the opportunity to step in other person’s shoes, they realise how difficult it is and it turns out to be a journey for them to rediscover themselves and figure out what they actually want from life.

Whether you are single or married, this book will touch your emotional chords in many ways. With Jane’s addictive and inspiring writing, your thoughts will keep circling around these two women and you will be turning pages swiftly to know what will happen until the end of the book. I myself read those 480 pages in one sitting, because I just could not seem to get Jane’s heroines out of my mind.

Unlike most chick-lit novels having plastic heroines, Jane has created life-like, real characters that you can easily empathize and sympathize with. They make you think if this situation happened to you, you may have reacted the same way. I love to read about characters who are flawed and imperfect, having quirks and madness that we can all relate to and this book did just that!

Among the supporting cast, I loved how the character of Richard changed from being the embodiment of all-perfect to vulnerable and messed up. My most favourite character has to be little Grace, who in many ways is the real-Amanda - a reflection of what she used to be before she became “the desperate social climber itching to get out”. I was so glad to see that Jane did not chose the predictable ending but left it open-ended though on a positive note.

By constructing a modern and realistic story, showing how the dynamics of relationships have changed over the years, “Life Swap” is a well-crafted and mature novel written in the most heart-warming manner by Jane Green. It is an indirect commentary on the social skills such as dating, marriage, love, sex and parenting and yet manages to stay engaging and exciting with the right amount of humour and a touch of glamour here and there.

One of my favourite books are those which enlighten me and entertain me at the same time and this book did both skilfully! I would love to quote a beautiful line from this book which is so uplifting. I know it has been said before many times but some things should be reminded in life again and again, so here it is:

“It’s not what you think about that matters in life, it’s what you actually do about it”.

Do I still need to tell you that you must read this book if you have a mature taste that goes beyond pretty shoes and pink nails? Highly recommended for those who have ever considered “the road not taken”.

Review Girl Rating: 10/10

To purchase this book, click here.

About the Author:

Jane Green is a former journalist who gave up her job on the Daily Express to write a real woman's account of being single in the city. That account became Jane's first novel, Straight Talking. A huge success, Straight Talking was followed by ten more bestselling novels: Jemima J, Mr Maybe, Bookends, Babyville, Spellbound, the Other Woman, Life Swap, Second Chance, The Beach House and Girl Friday. Jane lives with her husband and children in Connecticut.

Here is an interesting latest interview I found of her and thought her fans would love to listen to it. Enjoy!

BE MY GUEST: Author Interview: Michele Gorman

“Is Chick-lit “fun and romance” or about “chicks” who are “beauty with brains”? How do you think it is different from regular women’s fiction?” Join me as I ask Michele Gorman, this and many other intriguing questions about the genre of chick-lit, her best-selling book “Single in the City”, her decision to self-publish in the U.S. after getting launched by Penguin in the UK and things about writing and life in general. Enjoy reading! 

RG: Why did you think of becoming a writer? 

I wanted to get paid for what’s inside my head without having to go into an office… and I loved the idea of making a living in my bathrobe. I figured that because I love to read, I could be a writer, but it took many years for my ability to catch with my ambitions!

RG: Why Chick-lit?

I turned to chick lit out of spite. My writing background is in literary fiction and I’d just given my 3rd book to my (ex) agent, who said she didn’t like it and wouldn’t put it out to publishers. That announcement coincided with my buying my very first chick lit book. It was an international best seller. It was terrible! Frustrated, I wondered if I could do a better job, and the idea for Single in the City was born.

RG: Is chick-lit “fun and romance” or about “chicks” who are “beauty with brains”? How do you think it is different from regular women’s fiction?


To me, chick lit is an extension of the relationships we have with our friends. The early chick lit writers captured an important part of our lives in prose, giving us characters we cared about because we “knew” them. They are our sisters, friends, cousins, mothers, daughters and friends and enemies. They amuse us and frustrate us and show us their flaws and their triumphs. The genre has grown around this kind of character.

Now there is a blurring between chick lit and women’s fiction in terms of how they are marketed. In the UK, most fiction written by women is marketed with illustrated pastel colours (which gets many writers mad). In the US, women’s fiction and chick lit seem to be marketed with photographic covers, so I am not sure how readers are supposed to differentiate between the two. I think it is confusing. To me chick lit and women’s fiction are different – chick lit is a sub-genre within women’s fiction. I think it’s supposed to be light and fun, although maybe I just think that because that is what I write! I would like to see clearer branding, so that we can tell the two apart.

RG: In majority of chick-lit, the character of hero is limited or sometimes half-sketched, do you think it affects the overall depth of story or it is no biggie?


Since chick lit is not meant to be character-driven fiction, you would not expect a lot of deep description about the characters. It is plot-driven fiction and is meant to race along. For this reason, I do not put a lot of character description into my books. But, and this is a big but, as writers we have an obligation to give the reader a fully-formed character. This is true in any genre, not just chick lit. That may manifest in deep description as you find in character-driven fiction. In the case of my books, I write an entire character study for each character before I start the book. I know what their home life was, what foods they like/hate, when they first fell in love, which books the like, etc. Most of this never gets into the book explicitly but it’s necessary so that I know how the character will react in the situations I put her in. That way I ensure that she never acts out of character. So the formation of characters in chick lit is more subtle.

RG: What is the book “Single in the city” about?


"Single in the City" is about Hannah, a 26-year-old American who moves to London on a whim, only to find that she’s completely ill-equipped to live there. She faces constant cultural misunderstandings as she tries to build the new life she is dreaming of. It’s a universal story, a fish-out-of-water tale about trying to fit into a new place, and we’ve all been in Hannah’s shoes, whether moving to a new city, or country, starting college, a new job or trying to fit in with a boyfriend’s (sometimes odd) family!

RG: If you could be one character from your books, who would you choose to be and why?


Many would argue that I am Hannah, since I moved to London 15 years ago and faced many of the same funny situations. But I’d probably be Sam in “Single in the City”. His personality is much closer to mine than Hannah’s.

RG: Where do you get ideas for your stories and characters?

I always say that everyone and everything is fair game! The ideas come from things I see, do, read about and experience. I might take one person’s nose, another’s hair, and a third person’s optimism to create a character.

In terms of the storylines, they come straight from my imagination, though often a spark of something in real life will kick them off. As a child I was accused of lying because I rarely saw a situation that I could not embellish – now I get to call that fiction writing.

RG: How was it to get a publishing deal from Penguin for UK?


It was wonderful! My agent here in London is superb and worked very hard to get Single in the City in front of the right editors at all of the big publishers. My editor at Penguin (Lydia Newhouse) fell in love with the book and made an offer within 48 hours, which is very fast. I had a great experience with Penguin, from the acquisition right through to the distribution and marketing.

RG: Can you give writers some tips on how they can pull in big publishers and a nifty deal for their book?


It’s all about timing. You’ve got to have the right “product” in front of the right editor at the right time in the market. The book has to be as perfect as you can make it before you submit to publishers, because you’re only going to get one chance to get it read by the editor. The editor has to be looking to acquire new books and she’s got to love your writing style and clearly see how your book can be successfully marketed (this is where an excellent cover letter is necessary). And it’s got to be the right time in the market for your genre and story.

In some ways it’s a numbers game. My advice is to keep at it, don’t let rejections stop you because all of the things I just mentioned have to be right for a book to be acquired. Often a rejection isn’t a judgment about your book’s quality, it’s because of one of the other factors. And in terms of the big publishers, a good agent is usually necessary.

RG: What role do you think a good agent can play in making right decisions about marketing/publishing of a book?

A good agent is your writing partner. Her role goes way beyond just putting your book in front of publishers. For example, my agent and I make decisions together about what I write next, and how my stories develop. This is because she’s got the commercial perspective and I have the creative one (although she’s creative too and is instrumental in helping me develop storylines).

My advice to all aspiring writers is to get a good agent. And by ‘good’ I mean one who loves your writing and believes in it, who will help you develop your writing and your career, and one who you can see yourself being with for the rest of your writing life. It’s a lot like a good marriage!

RG: Why did you decide to self-publish your book in US?


"Single in the City" was a best seller in the UK, with much thanks to Penguin’s excellent sales and marketing teams. I thought that the story, about an American moving to London would be an easy sell to a US publisher. But the publishers we approached didn’t think that American chick lit fans would ‘get’ the humour because the book was set outside the US. I disagreed with this judgment, which I saw as much about American chick lit fans as about the book. Trying to fit into a new situation, and the cringe worthy humour that entails, is something we’ve all faced. So my agent and I decided to self-publish in the US, to bring the book to American chick lit fans.

RG: Do you have any upcoming books/projects? Will it be chick lit or some other genre?


I’m glad you asked, because I’m very excited about the next project! Without spoiling "Single in the City" for those who haven’t yet read it, I’ll be writing a follow up to Hannah’s adventures. But the really exciting part is that I’m asking readers to help me. I want to write an interactive book in which readers get to help decide where storylines go and how characters develop.

I want to connect with as many readers as possible, so I am asking everyone to send me a facebook request (www.facebook.com/michele.gorman3) or get in touch on twitter (@expatdiaries) or through my website (www.michelegorman.co.uk) because in the next few months I’ll start posting parts of the sequel as I write it and ask readers for feedback. I hope everyone will join me!

RG: List 5 suggestions/writing tips for those who want to venture into writing fiction.


Be able to summarize your book in a sentence. This is the 30-second pitch and if you want to get published, you’ll be asked for this over and over.

Start writing the synopsis before you write the book, and develop it as the book develops. We all hate doing this, so you are not alone, but like the 30 second pitch, it is necessary to publish and if you don’t do it you could write a book with no storyline. This sounds implausible but believe me it happens. I know because I did it with my first book. Important lesson learned!

Have fully-formed characters that the readers care about – they can love them or hate them, but they must care what happens to them and wonder whether it will all turn out okay in the end. Dramatic tension is critical, even in light and fun chick lit.

Write even when you do not feel like it. It is better to have 500 words that aren’t great (you can always edit) than to stare at a blank page.

Let others read your work before sending it to agents/publishers. As writers, we are very close to our books, often too close. An outside perspective will help you see where the story is weak so that you can fix it.

RG: Do you think that book blogs play a vital role in getting the books across to readers?

Absolutely – blogs are the book-loving friends who help us decide what to read next.

RG: Printed books vs. E-books. What’s your take on this?


There is a market for both. Despite having just launched “Single in the City” as an eBook in the US, I do not yet have an eReader! I like paper books, although I see a Kindle in my near future. The rise of the eBook market has allowed self-publishing to take off, and that is a very good thing because it gets lots more books out to people who may like to read them. This is where blogs are important too – with all the books now being published, they can help point to books that might otherwise get lost in the crowd.

RG: How do you balance your family life and your writing commitments?

Around 9 years ago (after writing my first book… with no storyline) I decided that if I wanted to be a writer I needed to devote some work days to it, so I went part-time at my job. I still work 3 days a week for a company, and write 2 days a week. This makes it (relatively) easy to balance writing and social time, because I see writing as a 9-5 job. It just happens to be a job that I love.

RG: Among other author’s books, any character that you could relate to and you will always remember? What was the character about and how could you relate to it?


Those are two different questions! I relate to the characters that India Knight creates. She creates accessible characters with a constantly running internal dialog. I usually have an internal conversation going on about what I am doing or seeing, so I relate to this. But I’ll always remember John Irving’s characters. They are weird and complex and stick in your mind. Owen Meany and Garp are two such characters.

RG: I believe that there are only two categories of books: good books and bad books. In your opinion, what are the qualities of a “good book”?

I agree, and that judgment is so individual! To me a good book is one that serves its purpose. If you want a book for escapism then fast-paced funny chick lit often does it, or a thriller if that’s your thing. If you want to be informed then maybe it’ll be a biography. For a book that makes you think then weightier women’s fiction or literary fiction might do the trick.

In all cases though, a good book pulls the reader along, has well-formed characters and is one that is remembered long after you finish it.

Now, time for some fun questions:

RG: Share with us your favourite childhood memory.


Teaching my best friend, Jim, to ice skate using his mother’s skates stuffed with newspapers, so that he could play hockey with the older boys without getting laughed at.

RG: Tell us about the craziest thing you ever did in your life.

Deciding after a weekend’s visit to Chicago to quit my job in Hartford and convince my friend (and her 3 cats) to move with me, though I had no job there. We rented a 35 foot UHaul truck, loaded it (in NYC during rush hour) with our worldly belongings including a piano, her car and the aforementioned cats, and drove through the night to Chicago.

RG: How do you relax when you have free time?


I spend free time with my boyfriend and friends, cooking lovely meals (I’m a big food fan!) or seeing films, theatre, exhibits, having walks or little cycle rides, going to the pub. The nice thing about London is that you can do anything you want here.

RG: After coming from US, you have lived in UK for a long time now...which one is ultimate fun place for a single girl: US or UK?

I think the question needs to be narrowed to cities rather than countries. London is wonderful although you have to get used to the fact that English men rarely approach you (this is a cultural difference), so in terms of meeting people, cities in the US are a bit easier.

RG: Complete these sentences:

· Romance is... elusive, but wonderful when you find it

· Life is... about enjoying all that you have and not worrying too much about what you don’t

· Chick lit is... very fun to write and hopefully fun to read!

RG: Thank you for your interview. It was a pleasure having you on my blog. Wish you all the best for your book. 

About the Author:

Michele is the best-selling author of “Single in the City”, launched by Penguin in the UK in 2010. In October 2011 she self-published the book in the US, after American publishers judged that chick lit fans here wouldn’t ‘get’ the humour in a book set outside US borders.


To know more about her and her writing, visit her website:  http://www.michelegorman.co.uk/Welcome.html

About the Book:

It's official. Hannah has left her friends and family in the US behind and is following her dream. To live in London. Unfortunately she's completely unprepared for what's in store.

She's going to find:

1. Her dream guy. A prince or Hugh Grant would be nice. Or does she have to settle for her half-naked Australian housemate or an "English gentleman" with terrible hygiene habits?
2. Her dream job. Something fantastic in fashion. So how has she ended up being the mini-me for an evil party planner who doesn't even trust her to arrange the paperclips?
3. Her dream friends. But everyone in London seems to have known each other for years and Hannah's having trouble getting to know nice people. Who's she going to have fun with?

Dream life? Should Hannah just dream on? Maybe it would have been simpler and cheaper to just get a new haircut. Was she mad to move 3,000 miles away from everyone she knows? Will she ever find love and her perfect life in England? (Blurb Courtesy: Amazon.com)

To purchase Single in the City, click on the links given below:


Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/Single-in-the-City-ebook/dp/B005Y11DAQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1319563224&sr=8-1


Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Single-City-Michele-Gorman/dp/0141048263/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1321908918&sr=1-1


Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/single-in-the-city-michele-gorman/1106848799?ean=2940013291126&itm=1&usri=michele%2bgorman

Discussion Topic: 

Do you love to read chick-lit books? If yes, who have been your all-time favourite chick-lit writer / writers? There can be many writers which you enjoy but answer this: Which is your all-time favourite chick-lit book? Why do you like it so much; is it because of the story or the main character? Feel free to share your thoughts on these questions in the comment section below.

Christmas Special: Book Review: It Started With A Kiss

My gorgeous copy - on my bed-side table!

Book: It Started With A Kiss 

Genre: Chick Lit / Romantic Comedy/ Contemporary Fiction 

Author: Miranda Dickinson 

Cover Critique:

The cover looks fabulous, definitely one of my favourite covers of this year! With little twinkling stars on the pink and white background, the packaging has a magical feel to it, just like the story inside! I LOVE it!

Book Blurb:

From the author that gave you the Sunday Times top 10 selling title, “Fairytale of New York”, join our heroine Romily as she discovers how far she will go to find the man of her dreams.

As the singer in a wedding band, Romily Parker has seen her fair share of happy endings, even though her own love life isn't quite as simple.

On the last Saturday before Christmas, (shortly after disastrously declaring her love for best friend Charlie), Romily has a brief encounter with a handsome stranger whose heart-stopping kiss changes everything.

Determined to find him again, Romily embarks on a yearlong quest, helped (and sometimes hindered) by enthusiastic Uncle Dudley, cake-making Auntie Mags and flamboyant Wren. Will she find the man of her dreams? Or could true love be closer than she thinks?

Review:

While browsing for books to read in the wintry Christmas time, I saw this book in WHSmith, as the pretty cover and the title grabbed my attention, I picked it up to get a glance of what’s inside. There and then, ignoring the other shopkeepers looking at me, I found myself totally enveloped by the story as I read the first two chapters standing in front of the book shelf. Unfortunately, it was closing time and I could not get to the billing queue.

Anyways, I came home and desperate to read the rest, ordered it from Amazon. The moment it came, I curled up with the book and finished it in one sitting! Before you hear my final verdict, let me give you a glimpse of how it begins.

The story starts with Romily confessing love to her long time best friend, Charlie. To the heroine’s dismay, the guy does not take it the way she thought he would, when he tells her that he does not feel the same way. Feeling utterly embarrassed and humiliated, she runs away from him. While riding on this emotional “high tide”, she bumps into a Christmas Stall in the market area.


But something wonderful just happens; a mysterious passer-by (who happens to be a very handsome looking fella!) ends up kissing her in the next few moments. Shocked and surprised by this sudden acknowledgement of her “beauty” by a stranger, Romily finds herself “clean-bowled” by that guy’s charm! (Yes, we are talking about the same girl who had strong feelings for another guy only a few minutes ago! Strange, right?) But as they say, “love is blind”. So let’s not be so judgemental here and cut her some slack!

The book has got a superb storyline and I think that there could not have been a better beginning than the way Miranda (the author) wrote it. Her witty overtures and interesting narrative is brilliant! It made me want to know what will happen next? Will she long for Charlie or will she keep on going in her quest to find that “phantom kisser”?


The author throws in the rest of the cast to help Romily in her search for the “mystery man”. It includes her BFF, Wren, her Uncle Dudley and Aunt Mags, and the rest of her wedding band members, Jack, Tom and Soph.

I especially loved the character of Wren. She is always supportive, caring, makes fast decisions and most of all, cracked me up with her jokes and one-liners! She is like a “genie” from a bottle who knows how to get things done and solve problems. The author beautifully highlighted the importance of having great friends through Wren’s character.

All the supporting characters are well-sketched and brilliantly portrayed by the author. While I enjoyed the gigs and events by the band, “The Pinstripes”, I think that they covered a lot more space in the book than was required as they did not do much to progress the story. Some events were not of any significance to the main plot. The middle of the book could have benefited with some editing to save it from getting repetitive.

Other than that, I liked the idea of using blog posts, facebooking and getting an article published about her hunt, to give the story a modern and fresh approach. My favorite part in the book would be when Romily places an ad and a crazy guy named “Sebastian” responds. The situation gets so funny when he turns up at the meeting place and tries to convince her that he is the same guy she is looking for.


The ending took me by surprise and was a perfect way to finish the story. Overall, an enjoyable read for Christmas. Though, the book can be read any time of the year as it does not carry the theme of Christmas throughout the story. But nonetheless, it has lots of romance, comedy and magical moments to keep you entertained. It made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. If you loved movies like “While you were sleeping” and “Serendipity”, then you will definitely love this book!


Review Girl Rating: 9/10

To buy this book on Amazon, click here.

To know about the author, visit Miranda's website here.

Hope you enjoyed my "Christmas Special" book review. Please leave your comments to let me know which books you are loving this Christmas and which ones are on your "to-read" list for 2012.

To read my previous "Christmas Special" book review, click here. 

To take part in the third installment of "Holiday Season Giveaways", click here.

Happy Holidays everyone! 

Christmas Special: Book Review: The Night Before Christmas

Book: The Night Before Christmas 

Genre: Chick Lit / Romantic Comedy/ Contemporary Fiction 

Author: Scarlett Bailey 

Cover Critique:

Oh! I love the fuchsia coloured glittering Christmas tree on the cover! So festive, so attractive and visually delightful! I was browsing for Christmas books on Amazon and I just couldn’t resist such a pretty looking book which promised a Christmas setting. It was as if it was calling out to me, buy me! And I instantly did! Feast your eyes on my gorgeous copy shown above with my pink netbook, cute...right? *smiles*

Book Blurb:

"All Lydia's ever wanted is a perfect Christmas...

So when her oldest friends invite her to spend the holidays with them, it seems like a dream come true. She's been promised log fires, roasted chestnuts, her own weight in mince pies - all in a setting that looks like something out of a Christmas card.

But her winter wonderland is ruined when she finds herself snowed in with her current boyfriend, her old flame and a hunky stranger. Well, three (wise) men is traditional at this time of year..."

Review:

As soon as the book reached my doorstep, I was too eager to read it so I made myself cosy on the sofa by the fireside, with a hot cuppa tea and tugged into it. The book drew me straight in with its perfect opening.

In prologue, Lydia Grant finds the engagement ring in her boyfriend’s sock drawer, surprised and excited as she gets, it also becomes a question for her to decide whether she is actually in love with her present boyfriend Stephen or just fiddling around with the idea of “love” as shown in her favourite Hollywood romances.

We come to know that Lydia longs for the perfect Christmas, but unfortunately, she has never experienced it because of growing up in a blended family where nothing was ever close to perfect. This Christmas, she is invited by her closest friend, Katy (who runs a B&B) along with Lydia’s other BFFs Joanna and Alex to have some good time together though her current boyfriend does not really like the very idea of it. He wants to spend this Christmas alone with her, to surprise her with his proposal but it seems that Lydia wants to avoid it until she finds the right answer to it.

As they reach Katy’s guest house, Lydia feels that this is going to be her best Christmas as they are welcomed by the cosy decor of the hotel and the most spectacular Lakeview room but that feeling does not stay for long! She is soon greeted by her previous lover, Jake, with whom she had a heated romance until he disappeared one day in thin air. Guess what? He is dating her best friend Joanna but that is not all. To make things worse, enters Will, a handyman who is as inviting and delicious as "the mince pie"! Read the book to find out will Lydia get her “happy ever after” and a perfect Christmas or not.

The book is a wonderful surprise package from Scarlett as this is her first novel. With Christmas setting and theme, which runs throughout the story, I think Scarlett has created an unusual Christmas recipe (I mean book), blended beautifully with the wide array of supporting cast which also includes three tempting men and irresistible kissing scenes (which are a lot!). It is like a fiery hot romantic treat on a cold winter night!


I particularly liked the character of Lydia, because she is not a typical chick lit heroine – all nice and sweet. She is immature and superficial, who behaves like slut at times, but she is trying to find her inner self and learning about priorities in life, career and relationships. I also liked the character of Jake, whose image changes from being the mysterious and sexy playboy to the ideal marriage material.


The author has created well-rounded, believable characters with flaws and pitfalls that grow and mature with the development of the story. The story itself kept me engrossed and turning pages. I was not only curious to know who Lydia will end up with but also the fate of Stephen and Jake.


From beginning till the end, the advancement of the story is fast-paced and flows smoothly from one scene to another leading to a pleasing climax resolution. I loved author’s writing style using crisp dialogues to create sexual tension and enhanced descriptions for visual imagery. Well done Scarlett for a remarkable debut!


If you like books with Chrismassy feel, then grab this book for sure! Along with high dosage of sizzling romance, this book has all the ingredients to turn into a Hollywood blockbuster! Highly recommended!

Review Girl Rating: 10/10

To buy this book on Amazon, click here. 

Hope you enjoyed my "Christmas Special" book review. 
This is one of my favourite Christmas reads, which one is yours?

Book Review: Wedlocked

Book: Wedlocked

Genre: Chick Lit / Contemporary Fiction / Women's Fiction

Author: Bonnie Trachtenberg

Cover Critique:

The cover of the book is so funny. The couple wearing handcuffs on wedding day perfectly fits the title and theme of the book. Since pink and aqua are both my favourite colours, I love it.

Review:

When we say, “Relationships are complicated”, we are usually thinking of either love relationships ending in marriage/divorce or lasting friendships getting sour. But there are other relationships which are as strong and sometimes full of complications. We do not choose them, we are born tied to them. Yes, I am talking about parent-child relationship, which has its turns and twists especially when children grow up and want to make their own life decisions, sometimes parents are so imposing or dominating or just too over-protective to let go of things and face the fact that their children are adults and should be given space and understanding, even confidence to make important decisions of their life such as: which career to choose Or who should be their life-partner. They think that just because they have given birth to them, it is their right to control their lives forever! I am not saying that all parents behave that way, but some do! I see some of you can relate to what I am saying. 

This book explores such a chaotic relationship between a mother and a daughter (the main protagonist of this story). Rebecca is a 30 plus woman who wants to try her luck in Hollywood. One of her great passions is to become an actress but her mother strongly disapproves of this because she belongs to a traditional family who find it against their ethics and morals. Nonetheless, she follows her interest but partly as a revolt to her mother’s decision. She feels suppressed and longs for her mother to back her up in her career move but nothing of that sort happens, rather this issue causes them to drift apart as they end up hardly speaking to each other for a year.

While things remain topsy-turvy between the two, she keeps struggling for her dream role by working as a part-time waitress and looking for that golden chance to make her a star. Her (failing) attempts end up in depression and she starts seeing a psychologist who makes her realize that she is doing things half-heartedly and out of grudge for her mother, not because of her passion. Find out whether her dream of starring a big role gets true or not. Most of all, does she manage to patch up things with her mother or things go insane after that.

Besides her acting career, there is another typhoon going in her life, her wedding with the wrong guy, Craig which follows another roller-coaster ride, full of (mis)adventures and mishaps. It gets quite ballistic at the end but then the author finally manages to pull all strings together which saves it from getting off the rail. The story gets interesting when she gets away from that “psycho”, lands up in the arms of a flirtatious movie director whose charm makes her blind – well, “love is blind” so not much of her fault. But is he “The One”? or is there someone else waiting to be discovered by her. Read the book to figure out who is her “true love” and does she get to have a “happy ever after”.

I managed to read this book in just two sittings as I found the plot and the storyline well-drafted and well-executed though there were a few clichés and hitches here and there but overall, the whole thing turned out just fine. The author narrates it in a hefty fashion in the start but after a few chapters when you are totally engrossed in the story, you get used to it. In the middle, it gets better as the writer gets hold of her initial inertia and gets in the groove. Since this is Bonnie’s first novel, I would say it is a good attempt though there is always room for improvement. The few tweaks in writing style (such as more use of smart dialogues and keeping the pace of the story even from beginning to end) need to be taken care of, to keep the readers at the edge of their seats.

The book is easy-to-read as it is not overloaded with characters or viewpoints. It is written in first person POV. The secondary characters such as those of Rebecca’s sisters, her parents, her boyfriends and even of her best friend and therapist, Karen is sketched nicely. They all provide a direction to the story. I really liked how the character of Craig was shown, in spite of his weaknesses and craziness, it was not all-evil. The author kept it genuine and believable. I also loved the main character of Rebecca who goes through a lot of upheavals and learns to survive and make right decisions for herself. Even when she is vulnerable, she is smart and it shows the strength of her character.

The book is written from a mature perspective. It is engaging and heart-warming while making you learn a thing or two about practical life. I can see that Bonnie has put her heart into it and surely does not disappoint the reader/critic in me. I hope that her next endeavour will turn out to be more exciting than this one. All the best, Bonnie!

Review Girl Rating: 8/10

“I would like to thank Bonnie Trachtenberg for sending me a free paperback of her book, Wedlocked for the purpose of reviewing it on my blog. To buy this book on Amazon, click here. You can also buy this book direct from her website, by clicking here.” 

Book Review: Beatrice Munson

Book: Beatrice Munson

Genre: Chick Lit / Contemporary Fiction / Women’s Fiction

Author: Lorena Bathey

Cover Critique:

The cover is quite simple and gives an impression of a hand-made drawing. Though it makes sense after reading the story, it definitely has room for improvement. I like the whole concept but maybe bright colors would have made it more attractive and eye-catching.

Review:

This is a story about Marissa Lyons, a divorced woman in her forties with two kids, which made me think that why is the book named after some other character? Well, I found out soon as we get introduced to Beatrice in the first chapter. In the opening scene, we see Marissa spying on one of her neighbours who have just moved in. This peculiar neighbour is, Beatrice Munson: smart, beautiful blonde and her high-school arch enemy. Why she hates Beatrice so much? Because in high-school, she had a crush on this cute guy named Jeffery, but he chose to date Beatrice instead of her. Hang on, let me tell you that it was not Beatrice’s fault, nor was she “mean” to our "insecure" heroine in any way.

Anyways, let’s move on to what happens next. Years later, she still holds that grudge against Beatrice and fears that she will steal every one’s attention due to her impressive personality and beautiful looks. With those negative thoughts and just a smidgen of self-esteem, she bakes some delicious cupcakes (her mom’s favourite recipe) which is just a great excuse to meet her and find out why she has landed in her neighbourhood and more importantly, in her life again.

Soon, we are surprised to see that Marissa has not only forgotten about her hatred, she is also totally captivated by Beatrice’s charm. Looks like, Beatrice has moved her magic wand and Marissa is under the spell as she finds her an epitome of all-good. Is that because Beatrice’s crazy, adventurous and exciting life, makes her feel small in front of her? Does she envy her for being so passionate and daring and wishes secretly that she could be like her and follow her dreams? Read the book to find out!

This book sucked me right in with its warmth, passion and high dosage of good humour, along with ample twists and turns to keep me hooked from first chapter till the very last pages. The characters are drawn in such a way that you feel like they are part of your neighbourhood and like your friends with whom you can share your secrets and feel comfortable. In spite of their faults, they are well-rounded, realistic, relatable and extremely adorable.

The writer has kept a very candid and frank style throughout the story which made me feel as if I was reading someone’s private diary, written without inhibitions and with utter honesty. Though this book is Lorena’s first novel, she is successful in involving the reader into her fictional world of memorable characters so much that the readers lose track of the real world around them. I think this speaks volume of her calibre as a writer.

The book is aptly named after Beatrice whose character is like some sort of “guru” or a “revolutionary spiritual leader” who has the power to convince people and bring a positive change in their lives. She makes things "happen" rather than just sitting and dreaming about them. She infuses this spirit in the whole neighbourhood with her presence and ideas.

There is Marissa, who lacks confidence and guts. She does not want to take charge of her life but soon, she finds herself acting on her long-lost passion of photography by opening a studio and joining a newspaper as a journalist. Soon, all the ladies of Vista Heights: Andrea, Lily, Deidre get spontaneous and the whole neighbourhood catches “Beatrice fever”. They start embracing opportunities lying in front of them, thus explore and widen their horizon.

The book is a joy-ride full of excitement and nervous energy. It reminded me of Katy Perry’s upbeat song, “Firework”! There is lot of activity going on, which keeps the story fast-paced. It also delves into the various aspects of divorce, marriage, flirtations, friendships and much more but in such a way that it does not burden the reader; instead it is heart-warming and enlightening. There are laugh-out-loud funny scenes, especially the one with drag queen parties. I was stumped by Lola Rau’s character and wanted to read more and more of her. There is a lot of mention of yummy food, which made me hungry, looks like Lorena is fond of tasty treats! *smiles*

Apart from fun surprises, there is also a rape scene. But it has been written in a very mature way and it did not make me gag, so I think the writer pulled it off neatly.  I loved this book as the story reached a satisfying climax and gave many underlying messages as well. Well done Lorena! I would love to read more of Lorena’s work in future too. Highly recommended!

Review Girl Rating: 9.5/10

“I would like to thank Lorena Bathey for sending me a free copy of her book, Beatrice Munson for the purpose of reviewing it on my blog. To buy this book on Amazon, click here. You can also buy this book from her website, by clicking here.” 

Book Review: With Just One Click

Book: With Just One Click

Genre: Chick Lit / Contemporary Fiction / Women’s Fiction

Author: Amanda Strong

Cover Critique:

The cover is brilliantly designed. By looking at its cover, one can easily tell that the novel revolves around relationships influenced in one way or the other by online social networking sites. The blue background is used to link it to Facebook’s signature colour. I love it!

Review:

The book deals with the “relationship issues” of three women, whose lives change dramatically due to their connections on Facebook. First is Chloe, a thirty-one year old movie reviewer who works for some entertainment magazine. The novel opens with Chloe dealing with her latest break-up, who joins Facebook on her friend’s insistence. Reason to join: To get over her recent break-up. Soon, she finds that her first love Kyle wants to add her as a friend on Facebook. The writer goes in flashback to tell us how they were a perfect teenage couple when due to certain circumstances, they grew apart. Now, will their relationship work this time? Does it have a chance to grow into something mature and meaningful than just a teenage crush? Will it help Chloe re-adjust the priorities in her life?

Second is Morgan, married woman, in her early thirties who joins Facebook to get a break from her housework routine, which involves managing the two little kids, Ashley and Tony. Yes, she is a stay-at-home mum who loves to spy over her friends’ lives through Facebook and finds it a lot of fun. She even starts to spy on her hubby’s Facebook account and that is where a rift comes in their otherwise happy marriage. Apparently, she thinks that her husband has befriended his ex-girlfriend and something fishy is going on behind her back. Is she true in her assumptions? Or Is she ‘paranoid’ and ‘obsessed’, as her husband EJ likes to put it?

Wait a minute, before we find out more, there is a third leading lady of this novel. So let me introduce her. Her name is Brynn. She lives with her husband Chad and two teenage kids, Hailey and Finn. From the start, she seems to have lost interest in her husband (though she thinks it’s the other way around), vying for attention and to fill the vacuum in her so-called empty life, she tries to kill her isolation through Facebook and finds her love from the past, Timothy. Soon, the reader sees how she wrecks her happy family life and welcomes Timothy’s advances with open arms. Rekindling old passion leads to some ugly decisions. Is she right in finding her ‘own’ happiness at the cost of ruining her kids and husband’s life? Is she plain selfish and mean, who will go to any lengths to re-do her past and spoil her present?

The book unfolds the lives of Chloe, Morgan and Brynn in each chapter to reveal what happens next when these women enter the world of Facebook and how this social networking site is merely a "catalyst" and a "tool" which affects their relationships and their life-turning decisions.

When I read the starting chapters, I felt that the book has a wonderful premise and it would be interesting to see it develop and shape into a full-blown exciting story. Sadly enough, I was wrong.

First of all, each chapter is told in three small chapters subscribed to three leading ladies, which confused me a lot. I had to go back and forth many times, to keep track of the developments happening in each lady’s life. It is like having three protagonists in one novel, each telling their story and that too in first-person POV. I think it would have been better if the writer focused on one story instead of developing three stories simultaneously. In my humble opinion, it could have been put into three novellas separately instead of one lengthy complicated book.

There are lots of secondary characters, from Blonde Bianca to gay Bryan, also there is ample room given to Morgan’s supporting cast, and then there is the most sensible character of Ivette who plays the role of Brynn’s friend. While I felt that the supporting cast of Chloe and Morgan consisted of predictable characters, the character of Ivette presented a breath of fresh air.

There are sub-plots, for example, Morgan’s preparation for mini-triathlon which felt like dragging the story to a halt, as it did not do anything to progress the story, rather presented a distraction. The situations like Hailey’s broken leg, Chad’s last kiss, Timothy’s outbursts had the potential to develop into something, but it seemed that the writer picked up so many threads and failed to weave them together in a page-turning climax.

The reader can easily figure out that Chloe’s story deals with the problems of long-distance relationship, her over-emotional behaviour and her desperate boyfriend trying to get hold of her, while she keeps busy with her career and her gay friend’s life. Her story is interesting but predictable.

With every passing chapter, Morgan’s jealousy goes to annoy and irritate not only her husband but the reader as well. Brynn’s story is more like a fling which goes beyond control and ultimately brings a crack in her marriage and her relationship with her kids. The reader sees her as an emotionally unstable woman who is full of self-pity and loves to blame others for her wrong actions. No matter how much I wanted to love the characters, I ended up disliking them, except for Kyle and Chad’s character.

While I would not say that this book is all-bad, it surely has some loopholes in its craft, for example, the slow pace and an abrupt ending. It also lacks growth in terms of character-development. With 350 pages to read, the story could have been chopped at places to save it from getting dull at the end. Overall, I think it is a good effort considering this is Amanda’s first book. Hopefully, her future endeavours will offer much improved version of her writing skills.

Review Girl Rating: 6/10

I would like to thank the author Amanda Strong for sending me a free copy of her book, “With Just One Click” for the purpose of reviewing it on my blog. To buy this book on Amazon, click here. 

I would also like to thank Samantha of Chicklitplus.com who gave me the opportunity to be part of her amazing CLP Blog Tour. To visit other blogs taking part in this tour, click here. 

Coming soon: Author Interview: Amanda Strong

Book Review: Size Eight in a Size Zero World

Book: Size Eight in a Size Zero World

Genre: Chick Lit/ Contemporary Fiction/ Women’s Fiction


Author: Meredith Cagen


Cover Critique:
The cover is so stylish. With fashionable ladies gracing the cover, it perfectly matches the women-centric theme set in the backdrop of posh NYC. Very apt and convincing! It has got this "Ooo la la" factor and I like it!


Review: 

This is a story of a thirty-something married working woman, Lindsay Chandler. She lives on the Upper East Side of New York, in a posh apartment, with two school going children (Kristen and Jake) and her husband, Grant. To complete this picture perfect family, they have a dog as well, named Digby. But the truth is that her life is not as perfect as it looks. Being a misfit among the trophy wives of rich men, she yearns for a life of meaning and a burning desire to fill the vacuum inside her. We see that her relationship with her husband is as chaotic as it can get and we learn that she is extremely unhappy and craves for her husband’s care, love and attention.

On the other hand, her husband does not only have a “don’t give a damn” attitude towards her and kids but is also filled with egotistical male-chauvinistic demands, which he expects (rather orders) Lindsay to fulfil. Lindsay not only performs all household chores but also her job, which do keep her occupied but not enough to fill the emptiness in her married life. When she encounters a handsome bachelor (addressed in the novel as, “The Man Upstairs”) living in the building, she starts to fall for his physical charm, much like a “desperate wife” hungry for attention. An extra-marital affair starts and the reader is taken on a whirlwind of relationship problems, lust, love, temptations, social taboos and a journey of self-discovery for Lindsay.

If you are thinking that it is just another chick lit with a non-serious, superficial story, then you are wrong. The story can be read on many levels. The title serves double meaning: apparent and underlying. The apparent meaning is of course about the physical appearance of Lindsay which does not match the Upper East Side ladies who are thin, one-dimensional and blonde. But underlying meaning would be that she is like an outsider; a misfit in the shallow world of trophy wives.

The novel beautifully narrates the story of a woman who wants to re-invent herself and her failing marriage gives her the golden opportunity to analyse her self-worth and potential. On this journey of self-discovery, with the support of her friends, she finally comes to understand the complicated world of adult relationships and masked personalities which make her realise that she was living in a world of illusions and day-dreams.

The novel is written from the point of view of female protagonist and the opening chapters are filled with her constant whining about house chores, her husband’s indifference to her needs and her wish to land on a better job profile. While Lindsay’s complaints irritated me a little, they did not put me off at all. On the contrary, the novel hooked me from the beginning and made me want to know how her character develops and grows in the coming chapters. As the dilemma of Lindsay’s marital life is laid in front of the reader from the start, the theme of the novel gets wide and clear with all its complexities that are sure to follow.

The writer keeps the chapters short yet meaningful as we witness a whole lot of activity going on from first chapter till the last. So, as the pace does not slow down at any point of the story, it keeps the reader totally absorbed. Half-way through the story, I was so much engrossed in Lindsay’s character, that I could feel and imagine what she was going through in her life. In spite of its mature and complex story line, the writer does not digress from the plot, which is extremely remarkable!

There is also a lot of thought put into the secondary characters. There is quirky Jodee (her friend who is more like her sister), sex-expert Tanya (who is her best friend and a great aunt to her kids), helpful guy Ryan, smart kids, her compulsive mother and a very loud father. While the character of “The Man Upstairs” is complete and original and other characters are also believable, surprisingly the character of Grant is the epitome of all-bad, so much so that it looks fake and plastic! Since the story is told from first person’s POV and the readers see characters from Lindsay’s eye, it is justified to an extent. Overall, it is a smartly written book.

The ending of the book is bound to make you happy, but I will not spoil it for you. Read to find out what she decides for her future life. I will recommend it to all, especially working mothers and housewives who can empathise and maybe even learn something from Lindsay’s story. The readers get a glimpse of modern lifestyle and the changing rules of marital relationships in this social satire. A well-rounded novel which is worth a read!


Review Girl Rating: 8/10

“I would like to thank Meredith Cagen for sending me a free copy of her book, “Size Eight in a Size Zero World” for the purpose of reviewing it on my blog. To know the review rules and policy, click here. To buy this book on Amazon, click here.”

Book Review: Seattle Girl

Book: Seattle Girl

Genre: Chick Lit/ YA Fiction/ Romance

Author: Lucy Kevin

Cover critique:

The cover holds your attention in a second with its striking colours, contrasting black and white on a sharp blue background. The girl on the cover standing in stylish clothes holding a purple umbrella and a matching purse, displaying a lot of attitude in her body language and posture, works very well with the title of the book, “Seattle girl”. I simply love the cover! It is very appealing and eye-catching!

Review:

The story revolves around Georgia Fulton who has lots of dreams and aspirations as usual like any other youngster of her age. She is an ambitious, feisty and smart lady who wants to host her own radio show one day and make a career out of it. As they say, nothing comes easy in life; so she goes through many rough patches, like doing unpaid internships and working as a part-time cocktail waitress at a bar, to keep struggling and hoping that one day she will make it to the finish line and cross all barriers on this bumpy road of life! As Georgia says,

“I hate to admit this, but I wanted to get on the air so bad that I pretty much wished and prayed for the other DJs to get sick.....Anything to get to sit in the driver’s seat. Anything to live my dream."

While on her way to become a future “Seattle Girl” (the name of her own radio show), she encounters many men, who make her learn one thing or the other about adult relationships, dating pitfalls, the meaning of real love, pure lust and even herself! On the plus side, she has got the help of her loyal best friends, Diane (sexy blonde) and Seth (desperate gay) who stick by her side always. Well, I would not spoil it for you, so read it to find out how she deals with crazy, strange, embarrassing and even risky situations to become a woman with an identity of her own.

From the beginning till the end, the progression of the story is fast-paced, racing from one situation to another. The chapters are short and you keep turning pages to know what and who will Georgia confront now. The story is told from the perspective of the female protagonist and the writer makes good use of dialogues and witty lines to communicate the character of Georgia to the readers. She (the writer) hardly takes help from long and boring descriptions and keeps it more direct and personal all along. The secondary characters of Seth and Diane are also well-developed and save the story from getting dull and boring at times. The writer uses several pop culture and popular chick flick references to keep it current and trendy. The plot is quite predictable and one can easily figure out after reading first two chapters that with which guy she will finally end up (well, she dates like six guys to be sure!). The novel qualifies as a perfect beach read, with not much twists and turns to follow.

While the book slightly touches on the topic of generation gap, parent-child relationship, peer pressure and other general issues which a youngster goes through in his/her life, the novel fails to offer more in terms of plot development and a profound story with meaningful conflict leading to climax. I did not like that the book relied heavily on provocative sexual instances and harsh swearing and focused less on the romantic development between the hero and the heroine of the story.

The book uses a lot of American slang and obscene language as well as explicit situations like cage dance and exotic dance parties which came as a shock to me, because I am used to of chick lit books which use subtle hints of romance and comedy but have a great theme to keep the story intriguing, such as Katie Fforde’s “Highland Fling” or Jill Mansell’s “An offer you can’t refuse”.

The last chapters are abrupt as if the writer is short of time and rushing to end the story. I found the hero’s character half-heartedly sketched as it had the potential to be developed completely and left me wondering why the writer did not put a lot of work into it. Also, the book needs to be proof-read for several grammatical errors. Since it is Lucy’s earlier works and she has released three more novels (Falling Fast, Sparks Fly, Gabrielle) after “Seattle Girl”, I am hoping that they would offer much more improved work of her skills as a writer. Overall, the novel is a fine read.

Review Girl Rating: 7/10

"I would like to thank Lucy Kevin for sending me a free copy of her e-book, “Seattle Girl” for the purpose of reviewing it on my blog. To know the review rules and policy, click here. To buy this book, click here.” 

Other books by Lucy Kevin: