Chick lit at its best
349310
Couldn't put this book down. Funny and keeps you guessing until the end .A very enjoyable and easy read .Will be looking for more books by Kirsty Greenwood.
2864767
This is a charming chick lit novel that I thoroughly enjoyed! The characters are super sweet and life like (Ellie is a woman after my own heart), the setting is beautiful (a lovely castle in the countryside) and the plot is well thought out, original, and sweet. Having not read a chick lit in a while, I am so glad I jumped right into this one. It makes me want to continue reading this genre (as it has always been a top favorite) and find more books by the author.

The story is about a woman named Ellie who opens up a tearoom in a castle in order to turn a mundane life into a fun filled one doing what she loves. Her tearoom is filled with delicious baked goods, tea, and some nutty characters. I loved them all to pieces, even the old bat who seems to have an opinion about everything. The author does a marvelous job describing said baked goods and I felt hungry reading it! In fact, I could really go for a panini and cake right now Now, while love is the farthest thing from Ellies mind, she cant help the attraction she feels for her boss Joe. Joe is a bit of a hermit. He has been at the castle for a few years now and hasn't even had a chance to think about love, let alone find it in the most unexpected way. But when the two come together, dreams will become fulfilled in more ways than one.

All in all, I adored this book to pieces! Its the perfect blend of chick lit and romance. The storyline is sweet and charming just like the characters. The author has definitely worked some magic with this book. So much in fact that I wouldnt mind visiting a castle in the near future. If you enjoy chick lit novel, I highly recommend this read. Its really lovely and fun!
1266895
Having read most of Sophie Kinsellas Shopaholic series as well as several other books by this best selling author, I looked forward to a work of chick lit that is neither trite nor clich. I was rewarded with a story that contrasts the glamour of London with the authenticity of rural Somerset.  It presents characters with depth who react to their experiences with change and growth.

The first setting is a branding/advertising agency in London where difficult work relationships take center stage, as well as survival in a very expensive city. The second is a sheep farm that reinvents itself as a glamping (glamour camping) center. The main character, known as Cat in London and Katie on the family farm, tries to survive by straddling two worlds.  Katies complicated home life leads her to lie about her perfect London life, creating unintended consequences. Complications don't end there, however, as one already difficult boss seems to suffer from mental issues and another sets off romantic fireworks.

I know a book is good when I repeatedly succumb to the temptation of glancing at the opening paragraph of the next chapter. Once I have gotten that far, it is hard to put the book aside, and so it happens again and again. My Not So Perfect Life keeps luring the reader back just like that. As I read, I initially thought I could see a direct path to a happy ending, but Kinsella has lots of surprises in store before the tale reaches its conclusion.

I would like to extend my thanks to netgalley.com and to Random House (Dial Press) for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
79741
You'll like this book.  Bex can find an excuse to buy anything and it's hilarious! She takes it to the n th degree - much more than I think most of us do - but it's fun to read. As soon as I finished this one, I picked up Shopaholic Takes on Manhattan. I'm already dying to read the next one. I'm so thrilled to have found out about this fun series!

One more thing. What I think was so refreshing about this "Chick lit" novel is that for once, it did not revolve around men or boyfriends or trying to get married. Those are all fun topics, and there are lots of great books out there on them, but for once, this wasn't the driving force in the book - or even in the next one, when she does have a boyfriend. There is a good balance.
1431170
I plead guilty to judging a book by its cover! When I saw that this book was available, it did not include a capsule review to tell me what it was about.  I just happened to love the cover photo and selected it.

Yes, there's a dog that plays a peripheral role in the book, but this is your typical chick lit book about a single woman looking for love and the frustrations she goes through in dating and meeting men.  What makes the story rather unique is that the main character, a Holly Frick, is - an author of chick lit herself.

The book is a light read with a decent sense of humor, great pacing and distinct characters (most on the likable side).  My only complaint is that it could have been a little steamier, but that might have impacted the appeal of the main character.

In short if you like this kind of genre (Bridget Jones, Sex in the City, etc.) you'll like this book.  If you are looking for something more, you might want to pass, but summer is coming.  It's perfect for reading poolside or on a cross-country flight.
2445431
I really liked this book! The concept of the writers life while writing a novel is fun and really draws you in. I loved the story within the story almost if not more then the actual story. The characters are hilarious, and show a silly playful side to life. Definitely chick-lit, a great book to read while in a hot bubble bath.
1680349
I have always avoided books said to be "chick lit". I think I always thought the term sounded prententious. Or perhaps I was turned off by the whimsical book covers. However, I picked this book up at a local paperback exchange because Amazon had listed its title in my recommendations. Amazon got it right. I loved this book to pieces.

The story of Minerva and Calvin is full of comedy and witty conversation. The character development was great. The characters, both major and minor, were vividly depicted. I really felt that I knew them.

The warmth and comedy is reminiscent of Susan Elizabeth Phillips, although Crusie's hero is not as masterful and stubborn as many of Phillips' are. Also, Crusie's heroine is more self-reliant than many of Phillips'.

The plot was sweet and fast paced. However, this does not mean that the main plot and its subplots did not recieve the attention they needed. In fact, at the end of the book, I was satisfied that all problems were sufficiently resolved and understood.

I recommend this book to anyone looking for a fun read. Do you like to laugh? Do you like books that you can't put down? Do you like heroines who are "real"? I think you should pick this book up today. (Then, you just may find yourself picking up another Crusie book - I did!)
2736567
This is a fun, cosy chick-lit .. exactly the type of book you need for a feel good factor.

Natalie goes to uni .. meets Gabe who instantly becomes her best friend and sticks with her through thick and thin during the story. Natalie spots Jackson and immediately lusts after him talking endlessly and totally losing all sense of reality. She had never been in love before but Jackson hit her like a lightening bolt . follow the love affair, then enter Liam and repeat process 

There is plenty going on .. we meet her parents, the boyfriends parents. Best friend Bella  the eccentric Margie in the wedding shop, Alissa her assistant .. all are well developed and add a certain something.

Im not sure if Natalie is just naive, overly romantic or downright stupid. She seemed to make one mistake after another and couldn't see what was blindingly obvious from the get go. Even though I wanted to shake her at times it was a fun book that took a rather convoluted route to reach an ending.
I liked the fact it was set in London but she also jetted off to LA a nice contrast. My favourite character by far was Gabe  he was such a decent, caring, patient guy!

Thanks to the author and Aimee@HelloChickLit for the opportunity to read in exchange for my honest opinion.
287436
I read this book for 8 hours straight last night. I only have a few chapters yet to go, but I'm telling you this book kept me laughing until 4:30 AM this morning when I forced myself to go to bed. The main character is incredibly outspoken, catty, and confident (which I can definitely relate to.) Her friends are so fun that whenever I see their name on a page I read it really fast just to see what hilarious and witty dialog they will have. I'd love to have a cocktail with Allison Rushby every Friday. I can't wait to check out her other books. By far the best chick lit I've ever read.
901427
I loved this book!  Patience Bloom's own life is Chick-Lit and I laughed on nearly every page.  If you like Chick-Lit, you'll love this book. If you like memoirs of single women looking for love, you'll love this book!  If you like funny books, you'll love this book!  In other words don't miss this book!
1954017
I loved this book! Great and funny chick lit appropriate for anyone. The characters were well-developed, and Franky Brown writes in such an effortless way that the reader feels as if she's part of each unfolding event. This book made me laugh out loud, it was easy to relate to, and the ending was perfect. Not much else you could ask for in a great book!
1768949
Essentially pegged as a chick lit, I'll admit to being slightly confused at the book's opening chapters and didn't quite get their relevance, but once the story settles down into Harriet's life you'll soon discover this is light-hearted women's fiction at its best. Goodness, Grace and Me is such an easy read you'll find it hard not to get swept up and devour the story in one go.

The real portrayal of family life, along with the small details sewn into the fabric of the plot make the book what it is. Loss of passion, lack of communication, money worries and the last minute slapping together of children's parties will have many readers sympathizing with our protagonist and nodding in agreement with some of her frustrations. But Goodness, Grace and Me is so much more than a reflection of a modern mother's life; it's a funny and genuine down-to-earth read that hits you in all the right places.  Stick this right at the top of your To Read list.

Reviewed by Charlotte Foreman on behalf of BestChickLit.com.
807825
This frothy chick-lit novel is easy and fun to read. A well written and wonderfully detailed fashionista's book. The pop culture references from decades past made me laugh. I really enjoyed this book ~~ it was funny, lighthearted and cute! I laughed out loud in some places and found myself shaking my head in other places. Would definitely suggest to friends!
1788694
I was curious about this book although I'm not usually a chick lit fan. So I downloaded a sample. But once I started reading, I realized the author's characterization of the main characters was really great and the writing just draws you in. I had to buy this book (on the Kindle.)
The personal growth of the heroine is really well written and entertaining. Her story is realistic and she's really likable.
The strong sisterly bond, the overbearing mother, the dog, each element and everyone was fun to read about. I finished the book in two days.

I didn't expect the twists and turns in the plotline too. The author hews closely to real life, so that good people aren't always who they seem, and bad people might look like good eggs. I eagerly anticipate the next novel in this series. I can't wait to read it! Highly recommended book.
4064910
An absolutely fantastic, hilarious work of chick-lit! Love the Latin flavour, love the quality of the characters and the vibrancy of the plot lines. Particularly enjoyed the fact that this well-written book wasn't stereotypical: no weak, fumbling females in need of rescuing by a good man; and in fact no moments where I wanted to yell at the female protagonist at all! A really quality book.
1440860
This is a cute, fast pace, thought provoking, but very much chicky enough to satisfy your contemporary taste. Kate Metz is a terrific writer touching on social issues, humor, and of course romance in her spunky new novel.
I loved the cultural aspect of the story; the fact that a city girl got placed in a situation where the life she's used to has to adjust to a life she had no clue about. It was certainly a learning experience that changed Zara's mindset for the better.

Stiletto Safari was indeed an eye-opener; depicting the significance of basic needs that many, including Zara, usually take for granted. Of course amidst the seriousness of the situation you can't help but find the main character's personality adorable. Her love for fashion and glamour is quite entertaining. My favorite part of the book is when Zara brought out her iPad so the students could watch movies. Their fascination to such things had me in awe. Other highlights include Zara's growing feelings for Hamish and the misunderstanding during their first encounter. I too was baffled by his charming character after that "bimbo" comment. The new friendships were just as precious as the ones back in New York, and the environment offered plenty of mystery to keep Zara and us readers interested.

The writing was well done and not too rushed; details were kept balanced and meaningful. There's never a moment where I was bored or felt confused. This is the work of a debut author so I must applause her on such a flawless technique. One word, brilliant!

I could go and on about how wonderful this novel is but then I'd probably end up spilling too much details so all I can say is please read and enjoy it for yourselves.

Overall, Stiletto Safari was a short read that took me more than a day to complete due to my various commitments but I absolutely enjoyed it while it lasted. At first I thought the book was going to be about a bunch of wealthy people, lawyers, and the controversy Zara was caught up in, that's because I avoided reading the synopsis before hand. In return, I loved the intended structure and setting. This was an awesome book reminding us to not get swallowed up in material things, to appreciate what we have, and to always do our best to help others. Great debut Kate!
1618980
This book offers a lot.  It's sheer fun combined with romance and a heaping helping of womanly wisdom dispensed by a group of ladies who have been life long friends. You'll easily relate to one of the many strong female characters in this book, be it an Aunt, mother, sister or best friend. Draw yourself a warm bubble bath, pour a glass of wine and read this lovely book.