Chick-lit for mature women
580107
Kitchen Avenue is the home of strong women with different life situations: Trudy Marino is facing a crossroads in her life prompted when she discovers her husband is having an extramarital affair; Roberta becomes a widow; Robert's granddaughter, Jade, is coming to terms with her broken marriage; and Shanelle is chasing her dream to become a writer. I like to think of this book as Chick-lit for the over their 20's crowd and really enjoyed how the author was able to share a range of emotions in a very realistic manner. From the book, I like this exchange between 2 of the characters, "Knowing everything you know now...would you do it again?"..."How could I be where I am if not for that?"
Thanks to the Inner Circle for the copy of this book.
4107391
What does Karen do once she's decided that staying in North Dakota doesn't appeal to her, going back to California where her ex-husband and former employer are won't work, and living her on the road as part of a retired women's caravan in an ancient fifth wheel isn't her cup of tea?  She creates her own business, drums up a bevy of clients, designs a time-saving internet program, rejects a Trump-like suitor, and builds on her rekindled relationship with her high-school beau. Well-paced, at times funny, and a bit of a "silver fantasy" (a new genre I'm just now making up), Key Largo Blues is the story of a women who refuses to go quietly into the night when her hair turns gray and her husband trades her in on a new model, and it's just what mature women are looking for in a novel. Yes, there is sex after 50; yes, you can salvage your career when others think it's over for you; and yes, there are new friends around every corner who will band together and help you make things happen.
2857306
3 1/2 stars. This book might seem like just another chick-lit on the surface, but don't judge a book by its coveror its description. Underneath the love triangle and the save the library campaign is the subtle imagery that things aren't always what they appear.

Reading the first few chapters I thought it was kind of odd, we are given detailed descriptions of Mac and Marigold, and a general lack of description of any one else. Then there was a moments when I read this line, And you can quote the first African-American woman mayor of Franklin on that. And I realized this whole time the mayor is not only a woman but an African American woman. Then it hits you, this is brilliant writing! The technique Becca uses to subtlety portray that what you thought was, isnt, caught me by surprise.

I usually want to connect with characters, love them along in their growth, not want to strangle them. I admit there were times I wanted to strangle Greta. Then I realized, I was doing the same thing. I had been making assumptions about different characters the entire book. Admittedly my assumptions about Mac were spot on, but I think that was the point. There were a few other moments that though not astounding, added more beautiful plot devices to help people see that everyone has a story, everyone has life inside them that we may not understand until we get to know them. That was a remarkable message to read and a clever way to tell it.

I fetl like the chapter transitions were a little choppy, and sometimes the texts were a little too cheesy for my taste, but I would definitely recommend this cute read. First posted on bookconfessionsblog.
1791006
This is a well-done novel that starts off with a light, chick-lit tone. Sometimes you just need a book that has a humorous take on life and love. After Dan and Sylvie, who have been together for ten years since they were twenty-two, are told by their doctor they can each live to be one hundred, they have mutual breakdowns thinking about how they will possibly fill that much time together. Already, they can finish each others sentences and they seem to be able to read each others minds.

So, to keep things fresh, they decide to make an effort to surprise each other. No easy feat when they are parents to rambunctious five-year-old twin girls and busy with careers of their own.

For a time, this does seem like a frothy novel about keeping the spark alive in marriage before it becomes a deeper look at relationships between family, husbands and wives, work, and yourself. Its when this novel goes deeper that I really enjoyed it.

They start off by surprising each other with exotic lingerie and sex in unlikely locales, but ultimately they surprise each other discovering that there is infinitely more to learn about each otherand themselves.

This book is touching and funny and fun. Thanks so much to NetGalley and Random House for the opportunity to review this novel.
2385802
Unfortunately, I am not in the 99% of the target group for this series, but book still had some twists and splashes of humor to carry it along. Given the youthful mannerisms of the protagonist together with the more abundant romance than I favor I'm not terribly surprised this is categorized as a cozy read and I would probably think it ideal for people whom enjoy chick-lit. I'd give it 3.5 stars rounded up.
76034
A quick read, appropriately easy for foggy brained new mums - although if you are anxious, depressed or sensitive to various triggers you may want to give it a miss. The plot turns are very predictable with a few one-note characters, but a reasonable chick lit page turner.
4466817
It was pretty good for a chick-lit book. It was certainly good enough to keep me reading. Would like to read more by this author.
4644782
This is definitely chick lit, but I love Sophie Kinsella and can overlook the lack of depth because she's so good at what she does.  It's been awhile since I read the "Shopaholic" books, but I took to Emma a little more quickly than I did Becky.  She might be hapless, but she's less self-sabotaging.  She seems like "any girl" - struggling through her twenties, trying to figure out what she's good at, and a little deluded about herself (who doesn't delude themselves a little, right?).

The premise of the story - she unloads all her secrets to a "stranger" on the plane, who turns out to be her boss - is fine (cute, even).  The problems that she struggles with day-to-day (glory-grabbing co-workers, a painful family dynamic, and a fizzled relationship) are interesting enough to keep you reading through the first half of the book.  In the second half, I found it hard to believe that the love interest of this book finds her so interesting.  He's apparently older than her, and she's a complete mess when he meets her... I felt like the romance was kind of a 'miss'.  The peripheral characters in this book make up for the less-believable love story, however - quirky but somehow believable, like looking at your own family, roommates or co-workers through a different lens.

It's wrapped up sort of quickly at the end, but I found myself happy with the result.  A nice read!
1816355
Publisher: Abingdon Press
Purchased: Received from publisher through NetGalley

What I Loved:  Emma was a very fun, sweet leading lady who handled her life with a brilliant attitude. Her friend Fee was a quirky best friend that always had her back.  Jackson was a great leading man and his journey back to love was fun to watch.  Jackson's sisters were fun, different, and fantastic personalities. Emma's parents were the best part of all!

What I Liked:  This was a great tale of loss, chances, and just having a little faith that life is going to work out the way it is supposed too.  The message was pretty clear that if you are open to possibilities life can bring that your happiness may come from a place you don't see coming.

Complaints: No complaints.

Why I gave it a 3: This was a pretty good little contemporary chick-lit Christian novel.  I am usually not a reader of contemporary books but this one did make me giggle.  It is a lite read with some great recipes included that I am just going to have to try!

Who I would recommend this too: A fan of Inspirational Chick-Lit Romance.  This is not my normal cup of tea but I really did find the book wonderfully entertaining.  It has all the elements of a good chick-lit: quirky leading lady, handsome guy, crazy friends/family, and lots of mishaps.  The overall inspirational part of the book was more in letting God guide you than preaching.  I would say uplifting is a good word but it is in there so it should be noted.

[...]
1429586
Milly, a mother of three, is fighting a losing battle with her baby-weight, Avril, the successful Hollywood agent, is full of secrets, which may just tumble out...

Hazel, who would rather backpack and hitch-hike than go to her sisters wedding, the bride-to-be Natalie, whose wedding will ultimately bring them all back together... What will happen when all the sisters are back together?

My first steps into the magical world of the genre that is chick-lit, I have to say, is a pretty good one, so thanks Pam and Lorraine for writing this book! The characters are all different to one another, and don't act the same, which is really good, because most books from more than one POV act very similarly. And are realistic too, portraying what I thought were realistic scenarios. I found that while reading Avrils parts, she has a very obvious posh British accent (Im not sure if she is supposed to be that way, but she is in my mind!). Easy to read, and time will just whiz by.

Written really well, and is smoothly written, and doesn't feel awkward when reading. My only qualm, however is that the characters all seem to blend into one. Its decent length novel with 422 pages of amusement.

Thoughts on the paperback copy published July 31st 2008;
Front cover shows all the sisters/characters, all as cartoons, which is pretty cool, and has what they're all about on it.
Fairly thick, which will keep you entertained for hours, and has standard sized text, which is fairly easy to read!

Definitely worth a read, especially if you're a fan of Chick-Lit!

I received this book in exchange for an honest review (thanks Pam and Lorraine!)
1753806
I would not jump to classify this book as "chick lit."  The author, Sarah Dunn, tells a more realistic and gritty anti-love story through different characters throughout the novel. There are girlfriends, ex-husbands, boyfriends, boy-toys, work partners, pets, siblings - a variety of relationships are explored as the characters intertwine.  All types of relationships can lead to or lead from one's personal quest for the secrets to happiness.

It takes a few chapters to get into this book, the main characters, Holly and Amanda, are not immediately like-able possessing a somewhat chilly city charm.  By the end, though, I felt refreshed for choosing to read an interesting take on adult relationships and not another girl finds self, gets man, story.
566578
Read this book for my monthly book club, after pleas that we PLEASE choose something "lighter" for a change. Our club gravitates toward books that range from thought provoking to downright depressing.
In the "lighter" regard, this story really delivered.  If you are a "modern working mom" in the range of late thirties to mid fiftys, I think you will identify with many aspects of the main character's persona. She is exaggerated for the purpose of a good story, of course, but there is a little piece of many of us in Eleanor Flood.  (I should note this book is not without its share of thought provoking themes and moments. It is far from all fluff.  Still plenty of content that lends itself to spirited discussion.)

I also read "Bernadette" by this same author (which I liked a bit better, by the way) and was entertained by some minor intertwining of people and places from that novel to this one.

Overall, a great little escape from the happy chaos of your life to another.
372022
This story was published in 1995 but still a good read. What you deemed as the love of your life in your youth would be different by the time you hit middle age. So, goes the theme of this chick lit. The story weaving is good based on the author's own  experiences at Oxford as a student though at a different time frame from the one she portrays in this book.

The Oxford with history, pomp, pagentry, love sick students, sex, drugs & demonstrations of 68-70 are well detailed thru the life of Annie Paxton, the protagonist. The story moves on to present time where she has a family and a dilemma whether to tell her son the truth about his illegitimacy.

Somehow, the subject on taking on two lovers & having an illegetimate son become a threadbare plot as you can predict how the story will flow right till the end. Loses some originality along the way. However, there are some small surprises where the sub-plot involves an older woman and a younger man coupling together where taboos & conventions cast aside to let this illicit relationship take place.
4728370
You could call this a romance. You could call it chick lit. It's a little of both, I guess. But Instead of a twenty-something heroine, we have a woman in her 40's. After her husband trades her in for a younger model, she manages to bounce back and enjoy a dating (and sex) life. - all while juggling a career and three spunky teen daughters. Oh, and then there's the host of quirky characters that come in and out of her house/life in a constant comical stream. This book is fun, fast-paced, uplifting and hilarious!
2801061
I enjoyed the mix of chick-lit and contemporary romance.  The heroine's world is turned upside down and during that process she meets the hero but also learns about herself.
2016185
This was an easy, pleasing, quick  and fun read.
Chick lit is not a usually a  deep or heavy genre, and while the story has interesting turns and twists, there is nothing complicated about it
It's a blithesome ,enjoyable story that features honest, realistic  characters  and  credible situations.
The author says her aim is to write about  characters  who find themselves at a crossroads in life and that  theme carries through the book  with both Jaine and Dylan needing to overcome stumbling blocks and hurdles to get to where they want to be in life. The authors  obstacles and  impediments were inventive as were the solutions. It will be interesting to see how this theme plays out in the books that follow. Nothing not to like...
I received a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
2050259
If you haven't read Nora Ephron before, this is a good time to start.  Her humor and insight fit women over age 55, or younger if you look in the mirror and think your neck doesn't quite look the same as it did a decade before.  The chapter of her love for an apartment in New York City was especially enjoyable.  This book is delightful because a mature woman can identify with most, if not all, of the sentiments expressed here.