Love, Life and Linguine

Title: Love, Life and Linguine
Author: Melissa Jacobs
Series: None
Genre: Chick Lit


Mimi is making big changes in her life: Moving in with her boyfriend, quitting her job and starting a new one. Then she walks in on her boyfriend with his pants around his ankles and a waitress on her knees. She then moves back to her hometown and in with her Mom.

Mimi starts to try and rescue the failing family restaurant and find a man. Instead, she finds two. The story revolves around Mimi trying to fix her family life and decide between the two men.

Unimpressive. I am always suckered into the dollar clearance bin at bookstores and have found some good finds. Unfortunately, this was not one of them.

Maybe it's because I read so many romance novels that I want the ends tied up between the love interests and in this case it didn't happen. Mimi may have started on another new path to find herself, but she didn't decide between the men.

This is a book I will not be holding on tol

Mini Shopaholic

Title: Mini Shopaholic
Author: Sophie Kinsella
Series: Shopaholic (Book 6)
Genre: Chick Lit



The baby from Shopaholic & Baby is now 2 years old. Little Minnie is quite a handful and has many things in common with her mother, Becky. Minnie's favorite word seems to be, "Miiiiine" and she wants everything when she shops just like her mom.

Although Minnie has more to her then a little shopaholic, she is also a bit of a trouble maker. Enough where her Dad, Luke, suggests that they get some professional help. They try an equivalent to Super Nanny, who says she's just being 2 and is fine, and a professional Nanny Service, who thinks she's so bad they won't get another nanny for them.

Of course Becky is spending like mad, getting into to trouble and comes out on top.

I was disappointed in this book. I was hoping that we would see more of Minnie, but she just seemed around when it was convenient for her to want something and help Becky with some spending. Her character was very flat. I also was hoping for some growth by her in regards to getting better with (or without) the help of a nanny. Unfortunately, the out of control 2 year old was said to be just acting her age and it was over.

I felt like the book just went in circles. Becky promises to stop spending and wears clothes from last season (gasp!) but then is bought a new dress by her Mom. Luke doesn't want to have any more kids and after one quick conversation he's all for the idea. Minnie is bad....and that never changes. Not much growth for any of the characters in a realistic way in my opinion.

Heart of the Matter

Title: Heart of the Matter
Author: Emily Giffin
Series: None
Genre: Adult Fiction; "Chick Lit"



Tessa and Nick have a seemingly perfect marriage to the outside. He is a plastic surgeon (skin, burns, reconstruction - not choice plastic surgery) and she is a stay at home mom with their two kids, ages 2 and 4. He works a lot and is called away on the night of their anniversary for an emergency.

Valerie is a single lawyer Mom with her son Charlie, 6. Charlie falls in a fire at a birthday party and badly burns his hand and face. This is what Nick is called away for on his anniversary.

In short - Valerie and Nick have an affair. We see their relationship grow and Tess and Nick struggle with problems.

I have read all of Emily Giffin's books and wonder why I do. This time it seemed to just go too far. I'm not saying that it was not well written or that the characters weren't believable or three dimensional. But when I finished this book I felt cheapened and depressed.

Twenties Girl

Title: Twenties Girl
Author: Sophie Kinsella
Series: None
Genre: Chick Lit



Lara is being forced to go to her great aunt Sadie's funeral. Problem is, no one knew her or ever went to visit her. The funeral is poorly attended by only Lara's family. Then Lara starts seeing and hearing a ghost. It turns out to be Sadie, in the ghost body of a 23 year old woman. She is upset because her favorite necklace is missing and she can't rest without it. She enlists Lara to help her.

Another great story from Sophie Kinsella. The story turned into somewhat of a treasure hunt as Lara looks all over for the necklace and learns things about both herself and her family. There were parts that made me laugh and some that were incredibly touching. I kind of feel like the writing of this book was the best yet by this author. I whizzed through it, which is getting harder and harder with all of the time I am working.

Love the One You're With

Title: Love the One You're With
Author: Emily Giffin
Series: None
Genre: Chick Lit



I have read each of the other 3 books that Emily Giffin has written, something borrowed, something blue and baby proof, and recently I read her newest book, Love the One You're With.

I am starting to wonder why I read her books, so far each one of them has dealt with cheating or thinking about cheating on someone else, this new one included.

It told the story of Ellen and her perfect (in some ways) husband, Andy. She has a chance encounter with an old ex, one that dumped her, and it changes her. She starts to think that she has to see her ex and eventually we learn that he still has feelings with her. Basically the novel deals with her wondering if/when she is going to cheat on him and how she is going to make her life with her husband better.

Oddly enough, I enjoyed the story. It was a quick and easy read, although just as easily forgotten.

Walking in Circles Before Lying Down

Title: Walking in Circles Before Lying Down
Author: Merrill Markoe
Series: None
Genre: Chick Lit


What a welcomed change in my reading line up. I walked past this book at Target and was immediately drawn to it. Walking in Circles Before Lying Down by Merrill Markoe was a joyful read that had me laughing.

In this book we meet Dawn. The first few chapters are really back views on her life. We learn about her first dog, her first marriage as well as other things. Then her dog dies, she gets a new puppy and is dumped by her boyfriend. Then it gets interesting.

In her grief she talks to her dog and is shocked to hear him talk back, "Couldn't you smell her on his pants?" He asks. From that point on Dawn can not only hear and have conversations with her dog, but all of the dogs.

Life from the point of view of a dog had me laughing. The dogs like to swear, and have the most interesting comments to make. I loved the conversation she has with the dogs when they follow her into that bathroom. She wonders why they do it and they have an answer for her. I know my dog always wants to follow me into the bathroom (cat too!) so I definitely felt where she was coming from.

There are also some other points of plot such as the All Holiday Tree and her sister who is a Life Coach. I understand they are part of the story, but I could have cared less. It was, however a comical and quick read.