Category Archives: chick lit

Sizzling Sixteen

Posted on August 10, 2010 | Leave a comment

Sizzling Sixteen

By Janet Evanovich

My rating: B+

In the latest installment of the Stephanie Plum series, our favorite Jersey girl (not Snooki!) is trying rather frantically, to save her cousin Vincent Plum from being turned into mush by one of the local bad guys. With the help of her hilarious friend Lula and Vinnie’s badass secretary, Connie, she manages to get herself into some rather interesting and compromising positions.

I read this entire series within the span of just a few months last year. I couldn’t wait for the book 16 to come out, of course. I’m sorry to say that I was a little disappointed with this one. The writing was reminiscent of the first few in the series. There wasn’t as much Stephanie/Ranger or Stephanie/Morelli time as I would have liked, and the plot wasn’t as engaging. That aside, I still enjoyed it for what it is- a super fun series with a few really great characters. I can’t wait to see what Stephanie gets herself into in book 17.

By the way, what do you think of who they’ve cast for the movie of One for the Money?

Stephanie (Katherine Heigl):                           Ranger (Daniel Sunjata):

Joe Morelli (Jason O’Mara):                                  Vincent Plum (Patrick Fischler):

Lula (Sherri Shepherd):                                              Connie (Cristina Aloe):

I’m not so sure about some of them, but I love the pick for Lula!

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Posted in 75 in 2010, books, chick lit, Janet Evanovich

Wednesday Night Witches

Posted on June 30, 2010 | Leave a comment

Wednesday Night Witches

by Lee Nichols

My rating: C+

Eve finds herself leaving her Manhattan apartment after she realizes that her boyfriend doesn’t really value her. She’s soon on a ferry to a small Maine island in search of the solace of her best friend, Natasha. Eve, Natasha, and Kim (Natasha’s ex-sister-in-law) start meeting on Wednesday nights as a weekly girls night. Strange things start happening around the island, and the women are granted the things that they most wish for in life. It all seems too good to be true. But is it?

I grabbed this book from a bargain bin a few months ago, because I was intrigued by the fact that the author was a descendant of one of the Salem witches. I’ve always been fascinated by the Salem trials, so I had to have this. Let’s just say, I’m glad it was in the bargain bin. The author did a good job of creating realistic surroundings that welcome you in. I really wanted to visit the little island off the coast of Maine where this was set. The writing style was flawed, though. The author alternated points of view between the three women, trying to get us to know each one on a deeper level. That seems like a great idea, but it didn’t work this time. I was sometimes confused by the abrupt switching and the voices of the three women weren’t distinct enough to make me feel like I knew them all that well.

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Posted in 75 in 2010, books, chick lit, paranormal romance

Hot Stuff by Janet Evanovich

Posted on March 23, 2010 | Leave a comment

Hot Stuff by Janet Evanovich & Leanne Banks

My rating: **

Cate Madigan is  26 year old college student who is constantly being fixed up with losers. Even though she begs her family to end the blind dates, they insist that she needs a nice boy to settle down with. Cate isn’t so sure. Her resolve is wavering and she is feeling anxious about the whole situation after her latest fix-up with a hairy little man named Patrick Pug. Just when she is about to throw her hands up, things get interesting. A stranger walks into the bar where Cate works… a very handsome stranger who shows interest in her. No sooner than she starts to flirt with him, things begin to go awry. Cate’s cross-dressing roommate begins to get threatening phone calls and then mysteriously disappears. Cate is left to trust the handsome stranger to help her solve the mystery.

I’ll admit it: I’m a huge Janet Evanovich fan. Her novels are cheesy, predictable, and just plain fun. Last year, I started reading her Stephanie Plum novels and didn’t stop until I finished the latest in the series. I just devour them like candy. This wasn’t the same.

Hot Stuff was one of Janet’s earlier novels, and it shows. Her characters are a little cooky, but not in the fun, Grandma Mazur way. They just get irritating. The mystery in this wasn’t all that much of a mystery after all. I felt like the plot was dragging for most of the book and I didn’t really care about the outcome. Needless to say, I was disappointed.

Even if you like Janet Evanovich, pass on this one. I don’t think it is worth your time.

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Posted in 75 in 2010, books, chick lit, Janet Evanovich, mystery, romance

12/75 Strawberry Shortcake Murder

Posted on February 12, 2010 | Leave a comment
Strawberry Shortcake Murder
by Joanne Fluke
My rating:

You guys know I’m a sucker for a series…even a cheesy murder mystery series. This is definitely that. It’s cheesy, predictable, and filled with cookies. How could I not love it?

Hannah Swensen is back in the murder-solving business again. Well, not technically, since she’s been forbidden by her brother-in-law Bill and sometimes-boyfriend Mike (the town detectives) to get involved in anything that might compromise the case. Being the stubborn woman that she is, Hannah smiles politely and then goes on to solve the mystery with the help of her sister and a few other trusted friends.

The characters in this aren’t very multi-dimensional, but they are enjoyable enough. If you’ve ever lived in a small town, you will be able to appreciate some of the local happenings. This book was a breeze to get through. The hardest part? Not eating all the cookies in sight. Hannah owns the local cookie shop and is constantly talking about the yummy things they are making. This is not a book that a dieter should read. Oh, why do I torture myself so?

If you are looking for a quick, fluffy read, then pick this up. If you are looking for deep intellectual stimulation, pass this on. Then again, if you are reading my blog, it’s doubtful that you are looking for such stimulation. More likely, you’re reading the New Yorker. I digress…

12 down!

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Posted in 75 in 2010, books, chick lit, Joanne Fluke, mystery

Book #2/75 The Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder

Posted on January 4, 2010 | 1 Comment


Before we begin with the book review, I had to share some cuteness with you. As you probably are aware if you have read this blog for any amount of time, I’m a member of the Nest, a site for married women. I post on the book club message board there, and I really enjoy the company of the ladies that I’ve met. Love you girls!

Anyway, our book club board has challenges that go on throughout the year. One of those being the # challenge that I did last year and will do again this year. (75 baby!) One of the girls on the board helps make little badges for the challenges. I made one and it was not adorable. Hers are filled with awesome and I wanted to share them with you. By the way, you should head to her book blog. She is WAY more sophisticated than I am at this. Thanks to Jacki at Lovely Little Shelf! I can’t decide which one is my favorite. Of course, I’m using the red 75 one, but I’m a big fan of the purple one who looks shocked.


The Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder by Joanne Fluke

My rating: ** (and a half star)

This book what some where between a mystery and chick lit. It’s about a twenty-something woman named Hannah who owns her own bakery (what a job!). She is constantly at the mercy of her mother, who is a perpetual matchmaker. Hannah is much happier living in her apartment with her half-blind cat (see where the chick-lit comes in?).

One morning Hannah discovers a body behind her bakery and thus begins the search for the killer. Her brother-in-law (who she gets along with surprisingly well) just so happens to be one of the police officers in town, and he’s vying for a promotion to detective. Hannah goes on a mission to help find the killer and help get her brother-in-law the promotion he deserves.

I am such a sucker for cheesy mystery series (can you say Stephanie Plum or The Cat Who???). I tend to get sucked in even though the writing may be below par. This definitely was. It wasn’t quite as bad as a Harlequin romance, but I doubt we’ll be seeing it on any of the bestseller lists anytime soon. The main characters in the story were enjoyable enough, but somewhat flat. I can definitely see myself picking up the second in the series, so don’t be surprised when you see the review on here.

I’d recommend this book for anyone who needs a quick read that doesn’t take much brainwork. It comes with some of her cookie recipes that actually sound sorta tasty. If I can get my oven to cooperate, I just might have to make one of them!

2 down…73 to go!

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Posted in 75 in 2010, books, chick lit, cookies, Joanne Fluke, mystery