Mini Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella

418 pages
Published in 2010
by Dial Press a trademark of
The Random House Publishing Group
New York, NY

Mini Shopaholic is the sixth in a series of chick-lit/romantic-comedy-of-errors novels by British author, Sophie Kinsella.

The Plot:
"Becky Brandon (née Bloomwood) thought motherhood would be a breeze and that having a daughter was a dream come true a shopping friend for life! But it's trickier than she thought as two-year-old Minnie has a quite different approach to shopping. She can create havoc everywhere from Harrods to Harvey Nicks to her own christening. She hires taxis at random, her favourite word is Mine, and she's even started bidding for designer bags on eBay. On top of everything else, there s a big financial crisis. People are having to Cut Back including all of Becky's personal shopping clients and she and Luke are still living with Becky's Mum and Dad. To cheer everyone up, Becky decides to throw a surprise birthday party on a budget but then things become really complicated. Who will end up on the naughty step, who will get a gold star and will Becky's secret wishes come true?" (Summary courtesy of Sophie Kinsella's website.)

My Thoughts:
I've said it before, I'll say it again. When it comes to reading I view books like one might view food. Some books are the appetizer, others are the entree, and still others are like a dessert. One cannot have a healthy diet if all you eat is why type of food, there must be balance. And so it is with reading. I try to balance out my reading by partaking in some classics, some biographies and non-fiction, and even some light-fluffy chick-lit from time to time.

The Shopaholic series is one such chick-lit that I've surprised myself by liking. When I first came upon the series in 2008 I had mixed feelings. I found Becky's story very funny and compelling and yet some of the choices she made really stressed me out. I know this is how a lot of readers feel, but unlike those who ditched Becky half-way through her first catastrophe I actually stuck it out. In some odd twist of irony I actually found myself interested. I had to know what happened next. And after the first book I picked up the second. It didn't take long before I discovered a pattern within the novels:

1. The story opens and we see Becky has a situation.
2. Becky tries to fix things, but gets into a mess.
3. Becky gets further into the mess.
4. When all else fails suddenly she's able to come out of the mess and everything works out just fine.
5. Happy ending promising the next installment.

Not to say this pattern should be interpreted to mean the Shopaholic series are brainless works of fiction because they are not, but neither are they meaty works of literature. Overall I've found them to be entertaining. A mix of modern comedy, romance, and lessons learned. The fun of the story is all in contained within Becky's latest adventure... so long as you can put up with all the drama.

I do have some objections to some aspects of these novels, but considering the world-view of the characters (and the author) nothing is a surprise. Readers should be wary that since this is a British novel there is a smattering of profanity that is a bit stronger than most American novels of the same genre. There are some other adult-content references within the story, but for the most part the story remains clean.

All in all, if you've read any of the Shopaholic series (or seen the 2009 film adaptation of Confessions of a Shopaholic) and enjoyed them and especially if you've made it as far as the fifth book (Shopaholic and Baby) you really must read Kinsella's latest, Mini Shopaholic.

For those of you who have tried to read, but given up on Becky, I'll just say don't bother I know you won't enjoy it.

And for those who have already read Mini Shopaholic, you probably already know that it isn't the end of Becky's story. I suspect in a year (or two) there will be a seventh addition to the series, which I confess I plan to read.

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Reviews of Sophie Kinsella's books & Related Links:

Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsella
Can You Keep A Secret by Sophie Kinsella
The Undomestic Goddess by Sophie Kinsella
Remember Me? by Sophie Kinsella

The Shopaholic Series by Sophie Kinsella: (read in 2008 prior to this blog)
Confessions of a Shopaholic
Shopaholic Takes Manhattan
Shopaholic Ties the Knot
Shopaholic And Sister
Shopaholic and Baby

Other chick-lit novels I've read and reviewed.

The Importance of Being Married by Gemma Townley

337 pages
Published in 2008
by Ballantine Books
a Random House Publishing Group

At least once a summer... or once every few months I feel the need to read something light, fluffy and comically entertaining. This time I selected The Importance of Being Married by Gemma Townley.

Those who aren't familiar with Ms. Townley, she is the author of several British chic-lit novels and the sister of Sophie Kinsella (a.k.a Madeleine Wickham, author of British chic-lit novels including The Shopaholic books). As a side note I find it absolutely fascinating that these two sisters have not only succeeded as writers, but they have also both become quite popular in the genre they've chosen. Fascinating.

But back to the book... The very first thought I had when I picked up The Importance of Being Married was that it sounded like it could be a modern twist on Oscar Wilde's play The Importance of Being Earnest, and in a way it is. The book is crazy, it's hilarious, it's maddening and a bit unrealistic, but don't expect it to be a replacement for the original. Still, if you're looking for something new and different in the chic-lit genre then look no further.

The Plot:
"Jessica Wild isn’t big on commitment. But after inheriting millions from Grace, a sweet old lady she met in her grandmother’s nursing home, the situation seems to have changed. To put an end to the many questions about her nonexistent love life, Jess had led Grace to believe she had a boyfriend-turned-fiancé-turned-husband: her glamorous boss, Anthony Milton. But Jess’s fantasy to keep Grace happy has backfired–Grace has passed away and left her fortune not to Jessica Wild but to Mrs. Jessica Milton.

Having weighed all legal options, Jess comes to the realization that there’s only one thing she can do: get Anthony to fall in love with her and pop the question for real. With help from her feisty best friend, Helen, Jess reluctantly learns the art of flirting, seduction, and playing hard to get. But just when it appears that Anthony is about to ask the (literal) million-dollar question, Jess finds herself wondering if it’s right to say “I do” for all the wrong reasons." (Summary courtesy of the publisher)

My Thoughts:
Overall I enjoyed The Importance of Being Married. There were some aspects that annoyed me, particularly Jessica's perpetual lying. The story would have been so much simpler had she just told the truth, but then that wouldn't have made for much of a story. Something else that I didn't like was again fairly typical of modern British literature. There is a mild to fair amount of language, which for the most part can be glazed over, but something I feel should be noted for readers who prefer to avoid it altogether. There are also a few extramarital love scenes that are referenced, though no details are given. Although this too is typical of the genre I know it's not something that has to be present to make the book a good read and often wish it was just left out.

Another point I'd like to make is that the ending is a little predictable. But that shouldn't come as a surprise to most readers of the chic-lit genre. Nearly all chic-lit novels have the same format. Girl is introduced. Love interest is introduced. Problems complicate the story and make for both stressful page turners and hilarious laughs. But in the end the girl gets her happily-ever-after, the lose ends are tied up, and the troubles clouding her life have blown away like a passing storm. Thankfully The Importance of Being Married did have one little twist that I didn't anticipate and for that I was grateful.

I did enjoy Ms. Townley's writing style. Early on her comic wit and the "voice" of the heroine/narrator drew me into the story, like this line from the beginning of Chapter 2:

"The story started a long time ago, in the tradition of all good fairy tales. Not so long ago that goblins were roaming the earth, but long enough for it to have gotten a little bit out of hand -- two years, two months, and six days ago, to be precise." (Chpt 2, pg. 8)

Although I did think The Importance of Being Married was a modern twist on Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest it also reminded me of a mix between Sophie Kinsella's Confessions of a Shopaholic and the 1999 film, The Bachelor, starring Chris O'Donnell and Renee Zellweger. If you enjoyed either or both of these you are very likely to enjoy The Importance of Being Married.

As for me, I did enjoy The Importance of Being Married enough that I think I'll add its sequel to my TBR list. I'm curious to know what happens next in Jessica Wilde's life and I'm hoping next time around she's more honest with herself and her friends.

Mr. Darcy Broke My Heart by Beth Pattillo

263 pages

Published Feb 2010

by Guideposts Books

Mr. Darcy Broke My Heart by Beth Pattillo is another read that came recommended to me by several readers (and bloggers) including Lisa at 5MinutesForBooks, Carrie at Reading To Know, and my friend Alison. I read and enjoyed Jane Austen Ruined My Life, so I quickly added this sort-of-sequel (it's not really a sequel, but it is connected) to my summer TBR list. Unfortunately, at the risk of being unpopular I must admit it didn't end up rating as high on my rating scale as I had anticipated it might...

The Plot:
"Claire Prescott is a sensible woman who believes in facts and figures, not fairy tales. But when she agrees to present a paper to a summer symposium at Oxford on her ailing sister's behalf, Claire finds herself thrown into an adventure with a gaggle of Jane Austen-loving women all on the lookout for their Mr. Darcy. Claire isn't looking for Mr. Anyone. She's been dating Neil, a nice -- if a bit negligent -- sports fanatic. But when a tall, dark and dashing stranger crosses her path, will she discover her inner romantic heroine? Her chance meeting with a mysterious woman who claims to have an early version of Austen's Pride and Prejudice -- in which Lizzie ends up with someone other than Fitzwilliam Darcy -- leads to an astounding discovery about the venerated author's own struggle to find the right hero for Lizzie Bennett...." (Summary courtesy of the publisher)

My Thoughts:
Mr. Darcy Broke My Heart is the second novel by Beth Pattillo which is influenced by Jane Austen and her novels and involves the "Formidables", a fictional secret society whose goal is to protect the lost writings of Austen, including in this novel the first draft of Pride and Prejudice entitled First Impressions.

As I sated above, at the risk of being unpopular with the author or any of her fans, I have to admit I was just not that impressed with this book.

Don't get me wrong, Mr. Darcy Broke My Heart is entertaining. It is as light-hearted and fluffy as chic-lit should be. As an extra bonus it is also very clean (eg. no foul language, no bedroom scenes, etc.) yet without losing any of the reality of the story. (Why can't more chic-lit novels be like this?) But what I liked best about this book is the fresh approach Pattillo takes to a very well-known story. With so many Austen-themed novels flying off the presses it definitely impresses me that Pattillo was able to write a story about Jane Austen and her most famous novel, Pride and Prejudice without falling as so many other authors have to the level of just retelling the original story. Yes, I can honestly say Pattillo succeeded that far -- Claire's story certainly gives a different twist to Pride and Prejudice.

Which brings me to the things about this book that I didn't like. For starters, I could not stand the fictionalized First Impressions. I realize there was a specific point Pattillo was trying to make by giving the reader a version of First Impressions to read, but no matter how I hard I tried I just couldn't see past the writing style. The "text" of First Impressions screamed 21st century so much that I could never get past knowing it was Pattillo's words to immerse myself into the story within the story. I think because of this I had a harder time accepting it as a "gem" as Claire does within the novel. For me it detracted from the story rather than adding to it, which is a shame as it is such a big part of the story's plot.

Which brings me to the other annoyance. Claire. I tried to, but just couldn't connect with Claire as the "Lizzie Bennett" heroine of the story. I realize she is supposed to embody a very human and identifiable character who undertakes a journey to self-discovery and comes out the other side a better person, much like Elizabeth Bennett does in Pride and Prejudice, but for me the two heroines just cannot be compared. I've always loved Elizabeth Bennett, faults and all, but Claire I found downright annoying. I sped through the story hoping she'd get her act together before her life completely fell apart. I know it sounds harsh, but I wanted to slap her a time or two.

Thankfully (semi-spoiler here), Claire does get a more settled happy ending than Pattillo gave Emma Grant in Jane Austen Ruined My Life. But even with this I can't say that I favored Mr. Darcy Broke My Heart when lined up next to the former. I think if I had to chose I'd pick the former over the latter, but that's just my opinion.

Yes, if Pattillo writes more novels that involve the Formidables I may be interested in reading them. She's worked with Emma and Pride and Prejudice that leaves her at least four other novels she could use to inspire stories of her own. I guess we'll have to wait and see.

Jane Austen Ruined My Life by Beth Pattillo

274 pages
Published 2009
by Guideposts
New York, NY

I find the title and cover art for this particular edition highly amusing. It's clever, it's fitting (although the character in the story never wore a dress or lay on a bench like this), and the title is wonderfully tied to the crux of the heroine's story. Yet when I first saw this book (long before I read any reviews) I couldn't help but laugh. I imagined a twist on this book -- it is Jane Austen who is lying so forlornly on the bench and crying out "Modern fiction has ruined my books!"

It's no secret, I am not a fan of all the Austen-themed chic-lit that clutter bookstore shelves and call themselves literature. And yet.... and yet I occasionally find a rare gem amongst all the imitations. No, this is not on par with Austen's own literary works nor is it as good as some other modern works of literature, but it was by far one of the best Austen-themed novels I've read in a long time. Probably second to the likes of Austenland by Shannon Hale. (Read in 2007 before I started this blog, so sorry no review available.)

By now most of you probably know what this book is about, but for those who do not here is a quick summary. Emma Grant is a English professor who has just had her world turned upside down. She's lost not only her husband, but her career and now she's in England to take her revenge on Jane Austen. She believes that Austen, through her novels, has taught women that love and marriage comes with a "happily ever after" guarantee, but it is just a lie. What begins in the book as Emma's mission to prove this point and restore her career ends as an opportunity of a life time, a journey of self-discovery, and the chance for a new beginning. (For more in depth plot summary check out BethPattillo.com)

Jane Austen Ruined My Life was a much better read than I anticipated. I had already received rave reviews from two fellow book lovers (Carrie at Reading To Know and my friend Alison). Although they loved it I have to admit I was a little wary, especially after having just finished another Austen-themed novel that I disliked. (The irony here is that I only read the other novel because I thought I was reading the book Carrie and Alison had told me was a "must read"!)

One thing I noticed as I read Jane Austen Ruined My Life was that it wasn't a trashy romance. There's little to no language (at least that I noticed) and no intimate love scenes (excepting a few minor references made by the heroine to an affair her husband had prior to the book's beginning), still no graphic details, not vulgar conversations. It was rather refreshing to find in a piece of modern literature. While Pattillo is no Austen or Dickens, she is an entertaining writer and a breath of fresh air when it comes to chick-lit.

Jane Austen Ruined My Life is a sort of grown-up coming-of-age story, a journey of self-discovery for both Emma Grant and Jane Austen, the latter based on the author's fictional twist and interpretation of real life. I liked the quote fellow author Lori Smith made about this book: "A light and lovely fictional journey. [Pattillo] manages to strike the delicate balance of examining the clever, imaginary what-ifs of Austen's life while still respecting (and clearly revering) Austen."

Without giving away the ending (for those of you who have yet to read this book) I will say this much: the ending isn't the fictional fairy-tale "happily ever after". At first I felt a little cheated that the book didn't end as I expected, all lose ends tied up, etc. And yet, after some reflection on the book as a whole I realized that was the whole point of the book. The story couldn't end with a predicable "happily ever after" -- that would have made the story too predicable, too cliche. Life doesn't end just because the hero and heroine meet and marry. There is so much more that happens the next day after a love story begins. And even when life doesn't go as planned there is always time for a new beginning and a second chance. I believe Pattillo leaves the ending of Jane Austen Ruined My Life open to the reader for interpretation. You, the reader, get to imagine how the rest of Emma's life plays out. So, after this reflection I realized I liked that. It's different, but it is a happy ending for this book.

I've already been told I must read the next Austen-themed book by Beth Pattillo titled Mr. Darcy Broke My Heart. This book is not as might be expected, a sequel to Emma's story, but it does have some slight-connections. Because I enjoyed Jane Austen Ruined My Life I have already added this other novel to my TBR list, so watch for a review before summer's end.

Girls Night Out Edited by Carole Matthews, Sarah Mylnowski, Chris Manby

390 pages

Published by Red Dress Ink in 2004, reprinted '06

I actually picked up this book from the library at the beginning of the year. I read it over a weekend, well most of it. I never actually read every page. There were some stories I chose to skim, others I skipped altogether, and still others that I enjoyed very much. Because my final thoughts about the book were very mixed I hesitated to post a review. In the end I've decided to go ahead and share what I liked and what I didn't.

Girl's Night Out is the sequel to Girl's Night In and is a collection of short stories by world famous "chick-lit" authors.

As might be expected with a collection of stories written by a variety of authors there are some winners and some losers in the bunch. Losers like the one tale of a woman who wants her wedding at a hotel so bad she tries to sabotage another bride's marriage-to-come by making her think her groom is cheating on her... only to have the plan back fire when her own fiance shows up and thinks she herself is cheating. Or the one where the wife of one year decides she's bored with her marriage and tries to reignite an old flame and then decide she really is happiest with her husband. She rushes home to him... only to learn he's discovered her secret and wants a divorce. Yeah. Blah. There was another worse than these two, but I skipped it altogether.

Then there's a few funny ones like the one where the girl has a bad breakup with her boyfriend so she makes a wish that live will give her a fairy tale romance. It's only after a few months and few dates that she realizes she might have gotten the wish she's Snow White and she's been dating the Seven Dwarfs.

And then there are few winners. There's the one where a young woman with a terrible scar discovers the importance of inner beauty and friendship; or the one with the young widow who finally heals and discovers the possibility of loving again; or the one where the girl with a mediocre existence one day up and quits her job, ends her so-so relationship with a boyfriend, and starts afresh. These changes all lead to many beautiful and wonderful possibilities, including the potential of finding true love.

It's been a long time since I read a book containing short stories, I think Ernest Hemingway in 2007 was the last time, or maybe it was O. Henry in 2008. I had forgotten how much I enjoy short stories. Their brief, to the point, and if you don't like one you can easily move on to the next. And to add to that this particular collection is light, fluffy, and for the most part funny and sweet (with the occasional lesson in life or love tossed in for good measure) -- while not nearly as well written as one of Hemingway's short stories, they are at least happier... most of the time. I can't say I agree with most of the character's worldviews and some of the stories do contain some questionable situations and language, but for the most part they are on par with the likes of a Sophie Kinsella novel. (Kinsella is one of the authors included in the Girls Night In short story collection.)

All in all, I enjoyed the light fluff reading over a snowy weekend (remember I read this in early 2010) after a very intensely stressful week. I was glad to be able to skip the stories I didn't like leaving me with a more favorable opinion of the collection than might otherwise have been. Although these books aren't new (published in 2004) I can say that this and it's predecessor might be the book of choice to read next by fans of Sophie Kinsella, Meg Cabot, or Candace Bushnell, especially if they are looking for something different and fun.

Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict by Laurie Viera Rigler

304 pages
PLUME, Published by Penguin Group

Published 2008 (2007)
New York, NY

Ok, so I have a confession to make... Actually two confessions.

Confession 1: While I do enjoy the works of Jane Austen I wouldn't go so far as to call myself an "addict." Yes, I have read all of her novels, but I do not read them over and over and do not rely on them as a compass to my life's decisions. I have also seen several of the film adaptations over the last 13 years and even own a copy of the 5+ hour A&E adaptation of Pride & Prejudice, but they aren't on my weekly play list and I could care less whether Mr. Darcy dives in a pond or not. To add to this I steer clear of any so called "sequel" or "continuing story" novels by modern authors, they just haven't been worth my time though I realize many people enjoy them. Likewise, with the exception of Austenland by Shannon Hale (which by the way, was really good.) I haven't read any of the Austin-themed chick-lit. Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict was an exception, which leads me to my second confession.

Confession 2: I didn't actually mean to read this book. I actually thought I was reading a different book, titled Jane Austen Ruined My Life, which had come highly recommended by my friend Alison and also by Carrie at Reading to Know. I guess it's understandable how I could mix up two completely different titles what with all the Austen-themed literature out there, but I admit it's really my fault for not stopping to double check with either of these ladies as to the title of the book before I began reading. By the end of Confessions I was really puzzled at how differently this book turned out than what they'd told me and it was then I finally realized my mistake. Funny, but true story.

All that to say, next time I will double check the book title and author before proceeding with reading. But now to get to the real point of this post -- my review of Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict.

For starters, Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict is, as I mentioned above, a novel that might be classed as Austen-themed chic-lit. It's the tale of a Courtney Stone, a single woman in her 30s, living in Los Angeles during the 21st century. Courtney, who while nursing a very broken heart, is also extremely obsessed with Jane Austen and the romances within her novels. One day Courtney wakes up to discover she has some how time traveled from the 21st century Los Angeles to the early 19th century England, and most shocking of all she is no longer Courtney Stone in her own body, but living in the body of some other woman named Jane Mansfield. Confusing? A little, but the author does a good job explaining.

What ensues is a story of self-discovery and romance. Courtney must pretend to be Jane and call upon her knowledge from the Austen novels she's read and what history she can remember from school all the while trying to figure out how to return to her own body in her own time.

Overall it's a cute story. The plot is clever and unique. I especially liked the chance to learn more about the day-to-day life of the 19th century that is left out in any novel of that era. Of course I could easily learn this by reading a history book, but I admit it was fun to have these details woven into an easy-read like this novel. But honestly, that's about all I liked about this book.

I often found Courtney's 21st century attitude and worldview annoying and in such stark contrast from the 19th century way of life. As typical of modern chic-lit there was a definite focus on sex in relationships, which thankfully went without too much detail (excepting one scene). To add to this I wasn't completely sold on the romances in this book. But as I have said in the past, authors today try but cannot capture the same spark and passion of the romance that Austen had in her novels. Their focus is too much on the physical and not enough on the psychological and emotional aspects of the character's relationships.

Oh! And to add to this there is one scene where Courtney (as Jane) runs into the real-life Jane Austen. The scene and conversation that follows made me want to smack Courtney/Jane. So irritating! And yet, because I was certain this was the book my friends raved about I read on. (LOL!)

As for the story plot itself, at times it lagged a little and the ending was rather predicable, but I found the author's method/answer for how Courtney ended up in another woman's body and in another time and place satisfactory. It worked reminding me a little of the 1980s movie Big.

All in all I found Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict exactly as one might expect of 21st century chic-lit. It's all fluff and entertainment, with the exception of one major lesson that Courtney does finally learn by the end of the novel. Not a stellar read, but definite entertainment.

There is a sequel to the story called Rude Awakenings, which is the story of Jane Mansfield waking up to find herself in the body of Courtney Stone and living in 21st century Los Angeles, which in some ways might prove more interesting than its predecessor, but I haven't decided if I will read it or not. When I get a chance to read another chic-lit novel I plan to pick up the book I originally intended to read -- Jane Austen Ruined My Life.

If you're interested in reading this novel I'd advise borrowing a copy from your library, as I did, versus buying.

The Sleeping Beauty Proposal by Sarah Strohmeyer

312 pages
Published 2007
Penguin Group
New York, NY

I found out about The Sleeping Beauty Proposal by Sarah Strohmeyer through a link to Framed and Booked on Semicolon's Saturday Review and decided to read it based upon the book's plot description -- it just sounded like such a fun and rather unique story.

The Plot:
At thirty-six, Genie Michaels feels like she has hit the snooze button on her life one too many times. When her "commitment-phobic" boyfriend Hugh proposes on national television -- not to Genie, but to an unknown mystery woman -- Genie's wisecracking friend Patty doesn't hesitate to give her some tough love: "You remind me of that idiot Sleeping Beauty, lying around like a zombie waiting for your prince. Well, guess what, he rode right past your castle and now you have a choice -- you can either go back to bed or you can wake up!"

Genie chooses to wake up. After some questionable advice, her first step is to allow everyone to believe she's Hugh's real fiancee. (She'll let him be the one to explain the mistake.) Naturally the good news travels fast and, in a heartbeat, Genie's parents are booking a reception hall while friends are showering her with gifts. Genie feels bad about the deception, but at last everyone is dancing to her tune, and she can't help but enjoy it...

Genie realizes that she never need a man to start her life-- to buy a home, to get a better job, or even to wear a diamond ring. And if Prince Charming wants to show up while she's at it, she just might teach him a thing or two. (Summary courtesy of the publisher)

My Thoughts:
The Sleeping Beauty Proposal is a mix of romantic comedy, chick-lit fluff, and some valuable lessons for women who find themselves single and waiting around for Prince Charming to arrive before they get their life started.

From the beginning of the story I thought The Sleeping Beauty Proposal contained a very clever and unique plot, although at times it was a tad predictable. By predictable I mean it's your typical girl-power story. The heroine wakes up and finds herself single and past the world's "best by" date, but no matter how much time and effort she pours into her relationships (or career) she can't seem to reach that higher plane of success (i.e. marriage to Prince Charming, a house full of laughing children, or that promotion at work). Then something happens that pushes the heroine into taking charge of her life. She puts aside routine and tries something different. She makes something of herself in spite of the man who has hurt her, she finds happiness within herself and her friends and family, and in the end she finds real love and happiness... and in most cases her dreams start to come true.

Overall I enjoyed the story. Ms. Strohmeyer's writing is funny and entertaining, but also typical of the genre. I found myself comparing it to Sophie Kinsella's Confessions of a Shopaholic. In both books the heroine of the story lies to cover up a problem, but soon discovers that lying only makes for more trouble, so she ends up telling the truth to make things right.

Aside from the heroine lying there were a couple other aspects to the story that I should mention as fair warning to other readers. For starters, the book does contain a moderate amount of profanity, but because the book was written by an American author the language is a little tamer than one might find in a British novel. Then there is the matter of premarital sex. While the are no graphic details (this is no Sex in the City) it is definitely an topic focused on by the author (characters sleep together, talk about sleeping around, or other intimate matters). As I said, nothing too graphic, but call me old-fashioned, it was just a little too much for my liking. I think Ms. Strohmeyer's story could have carried the atmosphere of romance without going into the level of detail she did. Last, the relationships within Genie's family are at times a tad dysfunctional. I did note that while Genie's family attends a church they definitely view a born-again Christian in-law as being a little bit of an oddity.

Still, if these issues are overlooked it's not too bad of a story. I think, if cleaned up some, it could make for a fun Summer romantic-comedy with maybe Sandra Bullock taking the role of Genie and Hugh Grant playing his look-a-like Hugh Spencer, Genie's boyfriend.

My Summary:
In my opinion if you are interested to read The Sleeping Beauty Proposal, borrow don't buy. On a scale of 1-5, 1 being horrible and 5 being excellent I would rate The Sleeping Beauty Proposal a 2.5 to a possible 3. I satisfied my curiosity about this story, but it's not likely I'll pick up another novel by Strohmeyer any time soon.

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Related reads:
Confessions of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella (no review, read pre-blog)
The Undomestic Goddess by Sophie Kinsella
Can You Keep A Secret by Sophie Kinsella
Practically Perfect by Katie Fforde

Highland Fling by Katie Fforde

326 pages

Copyright 2003

St. Martin's Press

New York NY

It was purely on a whim that I picked up from my library Highland Fling, another of British romance writer Katie Fforde's books. Surprisingly enough it didn't turn out to be the type of read I expected.

The Plot (courtesy of the publisher):

"After a fight with her boyfriend, a business trip to Scotland is the perfect diversion for Jenny Porter, who works as a virtual assistant for a financial executive. Dispatched to assess a failing textile mill, Jenny instead finds herself determined to save it at any cost after befriending its charming employees. That cost might just be her sanity as she stretches her resources, patience, and compassion to the outer limits.

"As she gets to know the colorful Dalmain clan, Jenny just can't say no when asked to help run a mobile food stand, save the family business, put an overbearing matriarch in her place, rekindle an old romance, or throw a dinner party for sixteen on short notice. Then there's the problem of being attracted to the dashing yet abrasive Ross Grant, who has a way of showing up just when things seem almost sane and manageable.

"The majestic Scottish highlands, covered in purple heather and dotted with sheep and llamas, provide a dramatic backdrop while Jenny tries to pull everything together in time to save the mill and figure out her increasingly complicated personal life..."

My Thoughts:

As I said, it was purely on a whim that I picked up Highland Fling. I was currently working my way through a very long book and felt a brief reading diversion was needed. As you may recall I read two other books by Ms. Fforde (Practically Perfect and Bidding For Love) earlier this summer, and while I did have some minor objections (i.e. to the story and/or the writing style), I enjoyed them for the most part... At least for what the type of books that they are: chick-lit novels, stories of pure fluff, tales of love and adventure for the 20-something British girl. I rated both of those books fairly high between a 3 and 4. Unfortunately Highland Fling didn't fare so well. On a scale of 1-5, 1 being horrible and 5 being excellent I would rate it a 2.

Why so low? Well, for starters I found several of the main characters annoying. I think Ms. Fforde was trying to develop a feisty relationship between the female and male protagonists. You know, the kind of verbal sparring that readers find so romantic in books like Pride and Prejudice, North and South, or even Anne of Green Gables. Unfortunately it didn't come off in this book. Jenny's character is rude and mean and the male protagonist is gruff and a little one-dimensional. As for the other characters, a few were likable, but most were a combination of snobbish, patronizing, selfish, and down right obnoxious.

The other problem I had with the book had to do with the quantity and quality of language and love scenes. Previously in my reviews I have praised Ms. Fforde's writing for it's lack of profanity. I cannot say the same of Highland Fling. There was a great deal of profanity, albeit mostly offensive to readers in the States rather than those in the UK. As for the love scenes -- while there was only one specific scene -- the characters in the book (particularly Jenny) seemed obsessed with lust rather than love. I found myself wrinkling my nose insead of sighing as I might have done while reading Pride and Prejudice, North and South, or Anne of Green Gables (to name a few.)

That said, I did find the whole story plot revolving around saving Dalmain Mills clever and unique. But in the end the book's "happily ever after" ending seemed to end on a rushed note and I was left thinking and feeling Highland Fling was just not one of Ms. Fforde's better books. In my opinion pass this one over and find something else to read.

Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsella

435 pages
July 21, 2009
Random House Publishing
New York, NY

I know I said I was on break from reading chick-lit, but I couldn't pass up the chance to read and review British chick-lit author Sophie Kinsella's latest novel Twenties Girl, which was released in the US last week. I had planned to read it later this summer, but some how managed to get my hands on a library copy within days of its publication and then I couldn't resist taking a 12-hour break from Little Dorrit to read and review a brand-new novel. And so here we are...

The Plot
Lara Lington has always had an overactive imagination, but suddenly that imagination seems to be in overdrive. Normal professional twenty-something young women don’t get visited by ghosts. Or do they?

When the spirit of Lara’s great-aunt Sadie -- a feisty, demanding girl with firm ideas about fashion, love, and the right way to dance -- mysteriously appears, she has one last request: Lara must find a missing necklace that had been in Sadie’s possession for more than seventy-five years, and Sadie cannot rest without it. Lara, on the other hand, has a number of ongoing distractions. Her best friend and business partner has run off to Goa, her start-up company is floundering, and she’s just been dumped by the “perfect” man. Sadie, however, could care less.

Lara and Sadie make a hilarious sparring duo, and at first it seems as though they have nothing in common. But as the mission to find Sadie’s necklace leads to intrigue and a new romance for Lara, these very different “twenties” girls learn some surprising truths from each other along the way. (Summary courtesy of the publisher)

My Thoughts
When I first heard that Sophie Kinsella's next novel was a "ghost story" of sorts I wasn't the least bit interested in it, but after reading the plot description and remembering that her other books have been quick, light, and generally entertaining reads I changed my mind and decided to give it a chance.

And I found Twenties Girl to live up to my revised expectations. It was a clever and entertaining romantic comedy that had me laughing out loud at times. Excepting the usual amount of profanity and love scenes that are generally found in Kinsella's books, Twenties Girl was overall a good read. I should also mention that in comparing this recent read side-by-side with another British author's chick-lit I can honestly say Kinsella's prose if definitely superior to that of Katie Fforde's, but it is still by no means a "classic".

Although Twenties Girl can be called a ghost story, it really isn't. First, there's nothing ghoulish or creepy about the story. Second, it's really more the story of a twenty-something British girl struggling in life and love, whose encounter with the ghost of her dead great-aunt sends her on a path of adventure and self-discovery, which eventually leads to a happily-ever-after-ending for all concerned. I'd call it a fantasy/romantic comedy more than a ghost story.

As for the characters... Initially Sadie's character really grated on my nerves and I couldn't stand her immature, selfish, and her apparent hedonistic view of life, but gradually her character settles down and if ghosts can learn lessons, learns a few lessons from Lara, which very much improves her. On the flip-side Lara's character seems to have a better grasp of her morals and responsibilities, but is unwilling to take some chances, but with the aide of Sadie changers her outlook on life and some of her relationships.

There were some vaguely familiar aspects to this novel. The ghost story part reminded me of the 1990s film, Ghost, but only a tiny bit. And then there were aspects of Lara and the love interest that reminded me of characters in Hester Browne's The Little Lady Agency and Kinsella's earlier work, Can You Keep A Secret.

My Summary
Still, overall I thought this was a fresh and entertaining story by Kinsella and I am tempted to say of all of Kinsella's novels that I've read (Shopaholic series, Can You Keep a Secret, The Undomestic Goddess, Remember Me?, and Twenties Girl) this latest novel is probably a close second to my favorite...

On a scale of 1-5, 1 being horrible and 5 being excellent I would rate this new chick-lit novel, Twenties Girl a 3.5. I am glad I took the time (one afternoon and evening) to read this book and I definitely recommend it to fans of Kinsella's books, but it's still a borrow vs. buy in my opinion.

Bidding for Love by Katie Fforde

384 pages
Copyright 2007
St. Martin's Press

I wasn't planning to read another book by Katie Fforde so soon after the last, but Bidding for Love arrived through the inter-library loan system faster than I expected... and then I found myself picking it up and reading it here and there... and before I knew it, I had finished it.

The Plot:
Bidding for Love is a romantic-comedy that was originally printed as Flora's Lot when it hit the bookstore shelves in the UK during the spring of 2007. It is the 11th novel by British author Katie Fforde. In this story the beautiful twenty-something Flora Stanza has suddenly become an heiress. When an uncle dies and leaves her the majority partnership in an auction house Flora decides to give the family business a try and leaves her London life for the English countryside. While Flora's knowledge of auctions and antiques is limited to the little bit of "Antique Roadshow" she's watched on TV that doesn't stop her from being full of enthusiasm and ideas. The only problem is her rather curt and stuffy cousin Charles and his fiancee Annabelle aren't exactly happy to have Flora's help. When they make an offer to buy Flora out of her shares for a large sum of money she is almost tempted... but in the end decides to stay on a little longer. What follows is a story that is witty, entertaining, romantic, and anything but dull.

My Thoughts:
This is the second novel by Katie Fforde that I have read. My opinion of Fforde's writing style is becoming a little more established. She's an ok writer, but not a great writer. Fforde creates entertaining stories with interesting settings, witty dialog, rich characters, and romantic matches.

However, there are some drawbacks to the books. First, Fforde seems to really like to use the phrase "his eyes crinkling" a lot, which does get old. And although I definitely appreciate the fact her stories have little to no language and her love scenes are minor, I still think she could do a little better. For example, the love scene in Bidding For Love seemed a little thrown on the reader; almost as if Fforde felt she must have a bedroom scene (albeit subtle) in the book in order for the book to be properly romantic. Apparently this is something modern writers sturggle with and that's interesting because clearly Jane Austen didn't need any bed scenes to turn Pride and Prejudice into the multi-generationally loved story of romance that it is.

And while we're on that subject I have one more complaint and it has to do with the Flora's love interest. On the one hand I saw it coming, yet for some reason by the end of the book it still seemed a little thrown together -- almost as if Fforde was trying to channel Jane Austen and bring in a little Fitzwilliam Darcy/George Wickim/Elizabeth Bennett drama. I realize nearly the whole world of romance readers is in love with Mr. Darcy, but can't writers give it a break and create some new types of heroes? Just a thought.

My Summary:
Overall I enjoyed Bidding for Love. It was a fun read. On a scale of 1-5, 1 being horrible and 5 being excellent I would rate Bidding for Love a 3.5. I am interested in exploring some more of Ffordes books, but not right now. I'm taking a break from chick-lit for a little while.

Practically Perfect by Katie Fforde

373 pages
copyright 2006, first US edition 2008
Random House Publishers
St Martin's Press
New York, NY

I stumbled upon Practically Perfect by Katie Fforde at my local library while looking for another book. The cover illustration is what first caught my attention, but then I read the book description printed on the inside of the dust jacket and I was officially intrigued.

The Plot:
Anna, a newly qualified interior designer, has decided it's time to put her money and expertise where her mouth is and risk everything to buy a tiny but adorable cottage in desperate need of renovation. Outside, the chocolate-box cottage is perfect, but inside, all is chaos. With a ladder for a staircase, no downstairs flooring, candles the only form of lighting, and a sleeping bag and camping mat for a bed, Anna soon wonders if she's bitten off more than she can chew. Her neighbor Chloe comes to the rescue, providing tea, wine, and sympathy -- and a recently rescued greyhound, Caroline. But just as Anna's starting to settle in, make new friends, and see the house transforming before her eyes, the good-looking yet impossible Rob Hunter arrives on the scene and puts even more obstacles in her way. Will Anna be able to get over all of life's hurdles in the end, or will she stumble and fall? (Summary courtesy of the publisher)

What the synopsis fails to mention is the additional and complicated fact that Anna has moved to her new home in hopes of connecting with a long-term crush, Max Gordon. Max, a handsome architect, gave a series of lectures at Anna's college and she almost had a relationship with him... Now all these years later she is hoping to run into him again and get a second chance.

My Thoughts:
This is my first time reading Katie Fforde and I had a hard time figuring out exactly how to put my likes and dislikes in a post.

I found myself particularly attracted to this story. I think because, in a small way, I could identify with Anna. I have been living for the last four years in a house that has undergone, is still undergoing, some serious remodeling projects.

Practically Perfect is a unique story. Unique in the sense that isn't your typical chick-lit fiction. The story isn't about a young woman living in a world of fashion, shopping, cocktail parties, or London society. It's about a young woman living in a small town amidst the Cotswolds with a love for building plans, drawing boards, and wood. It's about this woman taking on challenges and finding out who she is and what she truly wants, which includes happiness, friendship, and love. Practically Perfect isn't a perfect story, but it is a charming story.

I found Anna's character funny, clever, and interesting. She isn't like a lot of the chick-lit heroines I've read recently, but that's ok, I actually enjoyed the change. The story plot definitely has a strong emphasis on Anna's remodeling, which at times did seem to make the story drag a little, but overall I found Fforde had woven the development of friendships and romance fairly well without making the book just another love story. Although the ending is a tad predicible it's ok because Fforde gives Anna a "happily ever after" that should leave most readers happy.

As for Fforde as a writer, she isn't quite as good as Sophie Kinsella when it comes to chick-lit, but I did find her writing easy to read, fairly funny, and as I said before a unique take on a romantic comedy. I also liked that Practically Perfect was told in a fairly clean way. The language in this book is very mild, only one or two words are used and only in scenes of anger. And there are only two love scenes and a couple sexual references, but all are on the mild side and if rated as a film would make for a PG rating.

My Summary:
On a scale of 1-5, 1 being horrible and 5 being excellent, I would rate Practically Perfect a 3.5 to 4. I really enjoyed the story. It was a little slow at first, but I found it a fun light-hearted read. Fans of chick-lit who are looking for something new to read might consider this book.

Can You Keep A Secret? by Sophie Kinsella

357 pages

Copyright: March 2004

Random House

New York, NY

Can you keep a secret? Ok, well it's not really much of a secret since I'm posting it here on my blog. The truth is, I've been slacking in my reading of classical literature. The weather is warmer and the days sunnier (after all it is officially Summer!) , my life is busier than ever and I just haven't had the attention span for anything meaty. Instead I've been drawn to light fluffy chic-lit and that's exactly what you will find if you pick up: Can You Keep A Secret by Sophie Kinsella.

The Plot:
Can You Keep A Secret? is the story of Emma Corrigan, a 20-something British woman with "a huge heart, an irrepressible spirit, and a few little secrets..." Secrets she keeps from her boyfriend, her family, her coworkers, and even from her best friend. Secrets that she keeps to herself... Until one day during a fateful plane trip, she spills every single secret to the handsome stranger sitting next to her, in a sort of final confession before the plane crashes... But then the plane doesn't crash. It lands safely and Emma goes home only to return to work on Monday and discover that the stranger on the plane isn't really a stranger after all... He's the American CEO of the company she works for... and he's visiting her office for the week... and he knows every one of her deepest darkest most humiliating secrets!

My Thoughts:
Can You Keep A Secret? is fluffy chic-lit at its best -- a light-hearted romantic comedy with a shot of girl-power and lessons to be learned. One being, while some secrets are best kept to ourselves, others are better brought to the open. Friendships and relationships thrive on truth and being honest with ourselves as to who we are.

In keeping with the formula of a romantic comedy, Can You Keep A Secret? has its highs and lows, but ends on a happy note for the heroine and for the reader. I am not the first person to say this, but I think it is worth repeating. Yes, chic-lit is all fluff, but Sophie Kinsella is really good at writing fluff and making it fun to read. I really enjoyed Can You Keep A Secret? and found the story fairly believable, although I did struggle with how quickly Kinsella resolved a messy situation in a few chapters that should have taken a lot more clean-up in real life.

The only caveat I have with this book is in the content. I did find the language a little heavier and the sexual content a little more frequent than in The Undomestic Goddess, but not quite as bad as in Remember Me? I certainly don't look at these books as examples of fine literature or as a "how to" for modeling my life, but they are entertaining if you skip or skim over the bad parts. Keeping this in mind I would recommend Can You Keep A Secret? to fans of the Shopaholic series.

For those curious you can read the reviews I wrote on Kinsella's other books by clicking on the titles: Remember Me? and The Undomestic Goddess. Unfortunately I read the Shopaholic books in 2008 before I started this blog, so I do not have any reviews of that series.

My Summary:
On a scale of 1-5, 1 being horrible and 5 being excellent I would rate this piece of chic-lit a 3 to 3.5. I had fun reading it and would actually consider seeing it if adapted to the big screen.

Which reminds me... I recently saw something about Kate Hudson starring as Emma in a movie adaptation of Can You Keep A Secret? While I think this story would make a fabulous film, I must admit I am disappointed to see yet another of Kinsella's books being adapted to an American setting. I really think they should have been left where they were set -- in Britain, like what was done with the Bridget Jones movies.

The Undomestic Goddess by Sophie Kinsella

374 pages

Copyright 2005

A Dial Press Book

A Division of Random House, Inc.

New York, New York

I meant to bring this book along with me for our beach vacation, what better to sit on the beach and read than something quick, easy, and funny (i.e. British chic-lit). Instead I brought along what I was currently reading (a couple classics) and waited until I got home to start The Undomesitc Goddess by Sophie Kinsella.

My Thoughts

Although I was rather disappointed with the last book I read by Kinsella (Remember Me?), I decided to give her another try and I'm glad I did. I ended up enjoying The Undomestic Goddess. Although I felt some of the story was predicable, Kinsella did throw in a few twists that I didn't anticipate resulting in a story that was clever and funny with a fair amount of that warm-fuzzy romance that is typical of chic-lit. My only complaints would be with two aspects of the content and with the ending. The ending it seemed to drag out a little, I think Kinsella could have wrapped the story up a chapter or two sooner if she'd cut out some of the round and round emotions the heroine has, but otherwise she tied up the story quite nicely. As for the content, there are really only two downsides to the book. The first is the mild to moderate amount of language (typical of British chic-lit though not quite as heavy as in Remember Me? or Bridget Jones' Diary). And the second is the one mild-ish love scene (pre-marital), but there is enough hints leading up to it a reader can easily skip past it if they wish. Both aspects would probably make this book into a PG-13 if rated as a film.

Book Plot Summary (no spoilers)

Workaholic attorney Samantha Sweeting has just done the unthinkable. She’s made a mistake so huge, it’ll wreck any chance of a partnership. Going into utter meltdown, she walks out of her London office, gets on a train, and ends up in the middle of nowhere. Asking for directions at a big, beautiful house, she’s mistaken for an interviewee and finds herself being offered a job as housekeeper. Her employers have no idea they’ve hired a lawyer—and Samantha has no idea how to work the oven. She can’t sew on a button, bake a potato, or get the #@%# ironing board to open. How she takes a deep breath and begins to cope—and finds love—is a story as delicious as the bread she learns to bake. But will her old life ever catch up with her? And if it does…will she want it back? (summary courtesy of the publisher)

My Summary

Overall I enjoyed The Undomestic Goddess. It's definitely a borrow vs. buy in my opinion and should be an easy find for most readers as it is a recent publication and by a still fairly popular author, especially since the movie adaptation of the first two Shopaholic books. On a scale of 1-5, 1 being horrible and 5 being excellent I would rate The Undomestic Goddess a 3 to 3.5, If it were a little more PG rated in its content I think I'd rate it a little higher, but for what it is -- I liked it.

Remember Me? by Sophie Kinsella

389 pages

Copyright 2008

The Dial Press, a division of Random House, Inc.

New York, New York

I read the entire Shopaholic series by Sophie Kinsella in early 2008 and had a love-hate relationship with them. I loved the comical aspects of the stories and the light fluff that made them easy reading... but I hated the stressful situations that occurred in each novel, they stressed me out until everything was resolved and I was assured of a happy ending. And yet, I read on until I finished the series. At some point I realized they were a guilty pleasure for me, some "snack reading" in between meatier books and classics. So, since I've finished the series and it's been a while since I've read some modern chick-lit I thought I'd give one of Kinsella's stand-alone books a try.

Remember Me? is about a young working class British gal who wakes up in the hospital with amnesia. All Lexi Smart can remember is what happened to her three years previous to her accident. To her it feels as though she's lost three years of her life... But maybe it isn't so bad after all. Lexi finds her "new" life a dream come true -- she's got the body of a brunette barbie doll, a high paying job, and lives in a millionaire flat with her very sweet and absolutely gorgeous husband. Everything is almost perfect and once she regains her memory it will be perfect... But then Lexi learns things aren't what they seem... But why? How did she become who she is? If only she could remember!

Remember Me? is a romance with drama typical of British chick-lit (i.e. Bridget Jones Diary). What does that mean? It means Remember Me? has its funny moments mixed in with some difficult situations, but overall remains a light read with a happy ending. Personally I found myself struggling with some of situations included in the book, particularly those involving Lexi and her friend's morals. Their worldview is different than mine thus I did not connect with the characters as I might in other books. To add to this the book had a fair amount of language (including the "f-word", which is really common in modern British literature and films) and some bedroom scenes/discussions (both intramarital and extramarital) that readers may wish to skip over (or maybe skip the book altogether). Despite all these negative aspects I still wanted to finish the story. It has such a clever plot. Seriously, what would you do if you woke up and found you weren't who you thought you were, or that you didn't have the same friends and that your spouse was a complete stranger? It is definitely compelling and got me thinking.

On a scale of 1-5, 1 being horrible and 5 being excellent I would rate Remember Me? a 2-2.5. It's not that I hated it, because I didn't... I just can't say that I loved it, there was too much in the way for me to connect with the characters, especially the heroine..

If you're looking for a good clean story involving a married couple, one of which has amnesia and can't remember anything you should check out the 1940 film I Love You Again. (Netflix anyone?) And if you aren't terrible concerned with mild language and implied love scenes you might be interested in the Harrison Ford film, Regarding Henry. Either of these I think were better at telling the story than Kinsella did in Remember Me? Harsh? I don't mean to be, but well, there you have it.

I do plan to give Kinsella another try at some point in the future. She is one of those writers that makes for a good brain break -- a beach book -- or a time-killer for some. Borrow don't buy this one if you wish to read it.

The Little Lady Agency by Hester Browne

I picked up The Little Lady Agency on a friend's referral. This friend read the entire Shopaholic Series by Sophie Kinsella and enjoyed them for what they are – a romantic, entertaining, and completely fluff novel that lends itself to a quick read. Because of this friend's referral I also read the Shopaholic series. At first I didn't like the books, the main character and her problems stressed me out... but I pressed on because I wanted to know what would happen in the end and somehow I got suckered into reading the entire series... and actually ended up… liking them… somehow.

Yes, I did say "like" and that fact surprised me at the time. I've since filed the books away in my mind under the category of a "guilty pleasure" read. Occasionally I have those.

Well, The Little Lady Agency is another of those books. In this story, Melissa Romney-Jones (aka Mel) is a single gal who finds herself out of a job with bills to pay. A former classmate gives her the name and number of possible job lead.... which turns out to be a temp agency run by Mel's former Home Ec teacher. The job entails being escorting wealthy men around town under a false name. Mel naively believes the job is above board and simple, all she has to do is go to dinner with a gentleman seeking a lady companion, chat away the evening, and then return home, no complications and no funny business. Unfortunately Mel quickly discovers that isn't exactly what is expected of her and faced with a compromising situation she flees and quits the job. This is what leads her to start her own agency, The Little Lady Agency. Like her previous experience it is also a temp agency that offers services to men - married and single, but that’s where the similarities end. The purpose of The Little Lady Agency is to help clients organize their life (i.e. help "clueless bachelors shop, entertain, and navigate social minefields" or help a husband find that perfect gift for his wife), but without any "funny business or laundry."

Overall, The Little Lady Agency is an entertaining romantic comedy -- the type of book you could easily see made into a chick-flick film (Rated PG-13). There are no bedroom love scenes, but there is a mild amount of language (mostly British) and a few suggestive situations and conversations, but nothing vulgar or explicit. The only stressful aspect of the book may be found in Melissa's family. Her father is a complete and utter JERK. Her relationship with him and the rest of her family can be described in one word: dysfunctional. And yet, somehow, in spite of this Melissa is rather normal.

I did have a few hang ups with this book on a personal level as well as a general reader. Mostly my hang-ups had to do with the lifestyle of the characters in the book, but I realize not everyone will have the same objections that I do, so if you wish for more detail feel free to email me (smehrens [at] gmail [dot] com). I will leave it at this... This is not a book for everyone. Those who prefer not to read books where the characters have different morals and worldviews then their own may prefer to steer clear of this book. Or to put it more simply... if you didn't like Bridget Jones Diary or the Shopaholic Series -- typical British chick-lit, you are probably not going to like The Little Lady Agency.

As far as the hang-ups as a reader... I finished the book finding myself with several unanswered questions. Perhaps Ms. Browne meant to leave the reader this way, perhaps not. Perhaps it has something to do with the fact The Little Lady Agency was her debut novel and her writing and plot wasn't as honed as it could have been... (is that the editor's fault?) At any rate, I enjoyed Ms. Browne's writing style and thought the chemistry between the characters was as comical and pleasing as might be found in a good romantic comedy. The book at 376 pages was a relatively fast read simply because the writing wasn't difficult to follow and the story kept a good pace.

Unless you make a practice of filling your library with chick-lit I would definitely suggest borrowing The Little Lady Agency from your library, which is what I did. I would recommend this book to others, but with the above caveats and it would depend on the reader. On a scale of one to five, one being horrible and I hated it and five being excellent and I loved it; I would rate The Little Lady Agency a 3, I liked it.

Since its publication in 2006, Hester Browne has written two additional books in the series. When I have time and am in the mood for another "guilty pleasure" read I may pick them up.

Her Royal Spyness by Rhys Bowen

Her Royal Spyness by Rhys Bowen was mentioned in one of my recent "Friday Finds" posts. I learned about this book from a friend, who in turn stumbled upon it in her library. In my defense, I didn't wait to hear what she thought of the book -- I charged in and borrowed my own copy purely on the fact that it was a mystery novel set in Britain in the early 1930s. Sounds fun, right?

Well, Her Royal Spyness is fun, but it's also really cheap literature, or "chick-lit". It isn't a mystery, it's more a comedy/romance/drama that involves royal family scandal and some murder and mystery tossed in for good measure. (The murder doesn't occur until nearly the middle of the book.)

The synopsis of the book is this: "Georgie, aka Lady Victoria Georgiana Charlotte Eugenie, cousin of King George V of England, is penniless and trying to survive on her own as an ordinary person in London in 1932. So far she has managed to light a fire and boil an egg...She’s gate-crashed a wedding...She’s making money by secretly cleaning houses...And she’s been asked to spy for Her Majesty the Queen. Everything seems to be going swimmingly until she finds a body in her bathtub and someone is definitely trying to kill her." (Synopsis courtesy of Rhys Bowen's website.)

I did find the book a fun and fast read (324 pages), but I also had several objections:

First, the writing was just not up to par with other mystery writers. Perhaps I shouldn't because Ms. Bowen is a modern author, but I couldn't help comparing her work with the likes of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Agatha Christie... and she just didn't reach their level. Her writing came across as very modern. While some may argue the philosophies and standards of several characters are common to people of that era (which of some I can agree), the writing just doesn't compare with that of Agatha Christie's murder mysteries, many which were written and/or set in the 1930s (more on this later).

Second, on a scale of mysteries to solve, this one was fair. As I mentioned above, the murder doesn't occur until nearly half-way through the book and almost feels like an afterthought. To her credit, Ms. Bowen did throw in some distracting details and clues that muddied the waters for a while, but before I reached the last couple of chapters I was able to solve the crime myself, and before the heroine! For some readers the end of Her Royal Spyness might prove suspenseful enough to pull them through to the last page, it almost did me. But perhaps some readers prefer this to the frustration of the "magician reveal" often read in the end of Sherlock Holmes and Hercule Poirot novels.

Third, there was Ms. Bowen's use of language in the book. Although on the mild side and many of the swearing is objectionable to Europeans rather than Americans, it still could be considered objectionable and not suitable to young readers.

Fourth and last, there was the rather modern attitude towards premarital sex. This alone could be the "deal breaker" for many a reader. Nothing is discussed in detail, it's more the philosophy of some of the characters. I realize people did "get around" in the 1930s just as they do in today's society, but it wasn't something that was discussed as lightly as it is in this book, at least not in literature written at that time. And to add further insult it wasn't even a necessary component to the story. (Well, unless one considers it a must for a book to be called "chick-lit.") For me, the frequent hinting and discussion of it got on my nerves as did the life-style of some characters. It might be considered a spoiler to say Georgie never gives up her standards, though she comes close, however this is definitely not a book for a young reader based on this issue alone.

Finishing the book I was left with a definite impression. Ms. Bowen has attempted to write a fun chic-lit mystery that involves royals and non royals, scandal and romance. On a chick-lit scale she did fairly well, but on the scale of other period murder mysteries she did poorly. Agatha Christie could write a murder mystery that included comedy, drama, romance, scandal and murder without compromising the characters by sprinkling the book with bad language or socially unacceptable situations and conversations. You could know a person was bad or had questionable morals without having to delve into what they were. Ms. Bown could have done the same, but it clearly wasn't her desire and she appears to have plenty of readership in spite of this.

On a scale of 1-5 I'd rate this book a 2. It was ok. It's a unique idea for a story plot/character background. I admit I enjoyed reading it, but if I were to recommend the book it would come with the following caveat: read my review and based on the above "objections" decide for yourself if Her Royal Spyness is worth your time. For those opting to read, you are likely to find it a fun read, but I'd advise you to borrow vs. buy this book.