Book Review: Breaking Even

Nancy's Review of Breaking Even by Kathleen Kole

*This review is part of Kathleen Kole's blog tour hosted by CLP Blog Tours.
 
Breaking EvenIn Kathleen Kole’s Breaking Even, Penelope Whittaker is in a stable relationship with her fiancé Ben. They have been together for many years, but have yet to actually tie the knot. Penelope’s life is predictable, even boring at times, until she meets Scott, a recently widowed dad, when she drops off her soon-to-be nephews at school one morning. He offers to help her when she discovers that she locked her keys in the car. To her surprise, Penelope is very attracted to Scott’s kindness, charm and good looks.

Soon after meeting Scott, Penelope meets up with Kris and Renee, the wives of her fiancé’s brothers and her soon-to-be sisters-in-law, to tell them about her encounter with Scott. Kris and Renee are Penelope’s best friends, so they immediately worry when she shows such an interest in a man other than Ben, despite Penelope’s dismissal of their concern. Ben’s brothers Grayson and Paul are soon aware of the Scott situation, but Ben remains clueless. All Ben knows is that Penelope is unhappy when she gets angry with him for no reason and blurts out that they are like an old married couple. She then changes her appearance to give her life more excitement and to attract Scott even more to her, whether she wants to admit that or not. Ben also tries to spice up their relationship, not realizing that Penelope’s changes are for Scott and not for Ben. Meanwhile, Kris becomes jealous of Penelope and her changes because Kris feels like she is stuck in a rut too, which causes tension between them. This story has a very tangled web of characters that all affect each other and influence each other’s decisions. They are constantly in each other’s business, making it difficult for Penelope to figure out how she really feels. Does she still want to be with Ben even though it is increasingly difficult to ignore her strong attraction to Scott? Will she actually cheat on Ben or break it off with him before anything happens with Scott? There are turning points in any relationship. For Penelope, meeting Scott is a turning point in her relationship with Ben and she can’t go back.

Breaking Even is a fun, fast read that will keep readers wondering who Penelope will choose. There are surprises along the way that add to the drama and to Penelope’s confusion. Kole has an engaging writing style that will keep readers’ interest throughout the story. The dynamic between Penelope, Kris and Renee is well written. It often seems like Kris and Renee treat Penelope like she is part of their family even though she isn’t technically married to Ben yet. They have a hard time adjusting to the fact that she might have feelings for someone else because that means that they could lose her. At times, Kris and Renee seem nosy and bossy, but that is their way of showing that they care about Penelope and her relationship with Ben. Kole depicts the misunderstandings and miscommunication that can happen in relationships and friendships very well. Breaking Even is a worthwhile read about love, friendship, family and the tough life decisions that everyone faces.  

Kathleen Kole has been writing since she was a child. Breaking Even is her first novel. When she isn’t writing, she loves spending time with her husband, her son and her dog. Kole’s next novel, Dollars to Donuts, will be published this summer. To learn more, please visit http://www.kathleenkole.com, http://www.facebook.com/kathleenkoleauthor, and http://www.twitter.com/kathleenkole. 
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Book Review: Love Struck

Nancy's Review of Love Struck by Chantel Simmons

*This review is part of Chantel Simmons' blog tour hosted by CLP Blog Tours.
 
Love StruckPoppy Ross is an image consultant living in Toronto who thinks that she has the perfect life, including the perfect marriage. It is no wonder that she is shocked when she overhears that her husband, Parker, is having an affair. Her whole world begins to crumble as she struggles with this surprising and devastating revelation. When Poppy receives a call that Parker was struck by lightning, she rushes to the hospital only to find out that Parker was with the other woman, Sienna, and they were both affected by the bolt of lightning. Poppy approaches Sienna at the hospital and pretends to be a sociologist, so that she can gather information. After seeing how different she is from Sienna, Poppy decides that she needs to transform herself to look like Sienna so that Parker, who lost his short term memory of the affair, won't ever remember Sienna or go back to her. Poppy's plan is flawed in many ways, leading her down a difficult yet eye-opening path to the real truth.

Love Struck is full of laugh-out-loud moments as Poppy tries to look like Sienna. She changes her hair and her nails in addition to getting a tan, getting her teeth whitened, and wearing padded cycling shorts. She tries to change her physical appearance in every way possible without undergoing actual surgery, but that doesn't mean the process isn't painful. Despite the heartbreak that is the catalyst for all of these changes, readers will be able to see the humor in Poppy's pursuits. This book is a fun read with some unexpected twists that will definitely keep readers engaged in the story and invested in the characters. There are also some good lessons about the trouble that can come with trying to be perfect, because, after all, no one is perfect.

Chantel Simmons is also the author of the bestseller Stuck in Downward Dog. She has worked at ELLE Canada, Sweetspot.ca, TV Guide, Elevate and The Toronto Sun. She is currently the Hair Editor of The Kit, Canada’s first digital beauty magazine. Chantel also teaches magazine and online writing and editing in the book & magazine publishing program at Centennial College. She lives in Toronto with her husband and their cat. For more information, visit http://www.chantelsimmons.com and follow Chantel on Twitter @ChantelSimmons.
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Book & Movie Review: Something Borrowed

Nancy's Review of Something Borrowed (Book & Movie)

Something Borrowed is about Rachel White, an attorney in Manhattan, and her childhood best friend, Darcy Rhone. Told from Rachel's point of view, the story begins when Darcy throws Rachel a 30th birthday party.

Rachel always plays by the rules. She always comes in second to Darcy and is quite accustomed to it, rarely speaking up for herself. She gives in to Darcy's demands, regardless of her true feelings. Darcy is engaged to Rachel's friend from law school, Dex. Rachel has been harboring a secret crush on Dex for years. When Darcy leaves Rachel's 30th birthday party early because she has had too much to drink, Dex takes her home. However, it isn't long before he is back at the party looking for Darcy's lost purse. He asks Rachel to go with him to another bar for one more drink. One thing leads to another and Rachel winds up in bed withe her best friend's fiance. Rachel's 30th birthday party is where her affair with Dex begins. They see each other secretly, making desperate attempts to keep their relationship hidden. Eventually, Rachel's co-worker and friend, Hillary, figures it out. Rachel then confides in her close friend, Ethan, who has been friends with Rachel and Darcy since they were kids, but likes Rachel much more than he likes Darcy. Hillary and Ethan are both rooting for Rachel's relationship with Dex because they don't want her to always be in Darcy's shadow. The whole situation becomes increasingly complicated as Rachel is forced to choose: friendship or true love?

  • The friendship between Rachel and Darcy is definitely believable. The depiction of childhood best friends who have stuck together into adulthood, despite their differences, is beautifully depicted.  
  • The flashbacks to different times in the Rachel and Darcy friendship are very important to understanding how they have gotten to where they are now.
  • Even though Darcy is a difficult friend to have around, most people have or have had a friend like her. Her actions will make readers cringe while relating to them. Readers will either be more like Rachel, more like Darcy, or a mixture of both. Bottom line: everyone can relate to these characters.
  • The relationship between Rachel and Dex is understandable. The details of their past make it easy to believe why they are risking everything for each other in the present. The intensity of their affair adds to the conflict and adds to the emotional impact of the overall story.
  • The ending is very realistic, including the character transformation that Rachel makes. 
  • There are a couple of great scenes between Rachel and Darcy, showing the depth of their friendship.
  • Kate Hudson is fantastic as Darcy.
  • Hillary is not in the movie. Ethan is the only best friend to Rachel, besides Darcy.
  • John Krasinski, who plays Ethan, really steals the film. He gives a great performance that is a departure from his character on the popular NBC show The Office. It is great to see him step into other roles that broaden his career and show more of his acting skills.
  • The flashbacks are just as important in the movie. The black and white freeze on Rachel's face is a great way to transition to a flashback.
  • The on-screen chemistry between Ginnifer Goodwin (Rachel) and Colin Egglesfield (Dex) is lacking a bit. The Rachel and Dex relationship is much more compelling in the book. Ginnifer Goodwin has better on-screen chemistry with John Krasinski.
  • The way the movie ends is slightly different from how the book ends. The movie's ending is less satisfying and less realistic than the book's ending. 
Overall, the book is better than the movie. However, the movie is well done. It is great to see the book's characters come to life on the big screen. Looking forward to reading the book's sequel, Something Blue. Hopefully, we'll get to see a film sequel as well.
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Have you read Something Borrowed and/or seen the movie? What do you think?

Book Review: Milkrun

Keturah's Review of Milkrun by Sarah Mlynowski

Meet Fern Jacquelyn Norris, a young twenty-something copy editor working on romance novels and living in Boston. At the start of the story, Jackie--as she prefers being called--has just been dumped by her boyfriend, Jeremy, of three years. Jeremy has met someone in Thailand, which sends Jackie off in pursuit of thigh-high boots and a series of disastrous dates in an effort to move on. Along the way, readers are introduced to a cast of characters right out of dating nightmares 101. Also, the cast includes Jackie's friends who are willing to watch Law & Order reruns and eat chocolate chip cookie-dough with her while keeping her just a little grounded.

Sarah Mlynowski presents Jackie as a very likable heroine, someone readers can easily relate to, even if they are in a different age group. The writing is fast-paced and believable. However, there are parts that come across as awkward, most noticeably several references to “the Net.” It causes this 2001 debut to feel a bit forced and outdated, especially in today’s gadget saturated environment. Due to the abrupt ending, everything is not wrapped up in a neat package as Jackie embarks on a path to self-discovery. Milkrun is an often funny, sometimes insightful, girl meets boy(s) story told in the vein of Bridget Jones’s Diary.

Sarah Mlynowski is also the author of Fishbowl, As Seen on TV, Monkey Business, Me vs. Me, See Jane Write: A Girl's Guide to Writing Chick Lit, and the teen novels Bras & Broomsticks, Frogs & French Kisses, Spells & Sleeping Bags, Parties & Potions and Gimme a Call. She also co-wrote How to Be Bad with teen authors E.Lockhart and Lauren Myracle. Her latest YA novel, Ten Things We Did (And Probably Shouldn’t Have), will be out next month. Sarah's books have been translated into twenty-one languages and optioned for film. She was born in Montreal, but now lives in New York City. To learn more about Sarah, visit her Web site and connect with her on Twitter, Facebook, and MySpace.
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Book Review: Swept Off Her Feet

Evie Nicholson is an antiques appraiser in London who loves the past. She works in a small shop with her annoying boss, Max, who is only concerned with money. Evie loves old items that tell a story and keep the memory of the owners alive, regardless of how much the items are worth. She feels like a fish out of water when it comes to her love for antiques, especially with her family. Her mother and her sister, Alice, are professional organizers who pride themselves on being neat, orderly, and practical. They believe de-cluttering and getting rid of old "junk" is the best thing to do. Needless to say, Evie does not exactly see eye to eye with her mother or Alice.

However, when Alice comes to Evie with the chance of a lifetime, Evie can't refuse. Alice's Scottish boyfriend Fraser's family is close friends with the McAndrews family, owners of Scottish castle Kettlesheer. As a favor to them, Evie accepts the chance to visit Kettlesheer for a week and appraise the items in their home. When Evie meets heir Robert McAndrew, they don't exactly hit it off, but he might be just the right person to cause her to reevaluate what she truly wants in life and to get over her secret crush on Fraser. As everyone prepares for a traditional Scottish ball to be held at Kettlesheer on Valentine's Day, new relationships are formed and secrets are revealed that will change everything.

Swept Off Her Feet is a delightful, engaging novel that is sure to leave readers wanting more of the Scottish castle enchantment and romance. Evie is a character who is not afraid to speak her mind, even if she is a bit different from everyone else. Her passion for antiques and stories from the past is contagious. Browne writes with such exquisite detail that it is no wonder why Evie is so enamored with artifacts and heirlooms. The Scottish traditions, especially the ball, are sure to draw readers in. Evie discovers a world she never knew before in her very own modern day fairytale. Browne's skill for writing will-they-won't-they scenes is a true hallmark of her novels. She expertly develops romantic relationships in all of her novels that will make readers swoon. Swept Off Her Feet is a whimsical escape to the Scottish countryside where you just might be swept off your feet.

British author Hester Browne has written the New York Times bestselling novels The Little Lady Agency, Little Lady, Big Apple, The Little Lady Agency and the Prince, and The Finishing Touches. She studied English at Trinity College, Cambridge. Browne loves Scottish reeling, vintage clothes hunting, and cryptic crosswords. She lives in London and Herefordshire with her Basset hound Violet. For more information, visit her at Simon & Schuster and follow her on Twitter.

To read Nancy's review of The Finishing Touches, click here.
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