I freely admit that Ms. Mansell’s books just work for me. I love the combination of wit, humor, and absurdity that permeates her books. And, of course, with all that, she also blends in just enough angst to tug on your heartstrings. This book is no exception. Nadia Kinsella knows that you are supposed to…
Picking and choosing chick lit stories by the back cover results in my sporadic reading of this genre. I have to admit that Sophie Kinsella dropped off my radar because of the Shopaholic books – I didn’t want to read about buying posh things when I was on a budget. But with her latest single…
Authors of chick lit stories are often able to take more chances than traditional romance authors, such as allowing the hero and heroine to have multiple love interests before finding the right one. While I can’t say that it is my favorite plot device, it does add an element of unpredictability to stories, and that…
Do you shun all chick lit, believing that it focuses on shopping-mad, twenty-something Londoners jumping from one man to the next, with a host of quirky friends? Then this just might surprise you. Yes, this is set in England (but not in London). And, yes, it definitely includes some quirky secondary characters. But instead of…
Quirky, innovative, original, and unpredictable are just some of the words that come to mind when describing this new release by Lisa Walker. I was thoroughly charmed by these attributes – so much so that it joins my short list of Desert Isle Keepers. Developers working to put through a housing project on the edge…
If you have ever dreamed of revenge on that man who did you wrong, then you will find plenty to enjoy with this chick lit story from across the pond. While first published in 2009 in the United Kingdom, American readers now have the opportunity to enjoy the mayhem that is Charlotte. After Charlotte Grey…
Anyone who believes that all chick lit is fluff will be surprised by this. The author tackles weighty subjects, including the death of a spouse and the effect of Alzheimers on a marriage. Such subjects could make for a depressing book, but thanks to the author’s skills, there were some genuine laugh-out-loud moments. More importantly,…
I fell in love with Penny Nichols and Jeremy Laidley in A Rather Lovely Inheritance and have enjoyed each of the subsequent books in the Rather series. Penny and Jeremy are as charming as ever in the latest entry, but the plot meandered a bit more than usual, and I found it easy to put…
I’m afraid this review may be a little bit biased, as I own two pugs myself that I love very dearly. It is also fair for you to know that I have over one hundred pug pictures saved on my computer. That being said, A Pug’s Tale is a good book, pugs aside. I’m sure…
After reading that Take a Chance on Me by Jill Mansell won the The Romantic Novelists’ Association (UK romance writers’ association) Pure Passion Award for Romantic Comedy, I knew I had to read it. Upon finishing it, I completely understand why it won. Cleo loves her job as a chauffeur in Channing Hill, even though…