It's been awhile since I participated in a Sunday Salon. I'm currently reading Looking For Alaska by John Green, which has partially inspired me to do something different, but I'll get to that in another post. For now, I thought I'd briefly review some of the chick-lit I've been reading lately. With all the chaos going on in my world right now, all I've been able to handle is some fluffy, light reads.
First off, Rumour Has It by Jill Mansell. I've read quite a few books by Jill Mansell in the past. She's an author that I turn to when I find myself in need of a light romance. This one was cute. Not enough conflict for me, but I enjoyed it. I liked Tilly and Jack, I liked the other minor characters especially Tilly's boss and his daughter and also the stalker-guy. I liked the way the story unfolded. Tilly gets dumped in a terrible way and impulsively moves from London to a small town where her best friend lives, lands a job and falls for a sexy guy with a reputation. Is she going to let the town gossip stand in the way of this new relationship? Is she ready to deal with it all?
Goodnight, Beautiful by Dorothy Koomson - This is the third Koomson I've read in a short period of time. To be honest, I didn't think I'd like it all that much. When it comes to choosing a chick-lit book to read, I'd usually avoid old married couple-ish relationships or anything involving children. Especially pregnancy. God, I normally can't stand to read a book in which I have to read through some woman's experiences with pregnancy. Mind-numbingly boring to me. I'm more of a just-starting-a-new-relationship kind of chick-lit with misunderstandings and passion. And at first, I thought that was what this book was about. Old married couples and pregnancy. But it isn't. It's not that at all and it's so much more.
I gave this book a try, and I really liked it. The relationships and characters are all very well done, they're believable, they have depth. OK, so Nova agrees to have a baby for her childhood friend, Mal and his wife Stephanie. Before she gives birth, Mal and Stephanie change their minds and Nova ends up raising the baby on her own. It's 8 years later and now her son, Leo is in a coma and she hasn't spoken to Mal for years and years. It sounds depressing and in some parts it is but don't let that put you off. I laughed, I cried. I want to read more by Dorothy Koomson.
Remember Me? by Sophie Kinsella - This one was fun. I enjoyed the first few books in the Shopaholic series and I adored Can You Keep A Secret? I was waiting to find this one in the library. I knew it wouldn't be too long. I enjoyed it. I did. Though I didn't LOVE it, I did finish it in a day. There was some funny bits, some predictable bits, some bits where I just thought, what? really? But I was rooting for Lexi and the love interest to get together. And... I wanted more conflict. I wanted more pulling at my heart strings. Whatever.
So Lexi wakes up in hospital thinking it's 2004 and she's dating a loser, has a low-paying job, has fab friends and terrible teeth. In reality, it's 2007, she's married to a gorgeous millionaire has beautiful teeth, no friends and is super successful in her job and she's forgotten the events of the last three years. Her life seems perfect, but is it really what she wants?
Tell me, please. The last really good chick-lit book you read that made you cry? Pulled at your heart strings until the very last page?
I love Jill Mansell!
ReplyDeleteI don't know what the last tear jerker I read was. I seem to cry at everything lately.
I've been doing some light reading lately myself. I'm not familiar with either of the books you mention. Your description of Dorothy Koomson's book has me curious. It sounds like I might even like it.
ReplyDeleteI've been wanting to read that particular Sophie Kinsella book. I find her books fun and fluffy. Perfect for those times when I need something especially light.
I am trying to think of the last chicklit book I read. Maybe Love, Biology and the Center of the Universe--although that's more about an older woman--not sure that counts as chicklit. It did make me cry though. I don't read a lot of chicklit, to be honest.
I always turn to chick lit when I need some light relief from life. I love Sophie Kinsella and Jill Mansell. Can I recommend Catherine Alliot too. She is fab, romantic and very funny. Try The Old Girl Network to start.
ReplyDeleteI'm not a fan of chick lit, but I see the appeal. When I need something lighter, I tend to throw myself into some childrens or YA fantasy series. Hope you are enjoying Looking for Alaska, I loved it!
ReplyDeleteAnything by Nicholas Sparks will get me to cry. I love all his books and he is easily one of my favorite authors.. I think my favorite book by him is Three Weeks with my Brother. It's basically his life story, I cried through out the whole book. I highly recomend it!!
ReplyDeleteOh, anything by Jodi Piccoult - she is such a great writer and her stories are just wonderful!!
ReplyDelete(I'm having a giveaway - stop on by!!)
Just recently I read An Offer You Can't Refuse by Jill Mansell and really enjoyed it. I had read some books by her years and years ago, and now I am going to be trying to read more from her.
ReplyDeleteI love Dorothy Koomson's books, especially My Best Friend's Girl. I am a little disappointed that my library doesn't have Goodnight Beautiful in yet, but hopefully they will get it eventually.
My go to read for chick lit is definitely Marian Keyes. Love most of her books! I went to an author event for Cathy Kelly last week, who is friends with Keyes, so I am about to give her a go too.
Whoops...last book to make me cry was Nora Roberts' The Pagan Stone, on the train no less!
ReplyDeleteI've just started Goodnight Beautiful...I'm looking forward to my bath tonight so I can read some more!
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Hmm...I don't have any books to recommend to you that will make you cry but the last chic lit book I read and enjoyed was Perfect on Paper by Maria Murnane. It was a fun read :)
ReplyDeleteI've had Remember Me in my library bag so many times, but just haven't gotten around to reading it yet. I'm going to add a few of these books to my Goodreads to be read list.
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