Review: Big Girl

Meet Victoria Dawson, heroine of Big Girl by Danielle Steel. The firstborn child, she grows up feeling out of place in her family because of her fair hair and thicker build. While the rest of her family is dark haired and thin, Victoria is blond, blue-eyed and according to her father, has his grandmother’s ‘big’ build. Victoria puts up with her father’s thinly-veiled barbs while her mother constantly drops weight remarks. Meanwhile her parents dote on the younger sister Grace, as she is beautiful and thin. Victoria and Grace form a strong sisterly bond despite the family tension.

Victoria goes to college at Northwestern, then later becomes a private high school teacher in New York City. She is aware that she often overeats – especially when things go wrong – but she doesn’t know what to do about it. She tries therapy, hypnosis and one diet after another with little results other than gaining and losing the same weight over and over. Until finally she meets the man of her dreams and the weight starts coming off…

This was one of those classic “overweight girl tries to lose weight, is unsuccessful until she meets a man who makes her feel whole” kind of novels. It is at least mildly painful to read about Victoria’s constant dealings with ‘fat girl’ stereotypes and watch as her parents put her down constantly. Unfortunately (SPOILER ALERT!!!) she never stands up to them, although the love of her life does eventually. I was disappointed with the ending because it seems like she learned nothing other than that she is a great person only because she has a wonderful man to tell her so. (Seems like there is very little personal development for the character!)

The writing in this story is extremely redundant (the author repeats the same thing over and over) and the characters were seemingly one-dimensional. I would have rated this book 2 stars, however, I am a sucker for ‘dieting lit’ kind of chick lit novels and I did manage to get through the entire book.

Overall, Big Girl by Danielle Steel turned out to be a mostly ‘OK’ read. I would recommend waiting for it to come out in paperback or getting it at your local library, however, as the hardcover edition is pretty pricey.

3 Stars
Reviewed by Rian Montgomery

Review: Priceless

Twenty-two year old Charlotte Williams seems to have it all: she’s a tall, gorgeous blonde, has a rich father who dotes on her and a huge Park Avenue penthouse where she has just returned to after studying in Paris for a year.

After an exciting first night back in town, Charlotte’s world crashes down around her quickly. Her father Jacob is arrested on charges of fraud, and suddenly everyone is out for her blood. The tabloids trash her and she has enemies threatening her security. Her personal bank accounts have been frozen, and Charlotte feels she has no choice but to leave town.

Charlotte heads down to New Orleans to stay with her beloved former nanny Millie and finds a job in a local restaurant. In no time at all she has a new best friend Kat, who introduces her to the New Orleans nightlife and vintage fashion. Soon Charlotte is scoring singing gigs and becoming known for her smoky, sexy voice. She even reconnects with an old friend Jackson, who is looking like he might become more than a friend.

However, there are still problems… for one thing, Charlotte is being stalked by someone who wants to make her pay for her father’s crimes.

I enjoyed Nicole Richie’s Priceless quite a bit – especially in the beginning & middle of the novel. The pace was breathless and there was plenty of suspense. Charlotte was an interesting character for the most part although a little one-dimensional. The story line flowed rather well except in the last several chapters, where it almost seemed to be rushed to the final conclusion.

Overall? I’d recommend this to anyone who liked her first book The Truth About Diamonds.

reviewed by Rian Montgomery

Review: L.A. Candy

I won’t lie – I watch The Hills religiously every week when it’s on and I’m a fan of Lauren Conrad’s. So of course I was going to buy a copy of her first book L.A. Candy, which happened to be a teen chick lit novel.

Set in the glamourous LA/Hollywood area, L.A. Candy was a fast and fun read about two girls who have just moved to LA together: Jane Roberts, who has just started an internship for celebrity event planner Fiona Chen, and Scarlett, an intelligent and outgoing beauty who is attending USC.

The girls are overwhelmed and enthralled with the glitz and glamour of Hollywood life. One night at a club, a producer approaches them about starting their own reality series, a “reality version of Sex and the City”. After some hesitation, Jane and Scarlett agree… and their lives are never the same again. They join two other girls for the show: Madison, a spoiled, rich heiress, and Gaby, a loveable airhead. It doesn’t take long for the show to become a hit and for the girls to become celebrities. (more…)

Review: Kissing In Technicolor

Charlie Frost is 27, about to graduate from film school, and is trying to make a name for herself in the film industry. Making ends barely meet as a Yoga instructor, and having her latest screenplay rejected, she has no idea her life is about to change. On the advice of one her professors at school, she begins to revise one of her earlier plays in hopes it will be made into a movie. At the same time, she meets a handsome soap star, Hank, who is definitely interested in her.

When she receives the great news that she will be able to direct the play, Charlie is thrilled. Hank manages to convince her to give him the lead part, but she isn’t too sure of her decision. When problems break out during the rehearsals and taping, she realizes it may not have been the best idea… (more…)

Review: The Year Of Living Famously

Ever wonder what it would be like to be married to a famous movie star? Do you think you’d be able to handle the constant attention, media circus and fame that comes along with it? No matter what your answers to those questions are, you will enjoy Laura Caldwell’s November 2004 RDI novel The Year of Living Famously. In this novel she explores the ups and downs of having a famous husband.

Kyra Felis, a native New Yorker, is a semi-famous clothing designer in her own right when she meets Declan McKenna, a handsome Irish actor who has just completed a major movie that is yet to be released. The attraction is immediate and mutual, although Declan is supposedly seeing a famous movie star, Laura Stapleton, at the time. However, the two of them soon find themselves sending flirtatious emails back and forth, culminating in a face to face meeting, and eventually, Kyra moving to Venice, CA to be with him. (more…)

Review: White Bikini Panties

White Bikini Panties by Kelly James-Enger had the ingredients of a good chick lit read: a likeable and less-than-perfect heroine with an adorable, smart and sweet boyfriend who she had just found cheating on her; a semi-good job with the requisite catty coworker and gay friend. It’s the classic, original chick lit forumla, but does it work every time? Thankfully it did this time.

Trina is 28 years old and just living. When she finds her sweet, computer-obsessed boyfriend is found in his living room making out with another girl, she figures it’s time to move on. Trina is understandably disappointed, but decides it is time to move on. So she does. First there is the irresistable Javier, who only seems to call her once in a blue moon. Then there is Pete, the “guy’s guy” who seems to be pretty interesting after all, despite his initial impression; At the same time her job is going through a “reorganization” which could either land her a promotion or the ax. When she discovers a very unpleasant ailment that one of her boyfriends apparently gave her, she has to find out who is responsible. (more…)

Review: Don’t Even Think About It

A love triangle can be a pretty sticky situation to begin with. What happens when you add in a fourth angle? Would it be considered a love square? Perhaps. In any case, this is the scenario that the characters face in Lauren Henderson’s latest novel. In my opinion, there is nothing more enticing then a juicy, intriguing chick lit book filled with offbeat characters and situations.

Katie and Michael have recently become an item and seem to be madly in love. The only problem is, Michael still lives across the street, and is best friends with Sally, one of his ex-girlfriends. Not only that but Sally seems to still have feelings for Michael, and enjoys flaunting her intimate knowledge of Michael’s habits in Katie’s face. Jude is Sally’s best friend and wants nothing more than to see Sally back together with Michael, and Katie out of the picture. Meanwhile Jude is dealing with her own new workaholic boyfriend Scott, who doesn’t seem to get along with her friends. For the time being, at least, Katie and Michael seem to be very much into each other and faithful. (more…)

Review: Hit Reply

When I sat down to read this book, I didn’t think I’d enjoy it that much because, to be perfectly honest, I don’t like reading novels that consist of emails, instant messages, phone conversations, etc. Usually I find these books leave a lot to be desired, as often one character’s voice doesn’t sound very different than the other. However, this book was amazing. Not only did each character have their own distinctive voice, but the characters were hilarious, amusing, and realistic. The story line itself was absorbing and fun.

Hit Reply tells the story of many different characters in different states of their lives. There is Amber, the sarcastic yet hilarious woman living in Boston, who works at Milennia Marketing and has just reconnected with an old flame from high school. Gray, Amber’s “old flame” is living in another state with another woman and her child, but is soon trading loving, tender and sweet emails and Instant Messages with Amber. (more…)

Review: English As A Second Language

Ever wonder what it’s like to go to grad school in the UK? Are you endlessly fascinated with the British and/or the UK in general? Whether you answered yes or no to either question, you will still enjoy this book.

Alexandra Brennan is the main heroine in the novel. She is living in New York City and generally bored in life. When her ex-boyfriend tells her she wouldn’t be able to get into Grad School in the UK, she takes that as a challenge – and gets in. With a full-on caffeine addiction and a penchance for alcohol, Alexandra wastes no time in throwing herself into the British Grad-school life. (more…)

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