Book Review: The Strange Year Of Vanessa M By Filipa Fonseca

Blurb:

When Vanessa got into her car that winter's afternoon, she had no idea she was setting off on a journey with no return. An inner journey that would call into question a whole life spent living up to other people's expectations.

With tragic and comic episodes that bring together a domineering mother, a hippie aunt, a boring marriage, an insufferable boss and a friend who never knows when to shut up, "The Strange year of Vanessa M." shares Vanessa's voyage of self-discovery with us. And it makes us marvel at the power we have to question things, because there's no end to the pursuit of happiness.

...So Flirting with Forty, minus a vacation-though there's an appearance of a surfing loving hunk who is ten years younger-and an irritating husband.

I am getting pissed at myself for commencing my reviews with: I love, love this book. But I can't help it, I really loved, loved this book (Apologies Niecey for the repetition. Still your unalloyed fan.) If not for the blog work, I would spend another week doing this all over again.

When I say, this book is so(oooo) like Jane Porter's hit, I really mean it. Frankly, I never completed Flirting With Forty. Because I didn't own a copy! I saw the book with a friend at school and this friend was so the kind of "friend" who would walk around campus clasping the book tight in the grip of her underarms to win over guys as the avid-reader type and the intelligent type. Anytime I asked her, she'd never let me have it saying she was so into not sharing written literature (You know how bitchy rich kids can get). But I was so into the blurb of the book, and I didn't want to give up. I doubt she'd be reading this blog (no kidding she's a dimbo), I stole the book. Yeah, gasp all you want. And I am not ashamed I did it. If I even really knew there was a movie, I would still have gone to such lengths. Unfortunately, I didn't finish reading it, because I came from recess one time and found out it was nowhere in my bag.

Reading this book made me somewhat fulfilled. And I really felt I had read from start to finish of you-know-what-book by now.

Another book about mid-life crisis. Another book about reconsidering all choices made in life. Another book about wanting to start over and exploring the world free from all the marital drama and the whatnots. And an exciting and fulfilling one at that.

I am not married. I don't have a kid. I don't have a friend who talks too much (I am probably that friend). I have the most adorable mum in the world unlike Vanessa's traditional one. And most importantly, I am sure if I do have all the above I wouldn't bolt like Vanessa did.

At the opening chapters, I was chaffed at our lead girl there (fortunately her roots are not sticking out like their doing on the cover), no matter how annoying your minors can get, there's no excuse for leaving them on a street and driving off. That's what being a mother is about, tolerating all the tantrums of your little ones no matter how much you would want to drive off (speaking from a guy's point of view). But it turned out, Vanessa had just been pranking the little girl. A prank which the police didn't get. And so did the judge who sat the case and sentenced her to forty sessions of therapy which would determine if she's fit to live as a normal person or one that should be locked up in a looney bin.

Through this therapy, Vanessa gets to acknowledge she isn't happy. Too much tedium, as she puts it. She doesn't know if she loves the husband who might be a prince charming in another fairy tale. She is quite sure she doesn't love her daughter. She isn't happy at her workplace with a boss who (collects dolls and) puts too much workload on her and one woman referred to as the 'Hellcat' happy to make everyone look bad in the sight of the boss (who collects dolls). She realizes all her life she's lived to please her mother. And Diana, she doesn't even know why she's friends with.

One incident of driving leads her to her hippie aunt who's in her sixties. Soon, she is leaving home, her husband, her daughter and to her mother's displeasure, moving in with this aunt.

Her stay is plagued with, concerns of all the wrong turns she'd taken during her lifetime, encounters with men who live with their daddies and mummies, a single lawyer in his thirties who loves to organize a little orgy at home and boyfriends of her aunt who like to troop around 'au-naturel'.

What I loved about this book is the little advice in the form of Vanessa's musings Fonseca drops out, and the ignored reasonings of every day life such as why there are so many nasty characters in this world, or why married couples would allow their waistlines to expand thinking their partners would accept them for who they are then get back in shape when there's a divorce, and why people cheat. Fonseca's view on all these simple everyday questions were fresh, unique and understanding. And you can't miss Vanessa's nights with a cult of divorcées who's opinions on marriage are enlightening.

Stock characters I was enamored with were mostly Frank, the hippy aunt's sixty-something boyfriend who loves going naked during their early hour meditations. Of course Diana whose speeches contributed half the novel size, and the single orgy-loving lawyer who brought most of the romance Vanessa had been lacking being away from her husband.

There's no need to give my usual drumroll to this

5/5 stars piece.

The Strange Year Of Vanessa M. is available on Amazon in kindle and paperback

A perfect read for the holidays. Or when you begin doubting all the choices you've made. I am not sure, but I think that moment of mid-life crisis (mostly with women) is inevitable and you would love this book snuggled between a duvet and a couch, your contacts well adjusted, a constant supply of caffeine in the form of coffee in a mug to take you through. Even if you are convinced you are so happy where you are, with who you are, still pick this book just because you want something entertaining. And trust me, mid-life crisis has never been portrayed any better.

Success through all your crises.

My work not done here. Off to post my review on Goodreads.

Cover Reveal: It Ain't Easy Being Jazzy By Quanie Miller

Author Quanie Miller is releasing her debut novel, It Ain't Easy Being Jazzy and we jumped at the opportunity to host her cover release. A long-high jump before the chance gets whisked off by other bloggers, finding out the book is the real deal (if it's going for $0.00).

So I present to you the first sneak peak of It Ain't Easy Being Jazzy designed by Whit&Ware Design Services.

Cover

:

Blurb: Jazzy secretly wants to get back together with her ex boyfriend, Curtis, so when he calls and reveals that he’s got something important to tell her, she’s got no idea that he’s about to propose—to her first cousin and bitter rival, Mercedes.

The annual family dinner is coming up, and fearing that she will spend the evening seething while Mercedes flaunts her four carat engagement ring in her face, Jazzy asks Reggie, an Adonis she met at the mall, to accompany her. As fate would have it, not only did Reggie and Mercedes used to date; that backstabbing,leopard print wearing cow is still carrying a torch for him! Revenge. It’s never been so sweet.

But falling for Reggie? Holy crap! That wasn’t part of the plan! She’s got enough on her plate as it is with a mother who spies on the neighbors and a sister and best friend with man problems that could land them on Jerry Springer. So when Curtis comes sniffing around again—this time, with an accusation that sends her blood pressure shooting through the roof— the one good nerve that Jazzy’s got left has just about run its course.

Message from Quanie Miller. Thanks for featuring the cover of It Ain’t Easy Being Jazzy on Chick Lit Pad! The novel will be available on October 15 and is loosely based on my experiences living and working in Silicon Valley (although, unlike Jazzy, I have never chased a man with a cast iron skillet). The book will be a great read for those looking for something light, quick, and fun. I hope you’ll have as much fun reading this novel as I had with writing it!

So you heard from Quanie Miller. Stay tuned to Chicklit Pad for a review of It Ain't Easy Being Jazzy before it's release date.

Signing Off,

Kobby.

Book Review: Fender Bender Blues By Niecey Roy.

Blurb: Rachel Bennett loved her job until the day she finds herself doubting her choices. Now she's hunting for a new career, but starting over isn't easy. Her plan is simple --no distractions until she finds her dream job. She didn't plan on fate throwing her a curveball in the form of a fender bender with a sexy guy in an expensive suit.

Craig Larsen is a wealthy, successful business owner with a plan of his own: survive his current PR nightmare and stay away from his overly determined ex-girlfriend. His need for control and personal success is turned upside down when he meets Rach, a sassy redhead who can't drive. Soon they find themselves battling with Rach's grumpy old neighbor, toilet-papering the trees of a high-school nemesis, and fighting over the last slice of pizza. Can two very different people plus one fender bender equal a chance at forever?

... don't you just love cheesy contemporary romances?

Praise to Niecey Roy. Unfortunately I can't say I read this book in one sitting. Because I have a bloody boring job. But through all my Horrible Bosses drama, all I had was Fender Bender Blues to walk me through. Now I know I want to read books that make me laugh, adios all you writers who want me to review but have books that make me smile.

One morning, two cars crashed. An afternoon the drivers of both cars shared their first snog. Then came the promises after one amazing love-making. Weren't sure if they lived happily-ever after but that was the end.

The events that led to this union will make you laugh out loud.

So Rachael Bennett, once social worker, quits her job in a moment of self-doubt owing to a case of one reckless college mum.

Now she's scouting for a job. And her results so far haven't been encouraging. Unless you are happy being the assistant to a teenage boy (who probably wets his pants) and doing photocopying(!) at a photocopying(!) place. I can relate to Rachael, I have done photocopying before and it ain't easy especially listening to the constant bugging sounds of the copier.

It doesn't take long for her to quit.

Craig owns a dealership. No sneaky car salesman here. With an ex, that doesn't quite get that it's over, a mum on his neck to settle down, a matchmaking brother who has the hots for Leah (Rach's friend) and a lawsuit that might sent his business under, Craig has problems on his own. Until he meets Rach, who 'drives' his problems beyond his control.

The attraction is magnetic, the 'love-making' is mind-blowing and the lip-locks are well-coordinated.

What I was pissed of most about this book was Rachael Bennett. Why hadn't Niecey made her a chicklit character with the book written in her point of view? She is hilarious, feisty and a redhead. The perfect combination. She made me laugh from her outrageous gnome stunts to that toilet-paper wrapping mentioned in the blurb. So funny when you are hiding from someone you want to avoid and pretending you are unperturbed by their presence and holding a magazine at your face, then that someone snatches it and turns the magazine in the right way it's supposed to be read and hands it back.

The humor in this book makes it so not contemporary romance-y, I was wishing this was a chicklit. It would have been more exciting that way since I hated reading from Craig's point of view. Caution: I wasn't jealous of his overly-cockiness, his good-looks and his flashy rides.

I like that this book wasn't those silly harlequin romances where it's all about romance and the two leads always happen to be together (Ugh!). There's mystery, like who is the mole among Craig's associates feeding info about the lawsuit to the press. Or, why Rach is so damn amazing.

Characters I loved in this book, were the supporting couple, Rick and Leah. Rick the matchmaking brother and Leah the matchmaking friend of Rach who believes in fate more than she does love. I am not sure if Niecey wrote Maggie so readers wouldn't take a liking to her. But I did fall for her. I just have this attraction for scorned exes who play villain and I can't control it. Makes for good reading. There's also the neighbours Ms. Jacobs and Ms. Petska with their humorous lives they kind of remind me of Ms. McCluskey of the Desperate Housewives

.

There's also Kathy, Craig's P.A who doesn't remind me of any character (That's a compliment), Niecey writes out her conflict with Maggie so humorously.

Overall, this book is going to get 4/5 stars

and I am only being unfair because Niecey didn't make it a chicklit.

Fender Bender Blues is Available on Amazon in both Kindle And Paperback.

Highly recommended if you want to bend a rib or two.

My work not done here. Off to post my review on Goodreads as well as Amazon.

Cover Reveal: Blogger Girl By Meredith Schorr.

Writer Meredith Schorr is back to a blog! With the hilarious A State of Jane and Just Friends With Benefits to her name, Meredith keeps getting better and better. No wonder we squealed at the offer of hosting Blogger Girl's cover release.

Available in kindle format and paperback, this is what your book should look like... (return if it doesn't.)

Cover

Blurb:What happens when your high school nemesis becomes the shining star in a universe you pretty much saved?

Book blogger Kimberly Long is about to find out. A chick lit enthusiast since the first time she read “Bridget Jones’s Diary,” Kim, with her blog, “Pastel is the New Black,” has worked tirelessly by night to keep the genre alive, and help squash the claim that “chick lit is dead” once and for all.

Not bad for a woman who by day ekes out a meager living as a pretty, and pretty-much-nameless, legal secretary in a Manhattan law firm. While Kim’s day job holds no passion for her, the handsome (and shaving challenged) associate down the hall is another story.

Yet another story is that Hannah Marshak, one of her most hated high school classmates, has now popped onto the chick lit scene with a hot new book that’s turning heads—and pages—across the land. It’s also popped into Kim’s inbox—for review. With their ten-year high school reunion drawing near, Kim’s coming close to combustion over the hype about Hannah’s book. And as everyone around her seems to be moving on and up, she begins to question whether being a “blogger girl” makes the grade in her off-line life.

View from the back

Message from Meredith Schorr

Thanks so much for featuring the cover of Blogger Girl on the Chick Lit Pad blog! I’m so excited for the official release of this novel on August 28th. During the promotion of my first two books, I met so many amazing book bloggers and learned how important they are to the marketing of a book. Book bloggers often feature authors on their blogs with interviews, book reviews and guest posts and I thought it would be fun to write a book spotlighting the book blogger instead of the author for a change. I really had such a blast writing this novel and I hope you enjoy reading it!

The review of Blogger Girl will be out at an earlier date before it's release. Stay tuned to find out if it doesn't put the spotlight on the author but us, the bloggers (for a change).

Signing out

Kobby.

Cover Reveal: Lying To Meet You by Anna Garner

For all of us who are gazing around in confusion as to who Anna Garner is, well, she is the acclaimed self-published Chick-lit author under the name Libby Mercer who has dazzled the Chick-lit genre with titles such as Unmasking Maya, Expresso Macchiato and Karmic Connection.

And Chick-lit Pad is proud to be hosting the cover release of her no-doubt-a-hit-like-all-her-others Lying To Meet You which will be in both an ebook store and a bookstore near you.

It was designed by Sue Traynor who was the genius behind Unmasking Maya and Karmic Collections.

Cover:

(How can we not be suckers to judging this book by its cover)

Blurb

: Does being in a relationship make you a hot commodity in the eyes of would-be suitors?

Chloe Lane is about to find out. When her childhood pal, Ethan Webster, asks her to play the part of his girlfriend in order to test this theory, she reluctantly agrees. As a work-crazed fashion designer, boutique owner and soon-to-be reality show judge, Chloe has no time for a real boyfriend, but being part of a faux pair will do just fine. Not that she has any intention of trying to attract someone else.

However…

Opportunity unexpectedly knocks when Chloe meets fellow reality judge, William Shannon. Super successful and super sexy, this high-powered entrepreneur inspires Chloe to test Ethan’s theory herself. Now, on top of keeping her fashion business productive, carving out a new role as a television personality, maintaining a fake relationship and attempting to lay the groundwork for a future relationship, she’s lying to William, lying to her friends, lying to her family and quite possibly lying to herself. Will Chloe be able to keep it all together, or are things about to explode?

The cover looked so good we asked for a twirl

Message from Anna Garner

Hi, everyone on Chicklit Pad. My new novel Lying To Meet You might be the best chick-lit title you have ever read (from me). I've written three chick-lit/romance hybrids under the name of Libby Mercer, but this new one is longer, meatier and more chick-litty than my previous three novels, so I'm releasing it under my real name, Anna Garner. Lying to Meet You will be out on September 5th. Please do check it out.

Honestly, we at Chick-lit Pad can't wait to join Anna Garner celebrate her book release. We are giddy with excitement to review it up on the blog. So please do tune in before it's release to find out our thoughts on it

Thank You Anna Garner for making us cover your uh, Cover Release

Chicklit Pad

Signing out

Kobby

Book Review: Hollywood Ass by Jonas Eriksson.

Blurb: A Hollywood superstar suffers a mental collapse, her marriage is falling apart, her career is on the ropes and the only one keeping it all together is her loyal assistant and friend, Darryl. Problem is, he's kind of in love with her. Soon he finds himself drawn into a story that is much like the movies his employer stars in. But in real life the answers aren't in the script...

Enjoy this romantic and humorous story about Hollywood, fame, friendship and love.

...Hola! Hola! Found the male Jackie Collins.

With Jonas Eriksson's Hollywood Ass, you don't need to be reading any crap about Hollywood that isn't Hollywood.

I was impressed. Highly. Language was fantastic. Humor was intact. Characters were breathtaking. And, Oh, Em, Geez- the facts. The facts were, uh, not fictional.

Nothing reeled me in about the blurb. But when I went in to the book, just the opening pages and Jonas has me as his new fan.

Not Chick-lit. But a closer sibling, lad-lit. And a very entertaining one

So Darryl is assistant to Hollywood couple, the Johnsons. I adored how he referred to the celebs as A. and B. Such label made me feel I was reading something with information guarded by Secret Service. And boy I was intrigued.

B. spills out her guts at a red carpet event, and she's all over the news (But that isn't saying much. She was already all over the news anyway from how Jonas made us see it.) B's mood lately fluctuates like the currency rates of developing countries (low. Lower. Lowest. And trust me if there was comparison after that... *shivers*). A. can't deal with her anymore. Their marriage has completely deteriorated into constant late night brawls. B. can't take it anymore and disappears from the fame scene.

With the help of Caesar, Darryl's dreadlocks lover friend and computer geek, B. is traced to Rome. Sent by A. on an assignment to talk sense into B., Darryl hops onto a plane to take on the city of, uh, ancient history (I hope.). Upon his arrival he finds out, B. might be cheating on A. with a too-goodlooking-to-be-gay Italian in fashion, Matteo. And though that should be enough for the reader's mystery (being a really short story), we are not sure if Darryl is reacting negatively to his findings because he's the loyal assistant to A. or his love goes beyond the realm of friendship (for B.) and more into a feeling that's going to render him unprofessional and get things very complicated. But this mystery is solved very quick... and it doesn't end there-the excitement-as things get complicated.

Caesar is one of those things women today call Paul Rudd, 'Adorkable'. Another chef Jorge has a story with his son, Luis who thinks he can make it into Hollywood and topping Billboard charts. Julianne, an agent to B, I loved, is always looking for a publicity angle even in B's worst situations.

I really had fun reading this book. But at some point, things were dragging. You know, towards the end where some tragic situation leaves the two main characters splitting up. Essential to the plot, but... didn't do it for me. I could only rely on Caesar's humor. So when he wasn't around and Jorge's story was taking motion (which was too predictable), I wasn't feeling it. Until dad came into the picture.

The ending was very fulfilling and a (little) tearful as things didn't turn out expected. But you come to the conclusion that if Darryl is happy, you are happy. And you don't want to stay in the aww-so-sad mood for long if you are an exotic dancer (unless the song playing isn't upbeat). Not that any exotic dancer would be reading this blog, but you get my point.

Another good book with moving themes. Starting over, love, heartbreak, friendship, effects of fame and... drinking too much wine.

So I am giving Hollywood Ass...

4/5 stars.

It's available at Amazon.

So if you want an Insider info on Hollywood from an assistant's perspective, sauntering on cobblestones of Rome lavishing it's beautiful people, scenery and getting chased by paparazzi, you will be disappointed if you don't pick Eriksson's Hollywood Ass.

Good job, Jonas Eriksson and thanks for misleading us (a lot) with the title. I recommended the book to a friend who adores erotic romance.

My work not done here. Off to post my review on Goodreads

Book Review: Dr. Pepper Prophecies By Jennifer Gilby Roberts.

Blurb: 25-year-old Mel Parker has a few tiny problems: • Her job is terrible • She's been dumped yet again • Her ex is now her boss • Her parents think she's a loser compared to her perfect younger sister • All her efforts to improve her life seem doomed to failure • There just isn't enough chocolate in the world to make up for the above. The one good thing in her life has always been her best friend Will, who has seen her through every crisis from lost toys to pregnancy scares. But his girlfriend (who's prettier, better-dressed, more successful and secretly evil) is determined to replace Mel as the woman in his life and how is Mel supposed to compete? So what do you do when you've pretty much given up on your own life? Help others, of course! After all, what's the worst that can happen? Well, Mel's about to find out.

I have been going on and on that I have got new reviewers. And I must admit, even I was finding myself boring. Well, now that all is over I am happy to introduce our new reviewer T.

She's a very honest, no-nonsense reviewer who wouldn't respond to my emails if the book I sent is, uh, not good enough. So be sure if her review is hosted, the book must have made her lips twitch (in a positive way). If she isn't reviewing, she's busily doing some editing for some big-name authors I am in no position to disclose. I am really psyched to have her around, and I hope she stays for long.

So I present you T.

---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: T. Date: Mon, 29 Jul 2013 11:33:49 -0400 Subject: Fifty Shades of Emma To: kobbyben gyampoh

As a woman who searched for her Mr. Knightly for many years, I identified with Jennifer Gilby Robert's modern-day Emma, Mel Parker. One evening, fueled by chocolate and disappointment, Mel uttered "I don't know what I want. I only know that I don't have it." This line (perfectly summed up my life before I married Mr. T. Roberts) gets the struggle of the single girl, from blind dates, to personal ads. Mel is unlucky in love, then meets a man who seems to check all her boxes. Somehow, though, it doesn't spark, no matter how hard she tries. I've been there, too.

Roberts pays homage to Jane Austen's *Emma* while staying true to her own voice. Austen's influence is seen throughout, but the author isn't afraid to take a risk. Mel is a believable character whose flaws don't overwhelm her likability. Her best friend Will is a little one-dimensional, but then, so was Mr. Knightly. Mel's roommate Beth is fleshed out with a great back story, as far from Harriett Smith as dove gray is from charcoal.

I found the novel to be a little dated, especially in regards to the technology and current events mentioned. Also, being written by a British author, a lot of the references meant nothing to me, including the title-I still have no idea what that means! Additionally, I noticed a few type-o's and grammar mistakes.

Therefore, I am going to give it a ....

3.5-star rating.

Dr. Pepper Prophecies is available at Amazon.

I enjoyed the story, and it well met it's chicklit audience. If you're looking for a fun, quick read, give The Dr. Pepper Prophecies a try.

My work not done here. Off to post T's review on Goodreads.