Book Review: One Night On Italy by Lucy Diamond

 

Blurb: If journalist Anna had to write up the story of her own life, it wouldn’t make for a great headline: Dull Journo Has Dull Boyfriend! The only mystery in Anna’s life is that she’s never known who her dad is but with her mum refusing to tell her more she’s at a dead end. When she accidentally comes across a clue that her father is Italian, it opens up a burning curiosity in Anna. Soon she’s cooking Italian food, signing up for an Italian class and even considering dusting off her passport to go and find her dad in person… Sophie is serving gelato to tourists in Italy when she gets the call that her father has had a serious heart attack. In a rush, she grabs her well-worn backpack and heads back to the one place she’s been avoiding for so long – home. Living with her mum again while her dad recuperates, and taking a job teaching Italian to make ends meet, Sophie has to face up to the secrets she’s kept buried in the past. Catherine has no idea what the future holds. Her children have left for university, her husband has left her for another woman and her bank account is left empty after dedicating her life to raising her family. She needs a job and an identity all of a sudden. At an Italian evening class she makes a start in finding new friends Anna and Sophie. And she’s going to need good friends when she discovers her husband’s lies run even deeper than his infidelity… As Anna embarks on the trip to Italy that could answer all of her questions, will the truth live up to her dreams?

MY REVIEW

I loved, loved this book! So you know in my review I’d be screaming at you to go get it.

To start of this review, yes, I love chick-lit about taking vacations. Yes, I love chick-lit set in exotic places. Yes, I love chick-lit about Rome, Florence, Tuscany. So you could tell how elated I was to pick this book. Very el—ong—ated.

I adored the storyline. Three different women with dissimilar lives, sharing one passion for Rome. One cheated on by her husband on her matrimonial sheets. One on a quest to look for her long-lost Italian father.  One jetting back home from her wanderlust bliss to look after an ailing father. It’s all magnificent. I liked how Lucy Diamond choreographed all these women to coincide, stemming away from the best-friend characters from start-to-finish norm. ── ★

Secondly, the three main characters were brilliant. It’s hard to pull off the multiple-main-character thing and still have all the voices of the leads standout. You would simply adore Catherine for being the somewhat shy, damaged self-esteem wife stemmed from constantly being emotionally abused by a jerk of a husband, the mum who would want a little acknowledgement from her family so she wouldn’t haul the cooked turkey at the wall during Thanksgiving, the woman with the tendency to blush like a schoolgirl when put on any spot. Anna would also be the journalist you love, for her enthusiasm to experiment, for being the girlfriend who snoops into her boyfriend’s computer to view his accounts of their every lovemaking and his closing remarks (‘gained too much weight over Christmas’) in spreadsheet(!), the colleague who brings to work loads of treats from her cooking exploits. Sophie must be remembered for being the wanderlust travel blogger who is constantly in time to update a Facebook status, put on her Good Teacher outfit to offer lessons in Italian, and constantly contemplate if she should chase after a long-lost dream and a long-lost man.

You would be cheering these characters on, on their journey to self-discovery, reconnecting with their newly-found heritage and wondering where on earth to jet next! A star to these main characters.── ★★

Also, the supporting cast were as fabulous. Marla, the office bitch who wouldn’t lay off Anna’s weight. Joe, the charming office colleague rumoured to slip his hands under skirts during Christmas parties. Imogen, Anna’s Editor who bestows on her the most ridiculous columns which are far out of reach of her skills. Pete, Anna’s boyfriend who constantly keeps record of every sex encounter (with any woman) on spreadsheet. Tracey, Anna’s mum dreading her daughter’s ‘impending’ pregnancy and lacking warmth as a result of being a successful struggling single-mum. Emily and Matthew, Catherine’s children who are eager to get rid of her and move on with their college lives. Rebecca, Cath’s rival who incurs the wrath of hairdressers by being demanding and leaving no tip. Jim, Sophie’s dad whose humour poured in radiance into her dull Sheffield life. The students’ of Sophie’s Italian class were spot-on well-developed and hilarious too. A characterization party in this book. ── ★★★

It’s amazing when a chick-lit title has all the elements to keep you glued. Humor, check. Suspense, check. Lucy Diamond is so witty her writing keeps a smile glued to your lips impending the moment when she’d drop in a line that makes you laugh-out-loud. I loved that this book was so unpredictable, you never once could I guess the outcome of this book.── ★★★★★

My rating: Five out of Five Stars (obviously).

Lucy Diamond’s amazing latest can be got on Amazon.

I recommend this book to any fan of chick-lit. I recommend this book anyone who loves summer-tastic chick-lit based in far-flung exotic places. Anyone who loves chick-lit with leads they would be cheering on. And anyone who loves Lucy Diamond as she doesn’t disappoint in this title.

My only question to Lucy  Diamond is, Why didn’t Mike ever notice Cath’s (hair)do-over.

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

Book Review: Just Freinds With Benefits by Meredith Schorr

Just Friends With Benefits is so true to life, you will be entertained, shocked and pinning Meredith Schorr on your Must-Read Author vision (Pinterest) board.

So Stephanie Cohen, single paralegal who has a firm hold on her job than her dating life has had her fair share of bad relationships. Including her longest with Paul, best friend now. There’s a good history to it.

Thing is, there was Hille. Back in college, Stephanie had a crush on Hille. Staring At His Back In Class and Watching Him With A Dreamy Gaze Flex His Muscles and all crush. Attending one of his frat house’s parties hoping to score him, she makes an encounter with Paul. The three engage in a conversation where Paul tries to make it all about him and his stupid rendition skills, but Stephanie’s bent on making Hille the centerpiece. Until Hille exits before she could tell him about her crush. So then, Stephanie sticks with Paul for the night. (You know, by ‘stick’, I mean hookup. Wild college days.)

Fast forward ten years, and Stephanie has broken up with Paul, he’s the best friend now. And along with a rowdy crowd of super-best friends which comprise, Hille (single), Jess and Eric (married), Hope and Paul (dating), who fly across the country to hang out, leaving behind their personal professional chaoses. At Hope’s anniversary, Stephanie, with nothing going on for her in the dating department, stares at Hille, the one single person among her friends who is busily typing into his blackberry (of course), wondering if he would have been THE ONE if he hadn’t left the party ten years ago.

To be frank with you all, I did it. The unthinkable. Not reading a blurb before jumping into a story. Such royal treatment is reserved for authors I take on a second time who I know can wow me. And wow did Meredith do.

Was Stephanie amazing, relatable, untwo-dimensional? Of course she was! One thing about Schorr’s books is when you pick them, you know you are reading about her. It’s not all dug up like most authors’. It’s real, it’s her. So saying Stephanie was well-crafted is inhuman. She’s human. You’d find yourself thinking, “What! Stephanie loves Gossip Girl? I love Gossip Girl too!” or “No way! Is Alanis Morissette’s Ironic blaring in the background? Oh, I love that song!” Or “Please tell me she’s not moping over When Harry Met Sally, because that’s my number one Moping Chick-flick (or was, when I was single).” not forgetting, “She loves, Shopaholic and The Devil Wears Prada too! I still have those books!” So relatable, someone you’d feel the strong reader-character attraction every time you pick this title. To be frank, that’s how all Schorr’s books are. Cheers to Kimberly Long from Blogger Girl! ──

The whole Just Friends With Benefits topic should be given a star. It’s the in-thing now and forever. We all have to have a fuck-buddy at some point, but the unique twist of this title gives it a leap over all other chick lit written in this light !

Meredith Schorr hit the jackpot, again. I don’t do this. Comment on one particular character but sometimes some of Meredith’s characters piss me off so much. Like Hannah Marshak from Blogger Girl. Now Craig from Just Friends With Benefits. There’s no one fond of stories with NSAs like I am. But this guy makes the whole thing… Shower After Sex disgusting? Yeah, Shower After Sex disgusting. It’s just so annoying someone can have an NSA and not feel any emotional attachment afterwards. Acting all normal like I Screwed You In The Bathroom Last Night, fair deal. Call me sentimental, or say a ‘duh’ given that’s the whole point of NSAs (on paper, you have to note. A whole different ball game when it’s in practice). But the guy just pisses me off. And I know he would you too. Anyway, such feeling, love or hate is what keeps you sticking to the book, after all it’s the impression the writer wants the character to make on you. But I am not joking, I really did hate Craig. UGH! ──


Speaking of characters, you would love the lot in this book. From Corky(!) and Paul(!) my favorites who delighted me with the humor they brought to this piece. Eric, the big-bro type friend to Stephanie and his wife, Jess. Suzanne, the best friend at Washington insisting on our lead girl’s subscription to Match.com who shed so much light on relationships you’d think you were in an interaction with a professional. Ryan, oh Ryan was the best thing that ever happened to this book. And Stephanie’s overbearing Jewish mum whose talk on Signs He’s The One might be what you need to shape your dating life.

This book wasn’t predictable. Maybe its because I didn’t read the blurb. But you think you have read enough OMGee moments in your lifetime that you might not drop your jaw to anything again, huh? Huh? Oh, you haven’t read Just Friends With Benefits! With one OMG moment that rivals all, you will close the book for hours, thinking “Oh, my God that explains everything!”
This book almost, almost, had a four star from me. Because it was a bit low in the humor department (we all know humor is a big thing for me), and one silly move our lead girl pulled towards the end I could never forgive, the OMG moment that rivals all OMG moments saved it for me.

My rating:

Four-point-five stars.

Just Friends With Benefits, Meredith Schorr’s thrilling debut is available on Amazon in both paperback and kindle.
I recommend this book to anyone who has ever had a fuck buddy or not. Anyone who wants something true to life. Anyone who hasn’t tried out Schorr’s fabulousness yet. And anyone who has friends they’d fly across states to meet (like I don’t). :)

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

Book Review: Another Shot At Love (What's Love Series??) By Niecey Roy

Blurb: Imogen Gorecki has a problem—her twin sister just got engaged, and guess who’s the best man? That’s right, her scum-of-an-ex-boyfriend whom she caught cheating with a bottle-blonde, with fake breasts and a stripper’s flexibility. There’s a disturbing possibility her eyes will never recover.

Gen needs a date for the engagement party, but finding Mr. Perfect in a time crunch is proving impossible. Just when she’s about to give up, she face-plants into the crotch of the sexiest guy she’s ever met.

Matt Sesnick is everything Gen wants in a man —except he’s not interested in a relationship. Can she convince Matt to take another shot at love, or will Gen’s pregnant, hormonal older sister, her bridezilla twin, and all of her past Mr. Wrongs get in the way of their happily- ever-after?

A good appetizer to commence a series. Niecey Roy whips up all the known romance tricks up her sleeves to make for delightful reading.

So Imogen Mae Gorecki is in her early twenties, done with love after her sorry trust-fund SOB ex cheated on her with a slut in possession of a boob-size fit for skanks. Gen's been solo for months now, her sister's wedding is coming up, and the family is worried she's going to go back to her ex since, it turns out, he will be best man to her sister's groom. Now the whole family is bent on getting her a boyfriend or at least a suitable date to the wedding in order to prevent her ex from running back into her life with the world's most convincing love speech. A sweet talker, he is.

Anyway, Imogen is set on a string of pathetic dates by her pregnant hormonal sister, Catherine. Pathetic date after pathetic date till she meets him. Richard. Then the date even gets more hideous with the mummy's video game addict dumping her and bolting without taking care of the cheque. Her life couldn't get anymore miserable... until she face plants herself in his crotch.

I mean, HIM. Matt... and the rest they say, is their story.

But not with Richard, video-game addict rolling back with his geeky self and recommendations of alien movies (Imogen seems to be obsessed with) and Brent suddenly realizing he's let The Good One (with streaks of pink in her hair) Get Away.

How exactly does Happily Ever After come this way? And most importantly, with whom?

I've read dozens of books with this story-line. So did this stand out for me? Hell it did! Niecey Roy is the queen of kooky characters, you know. And unique plot twists. At some moments in time, I thought this would end up a certain way. But no, this book really put my predictive skills to test. And I flunked big time! (So glad I abandoned my dream to go into meteorology).

I give a star to the romance in this title. There are points I "Aww"ed (which almost made me gag, 'cause I'm a guy. I don't "aww",I don't coo, I don't make sounds!—Humph, Niecey has that effect on us). I loved those moments, you know. The love speeches, the gestures, the coordinated lovemaking. It's no surprise since Niecey is Queen of Romance.

I love the whole concept of this, What's Love??? series. It's kinda nice when one character decides to put away love, the whole "Going Dutch" casual thing, but that's exactly when they find themselves deeply entangled. Don't mistake this for another "Love Triumphs All" garbage, it's more of a "Don't give up on love because it won't give up on you" delight. Lessons we could all nod to.

Another star would be given to the end to this title. Like a good romance with a chick-litty appeal, there's a huge satisfying smile and a tight hugging of your kindle (or paperback, depending on what you'd go in for). The fact that I didn't find this whole book predictable really put me on the edge of my seat to check out how the end or who the end was going to be like or with.

I did like this book. But did it break Niecey's fantastic debut? No. I couldn't help comparing this title to Fender Bender Blues with all its (FBB, I mean) highly entertaining characters and laugh out loud situations. I think the problem would have been sorted if the humor was tightened a bit.

My rating:

Four stars.

Another Shot At Love, first installment in the What's Love??? series is available on Amazon.

I recommend this book to anyone who wants something love-related. Anybody in for a little New Adult chick-lit delight and anyone wanting something less predictable.

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

Book Review: Dancing Naked In Dixie By Lauren Clark

Blurb: Travel writer Julia Sullivan lives life in fast-forward. She jet sets to Europe and the Caribbean with barely a moment to blink or sleep. But too many mishaps and missed deadlines have Julia on the verge of being fired.

With a stern warning, and unemployment looming, she's offered one last chance to rescue her career. Julia embarks on an unlikely journey to the ‘Heart of Dixie’—Eufaula, Alabama—home to magnificent mansions, sweet tea, and the annual Pilgrimage.

Julia arrives, soon charmed by the lovely city and her handsome host, but her stay is marred by a shocking discovery. Can Julia's story save her career, Eufaula, and the annual Pilgrimage?

Fab, fab, Travel chick-lit. I'd jet-set anywhere with Lauren Clark, after such an amazing read.

Julia Sullivan is already over the brink of success with her "job" being a travel writer. She's seen IT (Paris, Milan, you-name-it) all, shopped it all, graced her presence there all, sipped it all, ate it all. All the exotics around the globe. And consequently... Alabama.

Alabama! Thanks to her "boss". Her job is now on the line. All she's stopped working for is now about to slip out of her hands. And it's all up to Alabama to save her career.

With a boyfriend who doesn't mind she's quite bland in the emotional department, a mother who just passed away and a dad returning after so long, follow Julia's journey as she zips through idle Eufaula, converse with the too cozy (used in an icky way) people of the South, meets some wacky family members, engage in a little espionage for unmasking a bad guy, losing her heart to a man. And most importantly, making a discovery of her own: the infamous Southern Charm.

The voice of Lauren Clark kinda reminded me of Weisberger's. Really witty, more extravagant descriptions and a magazine a million tourists would die for. I honestly have a soft spot for books written with a setting of a chic, sophisticated magazine. Especially when I want to own one of those thingies someday. So falling for this wasn't hard at all (*smooches*).

Love that it was a chick-lit with substance. One most women would relate to. Loss. I'm sure like me, others would be reading and nodding to the truth in it. Though I haven't experienced it yet, there's never a getting over from the loss of a mother. And Ms.Lauren portrays the theme so well. Without being too dramatic. You could actually feel Julia's pain, share in her numerous lonely moments and empathize her. Perhaps the reason I loved the approach of such a dark subject could be the little moping scenes in it. It's a no-no for me if a wtiter keeps readers down and irritable with a sad lead.

The fact that not an ounce of this book was predictable was just so winkable. If not for the blurb I wouldn't have gained any foresight. And I never guessed where Lauren was taking me because I never minded. Just enjoying the soothingly in-your-face plot with OMG moments that got me turning my kindle over and gasping.

There are lots of characters that made this book rock. Of course, Julia was one of them. The Jordans would be very fun to dine with, if you ignored your host's dad's leers, his mother's drinking habit, his sister's infuriating little daughter and his wacky girlfriend. And you might want to protect your identity from British-speaking roommates who'd want to go New York but only if they new someone there. You might end up loving the too hospitable people of the South in this novel, if you can just forget how touchy they are.

I give this book four stars

Another star could have been released if its humor was way perched up there. Not sure if there were laugh-out-loud moments, but there were some lip-twitching ones in there.

Get Lauren's Sophomore novel, Dancing Naked In Dixie, available on .

I recommend this book for anyone who'd want a makeshift character evolving from a very fast-paced life to a less vibrant and homely one. You would also love this book if you are in for something unpredictable. Or perhaps, you are dealing with loss you think you can't recover? This book might be IT for you especially when you hate the sound of self-help as much as you hate flipping through pages of such books. Or want the perfect holiday location (Alabama)? Hop on.

Can't wait for Lauren's next.

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

Book News: It Ain't Easy Being Jazzy By Quanie Miller.

Debut author, Quanie Miller's book It Ain't Easy Being Jazzy is out and available on Amazon.

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.

Quanie's book won my heart, and I trust it will win yours too if you are in for a big surprise. Let's say, you don't believe in my heart... or you are just heartless, Quanie's book won our Best Upcoming fic contest (see page above) with Meredith Schorr's Blogger Girl and Sylvia Ashby's Pot Love.

Let's say none of the above doesn't move you, here are five reasons to purchase Quanie's debut.

1. I don't really give this reason, but I have to. It Ain't Easy Being Jazzy is nothing like an Indie author's debut. It's written to perfection with no typos and all other features that might make you drop down a book. There's an author who paid attention to the numerous How To Transform Your Manuscript Into A Masterpiece articles available on the web.

2. It's chick-lit. And by that I mean very hilarious.

3. If you want to read about a heroine that's a no-no in conventional chick-lit, It Ain't Easy Being Jazzy is your kinda novel.

4. Or you want to try an author fresh with a not-heard-before voice, Quanie Miller is your kinda girl.

5. Also purchase it if you love outrageously hilarious black romantic comedies, exhibiting girl power...

Quanie's 5* debut is available on Amazon. If you are not still convinced, my review of It Ain't Easy Being Jazzy is here.

Thanks to Chick-lit Plus, Quanie would be going on tour on November. So head on to Chick-lit Plus and note down blogs partipating in the tour.

I heart Quanie Miller and can't wait for her next.

Signing Off,

Kobby.

Cover Release: Conditional Love By Cathy Bramley

From our discovery of hot, fresh Quainie Miller (catch pre-release review of her debut, It Ain't Easy Being Jazzy, soon), comes are new debut author on the blog, Cathy Bramley.

We are on a mission to discovering the best debut indie authors, yippee!!!

Cathy is releasing her debut single, Conditional Love, with a voice that's so humorous yet true to her tone (Would know because I am best tweeps with her). Check out the stunning...

Cover

Blurb:Sophie dreams of building her own grand design, she just hasn’t got round to it yet... Meet Sophie Stone, a thirty-something serial procrastinator. Tesco knickers, Take That and tea with two sugars is about as exciting as it gets. Sophie’s life is safe and predictable, which is just the way she likes it, thank you very much. But when her boyfriend dumps her on Valentine’s Day and a mysterious benefactor leaves her an inheritance, even Sophie has to accept that change is afoot. There is a catch: in order to inherit, Sophie must agree to meet the father she has never seen. Not a fan of surprises, Sophie would rather not; why not let sleeping dads lie? Besides, her mother would kill her. With interference from an evil boss, bickering flat mates, warring parents and a sexy ex-boyfriend, Sophie has plenty to contend with without an architect who puts his foot in it every time he opens his mouth. But it soon becomes clear that she will have to face the past and learn some uncomfortable home truths before she can finally build a future on her own terms.

There's news of a book launch, just in case you want to pop up at the Lambley Book Exchange. Cathy Bramley, author of debut romantic comedy Conditional Love is attempting to host the world’s smallest book launch at the Book Exchange, in the Nottinghamshire village of Lambley on Saturday 5th October at 11am.

Message from Cathy Bramley.

Hi Kobby,

Thank you so much for inviting me over to your Chick Lit Pad today to talk about my debut novel. But before I do that I’ve been examining the two ladies you have sitting at the little table and trying to decide which one I’d like to be. I’ve decided to be the one with the cute brown bob because she’s wearing a fabulous pair of boots (I adore boots and have about fifteen pairs) and she is drinking coffee (I’m a total caffeine addict)!

So, to my book… Conditional Love was great fun to write because I’ve incorporated several of my favourite topics into it:

Chick lit–I don’t have a problem categorising my work as chick lit; I love the genre and have read hundreds of fantastic books from the likes of Allie Spencer, Jenny Colgan, Freya North, Paige Toon, Katie Fforde…. I could go on!

Grand Designs – This is a British property TV show where (usually) a couple have a dream to build their own home without any experience and then have to have all their mistakes and disasters shown on TV for the whole world to view! Actually property is a big theme in my life and my husband and I built our own home (but didn’t go on TV!).

Nottingham – The book is based in Nottingham, my home town for the last twenty five years and also home of Robin Hood and Maid Marian, my favourite romantic couple! Several of my friends have asked whether they are in it, to which I reply that the characters are a blend of people I’ve met over the years. It wouldn’t surprise me if someone recognises something about themselves in one of the characters! Sophie Stone is nothing like me; I’m more of a ‘jump in and worry about the consequences later’ person. However, I did refer back to my own experience for Sophie’s unfortunate mistake in the boardroom. But I’ll leave readers to find out more for themselves! I hope you enjoy reading Conditional Love as much as I enjoyed writing it. Best wishes and hope to see you soon on my Facebook page!

Cathy

Good news: You can pre-order Conditional Love on

So hope to catch out my review of Conditional Love. I am betting I would have a blast. So pre-order while copies are available because, turns out, no one promotes like Cathy Bramley.

In college. First night. Going to sleep with new roommies I might end up hating all my stay.

Signing off,

Kobby.

Book Review: Breaking The Rules By Cat Lavoie

Blurb: When twenty-seven year old Roxy Rule’s best friend and roommate accepts a glamorous new job overseas, she expects their relationship to continue as it’s always been—carefree and easy—until they share a heart-stopping kiss moments before his departure. Overcome with mixed emotions, she fights the urge to over analyze the situation and resumes back to her normal life in New York City, working for an intolerable boss at a dead end job, creeping further and further away from her own dreams of becoming a professional chef.

While things become more complicated between her and Ollie, Roxy is sure that nothing can come between two lifelong best friends—not even mild jealousy over a thriving career or a silly little kiss that meant nothing. In fact, it was such a meaningless and forgettable kiss that she convinces herself that it’s not even worth mentioning to her fiancé, although it is all she can think about.

Roxy’s already topsy-turvy life only gets more complicated when her sisters Steffi and Izzie suddenly become her roommates. Steffi is six months into a pregnancy she refuses to discuss and Izzie is in the throes of a premature midlife crisis. Roxy tries to take control of her career, her love life and her sisters – but can she really handle it all? And can the Rule family keep it together – or break under the pressure?

“Wait, one of our buddies is in town and he’s staying at this wicked fancy hotel. We’re all going there to get wasted and trash his room and shit. Wanna tag along?” He stares at Steffi. “One of the guys in the band is really into pregnant chicks.” He looks at me. “And I’m sure one of them is into chicks that are just big."

Fine debut. Cat Lavoie gives us a perspective of New York from the eyes of a heroine who's quite the art of cook book collector.

So Roxy Rules loves using the f-word, eating it and making it. Added to her resume is, family with sisters who have their fair share of slamming rock bottom, friend of a kooky crowd, assistant to a wacko boss, best friend and roommate of Oliver Frost and fiancée of a banker concerned about talking budget-cuts and tacky wedding ceremonies.

One kiss with Oliver at the point of his departure shatters her world and leaves her with the 'why did Ollie (my best friend) kiss me?' and the 'Why did I kiss him back?" and not forgetting, the "Wait, did I enjoy it?-Why did I enjoy it?" questions.

Time passes and the kiss issue is settled with the two undertaking a long-distance friendship. There are much too many problems Roxy has to deal with than a "platonic" kiss. Her sisters have moved in with her (think the ANTM house) and not a day passes without smackdown action. With the older meddling lawyer sister, Izzie, who's been let off from work till she sees a counselor-a case about crushing on a client, and younger sister, Steffi who shows up with a baby bump and chooses to leave it at that ("Woke up with it. Moving in with it."). And as if staying with the two isn't cause to fake a nervous breakdown to avoid work, she has her bugging boss, Greta the Nutter, to deal with. And did I forget the fiancé who's always lecturing her about over-spending and his mother who's pissed at her over-gaining weight.

Soon, constant conflict threatens to dissolve all her relationships (except with her fabulous understanding and supportive cast of friends) and after one more unfaithful act to her fiancé and a shocking paternal discovery, Roxy's world threatens to cave in.

So LOL–can she really handle it all? And can the Rule family keep it together –or break under the pressure?

A tale about finding happiness, a bestfriend, and putting on a little weight to piss your mother-in-law so you don't fit into her wedding dress.

This book would be so relatable to you if you've kissed your best friend (Err, I tried to). Though let's face it, this story-line of breaking then ruining the friendzone is a constant done-before in the chick-lit genre (Lying To Meet You by Anna Garner to name a [memorable] few), Cat Lavoie makes hers unique with well-developed characters and a suspenseful plot.

I don't think there's been a chickroine that is more relatable. She loves food like most women, loves bingeing like most women do, isn't exactly thin like most chick-lit characters are, isn't afraid of putting on pounds, insecure (but not portrayed to irritating proportions). Just about every woman could confess they'd go to a party just because refreshments were on the program list or doesn't mind spending hours in the kitchen if it is slaving for others.-second star.

I liked the supporting cast who were her friends. Adam, the gay who owns a bar doomed for failure since it's establishment, and Tali, the hilarious workplace receptionist whose appearance always put a smile on my face.-third star.

You should love the ending of this book. Especially towards it. The suspense is at its peak when all water breaks loose and it kept me awake through the afternoon (I take naps). It was brilliantly ended with revelation of secrets upon secrets and when you think there's no hope for the chick and her-the rooster, one command to the cabbie changes it all.-fourth star

Now, I liked this book. But did I love, love it? Almost. I really wished the humor could go a notch higher-there were smiling moments and one or two laugh-out-loud ones (I am that shallow, make me laugh so hard and I wouldn't hesitate giving you a five star).

My rating would be 4/5 stars.

Breaking The Rules, Cat Lavoie's fine debut can be found at

in both paperback and kindle.Or you don't want the two (for whatever reason, I don't judge) you should get the audio format also available on Amazon

I recommend this title for anyone who needs a novel with a chick who is more closer to human than a book character. Anyone who values family or anyone who doesn't. And anyone who loves conflict between fiancés, bride-to-bes and mother-in-laws.

Anticipating Cat Lavoie's second novel which I expect to be a laugh-out-loud, beach-y book. See cover here.

Always open to emails from anyone who'd like to gush about Breaking The Rules.

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