By: D. Weeks "Shalanna"

D. Weeks "Shalanna" — Sun, 17 Mar 2013 02:16:40 +0000

Not chick lit, but a novelized memoir–PhilipRoth-like This book is not chick lit. That’s why it confused the readers who were expecting a chicklitty read all about designer labels and shopping. This book is a literary novelization of the author’s actual life, or at least that’s how I understand it from reading the back blurb. It deals with issues far deeper than chick lit. Moreover, Laurie Graff has talent and has that special way with words and a turn of phrase. (Lots of authors now just don’t. Their prose clunks. The no-style style. Clunky.) It was a pleasure to read her narrative and escape into the world of the character. Unlike some reviewers, I experienced her viewpoint character (a somewhat modified version of herself, I gathered, with the author winking at us from the distance of the years) as being charming and deep, if a bit ditzy about men. It’s an episodic novel about all the guys she dated. I do have to say that she (the main character–and perhaps the author, by extension, though you should never assume a character represents the author, even when you’re told it’s based on real life!) was unwise in sleeping with all those men, protection shrotection. She slept with more guys than I have ever even flirted with, let alone dated! But I realize that’s a typical lifestyle as portrayed, yadda yadda. The episodes all have some meaning to her life. She doesn’t have a big character arc, just a small one, but that’s more realistic anyway. At the end, she chooses not to take back the last guy who dumped her and says she’ll wait for what’s really hers to show up. That was her character change. I realize that most romance novels and chick lit take a brick and pummel the reader over the head with the paradigm of being rescued by a man and so forth, so this novel wouldn’t suit their reading tastes. But if you are used to more literary and more lasting works, give this one a try. She writes well, and I’ll be looking forward to seeing more of her work.

By: J. Robinson

J. Robinson — Sun, 17 Mar 2013 01:55:24 +0000

Immensely entertaining I love all of the Red Dress Ink books I have read, and when I spotted this one in the bookstore, it looked like it would be right up my alley. And it was. The protagonist, Karrie Kline, had a strong voice that came through clearly in these series of humorous vignettes about dating. The author was also able to keep what could be a depressing subject mostly upbeat. She seemed to observe her experiences in a positive light and move on into the next experience. I think everyone has a little of Karrie Kline in them, especially when it comes to the dating world. Though the novel was quite long, it did move very quickly and actually made me laugh out loud at several parts! I have recommended it to all of my friends who are dating and need a good laugh. And, of course, I recommend it to anyone who is in the mood to read a great book.

Comments on: You Have to Kiss a Lot of Frogs

By: D. Weeks "Shalanna"

By: J. Robinson