Rating: 
Summary: Where do I begin...
Review: Let's face it, NOONE reads 'chick lit' for its intellectual content. It's literary junk food. Allows us to gleefully engage in a bit of schadenfreude, peeking into the dysfunctional lives of the (fictional) incredibly wealthy and powerful. To be sure, I prefer good quality, lyrically written, long and involved novels. However, I'm no literary snob. I wasn't an English major. I periodically binge on chick lit. Heck, I proudly admit it to my friends.
So why am I even bothering to submit a review? Because there are some standards that even chick lit should meet, specifically logical sentence structure and decent grammar. I realize that many authors are not masters of the written word, but heck, that's what editors are for! Add a wince inducing caricature of a demanding Latina mistress, and one is left wondering if there was any quality control exercised during the making of this book.
Why two stars? Because I actually finished it. Yeah the ending holds absolutely no surprises, but this book will provide a bit of a diversion. It's fluffy enough to follow even if your attention is centered elsewhere (really dull day at work, day at the park, etc). If you must purchase, (instead of borrowing from library) I'd advise buying it in paperback, on sale. Heck, you might even find yourself playing editor, and writing corrections in the margins. :-)
Rating: 
Summary: Light,Easy Read--Not for those looking for intelligent novel
Review: The title of my review essentially sums up my feelings on this book. I was browsing the new books in fiction at my local borders one evening, when I came across this book. Upon reading the dust jacket, I decided that it sounded like a cute fun book to read while lounging in the sun in my backyard, or on the beach. Once I returned home, I logged onto amazon and was quite disappointed to see the negative reviews. However, those reviews only made me more eager to read the book, so I could judge for myself.After finishing the book, I must admit that this is not for those looking for a well-written, intellectual novel. I am a college student, reading this book for leisure over the summer. However, I was amazed at the number of typos and grammatical errors that I found in this book. The authors certainly need to find a better editor. In spite of the poor editing, I did find the characters to be quite easy to laugh at, for their often despicable actions. It is amazing how people can be so shallow. While there may have been a lack of characters to "root for," I found the characters in this book to be quite amusing. If one reads this book looking to laugh at the pathetic nature of these upper east side society people, you should not be disappointed. Overall, I would recommend this book. However, I recommend it only to those looking to read this type of book.
Rating: 
Summary: Almost, but not quite
Review: This book is not as poorly written as "The Devil Wears Prada," but it's close. The authors (it took two people to write this book?!)don't give us anyone to root for; everyone in this book is either a tacky wannabe or a catty snob and no one has redeeming qualities or distinct characteristics. What they should have done was had Melanie Korn, the socially ambitious ex-stewardess and second wife of funeral home magnate Arthur Korn, be humiliated a few times by her two socially connected nemesises (is that a word?) Joan and Wendy. Then under the tutelage of Mr. Guffney, the butler, she ascends the social ladder all Eliza Doolittle-like and exacts a satisfying revenge. Wait, I've read a story similar to that--oh, yeah, Candace Bushnell's "Trading Up." (I liked that book, what can I say?) Anyway, as the book is, Melanie is incredibly gauche and keeps making the same mistakes page after page, until you begin to wonder how many times can she be ostracized and humiliated? Does her earthy husband, Arthur, really love her, or is he jonesing for the perfect society girl, Olivia? Do Wendy and Joan have lives? Is Morgan really gonna have Maria, his baby mama, killed? The authors do give us a peek into the lives of the idle rich, with their charity balls and ruthless gossip. But for the most part, this book is like Melanie and Arthur's apartment before they had it redecorated: a lot of nice pieces, but nothing that really comes together as a whole.
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