Rating: 
Summary: Once you get through the first 60/70 pages, it's a winner
Review: I absolutely loved this book-- the descriptions were awesome as was the dialogue. This is an awesome read for young adults and up. I recommend it mostly for women although some men may enjoy it. I found the first few chapters to be dull but I think that the writing style was supposed to match the character's personality. a MUST read
Rating: 
Summary: Kept my Interest!!
Review: This book was very well written. I couldn't wait to read it every night. The main character Carrie, isn't the nicest person in the world, but it shows that we all have flaws to some degree. It also tells the story of how many of us do things because we feel it is what we should do and not what we actually want to do. It is not your traditional story line with a happily ever after ending. It is a very thought provoking and interesting book. I highly recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: A study in human indecision...
Review: Carrie Bell does what so many of us must sometimes do, make a decision by "not" making a decision! Her indecisiveness is at once frustrating and familar (at least to me). I didn't view Carrie so much as a real person (one person) as I did a composite of many young women faced with what must surely be the granddaddy of all horrible situations. How does one come to terms with a fiancee who is paralyzed and completely dependent on others for his every need? I think Carrie did the only thing she could do...run away for a time. Her very sanity depended on it. Staying meant, in essence, faking her feelings, lying to those she loved most and in the process, loosing more and more of her ambition and peace of mind. Ann Packer's story dredged up a whole ditch of emotions in me. I cried, laughed, wanted to slap some sense into Carrie and Kilroy and Jamie AND I saw in each of these characters a little of me, which is, after all, the intent of wonderful writing. I loved this book. I hated Carrie's final decision, however, I choose to believe that somehow, in the very near future, she will discover that her clothing design options must return her to New York City and ultimately into the arms of Kilroy (who, by the way, is a fascinating character and so suitable for Carrie). I recommend reading this book quickly, as I did, then, reflecting upon the huge life issues it poses. I advise readers to withhold condemnation of Carrie until you've pondered long and hard just what you would do in a similar situation. I can honestly say I would flee just like Carrie did, but I have no idea if I would be able to return and seek forgiveness in the gracious, undemanding way she does.
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful writing stays with you between readings
Review: As a busy mom who usually only gets to read 30-40 pages of a book at a time, this book drew me in every time I sat down to read, and the characters and plot stayed with me during the day. The book starts off all too real and depressing and goes on, in parts, to have some loose and not entirely satisfying twists. But its a spectacular debut novel, and the writing style is excellent, neither getting in the way nor dumbing down. Some have complained that they can not like nor engage with the anti-heroine Carrie, but in doing so they miss the point that not all lead characters need be perfect and likeable, and the whole interest of the book, for me, is the fallibility of human nature, and the flawed characters. Duh, you don't have to like the characters to like the book!
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful and thought provoking novel!
Review: A great novel that deals the issue of what defines who we are: our actions, family, friends, home town, life history? I found this to be both entertaining and engrossing.The book doesn't end with everyone's problems solved like so many American novels - there is a sense that life is going on and the decisions, mistakes and adjustments will continue, as they do in real life. I think it was an excellent book and will be passing it on to many friends. If you liked this book, also try "Getting Over It" by Anna Maxted. It is another thought provoking read.
Rating:
Summary: The contrast of opposites
Review: I moved from the midwest to NYC and escaped the family that kills the artist's soul (was that the line? something like that). At one point, I found my self sobbing at Ann Packer's description of walking through the streets of NYC - the beautiful, self-concious sense of aloneness only felt in that overwhelming city.
I could relate to Carrie - her need to flee, her guilt over it. It was so midwest to expect her to give up her whole life for the ailing Mike - why should she? Who were these people who expected her, a young women an the verge of starting her life, to give up her future out of pity and guilt?
I felt that when she went back to him, it was because she wanted to, not because everyone expected her to. It was her choice. Maybe that's all she needed--to have a choice, not a decision forced on her.
I have to say, I did feel sorry for the emotionally unavailable Kilroy. He was sort of used and dumped. Yet, I feel he gave her the best he could, inadequate as it was.
Despite a few obvious typecasting cliches, I would highly recommend this to anyone who has experienced the New York/Midwest contrast in their lives.
Rating:
Summary: Couldn't put this down
Review: Even though this book is hardly the best one I've read yet, it was a hard one to put down. I could relate to the characters and to their relationships, and constantly felt myself evaluating how I would deal with this complex life-changing situation. It perhaps will surprise you at the end as it did me and I question whether or not Carrie did the right thing. I guess it wasn't so much doing the right thing as doing what seemed right at the time, given the difficult circumstances, and isn't that what we all strive to do in life? Very thought provoking!
Rating:
Summary: I love, love, love this book
Review: I can't even explain my love for this book. I have now limited myself to 2 pages a day because of my book love for Clausen's Pier. Carrie Bell is intriguing to me, but more intriguing is her relationship with Kilroy, it's a mystery as well.
I don't understand all the bad or iffy reviews, I really think this is the quintessential summer read.
Rating:
Summary: Stick with it
Review: When I first started reading this book, I wanted to put it down after about 50 pages. I did not think the writing was very original, and thought the dialogue was poor. More importantly, I could not imagine how she was going to get four hundred pages out of this seemingly simple story. I ended up really loving this book. Carrie's journey and decision making process are emotional and complex, and I really found myself pulling for her. At times she made me so angry I wanted to yell out loud at her and tell her what to do! This is one of those rare books that leaves you missing the characters when it's over. I finished it today, and I wish there was more to read. I'll remeber Carrie for a long time.
Rating: 
Summary: There are better beach reads......
Review: This is one of those books that you have to convince yourself to continue reading, and in some cases, particularly in section 2, bribe yourself to finish. The only character of any interest is Mike, and at times, Carrie's mother. Why anyone in New York was begging Carrie to return is beyond me. On a good note, I thought the author did a nice job with the ending, not everything needs to be wrapped in a bow and resolved. There are better beach books this summer, I am on to "The Lovely Bones".
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