White Bikini Panties

Rating:
Summary: Who wrote the back cover blurb?
Review: Did that person actually read this book?

Green Melusine and I must be kindred spirits - I came here intending to make EXACTLY the same points! First of all, reading the back cover was what made up my mind to buy this book. It sounded like a fun and funny read about a young woman who tries to change her life and personality after she catches her boyfriend cheating on her. Instead, she spends the rest of the book whining and starting even more dysfunctional relationships, one after the other. Trina does not change or develop AT ALL, and that was disappointing.

Most disturbing, however, was the overall message. I don't know what points the author wanted to get across, but it seemed to me that she spent most of the book complaining that the outlook is grim for single women in their thirties - the only available guys are into disturbing sex games, or they have STDs. The moral of the story was that it's better to return to the guy who cheats on you (hey! He SAID he wouldn't do it again!) than to develop a shred of self esteem and show him the door, since the pickings are so slim. WHAT?

Despite the annoying protagonist and infuriating ending, I'm giving White Bikini Panties two stars, since it's fairly well written and there are some interesting moments (while I was sick of Trina by the book's end, I found myself absorbed by the subplot involving her older sister Jessie, and Jessie's struggle with infertility. Although it is also implied that Jessie can do no better than to settle for a cheating husband... hmmm...) If you really NEED another light chick lit read, this one will pass the time. However, if you're like me and your shelves are overflowing with this kind of book, don't bother adding this to the collection.



Rating:
Summary: Back cover blurb more fun than the story
Review: I bought this book because the blurb on the back cover appealed to me--young aspiring writer dumps cheating boyfriend and starts living life her way rather than trying to please others.

SPOILERS ahead.

Instead, I got Trina, a spineless cipher of a character who doesn't have any clear personality traits even after a couple hundred pages, who dumps her cheating boyfriend, dates a couple of insipid other guys, and deals with all work and home situations by putting her head in the sand. Then cheating boyfriend comes back and has the gall to get mad that she was involved with other guys while they were broken up--and she doesn't even call him on the carpet for it--and then makes an unreasonable demand of her. And she caves.

I don't like to write negative reviews, since I know they're hurtful to authors, but this book just ticked me off. Between the main plot and the subplot involving Trina's sister, it seemed like the author's point was "Settle down with the first guy who claims to love you. You'll never find anyone else, and he'll only cheat on you a little bit."

Ugh.

Rating:
Summary: Love her style of writing!!
Review: I really enjoyed this book! It was the first I've read of hers and am so happy that this book introduced me to her writng, her website, other books and endeavors!

I really enjoyed her book, Her main character Trina had a slighly sarcastic edge, and Enger pulled it off wonderfully, which, is not that easy to do.
Some of my favorite things about the book, are the way Trina dealt with the men and the way men reacted to her, classic real life reactions that don't come across a lot in the books, I've read
I liked the way the other aspects of her life surrounded her work, family and goals. It was just a great book, that lived up to its title, truly!! Hope to see more of her work!!

Rating:
Summary: The first laugh came on Page 3
Review: I was having a terrible day, until I decided to read a few pages of this book during lunch. The first laugh came on Page 3, and then I forgot everything else.

Kelly James-Enger has done a terrific job of telling a story so real, and so funny, you don't want it to end. We all know a family like Trina's but her insights make ordinary situations so interesting, you want to tag along with her. There is real depth to the story, and the realistic range of emotions we've all felt are portrayed with such honesty, you'll keep reading - way past bedtime.

Rating:
Summary: I hope they stock "White Bikini" in airport bookstores!
Review: If you're travelling during this holiday season (like I am) this is a great plane, train or "avoiding the relatives" read. James-Enger writes totally relatable characters and the main character, Trina, is a bit of case, yet she's utterly lovable. I am looking forward to reading more novels by this author.

Rating:
Summary: Another Hit
Review: Kelly James-Enger writes wonderful chick lit. Her first book was great and White Bikini Panties is another successful entry.

What sets these books apart from alot of chick lit is that her characters are richly developed. While there is lots of humour, there is always a touch of seriousness that adds wonderfully to the mix. Also, there is always a "situation" in the book which the author chooses to resolve in a non-conform manner (Ethan and Jessie).

I love all the characters in this book and if I have a complaint is that Kelly James-Enger's books always feel too short for me. I am already looking forward to the next one.

Buy this one.

Rating:
Summary: Dealing With Life
Review: Looking for a book that is easy to read, yet has enough substance to keep you interested? If so, Kelly James-Enger's White Bikini Panties is that book. Trina, the main character, is believable and likeable as we follow her through the fun and pressures of life as a young adult. How does she deal with her job as a writer for a kitchen gadget company in the suburbs, while living in the city, handle a cheating boyfriend, and withstand pressures from her family's demands? Simple- she changes her underwear and changes her life. If you are past this stage in your own life, it will bring back memories; if you are just entering this stage it will give you insight.
An enjoyable read that will leave you waiting for James-Enger's next work.

Rating:
Summary: A very enjoyable read!
Review: The thing I like best about Kelly James-Enger as an author is her absolute candor and lack of pretense. She's unusually honest and real in her writing. The love relationships in this book, as well as the family and friend relationships, are very flawed and complicated, as in real life. Reading Kelly James-Enger's books is like talking to a close friend. She does a great job with dialog, and the characters are well developed and easy to relate to. She's also not afraid to tackle tough subjects like bulimia and infertility, and she portrays the emotions accurately and realistically. I would definitely recommend White Bikini Panties, as well as her first novel, Did You Get the Vibe. I look forward to reading the next one.

Rating:
Summary: A fun read
Review: Trina, the protagonist of White Bikini Panties, is a familiar, realistic, and fully developed character with a loving family and a great sense of humor. James-Enger sets a breezy pace with her wonderfully natural writing style. I picked the book up every chance I could get and had trouble putting it down. If you're in the mood for a book to help you pass an enjoyable weekend, try White Bikini Panties.

Rating:
Summary: A Great Chick Lit Tale to Curl Up With
Review: White Bikini Panties by Kelly James-Enger had the ingredients of a good chick lit read: a likeable and less-than-perfect heroine with an adorable, smart and sweet boyfriend who she had just found cheating on her; a semi-good job with the requisite catty coworker and gay friend. It's the classic, original chick lit forumla, but does it work every time? Thankfully it did this time.

Trina is 28 years old and just living. When she finds her sweet, computer-obsessed boyfriend is found in his living room making out with another girl, she figures it's time to move on. Trina is understandably disappointed, but decides it is time to move on. So she does. First there is the irresistable Javier, who only seems to call her once in a blue moon. Then there is Pete, the "guy's guy" who seems to be pretty interesting after all, despite his initial impression; At the same time her job is going through a "reorganization" which could either land her a promotion or the ax. When she discovers a very unpleasant ailment that one of her boyfriends apparently gave her, she has to find out who is responsible.

Trina decides it's time to figure out who she is, where she is going, and who she wants.

Overall I enjoyed White Bikini Panties. It was well-written, engaging and had some likeable characters. However, there were a couple of times that I felt the story line kind of lagged and I was waiting for something to happen. While the book is good, it isn't outstandingly great. But White Bikini Panties will charm most chick lit fans. I do recommend it to readers who enjoy reading about women trying to find her way in life, get over an ex-boyfriend, and get ahead in her job.