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Summary: When a so-called perfect life isn't perfect
Review: I loved this book and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a fun read. Sarah is hired to go undercover and write an article for a woman's magazine, the subject is a reality show called 'The Stag.' Sarah's married with a toddler, but she accepts the assignment, and thinks she's got the show, and its contestents, all figured out even before she gets to California. What ensues is an interesting look at how Sarah interacts with a species she's been at arms length from for a few years, single women and what they're looking for. I'm single, but Sarah echoed feelings I've heard from my married friends, that even when you have a husband and family, does it mean a part of you must be put away? Are you a bad person if you're feeling restless when you have what you've always wanted and it doesn't feel like enough? The author's right-on dialog and fast-paced narration make this book a keeper.
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Summary: Cute, but a little cheesy
Review: I picked up this book and read it in two days. It was definitely one of those books where you can wait to find out what is going to happen next. However, it was a little cheesy at times and had some bad language. This is an especially enjoyable read for those who are into "The Bachelor" tv show.
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Summary: One of the few that didn't like this!
Review: I read a lot of "chick lit" because it is fun to read and it is usually not intended to be deep or entirely realistic. I had a very hard time, however, getting past the beginning when the main character was able to be fixed up in only a few short hours to go from mom/part-time writer to someone who can legitimately pose as a 20 something bachelorette. It also did not seem consistent with her character to leave her child with a babysitter for weeks while she pursued a part-time writing assignment. I can suspend some reality, but this was too hard. I am a forty something and it would take a whole lot more time to get me to look like a bachelorette and it would have been better reading to explore her transformation, rather than just gloss over it.
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Summary: Finally, smart chick lit
Review: I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a laugh as well as a little insight. While I'm not necessarily a fan of "reality" shows, I picked this up on my way through the airport. Finally, I'd found a "chick lit" book with a main character that is not only intelligent and happy with the way she looks, but who also isn't whining about her boss or her lack of a boyfriend (well, she's married, but you know what I mean) - Sarah is just plain likeable, even in her imperfection. The other characters, from the women on the show to the 'Stag' aren't one dimensional - nobody's all bad or all good and even the characters you don't like aren't villians. I liked that way better than the stereotypical characters that seem to populate every chick book these days (the horrible boss, the louse of a boyfriend, the underappreciated woman - haven't we seen enough of these?). While the book is about a 'Bachelor'-like show, it's really Sarah's experiences and changes throughout the book that I loved, while I couldn't relate to being on TV, I could totally relate to the things Sarah was going through in her life as well as on the show. Unlike the rash of predictable, copycat "chick" books out there, Bachelorette #1 is something different and I was glad about that!
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Summary: Reality Check
Review: I really enjoyed this book and read it in one sitting (ok, so I was stranded in an airport for hours, so it was easy). The main character goes into her assignment with mixed emotions. She's secretly looking forward to leaving her staid, married life behind, but she also dreads meeting all the twits she's sure are waiting for her on the set of The Stag. What she finds when she gets there are women who aren't as pathetic as she thought, and even some she can learn something from. She also finds out that it's really easy to be lured into a false sense of romance (and all the emotions that accompany it)when a cute guy is taking you on exotic dates. Although she has a husband and child at home, Sarah allows herself to get caught up in the situation in the name of "research," when what she's really doing is testing the boundaries of her marriage and how far she's willing to go to rediscover the thrill she thinks her life and relationship has lost. I loved the characters, from caustic Vanessa to down to earth Dorothy. Even the Stag wasn't a bad guy, which is why you can understand how Sarah let's herself get carried away. This book is all about choices, and what's real versus "reality." It's fun, well-written, and witty. Enjoy!
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Summary: Single Girls Beware!!!
Review: If you are prone to finding the species of human known (thanks to Bridget Jones) as the 'smug married' thoroughly insufferable, then this is NOT THE BOOK FOR YOU. I'm serious. The heroine Sarah's utter self indulgence, not to mention contemptuous attitude towards single women, may urge you to throw the book across the room. Frankly, who can feel any sort of sympathy for someone who spends the majority of the novel bitching and moaning about the fact that she has a lawyer husband and a beautiful child??? (Yeah, really. Tough life. Woe is me). Sarah comes across as so thoroughly high and mighty, it's incomprehensible as to how the Bachelor (whoops, I mean "The Stag") could ever have been possessed to choose her in the first place. And let's not even go there with some of the truly awful dialogue she comes out with!!! For a woman who keeps telling everyone how smart she is, she sure as hell makes a lot of very inane comments!Another big problem is the rushed conclusion -- the interesting part of the story would have been the reaction of the other women, and the Bachelor, when they find out that Sarah has lied and cheated her way through the whole process. Unfortunately this isn't dealt with at all. Essentially, Sarah has behaved in quite an immoral fashion, yet there's no acceptance of this on her part, which definitely detracts from her character arc. And seriously - does anyone truly believe her husband would so quickly get over the fact that his wife tonsil hockeyed - more than once - a cute guy on national television??? If you're still set on buying this, I suggest you get a second hand copy, the cheapest one you can find. Don't pay full price. It's simply not worth it. And if you really want some good, very well written, chick fic, I suggest you read "The Girls' Guide to Hunting and Fishing" by Melissa Bank.
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Summary: Are you a reality show junkie???
Review: If you like watching The Batchelor, Baccelorette, etc you will love getting the chance to go behind the scenes of what may really happen between these people that put their lives out there for love. After the author sent me an email telling me about her book, I knew that it was a must read. Yes, I am a reality show junkie and really enjoyed her book. It portrays the lengths that people will go to for fame, fortune and/or love. A light hearted read that will make you laugh and wonder if the author really went behind the scenes for a show like The Batchelor to get the 'real scoop'.
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Summary: Fun-tastic
Review: If you're looking for the typical 20-something fare of "girl wants boy, girl loses boy, girl hates job, girl finds great job," then this might not be for you. But if you're looking for a fun, funny, fast-moving story, it is. First of all, the main character is married with a baby, which isn't exactly typical chick lit stuff. Although the other characters are the single girls we're used to in books with cute pink covers, and they provide some good laughs, the real story is about a woman straddling the dueling worlds of singlton vs. married. I liked this book because while it was "light" and funny, it managed to bring up some issues that most women face at some point in their lives. It was well-written and the story line kept my attention from first page to last.
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Summary: A Great Book!
Review: Jennifer O'Connell's first book was a great hit. Definitely would recommend buying and then looking for her next book. A great summer book to bring to the beach or just lay around the house. I couldn't put it down and from page 1 to the last page continued to laugh and feel part of the book. It makes you think twice about all those reality dating shows and what might be going on behind the scenes.
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Summary: Great read, a lot of fun
Review: Personally, I don't know what the "reader from Laguna Beach" was smoking. I bought the book for a fun story and a great read. Ms. O'Connell delivered in full on both accounts. And contrary to the prior posting, I thought her writing style was very effective and kept up the pace such that I kept wanting to read more. To me, at least, that's the mark of a great book. So, to my phantom internet friends out there... if you're looking for a great summertime read that will make you laugh and keep you entertained, buy this book. I'm looking forward to O'connell's next book.
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