Rating: Summary: Chick lit number one! Review: Reality TV shows have become a household name among cable television. It doesn't surprise me that there are novels based on the aforementioned ubiquitous programs out there. At first, I thought Jennifer O'Connell's Bachelorette Number One was a satire on The Bachelor. It isn't. It's so much better than that!Sarah Holmes is an undercover journalist for Femme magazine, doing an expose about The Stag - a show where desperate single women look for love and, inevitably, rejection on national television. Older, wiser and with much more perspective than the hopeful candidates on the show, Sarah sees it all with a cynical eye. As the show progresses, however, Sarah becomes competitive, wanting to snag the sexy bachelor before the others get a chance to charm him. The tables are turned and things don't turn out the way she'd anticipated. To make matters worse, Sarah has a loving husband and toddler child back home in the suburbs. Does she want to give up her marriage in favor of the romance and luxury The Stag provides? There are various fun twists and surprises throughout the novel. The writing is sharp, the dialogue is crisp and the novel is fast-paced fun. I couldn't keep it down and found myself not wanting to let go of Sarah's fantasy world crashing with reality. Jennifer O'Connell has crafted a fun novel to read in one sitting. Are novels based on Reality TV programs increasing? Yes. Are they worth reading? Well, Bachelorette Number One is definitely worth giving a whirl. Highly recommended...
Rating: Summary: Reality TV w/a twist! Review: Sarah goes on The Stag undercover as a Hen/Bachelorette, determined to expose desperate single women and the self-absorbed Stag/Bachelor. With an OK from her husband, she goes on this adventure, and discovers that her fellow Hens are just regular women trying to discover who they are, the Stag is not the bad guy she suspected, and Sarah is surprised when she learns about herself as well. This book is light and fun, while at the same time dealing with real issues married women face when realizing the personal sacrifices in being a good wife and mother. This is a fun read and the hidden story of Sarah rediscovering herself is very touching.
Rating: Summary: HATED IT! Review: The WORST chick lit I have read, ever! And I have read a lot of them. I thought I would be the target audience for this book, the Bachelor is my favorite TV show, and 95% of my pleasure reads are chick lit, but I could not wait to finish the book....so I could throw it out! The characters were too stereotypical to be believable and lacked depth. The author tried so hard to make Sarah's problems and inner conflicts deep that the situations were painstakingly drawn out and then resolved with a simple thought. And the show Sarah is participating in is full of things that would never happen on a reality television show, from a technical aspect. (i.e. interaction with producers, camera men) I would never, ever want any of my friends to read this book!
Rating: Summary: Had its moments but... Review: This book had it's moments but I found the writing a little dry for much of it. I guess it didn't hook me as much toward the middle and through to the end as it did in the beginning. I also didn't believe that the guy on this reality show would truley be "so freaking nice" as the author kept telling me. But overall it wasn't a terrible way to spend a few afternoons. Perhaps I will pick up another by this author and give that a try.
Rating: Summary: A good time Review: This book was a good time - quick to get into, quick to read, and an entertaining story. Although it sounds like a behind the scenes look at the now over-exposed reality dating shows, it's really about the main character, who isn't a single woman at all. Even if you don't like reality shows, the story and writing manages to keep your attention because Sarah is funny, sarcastic, and grappling with her own issues that have nothing to do with reality TV and everything to do with real life.
Rating: Summary: Intelligent writing peppered with great humor! Review: This book was such a nice change from the formulaic chick lit that is so pervasive these days. The protagoinist is smart and confident yet self effacing. She's so easy to relate to, and you can't help but get caught up in her emotional roller coaster ride with The Stag. O'Connell effectively lures you in to the behind the scenes world of Reality TV, but does it with a subtlety and slight of hand that you don't even see it coming. Before you know it, you're hoping Sarah makes it to the next round and you get completely caught up in Sarah's undercover maneuvers. The writer's attention to detail paints a dynamic story for the reader. The plot is unique and timely. This would make a great movie!
Rating: Summary: Fun, light reading a la Bridget Jones Review: This is a fun end-of-summer read, altho it is just as fun to curl up with on a cool, cloudy day. I've never watched a reality show but this has got my curiosity peaked. I loved how 'heroine' Sarah stuck to her true self amidst temptations. Bachelorette #1 is a fast-paced, captivating read. Can't wait to check out Jennifer O'Connell's next work!
Rating: Summary: Bachelorette is a #1 Review: This is a great piece of chick lit. It is the story of a young suburban housewife who goes undercover on the dating TV series "The Stag." But appearances are decieving, and Sarah finds herself getting more and more caught up in the high life. When the show is over, she feels as though she has to make a decision: go back to her family, or stay and enjoy the life of a California superstar?
The Stag is obviously a take-off of the TV dating show "The Bachelor;" however, Bachelorette #1 is a refreshing approach to reality TV. There was only one thing I didn't like about this book: the characters seemed a little bit flat to me, not enough substance. Its a quick read, great for the beach or when you're not in the mood to think about what you're reading.
If you're looking for something relatively within the same genre, I suggest Olivia Joules and the Overactive Imagination, by Helen Fielding.
Rating: Summary: Are you kidding me? Review: This is undoubtedly the worst book I've read in my entire life. I was shocked at the poor writing, the flimsy plotline, and the one-dimensional characters. Always wanting to give every writer (and book) the benefit of the doubt, though, I kept reading with hope that there would be redemption in the book's progression. No such luck. There are plenty of books on the market with not-so-serious subjects that are worth reading because they are cleverly devised and written; this is certainly not one of them.
Rating: Summary: Great fun Review: This was great fun to read. I couldn't help but get hooked on Sarah's "assignment" and the ensuing circumstances she's forced to endure, and maybe even embrace??? When Sarah chose to accept her assignment and enter the world of unreal reality TV it starts a series of events that not only test her as a journalist, but also as a wife, mother and thirty-something woman who needs to figure some things out. Super summer book you'll finish quickly and end with a smile on your face.
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