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Summary: For sheer summer escapism...
Review: ...look to B.D. Gardner's A Year of Samantha. This fast-paced modern romance centers on Cedric's adoration for Samantha -- a clothing store assistant manager and proverbial Don Juan in a skirt. Cedric does all that's possible to woo Samantha; however, she strings him along as she basks in a shower of male attention. But Samantha is forced to reevaluate her feelings, especially when she discovers the selfish act of her ruthlessly ambitious boss. There are various twists in the novel.Gardner has created an endearing character in Cedric. The aforementioned hero has the sort of sensitivity that is seldom used in modern fiction. His infatuation with Samantha is quite realistic. Samantha, however, is illustrated in a more caricature manner -- the character development isn't as vivid as Cedric's. Still, I was able to relate to some of her plights. A Year of Samantha is sheer summer escapism... The perfect companion for a lazy afternoon in a hammock overlooking the sunset. B.D. Gardner is a promising new author -- he just has to work on bringing his female protagonists to life. Highly recommended...
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Summary: Finally, some different Chick Lit!!
Review: Chick lit, Chick lit, Chick lit, thats all you hear these days. Don't get me wrong, I love it. I enjoy reading funny, romantic books. It's nice to read something for the pure escapism. However, a person can only take so much of the same story. They are all the same, Girls meets boy, girl gets dumped, girl loses weight, boy gets jealous and girl meets new boy. Enough already! Lets get some new plot lines! Thank goodness, B.D Gardner must have felt the same way! This author has come up with a new idea.. the main character in this book has self confidence. She is already beautiful. She's friendly, she's approachable and open minded. She doesn't spend the whole time whining to her gay (male) best friend and she doesn't try to lose weight and stop smoking. She is sporty and healthy. Best of all she meets a great guy who can all root for. Buy this book, rebel against your average chick lit!!!
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Summary: A Peachy Beach Read
Review: Don't have a book while sunbathing this summer? A Year of Samantha is just the book to read. It is a light, frothy romance with just enough sizzle. Samantha Van Holt works as an assistant manager at a clothing store. She has a knack for collecting boyfriends and other male admirers--all the while keeping her current boyfriend Cedric in check. Then happenings really pop for her - embezzelling, boyfriends that may or may not be married, and a romantic trip to the tropics where lust pops in the most unexpected place. Light and fun - this book is great for the beach.
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Summary: Unreadable
Review: I am so glad that I bought this book used because if I'd spent $25 on it I'd be sick.
It was awful... the writing, the story, the characters, the typos, everything... Just truly awful!
I've read great chic lit, good chic lit, and ok chic lit.
This however, was unreadable chic lit and I had to give up the book after trudging my way through the first 4 chapters.
Don't waste your money )o: Sorry...
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Summary: A fun read.
Review: I enjoyed A Year of Samantha. It is fun and pleasant. I would certainly suggest it to anyone who, like me, enjoys books by Jane Green & Sophie Kinsella.
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Summary: Great realistic relationships!
Review: I first heard about A Year of Samantha from the author himself. He actually sent me a copy of his book to read. I was quite shocked at how good the book actually was. If you are tired of reading regular "chick lit" books then I was suggest reading this book. The characters are very realistic and you really get drawn into whether or not Cedric and Samantha will actually hook up. I really loved the book because it actually came from Cedric's view and not Samantha's. It has lots of twists and turns and sometimes you do not know whether or not they will stay together. A really great book about realistic relationships!
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Summary: Not good, yet strangely compelling
Review: I have to confess that there were points at which I was highly tempted to give up on this book. Yet, as the book went on, it did become more engrossing. I did find myself intrigued by Samantha's work situation. The author built the suspense up rather well here. The book makes an ok beach read, if you want something light that doesn't require you to think. I confess I did at times find myself caring whether the couple was going to get together, despite the things I disliked about the book. My problem threefold: First, I didn't particularly care for any of the characters. I thought that Samantha was a witch and Cedric was a wimp. I found they lacked depth and realism. I didn't get why he was so hung up on her - she wasn't worth it, and it didn't seem realistic that he waited around for her so long. Second, the book was too long and had too many subplots/characters. Third, and most importantly, along with character development, I'd like to see Gardner work more on his writing style. I found the book overly descriptive - I kept thinking, "Stop telling me so much - show me who these people are by what the do." I also found that he generally gave me too much detail - I don't care what the characters had for dinner! Some of the dialogue was off; it didn't ring true to me. I'd find myself thinking, "Real people don't talk like this." Overall, I do think Gardner has potential to be a quality writer. If you take this as just a frothy romance novel and don't expect anything too heavy, you could enjoy it, even though I wouldn't make it first on your must read list. I will give Gardner's next effort a read.
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Summary: Great book!
Review: I really enjoyed reading A Year of Samantha. I couldn't put it down! It is funny, entertaining, and smart without being too complex. A really great Singleton/Chick Lit novel. It has my A+ seal of approval!
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Summary: I laughed a lot with this book - very tongue-in-cheek humor.
Review: I really liked this book. It is funny and endearing. I like a light, funny read and this fit the bill. A Year of Samantha had me in stitches...the bit where Samantha is going to buy the magazine at the airport, while Cedric is thinking instead about holding hands in the plane, I loved that...that was classic! :-)
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Summary: Must read book!
Review: I would like to say that i am a big fan of 'girly-girl' novels. I have started reading "A Year of Samantha" and so far I have enjoyed the book, it's hard for me to put the book down.
It's about a young woman named Samantha, she is in her
mid-twenties looking for a man that would treat her right but she always ends up dating a "loser." There is Cedric, who is in love with her but she doesn't want to commit at the time. In the process of dating Cedric, Samantha goes out with a CEO, who turns out to be...well let just say you have to read the book yourself to find out what really happens at the end and if so, is that the end? Enjoy :) Thank you B.D. Gardner
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