Rating: 
Summary: Should Have Been Better
Review: I liked the story okay and this is indeed a very believable New York story. If taken at face value, the book is pretty good, but I found it didn't capture the reader's interest enough. Some of the subplots (Vince and Pippa) were not fully fleshed out. The writer should just have focused on Justine and Barry. And also, these two people are not the most likeable, and it has nothing to do with imperfections. They are downright annoying.
Rating: 
Summary: An unappealing character spoils the novel for me
Review: The story sets out on an intereting note, but after the plane crashes, it seems to plunge as well. I've never seen a character as obnoxious and annoying as Justine, and I found her attitude destestable. I found muself grumbling and shaking my head in disgust whenever she says something to spite Barry, Pippa, her mother or whoever gets on her nerves. Perhaps being opinionated can sometimes come across as being witty, but in Justine's case, she is just plain angry. And after a few doses of her sarcasm, it becomes tired. I also have to agree with the reader who thinks that too much space was devoted to the work scenes, when in fact, they are not that vital to the plot. All in all, apart from some funny and clever exchanges between characters, I found this novel tedious and hard to finish.
Rating: 
Summary: I loved it.
Review: "Was It Something I said?" is not only a terrific first novel. It's a terrific novel, period. The biggest compliment I can give is that I had a tough time putting the book down and looked forward to picking it up again. From the opening 'plane crash,' the author manages to create characters that the reader will care about. Her descriptions and observations of New Yorkers in the 90's -- will make readers (wherever you live) laugh with and at us. In sum, really enjoyable and definitely worth reading.
Rating:
Summary: Crash
Review: "Was It Something I Said" has the most unlikable characters I have ever come across in a book. I actually wish that the characters had crashed and died in the 2nd chapter - I would've read it in the book store, therefore saving me 24 bucks. Sincerely.
Rating:
Summary: Okay but seems like it should have been better
Review: Having the story told from multiple perspectives works very well. It's interesting to see how Justine judges Barry and keeps a running list of his foibles, but is so unaware of how obnoxious she can be. The description, from Barry's viewpoint of her condescending behavior toward Pippa, Barry's young cook, is terrific. At times, I did find the book tedious. Barry is such an infantile goof at the start. It's also hard to know why he likes Justine so much, other than her great helmet hair. There are no great scenes where you see them clicking and think "Okay, here's a couple that just has to be together." Some of the work scenes seem merely opportunities to show off how much research the author did on the world of product marketing and corporate lawyering. Too often, there's nothing of great interest going on in those scenes, and the characters speak in jargon, without sufficient explanation for the reader to figure out what they're talking about. I liked Pippa, but the shifts to her story and the feckless Vince's, often seem unecessary delays from the main Barry/Justine storyline. Finally, some of the subordinate characters were just stereotypes -- the nagging Jewish mothers, the heartless, slave driving law firm partners and the cut-throat, "I'm only watching out for my own interests" corporate drones.
Rating:
Summary: I LOVED IT!!!
Review: In the time when finding love is as painful as root canal, "Was It Something I Said?" is refreshing. Block told a very believable story of dysfunction, mania and hardwork that reeks of reality. I would suggest this book for all hopeless romantics, who think love is not an option.
Rating: 
Summary: WHAT THE CRITICS ARE SAYING:
Review: "An infectious celebration of neurotic love. Hands down, irresistible."--Elle
"Savvy observations and snappy dialogue...Block has a real ear for clever patter."--Washington Post Book World
Rating:
Summary: Funny and involving--the highest form of romantic comedy.
Review: Was It Something I Said? is a very funny romantic comedy, and much more. The book is full of wit and wry observations--I laughed out loud several times, and nodded my head in amused agreement throughout the book. Valerie Block's first novel is like a friend smiling at the reader with only its eyes, telling a good joke but having the good taste not to laugh too hard at itself. The dialogue and detail are always sharp, and Was It Something I Said? will please those looking for an entertaining read. But to bill Was It Something I Said? merely as a romantic comedy is to ignore the serious topics Block is treating in her subtle way. Her novel is to me, in between its high sense of irony and active good humor, a sad story about some lonely people made desperate by the realities of existence, forced to embrace diminished expectations of what life and love have in store. The pressures of career, family interference, years of conditioning to value certain superficialities, the impossibility of clear communication, all combine to make the four characters the novel examines sympathetic and ultimately misunderstood. They are misunderstood by their lovers, and by themselves. But through it all, they keep trying. It is this which gives Was It Something I Said? what for lack of a better term I will call a happy ending. But that happiness is tempered by a larger sadness, because Block has given us real characters, and even at the book's satisfying end we experience their uncertainty, and understand it as our own.
Rating:
Summary: Block has a perfect ear
Review: This is an amazingly funny book. The author has perfectly captured the way 90's anti-heroes and heroines speak and think. That they're often selfish and off-putting is part of the humor and adds to the enjoyment. If a social historian wants to know about this period l00 years from now, he/she should turn to this novel. It's much better written than Bridget Jones' Diary and hilarious from start to finish. I can't imagine any young urban person being unable to relate to this book.
Rating: 
Summary: Ugh!
Review: I can't believe I allowed myself to read this book. Valerie Brock has proven that unlikeable fictional characters don't make a pleasant read. Please, don't waste your money on this. There are so many other novels that are well written and enjoyable.
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