Rating: 
Summary: What's all the fuss about this book of fluff?
Review: I followed with great interest the exploits of Ms Bank's rise from Zoetrope contributor to hardback hack. Her story... Zoe picks story, lines up agent, gets book contract ... gave writers something to believe in; there was still a chance to get discovered. But what exactly did the publishing world discover? 'Hunting...' is a weak book, by an above average writer. She can lay on the yucks, but little else. This is so disappointing on so many levels. Banks will be in Houston soon, and I plan to ask her exactly how long it took her to write some of these stories; how long did it take to write a 6,000 word story of nothing but one-line paragraphs, some self-indulgent pap and a few chortles. But it's not her fault, really. The fuss over this book is all about Barnum-style marketing. Remember 'The Rules': this book was suppose to take those 'rules' and see how a modern gal with said 'rules' of acquiring love played out. Once again, the package appears to be more important than the prose. I feel sorry for Melissa. I feel sorry for writers across this country who work their butts off writing and getting no recognition because their work cannot be sold as coffee condiment. Send a message readers: don't buy this hype.
Rating:
Summary: No Bridget Jones
Review: I was very very disappointed by this book. I thought I would sympathize with a single career women in search of love (someone like myself) but found that Jane's character was unbelievable, unsympathetic, and just plain boring. The writing was uneven and even the style shifted from chapter to chapter that made it hard to appreciate the book. One chapter was written in a high-schoolish 3rd person (She looked at him. He was her lover). Terrible writing at times made me want to throw out the book. The ending was predictable. The only redeeming part of the book was the cleverness of having the two women from "The Rules" give Jane advice like the devil/angel scenario.
Rating: 
Summary: A great summer read
Review: The quality of these short stories vary greatly. Some seem like they are geared for a young adult/Judy Bloom-type audience while others seem more appropriately written for the over 30 audience. The best by far is the story for which the book is titled, "The Girls Guide to Hunting and Fishing." In this last story, a great romantic comedic piece, the girl finds love and the book ends.
Rating: 
Summary: What's All the Commotion?
Review: I saw this book in a bookstore and opted not to buy it because it didn't seem worth the money. And then, Amazon came with its 50% deal with NYT bestsellers, so I thought, why not? Thank God I didn't spend full price on this book. While Banks is a good writer, she's not great, and even though her book is a compilation of short stories, the selection is thoroughly incomplete. Also, why compare this to BJD? The two are completely different genres of writing. I've read all the reviews thus far and I think there are people who reviewed GGHF who haven't read enough good fiction. Sorry, but I can recommend at least three books of short stories most recent collection, and Judith Budnitz's Flying Leap. Banks' stuff is 3rd rate compared to these writers, and the last one is in her early 20s. As for the young woman genre, why not try The Answer is Yes, Mail, Jackie by Josie, Was It Something I Said, and Cupid and Diana? These are five books worth reading many times over this collection. I'm 32 yo and I've been on a reading rampage about women in my own age range. Or try Sex and the City. Even that's better than the life of Jane Rosenal. And for some genuinely good fiction, what about Fitzgerald, Wharton, Faulkner or Hemingway? It worries me that Amazon.com reviewers rate these books that are college-level creative writing B+ papers as the end all and be all. With all due respect, some of the readers need to check American literature. There's plenty out there
Rating:
Summary: Love it love it love it
Review: This book made me giggle out loud but also made tears run down my cheeks. I loved her relationship with an older man. I felt like they could be the memiors of my best friend.
Rating:
Summary: What a wonderful book!
Review: It is wonderful to read such a deep but at the same time funny book about a woman's life! I can't wait for Melissa's next publication! I hope it will be soon!
Rating: 
Summary: The rules worked
Review: Melisa did a great job. Her book was a great beach book. I am a "rules girl", who is really confused if they are good or bad...,but i think Jane would have never gotten Robert in the first place if she didn't do the "Rules"..Can't wait for the next book.
Rating:
Summary: Not at all like Bridget Jones!!!!
Review: This book is a great beach read...basically brainless entertainment. It is as challenging as watching a film. On its own, I probably would have enjoyed the book but after all the comparison to Bridget Jones's Diary, I was really hoping for the wit and humor of a New York Bridget. Unfortunately, that wasn't what The Girls Guide to Hunting and Fishing was all about. Actually, it didn't even feel very New York to me. The zany stressed out single city lifestyle really didn't seem at all evident. Entertaining but a disappointment!
Rating: 
Summary: Memorable dialog and characters
Review: I read more non-fiction than fiction, so this was an escape--and a fun one at that. To be honest, it never seemed episodic to me--I didn't notice that aspect until halfway through. Each piece stands on its own, with dialog that is yes, clever, but very similar to conversations that girlfriends and I have. It's certainly not pretentious. Enjoy this book on its own merits--don't compare it to others.
Rating:
Summary: A Can't Miss--The Best Book of the Year
Review: If you loved Bridget Jones's Diary, you will also love this book. Written in a style so easy to read, you will become this girl as you flip the pages. In this novel, the reader experiences some of life's tragic moments with the main character, Jane, as well as some of her best moments. This book is so much fun. I hated to be done reading it, and I honestly couldn't put it down until the very end. Buy this book now! It is the best book of the year, no doubt, and the best book since Helen Fielding's Bridget Jones's Diary.
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