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Summary: Incredibly disappointing.......a bridget jones wannabeee
Review: This just didn't live up to the glowing reviews on the cover. It is a collection of somewhat connected short stories that are a little too clever, just try a little too hard, so that one notices the writing, but is left wondering where the story is. Two of the stories are unrelated and don't really seem to belong....one of them is written in the second person for some unknown reason and all I can say is that Jay McInerney did it so much better in Bright Lights Big City. Overall, the book was a disappointment and I will not recommend it.....there are many other up and coming authors who are much more deserving....or just have something worth saying......this book just glosses over material that has already been well covered by other writers....and offers nothing new........
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Summary: Finally, a novel that exposes the manipulation game.
Review: In this book Melissa Bank clearly gives a voice to the struggle that single women encounter. Although women have "come a long way" they are continually burdened with ridiculous expectations. Whenever the "relationship" subject comes up women are expected to lose a sense of who they are and are conned into playing the manipulation game. For once a novel articulately exposes the manipulation game and it's consequences.
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Summary: cheap knock-off of Bridget Jones' Diary
Review: unoriginal drivel that tries so hard to match the fresh voice and wit of Helen Fielding's wonderful Bridget Jones' Diary ....and fails miserably. Whereas BJD was funny and quirky, this novel was dull with a few funny antedotes here and there, but not enough to save this book. Too bad Bank tried to mimic Fielding in most of the book, and only shows a glimpse of her own literary voice... maybe next time she will be braver.
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Summary: Wonderfully entertaining
Review: This is a "read in one sitting" book, I enjoyed it immensely. Melissa Bank's is a fresh, bright, humorous and engaging new voice and I hope to be reading more from her soon. She accurately captures the spirit of women in the dating scene and tells a story with much humor and insight. Take this one to the beach this summer, you'll love it!!
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Summary: Melissa Bank has the wit I've been looking for.
Review: I recently saw Melissa Bank at my school (her undergrad alma mater) and I was enthralled. Not only is she intuitive, she's creative and brilliantly expressive. I am not looking for a man; I am not anything like Jane; I have no desire to be a part of "hunting and/or fishing" but listening to the reading, thinking about Jane's life, I could relate to the feelings which seem to be so universal even in the most confident of folks. Reading the book myself was as entertaining as listening to Melissa Bank's voice, her dry humor exuded in every line. I recommed this highly.
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Summary: I Laughed out Loud
Review: I loved the book, so I'm recommending it to my girlfriends as the light-hearted, romance beach read for summer. As a boomer single gal, I related to the stories of loving a lot of Mr. Not-Quite Rights before "the one." When the character faces the reality of approaching singleness at 40 and begins to contemplate the romantic possibilities associated with her taxi drivers-- 200 of my fellow airline passengers heard me laugh out loud. The book has provided renewed inspiration--I'm goin' back out and doin' some hunting.
Rating: 
Summary: Worth a read
Review: While this book does not live up to the 'hype', it is still worth reading. I found the episodic format very interesting and unique and a welcome change from the typical novel. Jane has a keen sense of observation of those around her throughout the book, although when she really needs that skill, she misses greatly. While I share some other readers' opinion in that I couldn't relate to Jane, I still found it very entertaining and her outlook witty at times. I don't necessarily view it as a bad thing when I can't relate to the characters, as I enjoy reading different and fresh perspectives. This is the third book I've read this year (In the Drink and Fried Calamari being the other two) that I found offered very different and insightful female perspectives. For that reason alone, it is well worth reading. I recommend it.
Rating: 
Summary: Good stories, but lacks staying power
Review: While there are moments of sheer brilliance in this collection of linked stories, there weren't enough tangible details for me to really *feel* these stories. The details included are good, but do not possess the inherent uniqueness necessary for this book to possess a real staying power. I read this book four days ago, and only two of the stories have really stayed with me. "A Suburban Girl's Worst Nightmare" will make you pause, and it is by far the best story in the collection. The namesake story is close at ASGWN's heels, and is extremely clever and witty. All in all, this is a good first collection, and it will be interesting to see what Banks does next. But I'd still recommend waiting for the paperback.
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Summary: Absolutely brilliant and adorable
Review: The author must coincide with the character in this book. She's just so descriptive and passionate about every detail that she entices the reader into such drama and humor. Ruth Ozeki quoted about this book that she knew this girl. I think a lot of girls can also.
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Summary: An American Bridget Jones
Review: Jane is definately an American version of Bridget Jones. Both go through many of the same trials & tribulations in their careers & love lives, but it was much easier to relate to Jane. Although, many of the situations that Jane was in were very foreign to me, I was able to relate to her feelings nonetheless. The only weak part of the book was the single story that didn't feature Jane. I hope Melissa Bank realizes what an interesting this short story could be if expanded to a full novel. Overall, the book was a good, clean, fun summer read.
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