Rating: 
Summary: Strange... yet fun
Review: The Thin Pink Line is a fun, engaging, yet strange novel. The synopsis -- a twenty-nine-year-old who stages her pregnancy in order to secure a marriage proposal from her boyfriend -- is original, but there are various loose ends throughout the novel. At first, all Jane Taylor wants is the special attention and gratification of being pregnant, not to mention a guaranteed marriage proposal from her boyfriend Trevor. But then things become rather complicated as the trimesters progress, and the charade takes over Jane's life -- especially when someone offers a book deal she can't refuse. But why doesn't she just stop the charade? I wasn't able to grasp the reasons for Jane's insistence on living a lie -- notwithstanding the gigantic book deal. The author fails to provide the aforementioned insight, and Jane's erratic behavior has no actual logic. But then again, perhaps her eccentricity implies that the scheme isn't supposed to be logical... Despite those loose ends, The Thin Pink Line offers an original plot, sharp and crisp dialogue and wonderful characters. Also, Jane's desperate attempts to legitimize her pregnancy will have the reader roaring with laughter. Red Dress Ink has released a fresh approach to chick lit with this wonderful gem. Illogical and strange conduct aside, Jane Taylor is the proverbial neurotic heroine... And The Thin Pink Line is a must read!
Rating:
Summary: Finally! An Original Chick-Lit!
Review: The Thin Pink Line is by what all other chick-lit books should be measured. A sparklingly original storyline, not so much emphasis on the oh-woe-is-me, and bonafide humor is what sets this novel apart. While reading this book, one must ask oneself repeatedly -- is Jane insane?! The heroine, almost-30 Jane Taylor, wants what she doesn't have -- a baby. Seems she has deduced (via her not-exactly-like-stalking research technique) that pregnant women are treated extra special. Doors are held open, smiles are frequently bestowed upon them, and getting out of doing any work is a given. So when Jane is "late" she feels she is finally getting what she rightfully deserves -- that rosy place called pregnancy. Jane's boyfriend, Trevor, seems nonchalant about it, which could only be a good thing, right? But when Jane finds out she isn't really pregnant, her hopes shatter into a million pieces. Seems like she'll have to do what any other woman would do in her situation -- she fakes it. Lauren Baratz-Logsted has written a clear winner. The Thin Pink Line is so refreshing to read, especially after the typical single-girl-in-the-city stories have worn themselves out. A true treat with humor to match. I loved every page. All future Red Dress Ink books should only hope to come close....
Rating: 
Summary: Awsome!!!
Review: The Thin Pink Line really is fantastic... Lauren Baratz-Logsted has really ruled over this genre! A fantastic book for anyone that wants to laugh a little and smile tons!!!
Rating: 
Summary: Don't waste your money
Review: This book has a fairly interesting concept - the idea of faking a pregnancy because of the perks of being pregnant - but the author fails miserably in pulling it off. The plot is very poorly developed, the details unbelievable. And the ending includes a gratingly convenient deus ex machina that, frankly, just seems lazy.
Also, the main character is supposed to be a native englishwoman, living in london, and yet she speaks and thinks in american language (eg, calling a painkiller "Tylenol" when every english person knows it as "Paracetamol"). I find this extremely irritating.
And the idea that anyone could fool all their friends, family and co-workers with the sort of ridiculous lies and tricks that this woman comes up with is just preposterous.
Seriously, this book isn't worth your time or your money. I strongly discourage you from buying it.
I'd give it zero stars if I could.
Rating:
Summary: Not The Kind of Book I Usually Read, But...
Review: This is not the sort of book I usually read, but I picked it up after buying my wife both The Thin Pink Line and Crossing the Line. She was so engrossed in TPL that, after she finished it, I picked it up and read a few lines. That turned into a few pages, and then a few chapters. I really needed to find out what would happen with Jane, and with the baby, and with Tolkein. And I wasn't disappointed.
I'm starting on Crossing the Line next and I hope the Lauren Baratz-Logsted comes out with some more books soon. Like I said, this isn't the kind of book I'd normally read, but it was really enjoyable and I'd reccommend it highly.
Rating:
Summary: awful, awful, awful
Review: This is the first review I've ever written, but felt compelled to do so. This book is one of the worst I have ever read (or attempted to read). It's just badly written. How on earth did this get published? There are no redeeming qualities, and why on earth is this American writer (I use the term advisedly) pretending to be British???? To climb on the Bridget Jones bandwagon, perhaps. I'm convinced the positive reviews are written by the publishers (they sound just like paid reviews).
Please save your money and don't buy this book! If there was an option for no stars I would use it.
Rating:
Summary: A funny, sharp, engaging & unique chick-lit read
Review: What a refreshing read in the chick-lit genre! I adore chick lit, but all too often, most authors will add some silly scheme to heighten the read or bring us to an end. Not Lauren Baratz-Logsted. She's given us Jane Taylor, a completely grounded (if a little self-absorbed -- but c'mon, who among us isn't?) woman who isn't following the "prescribed rules" of womanhood (get married, get the house, have a baby). Yet, somehow Jane longs for these things when she sees her married & pregnant sister receiving all the attention.
Jane is a witty and realistic character. What else makes this a wonderful book is how truthful it is: Jane meets a guy who seems dorky on first glance; her best friend's boyfriend doesn't like her and she wonders why; she sits through an annoying baby shower (full of annoying people) that she desperately wants to sneak out of. Who among us has not wanted to ditch a baby shower?
Also, clever is the idea of faking your own preganancy as an attention-getter: just how will you get yourself out of that one? I love this book. I recommend anyone buy this book, and curl up on an afternoon with a glass of wine for a good read.
Rating:
Summary: A great, good time read
Review: What I love about this book is its refreshing, wicked humor, original plot, and laugh out loud scenes. I love the main character, Jane Taylor, because she's wacky in such a charming sort of way. With Jane, wanting to become pregnant, and then failing at it, doesn't faze her determination to BE pregnant. That is, to fake it to the max! Such is the logic of single and single-minded Jane. I especially enjoyed the conversations between Jane and her gay, best friend, David; the one who tries to give her good advice and show her the insanity of her plan, and yet remains supportive of her throughout the story. Jane also experiences some very funny and memorable moments with her mother and her boss, Lana Lane (hilariously referred to as Dodo) and other co-workers at the publishing firm where she's employed. This book is just full of zany characters, but none zanier than Jane herself. This sassy, good-time read would definitely make for a good movie. In my opinion, the author is a comic genius and I look forward to reading more of her novels, hopefully, in the near future.
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