Rating: 
Summary: A Great Beginning
Review: Straight Talking is the book that catapulted Jane Green to fame in her native UK, and I can see why.
Although it is not as sophisticated or clever as some of her later works, the book is not only fun and frolicking (Green's trademark), but works on a number of interesting levels, from just plain "dish" to a number of deeper truths about men and women. And the proof that it works is this: I am well past the thirtysomething dating game, and I found it as interesting, fun to read, and most of all, TRUE, as I would have done in my earlier years--and still do! And that's the sign of a good writer.
The main character in this story is your basic Brit Lit heroine: Think Sarah Jessica Parker with an accent. Tasha is single, gorgeous and a successful TV producer--but her love life is as confusing and tangled as it was when she was 15. She wants the "passion" (and gets it--plenty) but also wants to be loved. Can the two exist? This is the endless discussion between Tasha and her best friends: lovely sweet Mel, a therapist stuck in a go-nowhere relationship; Emma, waiting and waiting for her beloved to propose; and Andy, who could give Kim Cattrall's character a run for the money.
Straight Talking is a fun and fast book, perfect for the beach, perfect to "cleanse your palate" between heavier fare. The end is satisfying in every regard, and I give this book a solid B plus.
Rating:
Summary: The introduction to Jane Green's wonderful work!
Review: Straight Talking was Jane Green's vehicle to the publishing world. She, along with Helen Fielding and Marian Keyes, shaped the now popular chick-lit genre. This book was the promise of better things to come, and its US release was long overdue. I have never underestimated Jane Green's ability to write a fun, feisty novel. Her female protagonists and their quests to find Mr. Right have always entertained me. She has such great attention to detail. I loved Jemima J., Mr. Maybe and Bookends, but Straight Talking is the most open and honest book she's written thus far. Tasha is a great narrator. Her dry wit and unflinching honesty floored me. And I love the sharp dialogue between Tasha and her friends. I especially love the whole passion vs. friendship debate -- which one of the aforementioned aspects is vital in a relationship? And is it possible to have your cake and eat it too? This is chick lit for intelligent women. Buy Straight Talking for anyone with a brain and a sense of humor.
Rating: 
Summary: Delicious Page turner !!
Review: This book captured my interest from page 1 !! If you are a single woman in your 30's, you will easily relate (although you may not always agree with Tasha ). Green writes in the 1st person, drawling you into the story, as if Tasha herself is telling her tale directly to you . Tasha, is the kind of woman other woman despise , glamourous job, figure, but under the surface , she still suffers from childhood issues that have formed problems in her adult life . Her mother never thought she was good enough, and her father was unfaithful . Adam , is her best male friend , and he is everything she dreams about, but she is blind (as we all are sometimes), until she almost loses him . This book will make you laugh out loud, get angry at Tasha , and finally be happy for her at the end . If you love all things british (including the cheeky humor ) you will enjoy this . Tasha is a realistic character, she has flaws, but she is not perfect, although she appears to be on the outside.
Rating: 
Summary: Eh...not the best but not "DREADFUL"
Review: This book really is not as bad as everyone says it is. It isn't great, but not a complete waste of time. I can relate to Tasha: she's dreamed of her Prince Charming all her life, had a string of flings and bad relationships, gets a good guy but he isn't good or "wild" enough....and so forth. She is a big immature and her friends seem totally unrealistic. But it's not completely terrible. I would read "Being Committed" by Anna Maxted or a Shopaholic book instead, though.
Rating:
Summary: Dating, Love, Sex and Comedy Make a Great Combination
Review: This singleton has had it with men and can't figure out where she goes wrong in her relationships until it's too late. She's dated them all! The weird ones, the commitment phobes and the cheaters. She's a thirty-something that is ready to settle down once and for all. There have been a couple of failed relationships in Tasha's life that still haunt her. First there's Simon, the cheater, who three years after their break up calls Tasha's television studio for an on air relationship talk and she is almost positive the relationship he is speaking of was their own. Then more recently there was Guy, the commitment phobe. Everything was going great until Tasha "accidentally" left her toothbrush and nightie at his flat and that's all it took to set him off and running for the door. Even the men her best friends have been dating and living with for years find excuses to keep from putting a ring on their fingers. Tasha is convinced that women fall into patterns that they cannot stray from scaring men into singleton life forever.
Rating: 
Summary: *%&#(@! funny, but....
Review: Were it not for the crude vulgarity, profanity and Tasha's sluttiness, I would give this book a higher rating. Tasha's not very likable considering she has sex with almost every man she meets. However, this book IS laugh-out-loud funny at times, and is very hard to put down.
Rating:
Summary: Poor Choices and the Consequences We Have To Live With
Review: Wow!!! Were it not for her steaming love scenes, this book would not have kept me going. I don't know how she does it, but Jane Green seems to tap into the "love-making" scenario wonderfully. This book seemed to lack depth for me. I really enjoyed Jemima J. I have read every book of hers except for Babyville. That one is next. I felt that Tasha was shallow and it bugged me to keep watching her fall into the same traps with her describing "passion" and how she felt it should feel. Then, when she finally lands the "perfect, beautiful, gentleman" that she has longed for her whole life, she blows the deal. Anyway, it seemed quite lengthy (except for the love scenes). It was very "chatty". I did enjoy her friendships, though.....Oh well, Onto Babyville......
Rating:
Summary: Poor Choices and the Consequences We Have To Live With
Review: Wow!!! Were it not for her steaming love scenes, this book would not have kept me going. I don't know how she does it, but Jane Green seems to tap into the "love-making" scenario wonderfully. This book seemed to lack depth for me. I really enjoyed Jemima J. I have read every book of hers except for Babyville. That one is next. I felt that Tasha was shallow and it bugged me to keep watching her fall into the same traps with her describing "passion" and how she felt it should feel. Then, when she finally lands the "perfect, beautiful, gentleman" that she has longed for her whole life, she blows the deal. Anyway, it seemed quite lengthy (except for the love scenes). It was very "chatty". I did enjoy her friendships, though.....Oh well, Onto Babyville......
Rating:
Summary: Not Jane Green's Finest
Review: You can tell that Straight Talking is one of Ms. Green's first novels. Her mastery of writing didn't really shine through in this book. Straight Talking is chick lit in its purest, most stripped down sense. There are no grand illustrations painting out the scenes in your brain. It's more just basic girl wants bad boy but through much soul-searching and heartbreak realizes the good boy was the catch all along. Although this little read was excellent for a debut novel, I suggest skipping ahead & reading other selections by Ms. Green such as; Jemima J or Mr. Maybe over this novel any day. The characters are more three-dimensional & the plots are less formulaic.
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