Rating: 
Summary: A well-written comedic, tongue-in-cheek look at life in 2000
Review: Certainly there are readers who will criticize this book for its lack of stodginess (read: classical use of the English language). What Alan does do in the book, though, is paint a beautifully endearing portrait of three women and the men who come (or come and go) in/from their lives. Her characters are markedly different from one another (character distinction is usually poorly done), but retain a very real interaction with each other. The asides (each character narrates her own chapters of the book) are so hilarious - the reader gains privy to the "only in my head" comments that sent me chortling out loud. The message of the book is cliche, but beautifully executed. I personally, though male, identified with each of the characters in some way. This is a phenomenal first book from this author. The execution of the narration switches is done flawlessly and though I am not usually a fan of books written in pervasive first-person, I couldn't have imagined reading the book in any different way. The book is funny, in parts a bit raunchy, thought-provoking, heart-warming, and the message is simple: be it in business or be it in friendships, life is measured by the good memories of "who you know."
Rating: 
Summary: Not as funny as I had hoped, but a good read
Review: I bought this book based on the reviews I read on Amazon.com. I didn't find it laugh out loud funny, but I did enjoy the story. I will read the author's next book.
Rating:
Summary: A real find
Review: I had never read Chick-lit before (hadn't even heard of it), but I bought Who You Know on the recommendation of a friend, and I'm so glad I did. This book is a real find and one that any 20-30- something female will love. Theresa Alan was so skillful at switching between the very different point of views of Rette, Jen, and Avery, that I didn't even need to look at the name above each chapter heading to know who was talking. This was an amazing first novel, and I can't wait to see more from this promising young author.
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic!
Review: I loved this book. The best part is that the characters are real. I could relate to everyone. Especially their job experiences, there were so many times when I wanted to shout "That happened to me too!"
As an experienced chick lit reader, I have to say this is one of the best. It's good because it seems like it could so obviously happen. The characters lives are about their lives, not just one story line, but many. Everything doesn't fall perfectly at the end, but thats what makes it relatable.
Loved it!
Rating:
Summary: A Must Read for 2003
Review: I recommend Theresa Alan's book to any woman who wants to get away for awhile. I'm a fast reader and had to pace myself because I didn't want the story to be over. Ms. Alan is an honest and entertaining writer. Her characters came to life as I read her brilliant words. I am telling ALL of my friends to get this book! I can't wait for the next ones!! Believe me if anyone out there has read The Idiot Girls Action Adventure Book by Laurie Notaro, they have to read this book too! Buy it now!!!
Rating:
Summary: Could not put it down
Review: I very much enjoyed the narrative style of the novel. It allows one insight into the thoughts and motivations of each of the three protagonists (Rette, Jen, and Avery) that otherwise would not be available had the story been told from a single character's point of view.
This was my introduction to "chick-lit" and, not being a "chick", I was pleasantly surprised. In fact, I learned a few things about female behavior that I had not previously known. More importantly, I found myself drawn into the story and interested in the characters.
This is the metric I use to gauge a novel: how hard is it to put it down and how strong is the pull to pick it back up. I finished reading this book in my favorite Indian restaurant and found myself ordering refill after refill of chai so I would have an excuse to stay and finish the book. This was somewhat embarrassing since I was treated to strange looks as I laughed aloud at some turn of a phrase, surprising insight, and discovery that my moniker ("Fred") is not a good name for a romantic love interest.
I suppose I should thank Ms. Alan for this last insight into a possible source of my romantic woes that runs counter to the counsel of Bill Shakespeare: there is something in a name. Instead, I would thank her for a deliciously hard-to-put-down novel.
Rating:
Summary: Hilariously Fun - Entertaining Romp
Review: In Theresa Alan's debut novel WHO YOU KNOW, the reader is gifted with Alan's surprising wit and charm. You are introduced to three very different, but highly enjoyable women: Rette, Avery, and Jen. WHO YOU KNOW give the reader a brief glimpse into the characters minds and lives. Theresa Alan really delivers with this book.
Rating:
Summary: Hilariously Fun - Entertaining Romp
Review: In Theresa Alan's debut novel WHO YOU KNOW, the reader is gifted with Alan's surprising wit and charm. You are introduced to three very different, but highly enjoyable women: Rette, Avery, and Jen. WHO YOU KNOW give the reader a brief glimpse into the characters minds and lives. Theresa Alan really delivers with this book.
Rating: 
Summary: Nothing new here...
Review: Maybe I've read too much chick lit, because it's all starting to seem the same to me. Twenty or thirty something woman (or group of twenty or thirty something women) has an okay job but doesn't get ahead because there is always someone less deserving but more conniving - or just cuter - than she. She has an okay boyfriend but he's nothing special, and she wonders if he really is Mr. Right. Or else she WANTS a boyfriend but just can't seem to find The One - until the final pages, when she will realize he's been there by her side all along (in the case of the single woman, it's the loyal male sidekick; for the committed woman, it's her very own underappreciated boyfriend or ex-boyfriend). Then, to add some depth, we get The Deeper Issue - an eating disorder, perhaps, or alcoholism, or low self esteem brought on by an abusive relationship. After three hundred pages or so, there is some life changing event that makes the protagonist (or each of the protagonists) take a good look at herself and gain the insight and the courage to change herself. And they all live happily ever after, with a post script adding that it's not exactly the happily ever after she/they may have dreamed of (for example, she didn't lose 60 pounds, but she realized that she loves herself anyway), but it will do.
"Who You Know" doesn't deviate from this formuala, and really, there's no need to. It's a suitably entertaining read with two of the three main characters being quite likeable (sorry, but I could not stand Jen). I might have given it a solid three stars, had it not been for the way too neat (even for chick lit) resolution to the alcoholism subplot. I'm sorry, I don't care how cute you are, if you have a drinking problem it takes more than going to one AA meeting to see the light and acheive sobriety (and a great new job and loving boyfriend along the way).
Negative comments aside, this is not a bad read for chick lit. Don't expect anything ground breaking and you just may enjoy it.
Rating:
Summary: Loved it!
Review: This book was definitely NOT up to the "wickedly funny" description on the cover, but it did kill a few hours with brainless amusement. I found each character's view of themselves OK at first, but the "poor me" attitude wsa really pathetic by the end. The characters had potential, but it seems as if Theresa Alan hit her quota of pages to write so she wrapped it all up in a nice little bow."Kitty" was a bit disburting to me - a very bizarre reference. I'd rate this book in the same class as Jennifer Crusie - no substance but a good way to kill an afternoon.
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