Penny Reid
Although this book classifies as typical chicklit or romcom (it calls itself "Smart Romance"), and it definitely had a few slightly annoying (for me) elements, I enjoyed reading it.
Set in Chicago, it deals with what probably many of us are familiar with: The feeling of not being adequate, of being the odd one out, of not matching the expectations of others, of not deserving the love and attention of that special someone we love.
Janie is one such bundle of insecurities, even though she is well past her puberty (when it would be very rare NOT to feel at least a bit insecure). In terms of brains, she is high above average, but in her experience, this is more a burden than an asset, and a stumbling block in relationships.
In the looks department, she feels too tall, too big, her hair too unruly and her fondness for high heels frowned upon.
When se loses her job and is escorted out of the building by the gorgeous security man she has secretly been admiring for the few weeks he has been working in her building, a chain of events - no, rather a whirlwind - is set in motion that leaves no stone unturned in her life.
Of course, all ends well, but there are several surprises in store, also for the reader; the sum total is foreseeable, but the twists and turns on the way there left me wanting to read on.
The elements I found slightly annoying were the frequent licking of lips and glancing through eyelashes whenever the heroine's object of desire was near, and that he invariably had his hand at the small of Janie's back when it is necessary for her to walk from A to B, as if moving on her own without his direction was impossible.
Something I have noticed in other, similar books (and remarked upon it before in other book reviews here on my blog) was the drinking: Alcohol seems to be the preferred method of handling any type of crisis in the lives of young, modern women. Well, I am either too old or not modern enough, because for me, alcohol is for celebrating, and I would never even remotely consider drinking an entire bottle of wine on my own while having a bath in my hotel room after a particularly demanding workday. I'd probably end up in hospital!
Still, as I said, I enjoyed reading this book, and I should really not complain about what I find for free at the kindle store.
You can read more about the author and her work here.
I don't think it will make it onto my list which will not surprise you. Not, I hasten to add, that I'm averse to the genre per se. It struck me that if I were ever to try and propel or guide someone by placing my hand in the small of their back I should fully expect to end up in hospital!
ReplyDeleteYou are right, I am not surprised that you have not instantly downloaded this and begun to read :-)
DeleteI thought that, too - even if I fancied someone, as long as we did not yet know each other, I would definitely NOT appreciate a hand in the small of my back!
Oddly enough, I can relate to Graham's view on this; probably not my thang. That said, alcohol at any sign of crisis...probably best to keep the beer steady and avoid the crisis in the first place... While I'm about it - Frohe Weihnachten!
ReplyDeleteFrohe Weihnachten to you and Mrs. Britain, too, Mike!
DeleteOddly enough, I can relate to both your views :-)
I think I might have read it if it were not more expensive on kindle at amazon.com than I usually pay for this sort of book. I notice she has at least seven books available in this series.
ReplyDeleteYes, this one is the first in a series, but I doubt I will go and look for more.
Delete