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mrsjkamp's review
3.0
Read this in two hours, so it held my interest. It's funny in parts, and I felt bad that Caroline had to kiss all of those frogs before she found her prince. But this, in my opinion, wasn't as good as the author's other books.
There was very little character development. Caroline's dialogue was "typical Southern," where every G was dropped from -ing verbs, and we never really found out much about her or Mike. Mimi was brought up at the very beginning, but she had very little to do with the actual book. The sexy scenes felt OTT and a little forced. The beginning was pretty info-dumpy, and the ending was kinda rushed, too. Even though it was predictable, I was never fully sure what the main point of the novel was, mostly because the POV switched so often, even mid paragraph and to characters that barely had roles in the book. And an editor was mentioned, but I hope this was the unedited ARC version because it definitely needed some editing.
In any case, I'll try more by this author because I've enjoyed her previous work. If you haven't yet, do check out [b:Click|11081111|Click|Lisa Becker|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1328328279s/11081111.jpg|16002738] and it's sequels. Those are really great, told all in e-mail form. :)
There was very little character development. Caroline's dialogue was "typical Southern," where every G was dropped from -ing verbs, and we never really found out much about her or Mike. Mimi was brought up at the very beginning, but she had very little to do with the actual book. The sexy scenes felt OTT and a little forced. The beginning was pretty info-dumpy, and the ending was kinda rushed, too. Even though it was predictable, I was never fully sure what the main point of the novel was, mostly because the POV switched so often, even mid paragraph and to characters that barely had roles in the book. And an editor was mentioned, but I hope this was the unedited ARC version because it definitely needed some editing.
In any case, I'll try more by this author because I've enjoyed her previous work. If you haven't yet, do check out [b:Click|11081111|Click|Lisa Becker|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1328328279s/11081111.jpg|16002738] and it's sequels. Those are really great, told all in e-mail form. :)
mommasaystoread's review
3.0
Clutch is a lighthearted, amusing romance about finding that one special person who just fits. I really liked the unique chapter headings and how they connected things. The story is rather predictable, especially the conclusion, and a bit repetitive, but it is humorous and I had more the one chuckle over the banter between Mike and Caroline. The book is well-written and I like the writing style, so I'll certainly read other books from this author. All in all, this one is low on angst and high on fun - an easy, enjoyable read.
lisaluvsliterature's review
4.0
I loved the idea behind this story, and since I loved the other book I read by this author, Links, I signed up to review the audiobook of this. I am a bit of a purse lover, so I looked forward to that part of the story. I loved how the author used the different types of purses to describe each of the men in the main character, Caroline's life. The book started out a little bit slow and hard for me to read. I didn't connect with Caroline at first, as she just seemed so naive. Now, with the first guy, an artist, we got some of the story kind of from his point of view. However, for the rest of the story, we didn't get that from the other guys, we only got to see Caroline's side. I think that hurt my view of her to start the story, because not only was it obvious what a douchebag that guy was, we got to actually see him being that way even when she wasn't around.
With the next guy though, my connection to Caroline filled in, and I was hooked. It seemed Mike might have been destined to just be her best friend, but I knew from the about a quarter of the way in that he and Caroline were meant to be together. Even if neither of them saw it, while everyone around them seemed to. Included Caroline's aunt Mimi, who created her love of handbags to start with. If only Caroline had taken Mimi's thoughts to heart sooner, maybe she could have saved herself some of the heartbreak of her parade of guys throughout the story. Although, not sure Mike was really ready for her yet, even if towards the end we find out just how long he might have felt more about her.
As we got to follow Caroline through her relationships, I did connect with her feelings a lot of the time. Like feeling guilty because she didn't really see the nice guy as anything more than a friend. Then of course was the guy who had gone all religious, so much that he got upset at Caroline for using the Lord's name in vain when they were getting hot and heavy. The fact that he reconciled premarital sex as being okay even with his holy roller attitude was just such a guy thing. Been there, seen those guys! Another place I've been, is going back to try to give a guy a second chance, only to find it too late, and that they've already moved on. I cried quite a bit at that part, was totally feeling all that Caroline was.
I mentioned how I loved that the author used different types of purses to describe each guy. It worked perfectly. And then there was the chapter where we had the chef, but it was a make-up bag. I was so confused about that, at first, couldn't figure out where that was going. Until I did. And then, wow, I did not see that one going! And it really made me think about what I would do in that case!
I highly recommend listening to this one. Give it the first guy to get through and you will be pleased! The happily ever after is one that was well earned, if you're like me, you'll be rooting for Mike at the end. I also love how the author made sure we knew just how things were going to go for them after the HEA. Also great was that we started out with the first guy's point of view, we also end up with the "clutch" guy's point of view at the end. Made a perfect bookend for the story.
With the next guy though, my connection to Caroline filled in, and I was hooked. It seemed Mike might have been destined to just be her best friend, but I knew from the about a quarter of the way in that he and Caroline were meant to be together. Even if neither of them saw it, while everyone around them seemed to. Included Caroline's aunt Mimi, who created her love of handbags to start with. If only Caroline had taken Mimi's thoughts to heart sooner, maybe she could have saved herself some of the heartbreak of her parade of guys throughout the story. Although, not sure Mike was really ready for her yet, even if towards the end we find out just how long he might have felt more about her.
As we got to follow Caroline through her relationships, I did connect with her feelings a lot of the time. Like feeling guilty because she didn't really see the nice guy as anything more than a friend. Then of course was the guy who had gone all religious, so much that he got upset at Caroline for using the Lord's name in vain when they were getting hot and heavy. The fact that he reconciled premarital sex as being okay even with his holy roller attitude was just such a guy thing. Been there, seen those guys! Another place I've been, is going back to try to give a guy a second chance, only to find it too late, and that they've already moved on. I cried quite a bit at that part, was totally feeling all that Caroline was.
I mentioned how I loved that the author used different types of purses to describe each guy. It worked perfectly. And then there was the chapter where we had the chef, but it was a make-up bag. I was so confused about that, at first, couldn't figure out where that was going. Until I did. And then, wow, I did not see that one going! And it really made me think about what I would do in that case!
I highly recommend listening to this one. Give it the first guy to get through and you will be pleased! The happily ever after is one that was well earned, if you're like me, you'll be rooting for Mike at the end. I also love how the author made sure we knew just how things were going to go for them after the HEA. Also great was that we started out with the first guy's point of view, we also end up with the "clutch" guy's point of view at the end. Made a perfect bookend for the story.
nikkiethereader's review
4.0
This was a very cute and quirky book. I adored it very much. I could relate to the main character in many ways. There was something I saw coming miles away. I was still happy to be right in the end. It was very inspirational. I can't say I agree with some of the things that happened in this book or some of the characters' opinions, but that's not really important. It made them more realistic!
The narrator did a very great job. I would be surprised to find out she's not southern at all. If she isn't, she definitely did her homework. She put the southern flair all through the book. I loved that. I'm from Georgia. That's where the main character in the book is from too. It was pretty cool!
The narrator did a very great job. I would be surprised to find out she's not southern at all. If she isn't, she definitely did her homework. She put the southern flair all through the book. I loved that. I'm from Georgia. That's where the main character in the book is from too. It was pretty cool!
amandacl's review
4.0
3.5
Living through dating/relationship mishaps are never fun, but reading about them are the best, and CLUTCH absolutely delivers!
.
Even though it is a bit predictable (read enough romance and this will happen), I enjoyed the laughs and the unique take on the beginning of each chapter.
Living through dating/relationship mishaps are never fun, but reading about them are the best, and CLUTCH absolutely delivers!
.
Even though it is a bit predictable (read enough romance and this will happen), I enjoyed the laughs and the unique take on the beginning of each chapter.
fsmeurinne's review
4.0
This book is written differently as what I usually read, making it really fun to do so, each chapter is a bag. Caroline and Mike story was hilarious, the audiobook made this book so enjoyable, the narration by Suzanne Barbetta was perfect.
sarahs_bookish_life's review
4.0
Clutch:A Novel, which at 140 pages is more of a novella is certainly an entertaining read.
Caroline after some great advice from her wonderful aunt goes to Harvard to fulfil her ambition of designing handbags and running her own company. There she meets the gorgeous Mike who she hits it off with straight away and they become the best of friends.
The beginning of the novel takes us through Caroline and Mikes Harvard years up until they leave, then the readers are taken through chapters that are titled after different bags which relate to different types of men that Caroline goes on to date.
Caroline is a character that through her disastrous dates I think most of us can relate to what she is going through. Mike is someone who I think any hot blooded female or male to that matter would want to be more than just best friends with. All the way through I was routing for the pair of them to get together but you will need to read it for yourself to find out if they do.
Clutch:A Novel is a bit like Sex and the City meets Fifty Shades of Grey sprinkled with a bit of Bridget Jones' Diary. It is a fun and light hearted read and highly enjoyable.
Many thanks to the author for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Caroline after some great advice from her wonderful aunt goes to Harvard to fulfil her ambition of designing handbags and running her own company. There she meets the gorgeous Mike who she hits it off with straight away and they become the best of friends.
The beginning of the novel takes us through Caroline and Mikes Harvard years up until they leave, then the readers are taken through chapters that are titled after different bags which relate to different types of men that Caroline goes on to date.
Caroline is a character that through her disastrous dates I think most of us can relate to what she is going through. Mike is someone who I think any hot blooded female or male to that matter would want to be more than just best friends with. All the way through I was routing for the pair of them to get together but you will need to read it for yourself to find out if they do.
Clutch:A Novel is a bit like Sex and the City meets Fifty Shades of Grey sprinkled with a bit of Bridget Jones' Diary. It is a fun and light hearted read and highly enjoyable.
Many thanks to the author for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
emilyhei's review
4.0
Caroline Johnson left home to pursue her dream of making clutches. Her Aunt Mimi had made the art of getting a clutch something special to Caroline and she sees a niche that she is passionate about. Harvard is hard but meeting Mike has Caroline glad he sat next to her on her first day. He has been her rock and friend throughout and when he suggests they move to LA so he can open his bar, Caroline agrees. They are the best of friends and through the years they have gotten closer but will Caroline ever find Mr. Right or has he been right in front of her the whole time?
I loved that each chapter is a type of purse and fits Caroline's life at the time. I thought this was really sweet and liked Mike a lot. This was light hearted and a great book to sit outside and enjoy the sun with.
I loved that each chapter is a type of purse and fits Caroline's life at the time. I thought this was really sweet and liked Mike a lot. This was light hearted and a great book to sit outside and enjoy the sun with.
morebookspleaseblog's review
3.0
Clutch is a light, fun read that will have you laughing out loud sometimes and frustrated at other times. Join Caroline in the world of dating as she tries to find her “Happily Ever After,” her Clutch.
Early on, you know how this is going to end. I didn’t mind that, but I was interested to see how we would get there. Caroline went on a series of dates over time, and each guy represented a purse of some sort. In a weird kind of way, some of the guys I found a little endearing, while I found others tried my nerves a bit. Reading about Caroline’s dating escapades did give some exaggerated misadventures, but over glasses of wine, it was fun to hear her tell her best friend and bar owner, Mike, about them.
One of my issues with this was there really wasn’t any character building. At times it felt as though you knew more about Caroline’s dates than Caroline… or Mike for that matter. As someone who hasn’t been to California (yet), it would have been nice to have some sort of details about Caroline’s surroundings.
Becker’s writing is fun and easy, making this an interesting read. She accurately describes everyone’s fear of growing old alone. The narration by Suzanne Barbetta was spot on with each character creation. Each character was distinct and brought to life. While predictable, it was still worth the read.
Early on, you know how this is going to end. I didn’t mind that, but I was interested to see how we would get there. Caroline went on a series of dates over time, and each guy represented a purse of some sort. In a weird kind of way, some of the guys I found a little endearing, while I found others tried my nerves a bit. Reading about Caroline’s dating escapades did give some exaggerated misadventures, but over glasses of wine, it was fun to hear her tell her best friend and bar owner, Mike, about them.
One of my issues with this was there really wasn’t any character building. At times it felt as though you knew more about Caroline’s dates than Caroline… or Mike for that matter. As someone who hasn’t been to California (yet), it would have been nice to have some sort of details about Caroline’s surroundings.
Becker’s writing is fun and easy, making this an interesting read. She accurately describes everyone’s fear of growing old alone. The narration by Suzanne Barbetta was spot on with each character creation. Each character was distinct and brought to life. While predictable, it was still worth the read.
theestherhadassah's review
4.0
My Rating: 4.5 stars.
CLUTCH is a quick read/listen. I adored Caroline and Mike's friendship. I laughed, I cried. The comparison of men and handbags. I honestly wish I were in the story. It was fascinating. The audio version of this book was well executed. Suzanne Barbetta did a great job reading. I enjoyed her voice. The audio itself was clear. No jumps or missing pieces. I've not read Lisa Becker's works before this. I really enjoyed her writing. And I've got a feeling I am gonna love anything I read from her now.
I received this audiobook as part of my participation in a blog tour with Audiobookworm Promotions. The tour is being sponsored by Lisa Becker. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.
CLUTCH is a quick read/listen. I adored Caroline and Mike's friendship.
Spoiler
Especially the NERF gun battle.I received this audiobook as part of my participation in a blog tour with Audiobookworm Promotions. The tour is being sponsored by Lisa Becker. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.