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hellsfire's review against another edition
4.0
A Life That Fits wasn't what I expected. It mostly dealt with Andrea, learning how to grow up and be an adult. I loved that fact about this book. Maybe it's because the last book I felt dealt a little too much with the love interest and she was bitchy about it. Of course, her husband did die.
Another thing I loved was that I found myself relating not to the main protagonist, which I normally do and still did here, but I related to Alex. A long time ago in my past relationship, I saw what I was doing to my girlfriend. She lost that spark and I was becoming her world. I loved her very much but I was destroying and ruining her. So I let her go, and I think I did the right thing. Wish she came back, but what are you going to do. Alex just decided to cheat instead because, well, I don't really know why. I wish it was explained more. All he came off as was a jerk and he could have been more fleshed out. Different choices, different paths.
Anyways, enough about my past. I did thoroughly enjoy the book. The beginning was a bit slow because Andrea was the only character and a bit whiny through most of it. Once she decided to "reverse" things, it started to pick up. I didn't realize it at the time, but I also did the same thing, but in far smaller steps. I should really give it another go.
The beauty about this book is that it works as a chick-lit, a self-help, and a nice love story, all in one. There were a few problems like how a 28 year old decides not only on a career but a boring one, how she can take so much time off, and how could she afford to do all the things she did, and what she ever saw in Alex, but overall, it was a very enjoyable book.
Another thing I loved was that I found myself relating not to the main protagonist, which I normally do and still did here, but I related to Alex. A long time ago in my past relationship, I saw what I was doing to my girlfriend. She lost that spark and I was becoming her world. I loved her very much but I was destroying and ruining her. So I let her go, and I think I did the right thing. Wish she came back, but what are you going to do. Alex just decided to cheat instead because, well, I don't really know why. I wish it was explained more. All he came off as was a jerk and he could have been more fleshed out. Different choices, different paths.
Anyways, enough about my past. I did thoroughly enjoy the book. The beginning was a bit slow because Andrea was the only character and a bit whiny through most of it. Once she decided to "reverse" things, it started to pick up. I didn't realize it at the time, but I also did the same thing, but in far smaller steps. I should really give it another go.
The beauty about this book is that it works as a chick-lit, a self-help, and a nice love story, all in one. There were a few problems like how a 28 year old decides not only on a career but a boring one, how she can take so much time off, and how could she afford to do all the things she did, and what she ever saw in Alex, but overall, it was a very enjoyable book.
shelleyrae's review against another edition
3.0
A Life That Fits features Andrea who is struggling to rebuild her life after her childhood sweetheart dumps her. The end of her fourteen year relationship with Alex leaves her floundering, her identity has been so tightly bound with his that on her own she is not sure about who she is or what she wants. After a period of mourning, Andrea sets out on a journey to win Alex back but what she finds is herself.
A Life That Fits has a strong, positive message for women facing a relationship breakdown. Andrea is naturally crushed at being dumped by the man she had expected to spend her life with and mourns the relationship, entertaining fantasies of reconciliation. After so many years as 'AndreaandAlex' she can barely imagine her life without the relationship. For Andrea, it's not a matter of resuming her life after the break up but reinventing it. The 'reversal project' is a great idea even if initially her motivation is skewed. Forcing herself into new experiences allows Andrea to develop her individual identity and builds her self esteem. I admired Andrea taking chances, facing her fear and trying different activities. I liked that she learnt to listen to her 'gut' and made mistakes but didn't let them hold her back, essentially Andrea grew up.
I didn't feel there was enough momentum in the plot to sustain the novel though. Andrea spends a lot of time grieving her relationship and her career which is realistic but does not make for an interesting narrative. Andrea's career issues offers a subplot to the relationship focus but I don't think Wardell exploited it quite enough (I never really got a sense of what Andrea's job really entailed either other than conference trips and paperwork). I do think that Wardell handles the relationships in the novel authentically though coincidences abound.
For me, the issues with the plot affects the pacing, it does tend to drag in places. There are a few instances of repetitive phrasing and clumsy sentence structure and overall I do think the novel needs just a touch more polish.
I am sure many readers will be able to relate to Andrea's heartbreak and recovery. A Life That Fits is a pleasant read with an inspirational message that encourages women to find inner strength and individual identity.
A Life That Fits has a strong, positive message for women facing a relationship breakdown. Andrea is naturally crushed at being dumped by the man she had expected to spend her life with and mourns the relationship, entertaining fantasies of reconciliation. After so many years as 'AndreaandAlex' she can barely imagine her life without the relationship. For Andrea, it's not a matter of resuming her life after the break up but reinventing it. The 'reversal project' is a great idea even if initially her motivation is skewed. Forcing herself into new experiences allows Andrea to develop her individual identity and builds her self esteem. I admired Andrea taking chances, facing her fear and trying different activities. I liked that she learnt to listen to her 'gut' and made mistakes but didn't let them hold her back, essentially Andrea grew up.
I didn't feel there was enough momentum in the plot to sustain the novel though. Andrea spends a lot of time grieving her relationship and her career which is realistic but does not make for an interesting narrative. Andrea's career issues offers a subplot to the relationship focus but I don't think Wardell exploited it quite enough (I never really got a sense of what Andrea's job really entailed either other than conference trips and paperwork). I do think that Wardell handles the relationships in the novel authentically though coincidences abound.
For me, the issues with the plot affects the pacing, it does tend to drag in places. There are a few instances of repetitive phrasing and clumsy sentence structure and overall I do think the novel needs just a touch more polish.
I am sure many readers will be able to relate to Andrea's heartbreak and recovery. A Life That Fits is a pleasant read with an inspirational message that encourages women to find inner strength and individual identity.
emerlea's review
3.0
Heather Wardell is my "go to" author when I need a light, chick-lit read that isn't overly sappy and has some substance to it.
The main character, Andrea, has been with Alex for 14 years...half of her 28 years and all of her adult life. When Alex dumps her without forewarning, Andrea's life is turned upside down. She soon realizes that she based her entire life on what Alex likes and wants and never really developed an identity of her own, despite being well educated. While this often made me want to shake Andrea out of pure frustration, it makes complete sense given she was with him during her impressionable teen years. As a way of pulling herself together and hopefully win Alex back, Andrea decides to become the opposite of who she was by trying a whole bunch of different things.
Throughout the course of this journey, Andrea learns a lot about herself, who she wants to be and finally, who she wants to be with.
Interesting storyline that you can read at face value, or you can use to look closer at who you've become and or want to become.
The main character, Andrea, has been with Alex for 14 years...half of her 28 years and all of her adult life. When Alex dumps her without forewarning, Andrea's life is turned upside down. She soon realizes that she based her entire life on what Alex likes and wants and never really developed an identity of her own, despite being well educated. While this often made me want to shake Andrea out of pure frustration, it makes complete sense given she was with him during her impressionable teen years. As a way of pulling herself together and hopefully win Alex back, Andrea decides to become the opposite of who she was by trying a whole bunch of different things.
Throughout the course of this journey, Andrea learns a lot about herself, who she wants to be and finally, who she wants to be with.
Interesting storyline that you can read at face value, or you can use to look closer at who you've become and or want to become.
donnah's review
4.0
I have read most of Heather Wardell's book and enjoy her writing style. The Characters are ones that the readers can identify with. Can't wait to read her newest book.
Twenty-eight-year-old Andrea returns home from a business trip to find Alex, her boyfriend of fourteen years, nervously waiting for her. Assuming he's finally going to propose, Andrea's instead horrified to learn he's been cheating on her and is leaving to be with the other woman, who he calls Andrea's opposite.
At first Andrea's paralyzed by shock and sadness, but the business analyst soon forms a plan: change every last detail of her life and become her opposite so Alex will come back to her.
It's a challenge at first, but soon Andrea's loving the changes she's making, the new activities she's doing, and the new people in her life. But will she change enough to get Alex back? And if she does, will he fit into the wonderful new life she's creating for herself?
Twenty-eight-year-old Andrea returns home from a business trip to find Alex, her boyfriend of fourteen years, nervously waiting for her. Assuming he's finally going to propose, Andrea's instead horrified to learn he's been cheating on her and is leaving to be with the other woman, who he calls Andrea's opposite.
At first Andrea's paralyzed by shock and sadness, but the business analyst soon forms a plan: change every last detail of her life and become her opposite so Alex will come back to her.
It's a challenge at first, but soon Andrea's loving the changes she's making, the new activities she's doing, and the new people in her life. But will she change enough to get Alex back? And if she does, will he fit into the wonderful new life she's creating for herself?
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