Scan barcode
renuked's review against another edition
2.0
I was honestly attracted to this book because of the cover (pretty colors) and the title (it sounded humorous). It wasn't terrible, but it was utterly forgettable. Just your average perfect girl meets the real world with a spritz of cute guy tossed in.
We start with Lila Alders, a 29 year old divorcee who returns to her hometown of Black Dog Bay, where she has to regroup and restart her life. She lives with her mother, an ex-model who has a shopping addiction and a large number of financial problems. The two women have to learn how to live anew and cope with their vast number of problems.
It's about girl power, yes. And I love girl power. But it just wasn't very interesting. They open a vintage fashion store, make some silly choices, make new friends and meet some handsome men (ex-boyfriends of Lila). I never really felt the characters change. The secondary characters were also pathetically one-dimensional, but they had so much more potential. Sadly, I couldn't even remember which one was which.
As far as romance stories go, there are far better out there. More character development. Better pacing (I didn't even realize I was more than halfway done - there was no rising action). I wasn't too impressed. I recommend this only if you want something light, and can't find anything else to read.
We start with Lila Alders, a 29 year old divorcee who returns to her hometown of Black Dog Bay, where she has to regroup and restart her life. She lives with her mother, an ex-model who has a shopping addiction and a large number of financial problems. The two women have to learn how to live anew and cope with their vast number of problems.
It's about girl power, yes. And I love girl power. But it just wasn't very interesting. They open a vintage fashion store, make some silly choices, make new friends and meet some handsome men (ex-boyfriends of Lila). I never really felt the characters change. The secondary characters were also pathetically one-dimensional, but they had so much more potential. Sadly, I couldn't even remember which one was which.
As far as romance stories go, there are far better out there. More character development. Better pacing (I didn't even realize I was more than halfway done - there was no rising action). I wasn't too impressed. I recommend this only if you want something light, and can't find anything else to read.
amym84's review against another edition
3.0
Probably more of a 3.5
I liked the story, it just took a little bit to get going, but once it did it was already a good ways into the book and from that point I feel like things didn't get to develop the way they should have (or the way I would have liked to see them develop).
It was a sweet story, and I loved all the fashion details. The overall message of the book - saying that it's not to late to start over again - is a good one and executed very well.
I liked the story, it just took a little bit to get going, but once it did it was already a good ways into the book and from that point I feel like things didn't get to develop the way they should have (or the way I would have liked to see them develop).
It was a sweet story, and I loved all the fashion details. The overall message of the book - saying that it's not to late to start over again - is a good one and executed very well.
kdurham2's review against another edition
5.0
Check out the full review at Kritters Ramblings
Lila returns home to Black Dog Bay after a nasty divorce and a speedbump in her career. She finds her mom struggling to keep herself afloat in Lila's childhood home. They have to quickly find a solution to their money and directionless lives - a boutique is the right idea.
Lila was a great character from the beginning - a go getter who is going to find the solution for whatever problem comes her way. I loved that her mom was her sidekick, made for a different read. I also loved the love storyline, it was different and unexpected, some may say predictable, but it is still different than the genre norm. I read this in one sitting and absolutely love Beth Kendrick.
Lila returns home to Black Dog Bay after a nasty divorce and a speedbump in her career. She finds her mom struggling to keep herself afloat in Lila's childhood home. They have to quickly find a solution to their money and directionless lives - a boutique is the right idea.
Lila was a great character from the beginning - a go getter who is going to find the solution for whatever problem comes her way. I loved that her mom was her sidekick, made for a different read. I also loved the love storyline, it was different and unexpected, some may say predictable, but it is still different than the genre norm. I read this in one sitting and absolutely love Beth Kendrick.
suzangilly's review against another edition
3.0
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 Stars
If chick flick literature is your thing, then this is book for you. The book in nutshell deals with Lila's return back to her home town after loosing everything (her marriage and job) to help her mother out who is currently in a financial situation after the passing of her husband (Lila's father). Lila's tries to discover herself while also dealing with ex-boyfriends.
It was an enjoyable read and kept me entertain the entire time with the authors humor. But some of the characters in the books annoyed be at time. Namely Lila's (the main character) mother who refuses to see the financial situation that she was in. Instead she's rather just be a hoarder, and keep all the think could help her get out the situation she's in. The major part of the books I did like was Malcolm and his interaction Lila through the book. First starting off as having no interest in Lila...but soon regaining the feels for Lila like he did back in high school.
If chick flick literature is your thing, then this is book for you. The book in nutshell deals with Lila's return back to her home town after loosing everything (her marriage and job) to help her mother out who is currently in a financial situation after the passing of her husband (Lila's father). Lila's tries to discover herself while also dealing with ex-boyfriends.
It was an enjoyable read and kept me entertain the entire time with the authors humor. But some of the characters in the books annoyed be at time. Namely Lila's (the main character) mother who refuses to see the financial situation that she was in. Instead she's rather just be a hoarder, and keep all the think could help her get out the situation she's in. The major part of the books I did like was Malcolm and his interaction Lila through the book. First starting off as having no interest in Lila...but soon regaining the feels for Lila like he did back in high school.
kittykornerlibrarian's review against another edition
3.0
It was clever and sassy. Anyone who likes clothes will love it. I myself am not that excited by clothes, which is probably why it's only getting a three. Also, some of the humor seemed a little bit of a reach, and the plot was fairly predictable. Still, a fun light read.
mbedrosian's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
tabatha_shipley's review against another edition
3.0
You start with a main character you will probably hate. That's the bad news. The good news? Change is coming.
I don't always like start over stories. I don't always like cutesy romances. But something about the direction this author went in really won me over. I liked the eccentric mother. I liked the cute ex-boyfriends who kept popping up when the girl returned to her home town. I liked the lessons she learned. More importantly, I like who she ended up as.
I don't always like start over stories. I don't always like cutesy romances. But something about the direction this author went in really won me over. I liked the eccentric mother. I liked the cute ex-boyfriends who kept popping up when the girl returned to her home town. I liked the lessons she learned. More importantly, I like who she ended up as.
mrs_b's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
stephanie6082's review against another edition
4.0
Very much like the first. Cute, quirky, fun and simple. Loved its quaint details 😉