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3.55 AVERAGE
3.55 AVERAGE
Following the story collection The Guy Not Taken, Weiner turns in a hilarious sequel to her 2001 bestselling first novel, Good in Bed, revisiting the memorable and feisty Candace Cannie Shapiro. Flashing forward 13 years, the novel follows Cannie as she navigates the adolescent rebellion of her about-to-be bat mitzvahed daughter, Joy, and juggles her writing career; her relationship with her physician husband, Peter Krushelevansky; her ongoing weight struggles; and the occasional impasse with Joy's biological father, Bruce Guberman. Joy, whose premature birth resulted in her wearing hearing aids, has her own amusing take on her mother's overinvolvement in her life as the novel, with some contrivance, alternates perspectives. As her bat mitzvah approaches, Joy tries to make contact with her long absent maternal grandfather and seeks more time with Bruce. In addition, unbeknownst to Joy, Peter has expressed a desire to have a baby with Cannie, which means looking for a surrogate mother. Throughout, Weiner offers her signature snappy observations: (good looks function as a get-out-of-everything-free card) and spot-on insights into human nature, with a few twists thrown in for good measure.
Not one of my favorites but I didn't like Cannie before. And her daughter is just like her!
I do love Jennifer Weiner's writing style. She does keep me with the story to the end.
I do love Jennifer Weiner's writing style. She does keep me with the story to the end.
I picked this up because I read the prequel and felt it was less fluffy than I had assumed it would be, and I actually enjoyed it (even though I cringe to say it, because it's chick fluff).
This book isn't really worth it though. What made the first one compelling to me was the main character's tenacity and pluck in dealing with tough situations, and here she's just a nervous and obnoxious mother. The plot is too predictable, except for an end twist that I found unnecessary and frustrating. Maybe if I had a teenager or was a teenager I would find it accessible, but I just don't.
This book isn't really worth it though. What made the first one compelling to me was the main character's tenacity and pluck in dealing with tough situations, and here she's just a nervous and obnoxious mother. The plot is too predictable, except for an end twist that I found unnecessary and frustrating. Maybe if I had a teenager or was a teenager I would find it accessible, but I just don't.
So good. I think Jennifer Weiner may be in my top 3 favorite authors.
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Not ready to deal with 13 year old girls. Not now. Maybe not ever. (My mom doesn't know how good she had it with me!)
I liked this book a lot! I think I liked Good in Bed more, but this was an excellent sequel to that book. I really enjoyed how it was told from two different points of views, with the chapters alternating between Cannie and her thirteen year old daughter Joy. The ending totally shocked me. I did not see the last few chapters coming at all. I hope Jennifer Weiner writes a third book about these characters, and does soon very soon!!
I picked this up off the bargain rack at B&N for a train ride home this weekend. I had previously read the first Cannie Shapiro book "Good In Bed" not once, but twice. Only it wasn't that I liked it so much that I read it twice, it was so unremarkable in a sea of Chick Lit that I was 3/4 of the way through the second time before I realized I knew where it was going because I'd read it before.
Now, why would I buy then sexual to a so-so book? Because I'm cheap and it kept me from splurging on a buy 2 get 1 free promo in store.
I actually liked this book more than Good In Bed. Maybe because I'm at the same point in my life that Cannie is at in hers, but I could relate. I'm a over protective mother, wanting to shield my kids from any pain which we all know is impossible. I also saw some of my bratty teenaged self in Joy. It's relatable, to a point. Some of the plot points seemed to swing from one extreme to another. I got the impression that things are strained financially for the family, but then they buy a Badgley Mischka dress and offer $50,000 in surrogacy fees.
Weiner's books are usually hits for me, but both books in this series have not, which is unfortunate, as I enjoy fluffier books in between heavier subjects.
Now, why would I buy then sexual to a so-so book? Because I'm cheap and it kept me from splurging on a buy 2 get 1 free promo in store.
I actually liked this book more than Good In Bed. Maybe because I'm at the same point in my life that Cannie is at in hers, but I could relate. I'm a over protective mother, wanting to shield my kids from any pain which we all know is impossible. I also saw some of my bratty teenaged self in Joy. It's relatable, to a point. Some of the plot points seemed to swing from one extreme to another. I got the impression that things are strained financially for the family, but then they buy a Badgley Mischka dress and offer $50,000 in surrogacy fees.
Weiner's books are usually hits for me, but both books in this series have not, which is unfortunate, as I enjoy fluffier books in between heavier subjects.
Really liked Good in Bed but didn't find myself enjoying this one.
emotional
funny
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes